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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)
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Comments
Best regards,
Shipo
Giving up 1 or 2 mpg for a V6 is more cost effective in the long run.
I read the Nissan Cube is on the way, with the Versa's 1.8L engine. Just an FYI and a wake-up call for this forum!
It's quiet around here!
I have not heard much about the Cube. I have been buggin my rep about details on the new Mazda3, and even he does not know. Mazda seems to be tight lipped this time around. Apparently we will be ordering them in November, so, I assume after the debut at the L.A. Auto Show we will know more.
A reporter is interested in talking with satisfied owners of a 2005-2007 Honda Civic who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to jwahl@edmunds.com no later than Friday, November 21, 2008 and include your city and state of residence, the model year of your vehicle and the age of your child/ren.
A reporter is interested in talking with satisfied owners of a 2001-2006 Hyundai Elantra who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to jwahl@edmunds.com no later than Friday, November 21, 2008 and include your city and state of residence, the model year of your vehicle and the age of your child/ren.
Thanks for your consideration,
Jonathan Wahl
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Edmunds Inc.
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Might we oneday see it here in the USA?
Why not...after all, farmers can toss it into the back of their F150's and Silverados.
It looks to be the ultimate "economy sedan"!
The two stand-outs of the group were the Rabbit (not a "Sedan" per-se as I drove a 2-door version, however, it's virtually identical to its 4-door sibling) and the Mazda3 i Touring. At this point I'm probably going to buy a car within the next week, and given the fact that virtually every 5-Speed Rabbit inbound to every VW dealership within a 75 mile radius is already sold for the next couple of months, that means that I'll probably end up with a new Mazda3 in my garage.
Stay tuned.
Best regards,
Shipo
Can you tell us which trims you drove for each car? That can make a difference for some of the cars, e.g. the base Cobalt is a lot different than the sportier trims, the Elantra SE handles better than the GLS, the Corolla 2.4 is much spunkier than the 1.8, and the Sentra has different engine options also (plus one of the few 6MTs in the bunch).
As far as which version of the cars; I drove the models that offered the best mix of fuel economy (my 25,000 annual commute miles were looming large in my mind when I started doing my test drives, and that was when fuel was still north of $3.00 a gallon), extra goodies, and a stick shift.
So, to run through the list, I drove:
2009 Mazda Mazda3 i Touring Value edition (2.0 liter & 5-Speed)
2008 VW Rabbit 2-Door (2.5 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Chevy Cobalt 1LT-XFE Sedan (2.2 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Ford Focus SE Sedan (2.0 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Honda Civic LX Sedan (1.8 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Hyundai Elantra SE (2.0 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Toyota Corolla S (1.8 liter & 5-Speed)
2009 Nissan Sentra S (2.0 liter & 6-Speed)
Best regards,
Shipo
Best regards,
Shipo
Focus SE - 68
Corolla (base) - 69
Elantra SE - 69
Sentra 2.0S - 70
Mazda3s - 71
Civic LX - 72
Rabbit - 70 or 72
(they haven't tested a "normal" Cobalt recently)
Note that the numbers are from two different tests. In one, the Rabbit got 72; in the more recent one, it got 70. Not sure why since both cars were similar, but maybe the road conditions were different in the two tests. All the tested cars had sticks.
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.
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
Make sure to get the 08. The 09 version just went up in price for a car that is not really selling
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.
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.
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!)
At least the Accent has ABS, since you got the power package which I think includes ABS.
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
The Sandman
I have heard that November-December are very good months in general to buy a used car, as traffic is down due to holidays etc. This year, that should be even more true.
Orlando Hyundai called and said they have an '09 Accent with the power package but he's yet to call back in a 1/2 hour as he said he would...and that was around 11:45. Our '08 Accent will be in from Miami tomorrow and if all checks out, we'll have it by the end of the week. Nice that the dealer is right across the street from us...makes it so much easier.
