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Low End Sedans (under $16k)

3820 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2008 at 9:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio, Nissan Sentra, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Kia Spectra, Suzuki Forenza, Sedan

#3806 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [backy] by thegraduate Apr 29, 2008 (7:06 pm)
Replying to: backy (Apr 29, 2008 7:01 pm) Trust me that'd be at the top of the list.   Thanks for all the discussion!
#3807 of 3820 Re: 00-04 3-6k choices [kgambit] by backy Apr 29, 2008 (7:06 pm)
Replying to: kgambit (Apr 29, 2008 6:34 pm) See my post above on the Elantra. In the age/price range you're looking at, I think that's one of the best options. The Spectra is far inferior (in that vintage), as is the Accent. ABS can be hard to find on the Elantra though. You might be able to find a Protege for near the top of your range, and maybe a high-miles Civic.
#3808 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [thegraduate] by jeffyscott Apr 30, 2008 (4:34 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 29, 2008 5:05 pm) I've mentioned the Fusion...before and they just can't get past the "bling bling front end and cheesy tail lights."   Yes, that is one reason I am driving a Mazda6 . But how about the Milan?   With moon roof (I think you mentioned them wanting that) and auto, invoice on the I-4 is right around $20K, so with $2500 rebate plus $1000 conquest rebate, should be able to get one for $16,500 or less.
#3809 of 3820 Re: 00-04 3-6k choices [kgambit] by jeffyscott Apr 30, 2008 (4:46 am)
Replying to: kgambit (Apr 29, 2008 6:34 pm) My 20 year old son was in the same boat, driving our old minivan after he totaled my old Contour.   He ended up getting a 2001 Focus ZX3 with 85K mi for $4400, not a great deal but he hates shopping for cars, so he took it. He is 6' and is comfortable in it. Focus has average (average is pretty good these days) reliability, according to CR. I believe back in 2000-01 the Focus was also the top rated small car in CR road tests.   I think youngsters find the ZX3 version more attractive than the sedan. I know my son did, as despite his aversion to car shopping, he went out of his way to find a ZX3 rather than settle for a sedan.
#3810 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [backy] by micweb Apr 30, 2008 (8:05 am)
Replying to: backy (Apr 29, 2008 7:01 pm) Backy, one of the magazines (Car and Driver?) just concluded a long term Versa test and they noted that the stopping distances came way down (improved a lot) after the brakes had seated in and worn in a bit. It was good to see, since most magazines reported significantly longer stopping distances with the Versa compared to its competitors. Replies to this message: backy (Apr 30, 2008 10:17 am) jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3811 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [micweb] by backy Apr 30, 2008 (10:17 am)
Replying to: micweb (Apr 30, 2008 8:05 am) That is good news! So the key is to make sure you don't need to do an emergency stop until the Versa's brakes are worn in.   Personally I'd get the ABS. Replies to this message: jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3812 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [backy] by jacksan1 Apr 30, 2008 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: backy (Apr 30, 2008 10:17 am) Consumer Reports guys drive their test vehicles a lot before subjecting to them the tests whose results are released in their publications. In other words, they don't test brand-spanking new vehicles. Their breaking tests revealed that their non-ABS Versa had a rather long stopping distance despite having driven it for months before the test. Replies to this message: micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3813 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [jacksan1] by micweb May 01, 2008 (1:23 pm)
Replying to: jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) The long time Versa test I mentioned was - ironically - right here on Edmunds and not on Car and Driver.   Here is what Edmunds has to say:   Standardized performance testing showed the 2007 Nissan Versa improved with age.   "At 16,000 miles the Versa's acceleration from zero to 60 mph took 9.4 seconds, 1/10th of a second quicker than during its first test at 1,000 miles. In the quarter-mile, the Versa lost 2/10ths of a second and more than 2 mph, recording a final mark of 17.2 seconds at 80.2 mph.   "Most remarkable is the Versa's improvement in braking performance. The distance required to stop from 60 mph shrank from 152 feet to 135 feet. We attribute this to normal brake pad break-in and the lack of optional ABS on our Versa. As a side note, an ABS-equipped 2007 Nissan Versa in a prior test needed only 123 feet to stop."   So the improvement in braking performance is substantial, and I can't explain Consumer Reports results - maybe they test performance parameters first.   Backy was right, that the ABS version is a better stopped from the get-go.
#3814 of 3820 Nissan Versa 1.8S, Scion xD by thegraduate May 03, 2008 (4:17 pm)
I went with the folks today on two test drives, of the cars listed in the subject line.   The Scion:   Quick enough, about the same about of noise as the Civic mom and dad currently drive, although my head was in the ceiling in the back seat. I never actually drove either of them, but mom and dad's comments said a lot. The room was ok-ish, the stereo was great, and they felt this car was the best they had driven (effectively writing the Accent off their list).   The Versa:   We went by the Nissan dealer nearby, and drove a Versa S, with the Power Package ($15,400 MSRP). The Versa had enough room for me to sit in the back seat with the front seat all the way back, and my head was out of the roof. The 4-speed automatic was smooth, and the interior was quieter than the Civic. They are excited about the Versa, and will likely go back to drive a CVT model, so that they can get the center armrest. He's just not sure about the CVT yet.   Frankly, the Versa caught them by surprise, especially since I practically made them stop by and look at it. Replies to this message: backy (May 03, 2008 5:32 pm) thegraduate (May 05, 2008 8:46 pm)
#3815 of 3820 Re: Nissan Versa 1.8S, Scion xD [thegraduate] by backy May 03, 2008 (5:32 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (May 03, 2008 4:17 pm) The other thing I like about the Versa SL is the height-adjustable driver's seat. As it raises the seat cushion, it stays pretty parallel to the floor, unlike many manual seats that tip forward as they're raised. A benefit of it is that you can raise the seat and slide it forward, and get a comfy driving position (if you're not too tall) with truly limo-like leg room behind it.   Plus there's many other comfort/convenience features in the SL, including a rear center armrest.   If they do mostly highway driving, they might prefer the S with its 4AT. In tests done by C/D, the 4AT got better fuel economy on the highway than the CVT. Replies to this message: thegraduate (May 05, 2008 8:46 pm)

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