One car to rule them all,
One car to find them,
One car to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.
Quote: “The Corolla is a fine car, and has sold more than any other car ever made.” Unquote
I could say that about the Ford. The Ford is a fine car and has been sold since 1903. You say, that is not true? Corollas have changed too; used to be rear drive for one thing. It’s only a name; different cars, the Corolla has gone through several redesigns according to Wikipedia. The Ford Model T for 15 million cars had the same engine from start to end.
Amen,JT-Kevin
“I could say that about the Ford. The Ford is a fine car and has been sold since 1903. You say, that is not true? Corollas have changed too; used to be rear drive for one thing. It’s only a name; different cars, the Corolla has gone through several redesigns according to Wikipedia. The Ford Model T for 15 million cars had the same engine from start to end.”
The Corolla has had such success that Toyota did not have to change the name in over 40 years of manufacture. That’s the important part about selling so many. They do their intended job well enough to keep the public’s interest and keep Toyota interested in continuing the name, even after many improvements. I am not a Toyotalyte, but recognize that the Corolla is a good small car with an enormous following.
The Ford did not need to change their name, neither did the Chevrolet, the Cadillac, the Volkswagen etc. Can you understand my point? Corolla is a continuing name but the design changes. It is not the same car over time. Wikipedia misses this distinction too.
“The Ford did not need to change their name, neither did the Chevrolet, the Cadillac, the Volkswagen etc. Can you understand my point? Corolla is a continuing name but the design changes. It is not the same car over time. Wikipedia misses this distinction too.”
At least until the mid 80’s when I bought two Chevy Novas (Corolla clones), they have change little in concept and evolved very slowly. Since tooling is the big cost, I would say they are Corollas as are any car made similar to those in Fremont, Cal. which they presently still come from. 50% American made parts and assembled here compares well with 55% American parts for the Focus but assemble in Mexico. Corollas have not changed nearly as much as the Escort/Focus design and manufacturing location/assembly.
ecce signum
I got your point. Did you understand mine?
“ecce signum”
Wait a minute! You can’t use Latin phrases that actually mean something in the context of the rest of your post. How will those of us who choose Latin phrases at random cope? 
Do as I do…Cogito, ergo I Google.
I am a Toyota fanatic, and unashamedly so. But, the issue here is how has that 19,000 mile Corolla been treated, and why is it for sale so young? My wife put away our April issue, so I can’t look up the Focus, but isn’t it one of the more reliable small Fords?
If so, though my basic nature would be to go for the Toyota, unless you can be sure of the treatment of the Toyota, it’s hard to recommend an unknown used car based solely on reputation of the make.
Also, how long do you tend to drive cars. When people ask me about Toyotas, I usually tell them the Toyota is best for people who are going to drive them out. The sort of person who trades before 100,000 miles should perhaps not bother to spend the extra money. That is my personal opinion. I hope to drive ours 300,000 unless there is a time limit how long I can import the same car to Mexico.
The chrome on the Focus lasted only one year thankfully. Only the 08’s had it, so the poster should be good in that respect.
Drive them each and see which you like better. Personally, I’d go Focus. Much can happen in 19k, it’s probably fine, but you never know. Piece of mind is worth something when buying new.
I was looking at used cars about six months ago. I looked at three used Fusions. Two had been in previous accidents, another had an engine that went KA-BOOM during the test drive ( it had 35k on it. ). I ended up buying a new Fusion for about 2k more than used two year old one.
Also, for whatever reason, Consumer Reports hates the Corolla, why I can’t remember. They rate the Focus “ok”, nothing special.
“…I Google”
That’s how I scoped out what ecce signum means. Well, actually, I Binged it. Sometimes I’d be lost without search engines…
Which car do you like driving the best and could live with easiest, $$$$$ considerations aside ? The difference in price is so close, 19K miles on these cars is little, so what you liked best may be the deciding factor.
cura te ipsum
It’s your fault jt 
I can’t stop.
Irlandes; OP is comparing a basic Focus with an UPSCALE(Sport) Toyota model. Hence the close selling price. Car for car, a new Toyota is only about $700 more than a new Focus.
Agree with you, buying a “Sports” model used is a very hazardous choice. These are normally driven into the ground over time. The son of a friend bought such a car and the transmission was already near death.
In a rare instance, a person bought a Sport model and found the ride too harsh, and traded it for something more cushy.
Furthermore, I believe the Toyota Sport model has a larger engine and will use more gas than the Focus.
As I recall, they don’t like the position of the steering wheel (too far away, but I LOVE it) and too much hard plastic in the interior. They downrated the previous Hyundai Elantra, an excellent car, for years because it had a poor rating in an off-center collision. As others point out, don’t read too much in their overall rating; the reliability survey is the most useful.
Don’t forget, this is the same outfit that used to qualify a US familiy car as: “having room for six male adults and at least a weekend supply of luggage”. I think they backed away from that definiton when a reader asked what kind of “family” they had in mind.
The magazine also launched an action suit in the early 70s against the US government and oil companies for “overcharging” US consumers since in those days cheap oil could be imported from the Middle East. They prefer to forget about that one.
If it’s not too small for you, take a look at the 2010 Scion xD - made by Toyota. For a little over 16,000 it comes with automatic and standard Electronic Stability Control and a long list of other standard items. Even the first two oil changes are included.
Corolla? Focus? Get an A5!!! This commercial shows ya, how not to kill yourself with one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWX1cBWSzwE
I am not sure if it does actually come from Audi though, seems a little too provocative…
The decision is so tough when just considering the cars, the choice really depends on your personal circumstances.
UAW Member? Baptist? Nascar Fan? Hate the Auto manufacture bail-out package - go for the Focus.
College Professor? Episcopaleon? Opera fan? Would rather die than send a buck to an American fat-cat family who owns much of the company? Get the Corolla.
When in doubt, flip a coin. Both will be great cars.