The Sandman
C'mon, folks--gas is over $2.50 a gallon and likely to go up. Why not more interest in these excellent small cars? :surprise:
The Sandman :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I also wonder if the next Civic will be up-sized to a mid-sized car on the inside, now that the Accord is full-sized and the Fit can fill the small car slot. Most of Civic's competitors are bigger inside. Even the little Accent has more interior room than the Civic--albeit a lot of that is headroom.
On my way to test drive an '06, '08 & '09 Volvo S40 as the Civic isn't very comfortable as my spinal condition had worsened since I purchased it. Wifey thinks I'm nuts but Volvomax seems to think I could swing a '08 with miles in the teens for about a $7k outlay before T,T&L. Hopefully these will be CPO cars. Not sure that I really want to spend the extra $ as the Civic is in excellent condition with the seating issue my only gripe. $ isn't the issue with the wife...she just thinks it's a "stupid" thing to do. Will only consider it if the power seats make a tremendous difference. Meeting the internet guy in about 40 minutes.
Wish me luck!
The Sandman :confuse: :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The other advantage is a 2006 Elantra fully loaded with leather, ABS/traction, and moonroof would be well under $10k. Could trade in the Civic and walk out with cash in hand. The downside is that the Elantra's side crash protection isn't very good.
My oldest has 1st dibbs on my Civic...she'd probably just give me her Versa as a trade in. Curious thing though...the Versa seat lets me slide over just like a minivan seat and is comfortable enough for a manual seat. Just don't like the CVT tranny in it...prefer my Civic's auto tranny. But as of now, have just decided to keep what I got. This weekend drive up to Orlando will shed some light for me. Have never had the car on a 2.5 hour drive...ever. Luckily I'll be traveling alone, as the wife's taking the train a few days earlier. Be interesting to see how I feel after the drive up.
Wish me luck! Really wanted to like the S40's seats so I could justify the purchase but was disappointed with 'em...damn! Nice cars otherwise...great size & features with just enough luxury for me...always have had econoboxes so the upgrade would've been nice. Didn't even care about the reduced mpg's I'd have to live with. The '09 drove so smoothly it was unbelievable. Felt like a Lexus I was in previously...that good. Maybe in a couple of years down the road. The $ wasn't the problem, the disappointing seats and the wife's attitude made the purchase impossible at this time.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I've heard different stories on the tweaks to the Sonata for 2010. Some sources are saying it's a carryover, due out very soon, and the all-new Sonata will be out in early 2010 as a 2011 model, including the new hybrid. Pics show it will be more a coupe style ala Passat CC, and one pic showed a Genesis-like front end but that was a photoshop so don't know how much it can be trusted. I guess we'll see soon enough. Meanwhile, you could get a really great deal on a 2009 Sonata if it fits your needs. If the 2010 is tweaked, I expect it will cost more, at least initially. Might want to test-fit it in the garage first--quite a bit larger than the Civic and the Sonata does NOT have folding side mirrors.
Actually have decided to live with the seats in the Civic for the time being. Car only has 21.8k on it and it looks outstanding with the older Civic alloys on it. Also have replaced the speakers & added tweeters and an amp so the sound system rocks. Better to just save the $ and buy some laddered CD's or possibly even some muni bonds. Much better scenario in these crazy economic times.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Hers is an 07 with 16k miles, mine's an 06 with 49k miles.
Go figure.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/board/data/data_view.php?code=national&No=127280&pag- e=1&select=&content=&r_no=53&search_gubun=&s_pagescale=&search_day=&Answer=13
Drive them both. If you can't feel the difference and don't note any additional features, get the cheaper one. The Mazda isn't really marketed as an economy car, its a "premium small car." The Focus is an economy car.
I don't see how you get $2500-3500 more. According to Edmunds, the difference between an Elantra SE and a Mazda3i Touring is ~$100, and the Mazda3 comes with floor mats.