Corolla or Skoda Laura Ambiente

hollaback · 17th December 2007, 14:34

hi guys ...

need some help from all you experts out there.

We are currently trying to decide between buying a fully loaded Toyota Corolla H5 (approx 12 lakhs) vs a Skoda Laura Ambiente (approx 14.2 lakhs)

Already have a 2006 Civic, 2000 Honda City 1.5 and a 1999 Esteem and am very happy with all of them, need something along these lines.

Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km
Where car will be mostly used: CITY
Chauffer driven / self driven: mostly self driven
Whether the vehicle will be shared by other members of family: YES
Any specific requirements from car: Legroom at the back is important since it will have approx 4 passengers on a regular basis
How long you intend on keeping this car: For a while, id say 6-8 yrs alteast

Now my main dillema is that we have never owned a diesel car and my dad is not too keen on one since its apparently high maintenance, makes rattling noise, although it might be economical in the long run. Also i heard maintenance is high for diesel cars and they have tendency to break down in the long run (is that true?). I also read somehwere that if you are driving less than 12,000 kms/yr u shud def go for a petrol car

Looks wise i think laura is better than the corolla, but the interiors are very dissapointing in the laura. space and legroom both are almost the same i think. Also corolla is a better car in the long run with better mileage and low maintenace, but too bad it looks like a bullock cart

Still have to test drive them both but would really appreciate all your help.

Thanks !

bblost · 17th December 2007, 15:40

If this is not a typo
Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km

and also this is correct
How long you intend on keeping this car: For a while, id say 6-8 yrs alteast

you want a car that would last 720000+ kms

oh boy, I am going to wait for this long term ownership report.

StarScream · 17th December 2007, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollaback

Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km

I also read somehwere that if you are driving less than 12,000 kms/yr u shud def go for a petrol car

hollaback, these two statements conflict. Im assuming that you mean the car will be driven 10,000kms a year. For that kind of usage its wiser to buy a petrol car IMHO. The advantages of diesel and the extra money you spend on it only work out if you put a lot of miles on it - at least 1,500km a month.

The Corolla may not be the best looking but it will serve you well without a problem for the period you plan to keep the car. And it may well cost you less to maintain than the Laura. I would think Laura parts parts cost more than Corolla parts. The Corolla also has decent leg room in the back.

The one issue with the Corolla is that Toyota is due to change the model soon. Nonetheless, I do think the present model will continue to hold its value.

hollaback · 17th December 2007, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

If this is not a typo
Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km

and also this is correct
How long you intend on keeping this car: For a while, id say 6-8 yrs alteast

you want a car that would last 720000+ kms

oh boy, I am going to wait for this long term ownership report.

haha my bad, i meant 10,000km/year

AirWind · 17th December 2007, 16:06

@ hollaback - If you are not biased against a Hyundai, did you consider yourself a Sonata Embera? Its definitely more bang for the buck IMHO.

hollaback · 17th December 2007, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarScream

hollaback, these two statements conflict. Im assuming that you mean the car will be driven 10,000kms a year. For that kind of usage its wiser to buy a petrol car IMHO. The advantages of diesel and the extra money you spend on it only work out if you put a lot of miles on it - at least 1,500km a month.

The Corolla may not be the best looking but it will serve you well without a problem for the period you plan to keep the car. And it may well cost you less to maintain than the Laura. I would think Laura parts parts cost more than Corolla parts. The Corolla also has decent leg room in the back.

The one issue with the Corolla is that Toyota is due to change the model soon. Nonetheless, I do think the present model will continue to hold its value.

yeah you are right i read somewhere that the new corolla was slated for a release in mid-2008 but shinrai toyota refuses to confirm

CrAzY dRiVeR · 17th December 2007, 16:11

Your running is high enough to justify a diesel car! However, since you are comfortable with petrols and if diesel/petrol difference doesn't matter to you- I'd suggest you to stick to the Corolla. You can't go wrong with it.

Skoda service is expensive, and Laura owners are complaining about expensive issues in their cars (Please search- There are quite a few threads here.)

Also, if you want diesel, please also take a look at the fully loaded Optra Magnum TCDi/Sonata Emberra too.

hollaback · 17th December 2007, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirWind

@ hollaback - If you are not biased against a Hyundai, did you consider yourself a Sonata Embera? Its definitely more bang for the buck IMHO.

unfortunalety i am not a big fan of HYUNDAI so an EMBERA is not even an option, thanks for your suggestion though

surajs · 17th December 2007, 16:34

hollaback, considering both reliability and maitanence, i suggest you stick with the corolla.

ram_hyundai · 17th December 2007, 17:08

why dint you think of embera,petrol or diesel.its got better seats at the rear and cost of maintenence would be less compared to corolla or laura.any ways you are going to keep it for 6 yrs so dont worry about resale.diesel embera is a gunner.and between laura and corolla i would suggest corolla,but again a face lift is due so wait till that comes out.

ram

morphin1 · 17th December 2007, 17:38

Why not wait for the 2008 corolla as its only a few months away , 6months at max

Also I drive a corolla and its perfect for 10,000km a year run and very reliable.Not had any problems in my car in the last 4years and have averaged about 60,000kms.

