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Mitsubishi Mini Active Urban Sandal
Subaru Gravel Express
Daihatsu Rugger Field Sports Resin Top
Nissan Prairie Joy
Suzuki Every Joy Pop Turbo
Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Cruising Active
Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard
Daihatsu Town Cube
Nissan Big Thumb Harmonized Truck
Isuzu Giga 20 Light Dump
Other interesting names of real cars:
Mazda Bongo Friendee
Mazda Scrum
Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce
To be fair, America brought us the Studebaker Dictator--in 1936 no less.
(Relevance, you ask? At least some of the cars listed above, like the Daihatsus, have to be low-end cars.)
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
On another note... anyone notice that there are probably more new or redone cars in the low-end class than in any other for '03?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Chevy Cavalier - major update
Ford Focus - tweaks
Honda Civic - updated again!
Hyundai Accent - major update
Hyundai Elantra GT Sedan - new model
Kia Rio - major update
Pontiac Sunfire - major update
Saturn Ion - new model
Toyota Corolla - redesign
Toyota ECHO - major update
It's nice to see GM putting some investment into its low-end cars, with a long-overdue replacement for the Saturn S series and a major tweak to the Cavalfire.
Test car: 2002 Suzuki Aerio S (sedan) 5-speed
Options: floor mats
Color: Black/black
Mileage: 80
Pros: Interior space, truck space, comfortable driving position, good power, easy-to-read speedometer, comfortable ride, good handling
Cons: Feature content, hard-to-read tach, rattles and squeaks
Summary: Good choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, roomy small car. Competitive value-wise with Corolla, Civic, Protege, and Sentra, but not with Elantra.
The first thing I noticed about the Aerio is its size. It looks big. And it is big inside, and in the trunk. It's like an ECHO on steriods. Anyone who likes a high seating position and needs maximum interior room in a small sedan should like the Aerio. The seats are easy to get into and out of. There's lots of room in the back seat for at least two good-sized adults (I'm 5' 10" and fit fine), with good toe space. I would have liked a bit more thigh support in the back, but that's a nit. The driver's seat and seating position was very good, with the only quibble being that again I wished for more thigh support (the GS model has a height adjuster). But everything else felt just right, unlike the '03 Corolla, in which I couldn't find a comfortable driving position. The digital speedometer makes it very easy to see exactly how fast you are going. I had more trouble with the other readouts, especially the tachometer; it was hard to tell at a glance what the RPMs were to within 200-300. The switchgear and HVAC controls had a quality feel. The center air vents were positioned about mid-way on the console, a perfect position for effective cooling. The shifter was smooth enough, but did not feel as precise as shifters in the Civic, Corolla, and Elantra. There's a big glovebox but no center console, or center armrest. I didn't like the mostly black interior, as it seemed too austere, but I'm not a fan of black interiors. (This black car was the only 5-speed on the lot.) The S model has power mirrors and windows standard, but manual locks--a strange omission on a 4-door car that has the other basic power accessories.
Starting out, the car lurched a bit, but probably only because I had to get used to the clutch. Noise at idle and on the road was good for a low-end car, about the same as the Elantra and a bit noisier than the Corolla. There was faint wind noise starting at around 40 mph (10 mph winds) around the A pillars. That is not surprising, as this is a tall car with big A pillars. There was an annoying rattle from the driver's B pillar and another rattle from the passenger side when going over bumps. There was also a buzz from the passenger side when the radio was turned up past mid-way.
The car had good pep from its 141 hp 2.0 L engine (145 in '03 models), but it seemed a bit less peppy than the 135-hp Elantra or even the 130-hp Corolla. However, I didn't push it to the limits as it was a demo car. The ride was quiet (except for the rattles) and compliant, at least as comfortable as Elantra and Corolla. The body structure seemed solid. I didn't get a chance to take the handling to the limits either, but in the few sharp turns I made on city streets it held the road well, with minimal body lean, and no tire squeal from the 14" tires. The stereo was the base Clarion 6-speaker AM/FM/CD. The unit had some nice features, like a midrange tone control and changer controls, but did not sound any better to me than the 4-speaker base stereo on the Elantra. I didn't test the CD.
Fit and finish of the car looked fine. The quality of the materials in the interior was good, if you like black plastic and cloth.
I was not impressed with the sales rep. About the only thing he knew about the Aerio was that the 7-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is transferable to other owners. He didn't know if the GS has a seat height adjuster (it does), or if the S or GS have a center arm rest (they don't), and he didn't know his competition (e.g., he stated that none of the Hyundai/Kia warranty was transferable, and he didn't know what an Elantra GT was).
