2nd Gen owner's impressions: 3 days with a 3rd Gen (2013 5-door LE 18k miles)

[roxy1]

good write up. having owned a second gen for over a year and now 3rd gen for almost 6 months, I agree more than disagree on most points. I do feel the dash layout in the 3rd gen is far more welcoming and less cheap looking. on the stereo, this is the only sub $18k car I have had where I didn't feel the need to replace either the stereo or the speakers. its a decent set up w/ the 6 speakers (which even the base L gets in '14). I would add the 3rd gen is a little quieter on the road. however, the 3rd gen oem tires....bridgestone turanzas...are easily the poorest of any all season tire I have ever had. wet/snow handling, noise...just awful (see tire rack reviews as well). I look forward to ridding myself of them after getting whatever mileage out of them possible.

I could have just gone with the 2014 corolla 6 speed except for one simple reason. its a sedan, not a hatchback. wanting only a hatchback, and a manual, that left me searching for a base model 3 door, which I found after plenty of searching.