Help needed for new car - Toyota Corolla Altis vs. Honda Civic vs. Honda City 2008

Hi all

 

I am based out of India and am looking for a new car for my parents back home. Since I cannot test drive etc myself – I am seeking your advice.

 

I have short listed the upcoming Corolla Altis, the current Civic and the upcoming City. Of course the City is in a separate league than the other 2.

 

The main factors are low maintenance / good service, performance and comfort in that sequence. My parents’ usage is very limited – I believe it wouldn’t be more than 300-400 kms per month.

 

Could you pls recommend a car to me out of the above 3. Corolla Altis looks like a winner but the pricing remains a mystery – if it is under 13 lacs on road then it is a good bet otherwise I will have to explore other options. Further, if the current models are also continued alongwith the Altis, how do they fare against the current Civic.

 

Civic – the main problem which I have gathered from other reviews is low ground clearance and low fuel efficiency. Is this a major problem in Delhi??

 

City – a safe bet but the there is no certainty regarding the new city model yet.

 

Lastly, could you pls shed some light on service / maintenance / spare parts costs for both Toyota and Honda and also specifics on the fuel efficiency for both Corolla and Civic.

 

Thanks to all in advance.

 

Rahul

 

hello rahul.

altis is not yet out so its difficult to compare it with the civic but with the features list for altis it seems that altis is more equipped than the civic so as per now altis makes the more sense to buy but it will be little expensive than the civic & the new city cant be compared with the civic & the altis because its a total different segment car but it will be better too.

if u want u can check it out in forums "lets discuss cars" i had posted 2 threads: (1) features list for new honda city, (2) brief review on corola altis.

u can check out the features there.

hi Rahul, from your post I have ovseved following things:
1. You parent will use this car for their daily usage in city and rare highway driving.
2. Mostly self driven.
3. Practicality is more important than status.
Considering above things I will go for New H-city. Reasons:
1. Small car compared to Civic and Altis, so more drivable for older ppl in city.
2. Safety features are not that important as mostly driving in city.
3. H-city fits perfectly in your requirements of low maintenance / good service, performance and comfort.
Pics are already there in other sites, so you can check it. But you have to wait for atleast 2-3 months.
Civic is law slung car and hence ingress/outgress are always problem for old as well as fat ppl.
Altis is equipped with lots of features, mainely not usable in city driving of 300/400 kms.
Further, the cost of repair of Civic and Altis will be higher compared to City.
All the best.

Rahul as you are considering two cars that are not released here in India it would be futile to speculate on which one to buy.Features let alone pricing is not know for both the city and the altis.

But consider four things

-when do you plan to purchase the car
-is the car self driven
-for how long are you going to keep the car
-whats your maximum budget

do let us know and maybe a clearer picture can be discussed out!

altis will have a price tag above 13lacs but is a very good car, i think much better tan the civic so if u can stretch than its the best because it has style, status, convinience & much more.

the new city will also be a very good car, if u would not like to buy a much expensive car than i would suggest u to gift ur parents the new city automatic as it will come with paddle shifts so it will be great boon to drive.

so if can afford than the altis automatic or else the city automatic.

suggesting automatic because it is for ur parents.

hey i saw corolla altis info in the website http://www.vicky.in/straightfrmtheheart .that was a nice one giving the info that the new altis will start at 13.5 lacs ex-showroom that is .and you wouldn't consider its last version too because its at 15.24 lacs.after that the new civic thats a nice option 1.8l engine is superb except for only one problem of ground clearance and with the condition of roads in india you can least compromise but everything will be okay if you drove very very slowly and carefully on these pothoholic roads and bad roads.the civic starts at 12 lacs on road for version 1.8E without alloy wheels ,leather seats and alloy wheels.next is 1.8V M/T (manual) has everything form 2 airbags,ABS with EBD,fog lamps,side turn indicators on outside rear view mirrors,leather seats and alloy wheels.after that is 1.8V A/T (automatic transmission) it has all features of the manual one just has a auto transmission with  passle shifts.the new city is cool looking car. you can see the pics in this website www.team-bhp.com. specifications not yet known just rumored as 1.5l i-VTEC engine is coming.my choice is civic if you can't wait and want more features and city if u can wait withdecent amount of features.

hey guys - many thanks for your prompt reply. to answer some of your questions:

1. i intend the purchase the car in the next 1-2 months (just waiting for some more clarity reg the new models)

2. budget - around 13-14 lacs (on road)

3. use - self drive mostly

4. want to retain the car for as long as possible. with the very low usage, i would expect the car to serve my parents well for at least 4-5 years.

could you pls shed some light on the maintenance costs (servicing, spares etc) for both Honda and Toyota. I have read about a lot of disgruntled Honda customers. any comments would be welcome.

 

many thanks again for your comments

honda's & toyota's are very good cars & does not have that much of maintainance, u can afford it easily, & as u r buying a car worth 14lacs than u should not worry much about the maintainance just regular services & ur car will be fine.

altis is coming on 5th sept, & the booking have already been started with 50,000rs.  if u want u can have a look at the car on toyota's site & if u like u can book & they have a policy that if u dont like the car than ur cheque will be returned back to u within 3 or 4 working days.

so if u like & want to buy than altis will be the best buy, & if u would like to spend some less money than wait for the honda city.

Hi guys,

I am in the same confused state. My need is to choose between the Altis Auto Gear and Civic Auto Gear. Price is not the concern. I am told Civic's ground clearance is an issue. However, when I checke out the actual specification, I find its only 6mm that Altis has more. So is it a big advantage for Altis?

I am not able to understand from any web site, which on offers more leg room at the back and which has a longer back seat.. essentially which is more comfortable at the back. Driving pleasure I am told is better in Civic.

I am addiing to this thread as I think answers to my questions will help Rahul too.

Rgds

Shyam

hi!

when it comes to automatic civic is the one that scores though yes   there is an issue of ground clearance with civic but     civic has 5 way shift while  altis has only   4way  so that  would mean less power in altis while civic A/T is said to be pretty good fuel eficient

the old corolla was also 4 way  so no change when it comes to altis   A/T 

i would suggest to go for civic if its A/T that you want  altis doesnt match up  to it

unless you wnat to look at M/T