Buying a Corolla vs Protege vs Civic vs Altima (2000-2001)

[johnaeus]

Hello everybody,

I am new on this forum And I am looking for a car from 2000-2001.
I would like a reliable car that takes no so much gas and with a good insurance rate and a good resale value.

The car will be at the limit of the warranty (5years/100 000 km) with about probably 80 000-100 000 km.
So the reliability is on the first plan.

Personally I've test driven a few Corollas, Proteges a Civic and an Altima.

I would go for a Corolla (better ride than protge!).  

Here in Quebec the people are so excited about proteges but I don't personally much like this car. Each Protege that I tried had a problem. All the people say protege is more fun to drive that a Corolla. Forget it. In my opinion is much worse (direction, acceleration, brakes, transmission, confort in the driver seat).

Civic-high insurance rate (one of the most stolen car !)

Altima-takes more gas (motor of 2.4 l) and highr insurance rate than Corolla and proteges.

The expets say that the reliability of mazdas on the long term is questionable.

I would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks.

[Shnak]

That's easy... Corolla. You might want to check a base Camry too for more space... uncle has a 1995 Camry 4cyl standard and he's up to 200,000km without any problems with it. He's planning on keeping it another 3-4 years.

[johnaeus]

Now I've found a Corolla LE 2000 at 9000 (privat) CAD an a Corolla CE 2001 at 10500 (dealer). Both have about 80 000 km.
The 2001 looks a little "newer" but it has no the options of LE. The warranty for LE is until march 2005 and for CE is march 2006.

What do you say?  
Which one would you buy?

[mrthompson]

Well, which one do YOU like better?  Are you the type of driver who prefers an optioned up car over a bare bones ride?

Is it a Toyota dealer selling the 2001?  In some respects it may be better to buy from the dealer (if reputable) than from a private seller.  If you buy privately though, you pay no GST.

Sorry if I'm offering more questions than answers.  

[Shnak]

Well, at 80000km, both warranties are probably pretty close to being expired... full coverage probably ended at 60000km for both cars, and powertrain waranty will end at 100000km... so in terms of warranty, both cars are pretty even with about 20000km left on the powertrain warranty.

I like having stuff like electric windows, door locks, electric mirrors and A/C, so personally, I wouldn't even consider a car that doesn't have those things... Try to see if you can move on that 9000$ offer for the 2000 LE... but it seems like a great buy even for that money! Just make sure you get a thorough inspection done as its a private sale and you don't want bad surprises!!

[johnaeus]

I have bought the Corolla LE 2000 full options and I am happy with that.  
I hope the car will be as reliable as they say.

Thanks.

Johnaeus

[Mdxtasy]

Congratulations on the purchase.  How about some pictures.....that's the forum tradition.  

[mrthompson]

Too bad...you SHOULD have purchased the Altima instead.  

Just kidding...congrats on your purchase.  Nothing wrong with a Corolla.  In fact I would consider it as future purchase for myself.