Overall, I think the Aerio S is a good alternative for people who might be looking at a Corolla CE (or even an ECHO), Civic DX/LX, Protege DX/LX, or Sentra GXE and want a low-end Japanese car with lots of room. But those looking for maximum value would do better with the Elantra GLS, priced $1000 less than the Aerio but with more equipment (such as 15" wheels, power locks, seat height adjuster, center console, overhead console, and side air bags). To get more equipment on the Aerio, you can move up to the GS, which for $1500 more has 15" alloys, power locks, seat height adjuster, and a spoiler among other goodies. But for $200 less, you could get an Elantra GT sedan with all of that plus moonroof, 4-wheel discs, leather interior, and side air bags. Plus the Elantra has two more years of bumper-to-bumper warranty and three more years of powertrain warranty.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
This particular sales rep brought up the warranty thing, then pointed to the Kia dealership across the street (which is owned by the same company as the Suzuki dealership) and started making inaccurate statements about the Kia/Hyundai warranty and disparaging remarks about the quality of their cars vs. Suzuki. Then when I mentioned the Elantra GT, he didn't know what it was. And this is a car that is a direct competitor for the Aerio 5-door. This was no youngster, the man was at least 40, so you can't blame it on youthful inexperience. The man obviously lacked even basic sales skills. He didn't qualify me when I walked in and asked for a test drive (he made no attempt to find out what kind of car I needed/wanted so he could decide if I was a solid prospect and could recommend the right model to me), he did not know his product or his competitors, and he didn't know how to handle objections. How he got a job selling new cars at this dealership is beyond me. Or maybe the fault is with the dealership for not training him.
Nothing going on other than $$$$. The pitiful Cavalier (1982 platform) is no longer even getting rental fleet sales, so an update was essential, and the Saturn S at a decade newer (1991) is almost as long in the tooth.
The old Focus, Corolla and Civic were totally competitive, however those companies are quite religious in their upodate cycles.
The Accent and Rio had been around a while too, the current versions really just "face lifts" on mid 1990's models (the Rio is the same pplatform as the Kia Avella, aka Ford Aspire of 1994).
* The current Cavalier/Sunfire platform debuted in the fall of '94 as a '95 model, and was a full redesign of the original '82 platform. The update for '03 is the first significant one since the '95 model.
* The original Saturn S platform debuted in 1990.
* There was no "old Focus"--there's only been one Focus platform. The tweaks for '03 are minor.
* The current Accent platform debuted in the fall of '99 as a 2000 model, and was a complete redesign of the '95-'99 Accent. The changes for '03 are a facelift and more power standard.
* The Rio may share some components with the Aspire, but the body and interior were all-new just a couple of years ago. For '03 the Rio gets styling tweaks and a more powerful engine (I think the same engine as the Accent).
When was the last time you saw Honda make significant updates to a new design for the next two years following the new design, as they have done with the Civic? I think that shows increased competitiveness in the low-end car space (or maybe just that the redesigned '01 Civic was lacking). Another sign of increased competitiveness: I drove a 2002 Sentra GXE today, and it's already way outclassed IMO by competitors like Corolla, Civic, Elantra, Lancer, Protege, Focus, and Aerio. And it still has two more years to go on the current platform! Note also that Nissan hasn't made any significant changes to the low-end Sentras since the redesign three years ago. They just aren't keeping up.
The Cavalier was a dreadful car, and while MUCH improved for 95, remained a dreadful car. While the Accent was stretched, widened and up-powered, it was a great little car to begin with, and has remained a great, not quite as little car in its freshenings. The Elantra, in contrast, is a completely new platform.
Whatever. I just know that the '95 Cavafire had an all-new body, all-new interior, and the chassis had at minimum SIGNIFICANT updates based on its on-road performance--there's no comparison between the ride and handling of the '94 and '95 models. If you don't consider that a new platform, that's fine with me. I do agree that the '95 Cavafire remained a dreadful car--not bad looking though, in 2-door trim.
Now then--what compensation should we demand from GM for lying to us all these years about the "all-new" platform they say they have been selling since late '94? How many millions of cars would be involved? This has got to be worth a <i>lot more than the misstated horsepower ratings for Hyundais. ;-)
My point was that you can get an ES Protege for less than $16K also. What equipment are you talking about? I don't want leather, ABS, or traction control.
Besides the leather interior, the GT sedan has side airbags, anti-theft alarm, adjustable lumbar support, heated mirrors, and 6 speakers in its stereo, all of which the Pro ES does not have as standard equipment according to Edmunds.com. All for over $2000 less MSRP.
And James is correct, I was trying to stick to the rules of C/D's comparo on the pricing. In that test, the Protege LX was the most expensive car tested, at about $16,900. The Elantra stickered at $14,400. So that extra point above the Elantra costs $2500.
Edmunds.com still shows the ES with a 4-speaker stereo--maybe one of you Pro owners could bring this error to their attention.
So what say we have our own little "Best Low End Cars for 2003" nominations? We can nominate our own "winners", and then compare them to what Edmunds will eventually say. But I recommend we add another category: hatchback. There's actually more hatchbacks in this category than coupes or wagons.
