04-09 Corollas vs 04-09 Priuses

Tewie, I'm sorry we scared and confused you in the other thread.

You're not going to go wrong with either one. Neither one is really more reliable than the other. Around here in southern California, though, the Corolla is going to cost $1,000 - 2000 less out the door.

 

Right now, I suspect the Prius is a better more reliable vehicle. In 5 years, i suspect the Prius will need a battery, so the Corolla will look better.

If you get a Prius, there are choices you can make to make it more reliable.

1) never jump start another car, and if you need a jump start, replace your battery immediately. (jump starting wrong, even for a second can cost $4000.

2) Drain and fill the ATF WS in the transaxle every 90,000 miles. (If new, add 30,000 miles, then 90,000) You are trying to remove suspended metals.

3) Try not to overheat the battery, use A/C when you are hot, use B mode from the top of down long hill slopes, park in shade.

(Earth is a horrible location, so I can't give any more detailed advice. If fact, no one can give you good advice on most topics)

 

No, not safe to say.

But in your other thread you say: "I'm in the market for a new car and my main concern is reliability, fuel economy, cost of insurance, and maintenance costs (in that order). Based on that criteria, which car would you choose between an '08 Prius with 100k miles and a 2014 Mirage with 40k miles (both comparably priced)?"

It's based on THAT criteria that I recommended in the other thread that you consider other vehicles.

The truth is no Used Vehicle in the 7 to 12 year old range is going to come with any "guarantees" as far as reliability. That is you could buy a Prius and have it last years without a problem, or one could develop relatively quickly and the same goes for a Corolla.

But given your original criteria and budget, I recommended considering other vehicles.
IMO if there is ANY chance owning a Hybrid could exceed your maintenance budget, AND you are not 100% sold on owning a Hybrid?
Then standard ICE choices I think can be better. If only because you are not dealing with the reality of both ICE components and Hybrid Components. However....

If you are absolutely sold on owning a Prius? Try to find the best you can within your budget.
Corollas IMO are nice vehicles.
They would if in good shape meet most of your original criteria.

 

Many were suggested in the thread, including Corolla.

And for some reason you hate Honda.

What other vehicle you might like, is up to you.
But there are plenty that would fit the criteria you have chosen.

I personally have nothing against either Toyota Corolla, Yaris, or Honda Fit or Civic.....

My previous vehicle was a Honda Fit, and I thought it was a great vehicle.
If Honda is the devil?
Then they made a devil of a great compact hatch.

 

Sign up for TrueDelta -- Real Car Owners Driving Real Car Information to get a wealth of info provided by owners. I was a contributor for the 2006 Prius and still am for the 2010 Prius.

 

The E120 Corollas are nearly bullet proof with the 1ZZ engines. They make the 2009+ seem like they were all made on Fridays.


iPhone ?

 

I think he is discussing the Gen 9 Corolla:
In August 2000, the ninth-generation Corolla was introduced in Japan ... The North American release was delayed until March 2002 (for the 2003 model year). Production in Japan ended in January 2007 but production in North America continued until October 2008 - Wikipedia

This may be the 2003 - 2009 he is talking about, not the Prius.

 

6 vs half dozen.

We're talking about 8-10 year old vehicles here and both the Prius and Corollas have their drawbacks.
The Prius is a proven workhorse and you have a better chance of finding a one-owner, adult driven Prius than you will for a Corolla BUT you're probably looking at some maintenance and repair costs for either vehicle........because they are going to be 8-10 years old.\

I'd lean towards a Corolla but ONLY if I could find a one-owner unit with fairly low miles and a fairly clean and verifiable pedigree.
Good luck with that BTW, because I've just described the perfect college/learner/commuter car, and they're in high demand.
Always.

The Corolla will be cheaper to buy, and might be slightly cheaper to insure but will be more expensive to operate.
Both will be about the same to maintain out to 200,000 miles since the Prius will have the battery to replace (maybe) but the Corolla will chew through brakes a little bit more quickly.

Me?
I'd cast a net wide enough to consider either one....

Good Luck!
Let us know what you come up with.