Edmunds.com is conducting another consumer comparison test.
We want you to test-drive these 2008 economy sedans:
Honda Civic, Mazda MAZDA3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla
Just like our last consumer test, we will send you to Willow Springs Raceway in California where you'll get to test the cars in a number of situations.
All you have to do is write an essay telling us why we should choose you. Make it good because competition will be stiff...
You must be at least 21 years old to be eligible to enter, have a clean driving record and be able to travel to Los Angeles between May 13 and 15.
Good luck.
Apply here for the Edmunds Consumer Comparison Test.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
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Man I so wish I could do this.
Predicted results:
1) Mazda3
2) Toyota Corolla
3) Mitsubishi Lancer
4) Honda Civic
Darn. I'll be out of town on my honeymoon during that time, otherwise I'd definitely apply. At least my fiancee was patient while reminding me what we were doing on those days.
Apparently only the Japanese make economy sedans.
brn -
I just got out of a Ford Focus & let me tell you...knowing what the Crapbolt & Caliber are like, YES, only the Japanese make economy sedans.
Roar02ram,
If you believe that, let's put them in the comparison and prove it.
I've been equally underwhelmed with the corolla.
Man just 4 more years and I can do this!! Aw no Jetta, Spectra, or Sentra? Wow no one likes VW these days but a select few!! I surely do!
Predicted Results:
1)Mazda3
2)Honda Civic
3)Mitsu. Lancer
4)Toyota Corolla
or
1)Mazda3 -"Who wants a corolla?"
2)Honda Civic -
3)VW Jetta -S*** Happens
4)Mitsu. Lancer
5)Nissan Sentra
6)Kia Spectra -"Just cant seem to get it right today"
7)Toyota Corolla -Badgered... LOL
-Cj
The Cobalt lost an Edmunds comparo before and hasn't been significantly updated since. I just had a rental for 4 days and trust me, you're not missing out on anything.
Focus platform is what, 7 years old now?
Caliber isn't even a sedan.
The Jetta is in a price class above most of these. Loaded up they're almost in near-luxury car territory.
The Civic and Mazda3 were at the top of the class before, and the Lancer and Corolla are new challengers. So the 4 choices make sense.
Sign me up!
No, the four choices dont make sense. Where are the Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Sentra? Both are new for 07/08 and are very popular cars.
Brn - I fully agree with you, it would be worthwhile to see if the public hates the Focus as much as the automotive press does. I think it should be thrown in too.
Thanks Daytona. The Focus sells pretty well, so it can't be all bad.
Naysayers:
The Focus is seven years old, but it’s been redesigned once since and has just recently undergone a refresh. Edmunds felt it worthwhile to undergo some long term testing on the current model. Both the Civic and Corolla have been around much longer than seven years (also have had redesigns and refreshes). The Mazda3 is five years old and, as far as I recall, hasn’t undergone a redesign
The Astra (yes, it exists in a sedan) is all new to the US. Its exclusion makes no sense at all.
The G5 is a relatively new entry into the field.
Sure the Chevy lost in another comparison. Wasn’t that with Edmunds staff? Isn’t the purpose of this to have non-media types perform a review? Might they have different priorities?
I’m not trying to say that any of the above should win. I am saying that it’s rather suspicious that the list is 100% Japanese. That is, unless you want to call the Mazda3 a Ford.
I wish these sorts of things were open to Canadians! C'mon, you even have Canadians on staff! Give us a chance.
1) Mazda3
2) Civic
3) Lancer
4) Corolla
Edmunds, will these be low, mid or higher end models?
Besides the lousy interior quality, there is a lot to like about the Cobalt. Its fuel economy is far better than the EPA rates it at (at least mine does), it has a pretty compliant ride, is very quiet, has better than average power, offers a good range of features, and is more affordable than the rest of the cars offered here. I don't know if it would win, but I think it deserves a shot. Since I can't participate, my initial vote is Mazda 3, Civic, Lancer, Corolla.
"I wish these sorts of things were open to Canadians! C'mon, you even have Canadians on staff! Give us a chance"
I agree but I think I'll wait until they need testers for a GT-R, Corvette, Elise and 911 turbo comparison.
Edmunds... keep me posted.
Brn - same thing happened with the recent midsize crossover contest, which had the RAV4, Outlander, CR-V and Rogue. No Saturn VUE which was redesigned no refreshed Ford Escape or new Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro. C&D did a similar test with 9 SUVs in total which I found to be more entertaining.
Good grief, why would anyone want to donate their time (giving up vacation days for this?!!) to test such boring cars? Is it really that dull at home?
zzzzzzzz.
I have two major issues with this test.
1) As has been pointed out, the Mazda 3 is 5 years old, going up against 3 recently redesigned vehicles. The completely redesigned Mazda 3 is expected out either late this year or early next year. Might as well wait.
2) By the time this test actually takes place, the 2009 Lancer has been on dealer lots for about 2 months. If you're planning to compare the Lancer GTS, it should definitely be the 2009 Lancer GTS, since that is what the customer will most likely be buyin by the time the article goes live.