Will I ever love/respect a corolla. Maybe, but definitely not the current one. As for other people liking it, well its not a bad car, there are many far worse ones out there.

I’m wasn’t trying to slam the corolla, I’m was just trying to explain why some people have a problem with it. Reliability is a brain thing, the sensible part of you that realises the cost benefit of reliability. Personally I don’t wake up in the morning and go “yes! can’t wait to get in my car and sit back and enjoy the reliability”, it doesn’t excite me. I’m still slightly suspicious of self proclaimed ‘car enthusiasts’ who’s number one love in life is the reliability of their cars. Just doesn’t seem like something you can get enthusiastic about. But hey each to their own.

Sorry for the off topic post, please let this not turn into a ‘world vs toyota’ topic. Mazda 2 sales success yay, now mazda go and make a mazda 2 mps.

I think you are being a bit unfair. Let’s discuss some of your points. (I don’t own one now I did own a twin cam version 20 years ago.)

Engine options, The Corolla is available overseas with a variety of engines from 1.4 petrol to 2.2 diesel. In Japan they sell a version with a 3.5 litre V6. The single engine option in Australia is obviously a marketing issue here and since the Corolla is the highest selling car here, a successful one.

Interiors, I found them OK, nice even at the price points

Transmissions, The 6 speed manual here is OK, the Auto is a bit backward at 4 speed (5 speed available O/S) and no DSG but given the intended market acceptable.

The car is cheap to run, maintain and is very very long lasting and runs on 91RON unlike the new Golf that needs 98RON!!!

OK it excels at nothing except of course the “cheap to run, maintain and is very very long lasting” bit. Some people don’t want a car to “love” for its ultimate dynamics just for ultimate reliability and cheap pleasant transport.

What’s wrong with that?

However, whilst mazda’s recorded their best month (just beating last month), if you look at the sales of each model closer you notice that out of all their models only the mazda 2 increased in sales over this time last year, with all other models decreasing in sales both in relation to july 07, and year to date (exception of bt50 4×4). Sales of the cx-7, at a time where soft roader 4×4′s are booming, are down 50% from july 07 and 35% YTD.

It must be of a little concern to mazda that although they sold 52 more cars than july 07, the total share of the mazda 2 in relation to total monthly sales has gone from 9% to over 22%. Given the typically razor thin profit margins in this segment, the picture isn’t as rosy for mazda as the market share would indicate.

“What else would you want for a car of that class?”
Sam have alook around at others in the class, Corolla trails most and costs more.

Personally I haven’t owned a Corolla since the early nineties, and that hire car in 2003 was the last I drove for any considerable time/distance.

I don’t believe you. Not about the current Corolla.

The new Corolla is HUGE inside, outside it is as big as a Commodore of a couple of generations ago.

I don’t own one but I have driven it. it is quiet, reasonably powerful, roomy and from what I hear economical and reliable.

What else would you want for a car of that class?

Like it or not, Ford Aus and Holden will eventually be reduced to something similar, as are all markets around the world. The days of developing a specific car for just one market are rapidly dissapearing.

Pity, as I don’t know what vehicle, anywhere in the world, can provide the funtionality at the price.

SamR, Corolla and Mazda2 are city/metro cars just the same as any Euro Ford and no more or less designed for Australia. None, other than maybe Mondeo, would be very suitable vehicles outside of the city metro areas.
Have you ever tried to do an interstate trip with two adults & two kids in a Corolla? Absolutely horrendous experience.