Honda or Toyota?

GMWXP

Hi,

I'm starting a new job, which will mean that I do a 360 mile return commute a minimum or once, but possible twice a week (or even 3 times a week). Then with my job I will be travelling across the countryside and could easily cover a few miles (unsure how much though as I am a social worker).

I currently have Pug 206, 1.4, which is ok and drives fairly decent, but on the motorway its a hard drive.

Therefore, I am interested in getting a new car. I was thinking of safe, reliable and reasonably powerful/comfortable car. So I am really interested in either of the following:

Toyota Corolla: 1.4D (which may be under-powered?) or 2.0D

or Honda Civic 1.7D.

I need decent fuel efficiency due to the mileage I will clock up. Also require a reliable and comfortable ride.

What would u choose and why?

Budget is between £2-4k - Don't mind slightly higher mileage if it has FSH and cambelt have been changed. Oh and ideally lower on insurance as ive been passed about a year (in Jan) and will have (i hope) one years no claim then. P.s. I am a 3o yr old male.

Are there any other reliable cars u would contemplate? VAG group bit expensive, anything else?

Thanks

oldtoolie

So 500 - 1000 miles per week. I would be looking at a repmobile. Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis for example. Although I would be happy with the Civic or Corolla.

With that size budget and mileage, it is better to look for the best available Japanese or Korean.

(I know Mondeo's are not Asian but they are reliable and plentiful)

worried_jim

I've had both Honda'a and Toyota's and found them both to be utterly reliable and I am sure that you would be happy with either. Good luck choosing one!

jase1

If looking at Japanese don't forget Mitsubishi and Mazda, equally well-made vehicles that tend to be overlooked.

(Wouldn't particularly recommend Nissan any more, their quality has diminished over the last 10 years due to Renault ownership).

wba31

I currently have a 1.7 diesel civic (54 plate). I've done 30 k miles in it in 2 years for work, however I'm about to change it (looking at 58 plate 2.2 diesel on Thursday).
Reasons for changing are 2fold; firstly I'm 6"2 and can't straighten my legs as much as I'd like when driving, and secondly no cruise control (can't fit it aftermarket as the ECU won't allow it). If I wasn't doing this job that requires me to drive I'd keep it, such an awesome car.
Doing 60 on the motorway returns 65-70 mpg
70 gets me 60-65 mpg, around town I get 50mpg+
It's not the fastest of cars to pull away but is very happy on the motorway. Once or twice when in a rush I've hammered it at 80+ and it was sound.
It handles well on country roads ( I work in Wales a lot) and has buckets of room in it (I could sit behind my own seat easily in it).
Tax is £125 a year and its insurance group 6e.

I'm not saying get one over the Toyota, I'm sure toyotas are just as sound, but its a good car, so good my dad is buying it off me rather than letting me part ex it...

If you have any questions about mine feel free to private message me...)

GMWXP

Thanks folks. That was the kind of info I was looking for. I also thought about Mazda 3 1.6, but a friend mentioned that although they are reliable when things go wrong the fixes are expensive.

WBA1 - Like u I would also be interested in Cruise control as I will probably end up doing loads of motorway mileage,

WBA1 - Whats the car like to pull and overtake others? Although generally I would stick to speed limits there maybe times when I want to go over that. How is the car like for overtaking/picking up speed?

What about getting a 1.4d corolla - 90bhp and then remapping it to 110bhp and torque. Or the same with the Civic?

wba31

GMWXP wrote: »

Thanks folks. That was the kind of info I was looking for. I also thought about Mazda 3 1.6, but a friend mentioned that although they are reliable when things go wrong the fixes are expensive.

WBA1 - Like u I would also be interested in Cruise control as I will probably end up doing loads of motorway mileage,

WBA1 - Whats the car like to pull and overtake others? Although generally I would stick to speed limits there maybe times when I want to go over that. How is the car like for overtaking/picking up speed?

What about getting a 1.4d corolla - 90bhp and then remapping it to 110bhp and torque. Or the same with the Civic?

For cruise you'd need to look for the 2005 onwards civic, but its 2.2 so group 10 insurance.

If you can survive without cruise the engine is torquey, and once it's moving and warm it can be a lively engine. In lanes if the car is empty or with 1 passenger dropping a gear means you can overtake easily. The handling round lanes is awesome (I'd love to try the 2004 type r!!)
On a motorway if doing 70 and needing to just accelerate to 75/80 to get into outside lane and round a vehicle it's effortless and no need to change down.
If you can afford the newer civic and it's insurance the 2.2 Diesel engine is phenomenal, I had an accord with one, its go so much torque and power, a great engine...

GMWXP

Cheers for the info WBA. Must say I am very tempted by the Civic. The 2.2 I really like the look of those 'alien' shape. They look a beaut. Really tempted. Might see if can push the budget.

Beachview_2

No spare wheel in the Civic, so you'll end up with just a tube of goo.

Furts

I considered a Civic 1.7 diesel as a run around a few years ago. I recall at least one road test saying they were noisy and the other comments being the engine. This is an Isuzu and was considered to be neither as reliable nor as refined as one would expect a Honda engine to be.

Danniuk

from my experience as a mechanic and driving all manor of vehicles I'd recommend the corolla with the 1.4D engine, there very well made and the 1.4D engine found in them are pretty torquey and decently powered considering there only a 1.4, i advise you to take a test drive in one before considering a higher capacity engine as you wouldn't be disappointed.
And as for the civic the older models are much more reliable and well built than the new space age/alien looking models, the engines are still very punchy around town and on the m'way though!

Also i would recommend looking at some of the KIA and Chevrolet models, in recent years build quality has become superb and i've heard many good things about them in the last 2-3 years.

good luck to you!