Corolla price

compare with

I'm in Maryland and that's more than they charge around here. Have you cross-shopped the new Honda Civic?

Or the *much* better than either Mazda3?

I'm buying this car for smbdy who never drives on freeway. So sportiness, for example, isn't a concern. The main requirements are: reliability, safety, reasonable gas milage, good resale value. Civic seems a better car, but it's considerably more expensive (than Corolla) on carsdirect.com.

Boris

Corolla and Civic easily beat Mazda3 in gas mileage and resale value. Mazda3 gets gas mileage that's no better than a Camry.

In the East, year old Mazda's sell for almost new prices. That's better than Corollas or Civics which are a dime a dozen (always wondered why so many people are always getting rid of them). As to MPG, you're right but then, the Mazda is far more powerful than either. As Prius owners have learned, there's nor free lunch. Since the OP listed safety before MPG, he/she might be interested in a car with reasonably quick reflexes which is actually an important safety feature.

I paid $15,700 + destination & tax for an LE, auto, ABC, side air, audio upgrade and alloy wheel

this is >Hi,