Sahil · 17th December 2007, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram_hyundai

but again a face lift is due so wait till that comes out.

ram

Not facelift... a completly new generation corolla is due in a few months. If you can wait, then its a no brainer ...get the new corolla...its a baby camry...gonna stir up the segment big time.

sbasak · 17th December 2007, 17:50

This is no brainer

With the spurt of complains against Skoda recently, you'd be better of with Toyota.

metropolis · 17th December 2007, 23:17

No spinning with confusion............New Corolla is just around the corner and which worth to wait for .........and about Skoda its really doubtful as there is lot of grumbling regd after sales and quality So better be on a safe road...........

17th December 2007, 14:34	#1
hollaback Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bombay Posts: 17 Thanked: 0 Times	Corolla or Skoda Laura Ambiente hi guys ... need some help from all you experts out there. We are currently trying to decide between buying a fully loaded Toyota Corolla H5 (approx 12 lakhs) vs a Skoda Laura Ambiente (approx 14.2 lakhs) Already have a 2006 Civic, 2000 Honda City 1.5 and a 1999 Esteem and am very happy with all of them, need something along these lines. Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km Where car will be mostly used: CITY Chauffer driven / self driven: mostly self driven Whether the vehicle will be shared by other members of family: YES Any specific requirements from car: Legroom at the back is important since it will have approx 4 passengers on a regular basis How long you intend on keeping this car: For a while, id say 6-8 yrs alteast Now my main dillema is that we have never owned a diesel car and my dad is not too keen on one since its apparently high maintenance, makes rattling noise, although it might be economical in the long run. Also i heard maintenance is high for diesel cars and they have tendency to break down in the long run (is that true?). I also read somehwere that if you are driving less than 12,000 kms/yr u shud def go for a petrol car Looks wise i think laura is better than the corolla, but the interiors are very dissapointing in the laura. space and legroom both are almost the same i think. Also corolla is a better car in the long run with better mileage and low maintenace, but too bad it looks like a bullock cart Still have to test drive them both but would really appreciate all your help. Thanks !
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 15:40	#2
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,078 Thanked: 16,080 Times View My Garage	If this is not a typo Average distance traveled per month: approx 10,000km and also this is correct How long you intend on keeping this car: For a while, id say 6-8 yrs alteast you want a car that would last 720000+ kms oh boy, I am going to wait for this long term ownership report.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 16:06	#5
AirWind BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 405 Times View My Garage	@ hollaback - If you are not biased against a Hyundai, did you consider yourself a Sonata Embera? Its definitely more bang for the buck IMHO.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 16:11	#7
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 17,236 Thanked: 73,771 Times View My Garage	Your running is high enough to justify a diesel car! However, since you are comfortable with petrols and if diesel/petrol difference doesn't matter to you- I'd suggest you to stick to the Corolla. You can't go wrong with it. Skoda service is expensive, and Laura owners are complaining about expensive issues in their cars (Please search- There are quite a few threads here.) Also, if you want diesel, please also take a look at the fully loaded Optra Magnum TCDi/Sonata Emberra too.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 16:34	#9
surajs BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TVM Posts: 105 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	hollaback, considering both reliability and maitanence, i suggest you stick with the corolla.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 17:08	#10
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	why dint you think of embera,petrol or diesel.its got better seats at the rear and cost of maintenence would be less compared to corolla or laura.any ways you are going to keep it for 6 yrs so dont worry about resale.diesel embera is a gunner.and between laura and corolla i would suggest corolla,but again a face lift is due so wait till that comes out. ram
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 17:38	#11
morphin1 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 195 Thanked: 52 Times View My Garage	Why not wait for the 2008 corolla as its only a few months away , 6months at max Also I drive a corolla and its perfect for 10,000km a year run and very reliable.Not had any problems in my car in the last 4years and have averaged about 60,000kms.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 17:50	#13
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	This is no brainer With the spurt of complains against Skoda recently, you'd be better of with Toyota.
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 23:17	#14
metropolis BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 263 Thanked: 57 Times	No spinning with confusion............New Corolla is just around the corner and which worth to wait for .........and about Skoda its really doubtful as there is lot of grumbling regd after sales and quality So better be on a safe road...........
	() Thanks