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Low End Sedans (under $16k)

3871 messages,  Last post on Dec 30, 2011 at 10:54 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 79 of 387

#781 of 3871 To ichem1 re advice by backy

Oct 08, 2001 (7:58 pm)

First off, go out and drive those cars you mentioned to see which one you think you'll enjoy driving the most for the next 20 years. Take it for a real long test drive--you'll be living with the car for a long time after all. See if you can't take it out all day, or even all weekend, even if you have to rent it. Drive it over the same roads you frequently use, e.g. the daily commute. If one car stands out from the rest in the test drives, that's the one you should go for, as they are all good cars but each has its plusses and minuses.
 
If the test drive is inconclusive and more than one car would work for you, then it gets more interesting. The Civic and Protege do have the best long-term reliability records, and the Civic has the highest resale value. But you will be keeping the car for 20 years, so resale value is not a factor here. The Elantra's warranty may be more important here, since you will use all 10 years of it. You could even think about upgrading the warranty to 10-year bumper-to-bumper, since you know you'll be keeping the car that long, and have 10 years of full warranty coverage for around $700 extra up front.
 
Sounds like gas mileage will not be a big factor for you either, so that lessens the Civic's advantage there. If you like a sharp handling car above everything else, I think you will enjoy the Protege the most. If you like a smoother, more comfortable ride, then the Elantra or maybe the Civic will please you more. They are all pretty equal in interior room.
 
Cost-wise, the Elantra seems on the surface to have a big advantage, especially if you can snag one of the remaining 2001 GLSes with the $750 rebate. But Mazda is offering some excellent deals on the 2001s, including 0% financing and free alloys and sunroof on the LX 2.0, so if you are going to finance the car and like the Elantra and Protege equally well, the cost difference may not be that much. You probably won't find many 2001 Civics, and I don't think you want one, based on all the complaints I've seen on the Civic forum re the bouncy rear suspension, which has been improved for 2002. Since there isn't a big fiancial incentive to get a 2001 Civic, may as well go for the improved 2002 model.
 
Another option to consider, if you can wait a few months, is the 2003 Corolla, an all-new design set to debut in the spring. Given Toyota's track record with the Camry, it should be much improved but not cost much more, maybe even less. Also, the ECHO should be a reliable long-term car, low in cost, and if you do mostly city driving it is a nimble little around-town scooter. Might as well have a lot of fun and drive all the small cars, since you won't be shopping again for a new car for 20 years. Have fun, and good hunting!

#782 of 3871 Hey Coolguy by ravvie4me

Oct 09, 2001 (12:59 pm)

Your father's Solara has 90k miles on it and its only a 99 model? That's alot for a 2 1/2 year old car. But it's a Toyota, and 90k miles isn't even broken in yet!
 
I also agree that there are discrepancies with Iluv's trade-in value. I don't even think the car costed $11K when new!
 
-RAVvie4me

#783 of 3871 MSRP of '99 Sephia by majorthomecho

Oct 09, 2001 (1:42 pm)

My copy of the Kelly Blue Book lists two types of '99 Kia Sephias. The sedan and the LS sedan. The base sedan MSRPed for $11,605 and the LS MSRPed for $12345. These are before adding options.
 
Either Iluv is telling us what the dealer gave him in trade PLUS the amount the dealer paid off OR Iluv made a typo.
 
Perhaps he meant to type that he got $1,000 in trade. ; )
 
Or maybe the dealer was really, really, really desperate for Iluv's business. ; )

#784 of 3871 A scenario by backy

Oct 09, 2001 (2:52 pm)

Kia Sportage, Dealer's Asking Price: $21,995
Less Trade-In: $11,000
Less Rebate: $2,500
Final Cost: $8,495 + TTL
 
Comment: A new Sportage can be had for less than $14k, after rebate and before trade.

#785 of 3871 Oh my! by coolguyky7

Oct 09, 2001 (4:43 pm)

I can't imagine paying a $21,000 for a Kia, no matter now much they have improved, although I know they have. If I took any Hyundai/Kia sedan for practicality, it would be the Elantra.

#786 of 3871 Illustration only by backy

Oct 09, 2001 (7:41 pm)

The Sportage does not cost $22k. The purpose for my illustration was to show that if a dealer gives more for a trade-in than it is worth, it must make up the difference somewhere. But all of this is speculation; what would put it all to rest is if iluv would share with us what he actually paid for the Sportage before TT&L. Then we could return to our regular programming.

#787 of 3871 RE: Ilustration only by majorthomecho

Oct 09, 2001 (8:50 pm)

Actually Iluv's Sportage could very well have cost $22k.
 
Iluv says he got the 4x4 and if he got the 4x4 Limited with automatic and all the options, that particular Sportage has an MSRP of $22,864.
 
FWIW, the invoice amount is $21,550 and right now you can buy one from Carsdirect.com for $19,102. The website indicates they have a $3,00 rebate. This is for a zip code in Missouri where I live. The price in your zip code may be different.

#788 of 3871 Ick! by aniryu

Oct 09, 2001 (9:50 pm)

I wouldn't trust Kia so much! I would rather buy a new 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 S!!

#790 of 3871 Yo, Iluv! by majorthomecho

Oct 10, 2001 (9:44 am)

So the Mariners are going to have an easy time of eating the World Series pie, huh. Care to explain their 5 to 0 loss to Cleveland in game one?

Messages Page 79 of 387

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