For example:
Best Low-End Coupe: Honda Civic
The best of a nondescript bunch. I don't know enough about the Saturn Ion 4-door coupe to put it over the Civic.
Best Low-End Sedan: Toyota Corolla
The most refined car under $15,000, even if I'll never buy one because the driving position is best suited for shorter people. If you don't fit, go for the Elantra or Protege, depending on your driving style.
Best Low-End Hatchback: Elantra GT
A great value, but also a fine car in its own right.
Best Low-End Wagon: Suzuki Aerio SX
Edmunds.com calls it a wagon--OK, so will I. A close call over the Matrix, but the Aerio wins out because of a better driver's position, more power, and better warranty.
Kia Spectra
Verdict: Why buy used when you can get brand new 80's sophistication?
9th
Suzuki Aero
Verdict: Part-time charmer, full-time nonconformist.
8th
Nissan Sentra
Verdict: Just the right couch for potatoes needing transist.
7th
Dodge Neon
Verdict: No longer cute, no longer crude, Neon settles for the committee approach.
6th (tie)
Mitsubishi Lancer
Verdict: Woderfully flingable machinery packed in an oddly shaped box.
6th (tie)
Honda Civic
Verdict: Something new from Honda...a loser.
4th
Ford Focus
Verdict: Lose the front seats, and we'd smile on this car.
3rd
Toyota Corolla
Verdict: Short-legged drivers will love this car, others will respect it.
2nd
Hyundai Elantra
Verdict: If you can find a better portfolio of feels and features at this price, buy it.
1st
Mazda Protegé
Verdict: A four-door Miata
-Larry
Re "portfolio of feels and features", I think these car mag editors must get some kind of "creative writing" bonus. Maybe they could spend less time coming up with flowery language and more time paying attention to the cars they are reviewing, e.g. failing to notice that the engine on the Corolla has changed since 2002 and is no longer 125 hp.
Thus the choice is clear, if you want the best mileage in a gasoline powered vehicle, buy the Echo.
Last time I checked, both the Prius and Civic Hybrid have a fuel filler pipe that accepts gasoline. Does that make them "gasoline powered"? Does that mean they are better cars than the ECHO, because they get better gas mileage?
I have to agree with newcar31, saying a car is the "best" because it is tops (?) in one category seems like a narrow viewpoint. I could just as easily say that the Aerio has the most horsepower of any low-end car, so that makes it the best low-end car. Or the Protege has the best handling, so of course it is the best low-end car. The Civic has the best shifter, so it's the best car too. And the Spectra has the best... er, ah, hmmm.... warranty, yes, <i>warranty, that's it, so that makes it the best low-end car. No, wait, the Accent, Elantra, and Rio have the same warranty, so they are all the best low-end cars!
Glad to see you back posting again, Major!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
My original post stands.
I also wonder about something. How many of us have actually driven or at least ridden in ALL of the 2003 low end cars. I know I haven't therefore I don't feel I can declare the 2003 Echo or any 2003 the best of the bunch. If you haven't driven or ridden in EVERY 2003 low end car out there, what makes you feel qualified to declare a winner?
The principal ones are lack of time and outdated computer equipment.
Got to get ready for work so it is bye for now.
"Faithful readers know exactly what to expect from the coolly analytical professionals who compose this unbiased journal. Here we're rating a group of frugal four-doors, right? Obviously, then, the econocar of choice will be selected for its stand-out achievement in (select one):
a. Gas mileage?
b. Trade-in value?
c. Passenger comfort?
d. 0-to-60 time?
The correct answer is none of the above. We may say that we have your transportation interests in mind, but when it's time to vote, the winner is always the one that's most fun for us to drive....."
When magazines test cars, whether it's C&D, MT, R&T, CR, etc....unless you can somehow eliminate the "human" factor, it's always going to be subjective to some degree. C&D prefers cars with a sportier touch. Only on rare occasions the more comfy tuned car win (such as the Acura 3.0CL vs. Toyota Solara SLE test)
Thus the choice is clear, if you want the best mileage in a gasoline powered vehicle, buy the Echo.
Also, I was really hoping for a classic "Majorthomecho post chain", which we don't see much any more. :-)
I thought maybe you were writing on the current thread of "best low-end 2003 car." Of course, what you were really were doing was starting a new thread on "best gas mileage of a low-end car." I for one appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to remind us of the ECHO's superiority in that area. I was wondering, with all that money you save on gas with the ECHO, maybe you could upgrade your computer. They're getting pretty cheap these days.
BTW, I've driven all the low-end cars with the exception of the Spectra. (But then, I've never tried shooting myself in the head, either.) I assume from your comment/challenge, Major, that you have driven them all, including the Elantra GLS and GT? I've never seen your comments on those test drives. What did you think of them?