On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 01:40:21 GMT, "griffin" <gryffy@DELTHISshaw.ca> wrote:

>I'm looking to purchase a new(er) car at the end of summer for around
>$16-22,000 CDN ($12-16,500 US) and have been looking at these four options:
>
>1. 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS or XR B-pack
>2. 2004/2005 Toyota Corollla B-Pack
>3. 1998-2002 Honda Civic SI
>4. 2001-2003 Honda Civic DX-G
>
>I previously owned a 1993 Saturn SL1 and liked the luxury-type features
>(A/C, pdl, pw, pm, comfy seats, cruise, tilt, etc) and a Jeep YJ
>(convertible - openness). I currently drive a 1997 Toyota Corolla SD, the
>plain-jane no frill model. It doesn't even have A/C. I have a 15 month old
>child and A/C is kinda needed. My Corolla is also very uncomfy and not
>suitable for long drives.
>
>In my new car, I want some frills, like keyless entry, pw, sunroof would be
>AWESOME!, cruise control, etc. Price is also a factor - I'm a full-time dad
>raising my child and the more money saved the better. I want reliability,
>practicality, comfort, gas mileage, etc. It's going to be for daily driving
>mostly in the city. I live in the cold climate of Canada which ranges from
>+30C to -30C (-22F to 86F) so heat and coolness are big factors as well as
>handling in ice/snow/rain.
>
>I'm looking for honest and unbiased opinions. I'm posting this in Honda &
>Toyota newsgroups and I know people in their respective ones no-doubt prefer
>the company they are driving, but please be as impartial as possible. I only
>plan to buy one new car in the next 10-15 years and this will be it. Tell me
>your gripes and your praises for any of the models you own(ed) above or have
>heard about. All comments appreciated!!
>
>My current views are:
>1. The Matrix seems very practical for everything. Reliability is hard to
>tell because they are relatively new but they seem OK? They may be a bit big
>tho and I wonder about fuel consumption? Pricy, too, for the higher models.
>
>2. I love Corollas for their reliability and price. I tried an '04 out in
>the winter and it handled VERY well. It was also very warm and somewhat
>comfy. I've heard the '05's will be very comfy. It also seemed to have alot
>of power. I guess my only gripe with them is their simplicity. Simple can be
>good, but they aren't great looking cars and they lack the sunroof which I'd
>really like if possible. Still tho, for the price it's a pretty good choice.
>
>3. I'd love to own an SI but I wonder about 2-door for a child? Many say
>it's hard to get them in and out and it's not so great. I've also heard
>mixed opinions on the higher output VTec engines - some people say they wear
>out a little faster? The price is also alot higher unless I go '99ish with a
>bit higher K's. However, they have all the bells and whistles and are fun to
>drive - as well as a good resale value. (PS: I know the '04's have 4-door,
>but they are a bit outta my price range for now ...but if you have some
>feedback on them, feel free to reply!) Is it worth the SI or is the DX-G
>just as good?
>
>4. The DX-G seems like the Corolla's comparison but with a few more frills.
>I know very little about them tho except that they are a few $1000 more.
>Feedback needed!
>
>I thank all of you for your help!! Sorry for the crossposting and the long
>post!

For your needs, and as a Honda err enthusiast, I'd say the Corolla - boring
but reliable, durable and possibly closer to bullet-proof... and Honda is
not offering anything to trump it now... like the superior DW suspension
system they used to have - sad that. The old Civic SOHC Honda engine is
umm, tired!

If you can live with a 2-door hatch - we did with our kids back then with a
Rabbit and Beetle as 2nd car - take a look at the Scion tC... a lot of car
for the $$ if the price stands... and you get Toyota "build". Check out
www.scionlife.com.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??