Mazda 323 or Toyota Corolla?

quenching

I'm considering buying either a Mazda 323 or Toyota Corolla from around 2001, these models but not these particular cars:

Mazda 323

Toyota Corolla

It will only be used by my wife for short trips around Dublin suburbs with 2 small kids, she has no interest at all in what she drives! It'll do about 8k miles a year. Aside from being as dull as ditch water is there any particular reason not to buy one? Reliability and low running costs are the main concerns. I've checked the usual places such as Parkers and Honest Johns and they both seem fine with only one or two issues to check on either.

kermitpwee

Both are very reliable, if you need parts in the future there will be more parts in scrappies for the toyota and also more spurious parts available. The toyota is expensive but if its as good as it looks and mileage genuine you will get years out of it. For that money you should get a decent waranty. On the corolla listen for whining from gearbox and make sure the car is idling at 750 to 900 revs when the car is warmed up.

Good luck.

colm_mcm

The 1.3 in the mazda is a bit dead, a 1.5 would be worth looking at.
Both very good cars, think the 323 would shade it for reliability.

fonecrusher1

I have a hatchback 1.4 corolla & its a grand car. Absolutely zero driver enjoyment but a fine car. The engine is a fair bit younger & more technologically advanced than the 1.3 mazda unit. That little mazda engine is a lethargic gutless yoke.

I'd go for the 1.5 323. The mazda actually has a decently sorted suspension set up. I was going to get a 323 last year but i was offered the corolla for silly money. Wish i'd gone for the 323.

bazz26

If this is genuine it should be worth looking at:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201106201222029

They generally give very little trouble, more modern and safe than the Corolla or 323 mentioned.

Peavy

try mazda 323F 1.5l a bit sporty not much fuel consumption drives clean 5 door

justshane

On reading the thread I was going to suggest the corolla as I am an massive fan of Toyota, however when I opened up the pick and saw it was the liftback version I couldn't recommend it. Quite possibly the most disgusting Corolla ever. Mazda all the way.

challengemaster

As others have said, 1.5 323 would be better, 1.3 in it would probably be underpowered and have crap fuel consumption

Kiva.D

I am a proponent of Toyotas. I first purchased a Mazda in the 90's and it was shockingly unreliable. My Toyota Corolla is exactly the opposite - very reliable and easily maintained.

quenching

Thanks for all the feedback, most seem to confirm that the Corolla would be the better bet and I was leaning towards that anyway as my wife has no interest in what it looks like and needs a 5 door hatckback. That Civic looks a good deal alright, might take a look if I can get over to see it.

E39MSport

kermitpwee wrote: »

Both are very reliable, if you need parts in the future there will be more parts in scrappies for the toyota and also more spurious parts available. The toyota is expensive but if its as good as it looks and mileage genuine you will get years out of it. For that money you should get a decent waranty. On the corolla listen for whining from gearbox and make sure the car is idling at 750 to 900 revs when the car is warmed up.

Good luck.

Whats the whining all about?

Mine makes an interesting noise on acceleration but I'm putting it down to intake (it is a gigantic 1.3 after all ;-) ) Not bothered really but I've put a few squids into new shocks and will be replacing clutch plate so don't want to lose those spons.

Ta.

Leonard Hofstadter

Those early VVTis are notorious for burning copious quantities of oil as the miles pile on.

You're also likely to have problems with the radio in those cars - the built in stereo has a habit of failing in them.

The 1.4 Corolla is very quick for a 1.4 and is a miser on juice.

Apart from that it is absolutely terrible car - it's got to be driven to be believed just how awful it is to drive.

A Honda Civic would quite literally be bulletproof and the 01 onwards models got very good ratings in the safety tests.

The Corolla only got three stars, which is dreadful by modern standards and only has two airbags as standard.

colm_mcm

quenching wrote: »

Thanks for all the feedback, most seem to confirm that the Corolla would be the better bet and I was leaning towards that.....

My reading of it is 5 posts in favour of the 323
2 posts in favour of the Corolla
2 posts in favour of the civic

langdang

1.5 Mazda 323 GLX would be my choice* better value cos it's not a Toyota, better spec most likely.
The facelifted ones from 02 on are better looking than the 98-01 model.
(The liftback corolla is horrible looking yoke, but I guess you're buying on reliability)

Hang on... I think that Mazda you linked to should be a 1.4, there was a switch in the petrol engines roundabout the time of the facelift in 02.
Previous models were 1.3 (possibly taxed as a 1.4??? anyone know?) 1.5 and 1.8
Later models were 1.4,1.6, and 2.0.

*I lie, 1.8 or 2.0 would be my choice:D

cantdecide

I have a 02 323F 2.0 Sport and it's a decent car. Very practical and stylish.

I wouldn't have a Toyota in my way.

colm_mcm

323 1.3 was a 1324cc SOHC engine with only 72hp, pretty sure there's no 1.4 model, facelift was in 01, I've seen facelift 1.3 models so pretty sure.

langdang

colm_mcm wrote: »

pretty sure there's no 1.4 model, facelift was in 01

Same 1.3 engine all the way so -just some people seem to refer to it as a 1.4 as it's taxed as a 1.4

kermitpwee

E39MSport wrote: »

Whats the whining all about?

Mine makes an interesting noise on acceleration but I'm putting it down to intake (it is a gigantic 1.3 after all ;-) ) Not bothered really but I've put a few squids into new shocks and will be replacing clutch plate so don't want to lose those spons.

Ta.

Gearbox failing on them is a known issue. with age they all make a little noise but if there is a good whine then the gearbox is on its way out.

bazz26

The only engine change in that model 323 was with the 1.5 litre engine in 2001 when the car was facelifted. The 1.5 litre petrol was replaced by a 1.6 litre, the 1.6 litre was more powerful and slightly better on fuel over the 1.5 litre.