5 years back I came across exactly same scenario…..TOYOTA , HONDA, NISSAN ,SUZUKI, MITSUBISHI…?
My father is an armed personal, he was of same opinion when we brought our car , that HONDA is too Weak vehicle for regular use as its suspension is very WEAK, and thats the reason FORCES and other GOV agencies are not acquiring HONDA. Ground clearance was another important issue making it unfavorable.
Because HONDA's image in majorities mind was like that of a Chinese Brand , WEAK Suspension , Light quality material , faulty design resulting in low ground clearance , " ya GARI YAHAN KAMYAB NAHIN HA" , “SASTI GARI HA KUCH TO HO GA”…ETC
On the other side when ever you ask any mechanic they would prefer TOYOTA state away, as they come across them every now and than making them used to that ....
when you ask them the merits specifically they will say its parts are readily available , very durable , GARI SIRF TOYOTA HI HOTI HA ………etc
Mechanic (specially of rural areas) could easily detect problems and communicate with spare suppliers easily, because its widely used car all over Pakistan from mountains of GILGIT to Deserts of THAR……
If we look at its DEMERITS ,
• Corolla is Totally failed in Value for money Test , as you can buy atleast two Civics for one corolla in a decent condition …..
• When you go for spares its , spare parts are Surly above that of CIVIC….. Why?
Due to its Demand….. corollas are in much larger numbers than that of civics……
Mehran is most popular and cheapest car in Pakistan …. But its engine is almost DOUBLE the price of CIVIC
“………..Neither SUZUKI is using DEPLATED URANIUM for making PISTON, RING, SLEVES etc that causes them high costs..,
Nor HONDA is making above said part with WORUGHT Iron…..…”
……. Again the same reason IT’s the demand that cause the price to hike……
You can easily get sealed engine for CIVIC with in 30,000 RS along with a handful of other concerning parts from any scrap market……
But Corolla’s engine will not be less than 70,000 along with other parts……
• Prices of suspension and other parts will also be a little above or may be equal to Civic….
• Toyota corolla is ONLY CAR USED IN TRIBAL AREAS , thats the reason making it one of the most vulnerable car for THEFT…….
PAKISTAN is a country in which people to people information is much more influential than that provided through the media .
TOYOTA being a market leader , has already established its brand IMAGE specially in rural areas.
HONDA came a little later, people and mechanics were not familiar with there vehicles , resulting dent on its brand image...
Mechanics who were not familiar say’s its a cheaper copy of corolla, BUYING A HONDA it like setting your money on fire, etc.
MY personel experience.
We brought HONDA civic 95 in 2007, before going on my first ever road trip we drove it for about 7-8 months , therefore we were a little aware of the car behavior but still.....my dads recommendations was(due to its IMAGE) , “not to speed it above 80 because its not COROLLA which could afford a long and continues Drive, the engine would be failed in few hours.....”
It’s the fifth Year of this car, we did three trips from KARACHI to NARAN and a couple of other , in 2011 we drove it continuously for about 25 hours on the way UP AND BACK from RAWALPINDI to Karachi NON STOP, on bumpy roads on the way to NARAN ( as spacers could increase its ground clearance issue),in boiling hot plains of SINDH , with out any problem…………. ALHAMDULILAH
Yes the cars suspension is COMFARTABLE, providing amazing road grip even at 150+, but not at all WEAK , it looses its comfort IF used ROUGHLY ON JEEP TRACKS , I.E. does not means that tires will be ejected if crossed any speed breaker or bumps ….
In My opinion you should buy a car that could fulfill your needs, and Economical on your pocket too…..
MECHINARIES are depreciating thing , always pay reasonable amount for them……