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

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 4:31 PM

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

#1166 of 1205 Thanks Backy and Shipo! by micweb Nov 14, 2008 (9:16 am)
Helpful info from both of you.
#1167 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [lhanson] by no_one Nov 14, 2008 (4:17 pm)
Replying to: lhanson (Nov 14, 2008 8:52 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. Replies to this message: joe97 (Nov 14, 2008 6:11 pm) backy (Nov 14, 2008 8:20 pm) jeffyscott (Nov 15, 2008 7:15 am)
#1168 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [no_one] by joe97 Nov 14, 2008 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: no_one (Nov 14, 2008 4:17 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. Replies to this message: backy (Nov 14, 2008 8:20 pm) jeffyscott (Nov 15, 2008 7:15 am)
#1169 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [joe97] by backy Nov 14, 2008 (8:20 pm)
Replying to: joe97 (Nov 14, 2008 6:11 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! Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Nov 15, 2008 7:15 am)
#1170 of 1205 Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [backy] by jeffyscott Nov 15, 2008 (7:15 am)
Replying to: backy (Nov 14, 2008 8:20 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.
#1171 of 1205 '08 Accent by sandman46 Nov 15, 2008 (8:35 am)
In the process of buying this for my middle girl to take to her Epcot internship. Gettting the car with all the power goodies but they are bringing it in from a nearby location. Wife is putting down a deposit and as long as everything works, will be in our garage by mid-week. Color is dark gray over gray which is my favorite color. Guess I'll be parking my sled outside until mid December when she leaves. Now to purchase a car for my oldest. She has her heart set on the Elantra but her available $ won't let her. She'll be bummed but will look at the Kia Spectra EX which is very similar but with a nice rebate at this time.   The Sandman   (I know that the Accent is below the bottom price point of this discussion, but I value the opinions of some who post in here. Please cut me some slack...lol!) Replies to this message: backy (Nov 15, 2008 1:01 pm)
#1172 of 1205 Re: '08 Accent [sandman46] by backy Nov 15, 2008 (1:01 pm)
Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 15, 2008 8:35 am) There are some similarities between the Spectra and Elantra (e.g. pretty much the same powertrains), but one big difference is that ABS is standard on the Elantra and I'm not sure it's even available on the 2008 Spectra EX--I think Kia is making it an option for 2009 though. Also Kia is adding active head restraints to the Spectra for 2009, but the Elantra has them for 2008. Then there is the fact that Kia's resale value is lagging Hyundai's.   At least the Accent has ABS, since you got the power package which I think includes ABS.
#1173 of 1205 ABS by sandman46 Nov 15, 2008 (2:49 pm)
Keyless, power windows, locks, mirrors and 15" alloys...not that plain looking. It will meet her needs perfectly for a 1st car and the fact that it has a great warranty and roadside included plus free oil changes all add value in my opinion. Wish we made more to let her get any car she wanted, but life doesn't work that way. We'll spring for the insurance and fill ups when necessary but I think the wife left a cushion from her college account to cover this stuff. The older girl told me that she'd consider used cars also as she definitely didn't want the Accent. My time frame with her is until the 1st week of January so we still have time.   The Sandman Replies to this message: backy (Nov 15, 2008 3:56 pm)
#1174 of 1205 Re: ABS [sandman46] by backy Nov 15, 2008 (3:56 pm)
Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 15, 2008 2:49 pm) That is a smart girl, to consider used cars. She can get a much nicer (and probably safer) car for no more bucks than the Accent. My daughter liked the looks of the Accent sedan also, thought it was "cute." But when I drove home in my used 3-Series coupe, which will be hers someday (if she plays her cards right), she forgot all about that Accent.
#1175 of 1205 Time Will Tell by sandman46 Nov 16, 2008 (6:52 am)
Hoping we can find a used sled with mileage around 10k for a price around $15k OTD. The few Corolla's & Civic's that I've seen are all close to invoice on a new one but think we'll expand our search to some domestics also. '07 is probably as far as we'd go so there would still be some factory warranty left in case something happens. Luckily in South Florida there are a lot of places to look for used cars. I just really wanted "new" for both of them to enjoy that special feeling and new car smell and to not have to drive someone else's. Hopefully Carfax will be accurate on whatever we find used.   The Sandman Replies to this message: backy (Nov 16, 2008 10:44 am)

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