Civic vs Sentra vs Corolla vs Protege

[JCE]

The percentage isn't 99%, it is probably more closer to 75%. And I wanted the comparisons of the 4 from which you can purchase at a dealer. So anything that's a factory or dealer installed option at the time of purchase counts. So SE-R, Si, TRD/XRS, MazdaSpeed/MPS, and etc are included.

 

[Kent]

Frustration took hold and I posted. This is what is left after the final edit.

Through and through the new Civics are by far better all around cars than the previous cars. They are larger, smoother riding, more powerful, and more stylish (although I don't like the interior at all).

As for the Rolla... Like I said before, 125 ft.-lb. torque and only 2600lb. 👍 (not a monster but plenty peppy) (in fact, torque delivery is noticeably stronger than the 2006 Civics with auto trannys) (I did a ton of test driving before I commited to a purchase )

Oh and btw,

Whats that leave you with? The Corolla XRS, and even then, they are killing it after 2007!

That's a total cop-out.

 

[lmracer]

all major side by side considering aside, im hooked on the SE R spec v!

 

[Kylehnat]

As for the Rolla... Like I said before, 125 ft.-lb. torque and only 2600lb. 👍 (not a monster but plenty peppy)

I have to disagree there. I've driven my sister's 2003 Corolla S, and it doesn't quite pull like a Corvette. There's no torque at all until about 4,000 rpm, and then it sort of wakes up. Passing in that car is a chore. It's light weight probably helps, but to be honest, it feels about 500 pounds heavier.

 

[Kent]

I totally disagree.
Maybe it's just a matter of the condition of both cars?
And passing... I live down here in Louisiana where the avg. interstate speed for me is 78 (avoiding tickets).
Passing at that speed is not a chore (unless you really are comparing to a vette).
Btw, how did the Vette come up, I do not recall saying "Vette" at any point... More like "peppy."

And really, I think it's your sister's car compared to mine... Nothing against her but I'm running in the first 10,000 miles under mindful upkeep after about 8 months. 👍
(with highly reserved engine use most of the time)

 

[lmracer]

(with highly reserved engine use most of the time)

i dont understand what that means. please explain?

edit: i thought it read reversed

 

[Kent]

i dont understand what that means. please explain?

edit: i thought it read reversed

Sorry about that... What I meant was...

Some people want to feel the power of their engine off every light, on every on-ramp, with every turn.

I, on the other hand, never floor it, rarely run over 4,000... Generally it sucks to drive behind me.
No really, I am the type to resist the temptation of tapping into the engine's power. I rarely run into high rpms... I'm so crazy about not straining my engine that I drive without air conditioner! (in Louisiana none the less! )

The idea is that I drive with a light foot about 90% of the time. 👍

 

[lmracer]

just like my dad.. i tell him that he can only ejoy the power if he taps into the variable cams at 5600. he is such a care nut that he never goes above 3500. are you kidding? i say. its not unhealthy to run into that power... its what the engine was designed to do. but he is pretty good at resisting the urge. the result of his care is a very sound machine with a awesome drivetrain. in the long run, you will benifit from a unusually long living engine 👍

i decided that the corolla xrs or compressor are a strong candidate. talk about sleeper potential. good arguments kent... i like the interior in the shots you provided

 

[Kylehnat]

Btw, how did the Vette come up, I do not recall saying "Vette" at any point... More like "peppy."

I'm just making the point that it lacks any sort of neck-bending power. Granted, I'm not as familiar with the car as you, but I remember having to constantly drop down two gears to get around people doing 60 on the freeway. In any other car I've driven, one gear is enough. I'm not saying the Corolla can't dust off a Geo (Chevy?) Metro, but it's not the most lively get-up-and-go car on the market. It goes from point A to point B smoothly and reliably, though (which is why my sister bought it).

 

[Kent]

Thanks lmracer.
Also, ... ...
Neck-breaking speeds.
I don't think anything in this thread is worth of that description.
Plus, I drive an automatic (bought for the family with more than one driver) so I don't know about the 5 speed's torque.
But there in lies an issue... With the 4speed auto things change (specifically gearing). Maybe that's where the difference can be found?

Also, like I said, the condition of the vehicle can make all the difference.

 

[Kylehnat]

Neck-breaking speeds.
I don't think anything in this thread is worth of that description.

Touché, fine sir .

Plus, I drive an automatic (bought for the family with more than one driver) so I don't know about the 5 speed's torque.
But there in lies an issue... With the 4speed auto things change (specifically gearing). Maybe that's where the difference can be found?

Also, like I said, the condition of the vehicle can make all the difference.

Perhaps there is a difference between the auto and the manual, but I would just assume that the manual would be more driver-friendly. Oh well. To my knowledge, my sister has not abused the poor car to the point of breaking it down. She wrang the neck of her '93 Integra, but not this car .

I stand by my assessment of the Protegé/3 as the best car of the lot. The one I had was a blast to drive, and with 160 hp, the 3 seems just as good, though I haven't driven it yet...

 

[Kent]

I stand by my assessment of the Protegé/3 as the best car of the lot. The one I had was a blast to drive, and with 160 hp, the 3 seems just as good, though I haven't driven it yet...

All good dude, I was never trying to change your mind or your vote. 👍
I was only trying to get across that the Corolla felt better than was implied.
And about the tranny... Auto could make a difference.
After all, it will have different gearing.

Btw, I don't know about the Protege but even the great Mazda 3 has only a 9.188 TWR... Compared to the Rolla's 9.6 that isn't bad. 👍
(based on the auto equipped 2.0 which is the lightest of the 3's and the most price compatible)

Any way, off to school for me now so catch you all later.