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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 117 of 121

#1161 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [micweb] by shipo

Nov 13, 2008 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: micweb (Nov 13, 2008 4:35 pm)
How would you compare the Cobalt XFE vs. Focus, two cars I am currently interested in? My quick guess is pickup would go to the Cobalt, handling would go to the Focus, both quiet, but the Civic was quietest (at 70 mph cruise).
 
Hmmm, oddly enough, I would say that the Focus felt as fast or maybe a tad faster and handled a bit worse. Why? Well, as far as the acceleration goes, I'm thinking that due to the extra 368 pounds the Cobalt is toting around combined with what feels like extra tall gearing (I suspect that they changed the gearing a bit for the XFE package), has erased what should look like an acceleration advantage on paper. As for the handling, I think Focus models from a couple of years back handle much better. However, when Ford decided to "Americanize" the suspension of the Focus, they ruined the crisp handling and knocked it down to a lesser handling car than the Cobalt.
 
FWIW, my nephew has a 2006 Focus and it handles MUCH better than the new one.
 
As far as noise goes, I don't mind some engine and road noise, however, I absolutely hate wind noise, and the sedan version of the three different Cobalt sedans that I've driven (two rentals plus the XFE test drive car) have had significant wind noise emanating from the rear doors and/or windows. The Focus suffered from no such wind noise.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#1162 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [backy] by joe97

Nov 13, 2008 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: backy (Nov 13, 2008 5:26 pm)
Reviewing these tests reminded me that the Astra is a pretty nice car in this group, and is available at a pretty good price now.
 
Make sure to get the 08. The 09 version just went up in price for a car that is not really selling

#1163 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [joe97] by backy

Nov 14, 2008 (9:34 am)

Replying to: joe97 (Nov 13, 2008 10:38 pm)
Most '09s have gone up in price vs. '08s, especially considering rebates or lack thereof. For example, an Elantra SE AT is now about $18,600 list with no rebates yet. Pretty pricey for an Elantra, more than the Mazda3i and Rabbit 3-door, and pretty close to the Impreza, Corolla LE, and Civic LX (with ESC on the Rabbit, Impreza, and Corolla ala the Elantra SE).

#1164 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [backy] by lhanson

Nov 14, 2008 (9:52 am)

Replying to: backy (Nov 14, 2008 9:34 am)
The same can be said for the 2009 Toyota Yaris's. It's hard to find any under $16,000 now, with some as high as $18,000. I paid full MSRP ($12,500) for my first one in 2006. You would think that GM, Ford, and Chrysler about to go out of business or something.

#1165 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [lhanson] by backy

Nov 14, 2008 (9:57 am)

Replying to: lhanson (Nov 14, 2008 9:52 am)
Or you would think that Toyota's sales are at record levels and gas was $5 a gallon.

#1166 of 1205 Thanks Backy and Shipo! by micweb

Nov 14, 2008 (10:16 am)

Helpful info from both of you.

#1167 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [lhanson] by no_one

Nov 14, 2008 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: lhanson (Nov 14, 2008 9:52 am)
Car prices seem to be going up across the board. I heard a rumor that this was due to the increase in steel prices.
 
Nissan seems to be the only one bucking the trend, with the new sub $10k Versa.

#1168 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [no_one] by joe97

Nov 14, 2008 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: no_one (Nov 14, 2008 5:17 pm)
Nissan seems to be the only one bucking the trend, with the new sub $10k Versa.
 
Put in a smaller engine, decontent up to wazoo, there you go. But wait, it is almost impossible to find a $9,995 barebone Versa sedan, and it is really barebone in that sense. By the time you load a few things up, bam, you're at 12-13K, which you'd then have a lot of other options to choose from, and probably better options.
 
Here is Autoblog's take:
 
Cheap, efficient transportation is highly desirable right now, and Nissan has stepped and delivered a super base Versa that will run you under 10 large. But what do you get for that rock-bottom MSRP? Well, you still get four wheels, four doors and six airbags, but things get thin from there. Nissan started with a one-two punch of crank windows and no air conditioning, making the economical sedan a bad choice south of the Mason Dixon line. A five-speed manual is standard fare, with automated cogs available for $1,000. Our friends over at Kicking Tires note that you also have to add A/C to the option box to get that slush box, and that'll run you a second $1,000. Nissan also saves coin by using cheap black plastic for the side mirrors and door handles, and the wheels have shrunk to 14 inches. Wait, where's the radio? Oh, there isn't one, at least not as standard equipment. Nissan provides the speakers and the wiring, but an aftermarket setup is required to hear anything other than road noise. Out the door pricing for a Versa with A/C and an automatic transmission will cost you at least $12,935 with destination. So much for being the cheapest car in the U.S.

#1169 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [joe97] by backy

Nov 14, 2008 (9:20 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Nov 14, 2008 7:11 pm)
In comparison, the Civic DX also has no A/C and no radio, but does have power windows, 15" wheels, ABS, and a few other features not in the base Versa like height-adjustable driver's seat. But the Civic is also about 60% more. That makes the Versa look like quite a bargain--a modern if very basic car for under $10k list. As long as all you want is a bare-bones new car. But since lots of very nice used cars like 2008 Sonatas with low miles (and lots of factory warranty left), automatic, and all the safety features including ESC are available for about the same price as the bare-bones Versa with A/C and A/T, that does make it hard to fathom why anyone would buy a car like that in this day and age. I would have thought it was a great first car when I was a teenager though--much better than my '76 Corolla 2-door which also had crank windows and no A/C. But it did have a factory AM radio!

#1170 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [backy] by jeffyscott

Nov 15, 2008 (8:15 am)

Replying to: backy (Nov 14, 2008 9:20 pm)
I was a teenager though--much better than my '76 Corolla 2-door which also had crank windows and no A/C. But it did have a factory AM radio!
 
My first new car was an '86 Horizon, equipped just like that Corolla (though it was a 4-door) and it also had a 5 speed manual trans (that was a plus to me vs the 3 speed auto). I was no teenager, though...instead I was 26 and married with 2 kids.
 
None of my kids have bought new cars yet, but I think they will pretty much think like I do and would rather buy a less equipped new car than a loaded (newer) used car.

Messages Page 117 of 121

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