If you're looking to buy a new car, but don't have
much room in your budget, times are better than ever to get a good
car for a great price.
"Don't be fearful of cars at the entry-level
price," says James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.
"An entry-level vehicle today is probably just as well-engineered
as a luxury car was 15 or 20 years ago." Manufacturers are
eager to develop brand loyalty, so they want buyers to have positive
experiences with their vehicles no matter what model they buy.
That's not to say that you shouldn't do your homework
before you step onto the dealership lot. Safety ratings, depreciation,
maintenance costs and overall reliability are important things to
take into account no matter what your budget. There's no question
that you'll have to make a few tradeoffs when you buy an inexpensive
car, but inexpensive doesn't have to mean cheap. "You can get
a very safe, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle and not break the
bank," says Sally Greenberg, senior product safety counsel
for Consumers
Union. "And that's what you should try to do."
Here are five cars that have performed well in tests
and whose prices won't give you sticker shock.
Honda Civic
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Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a perennial favorite with buyers, and its strong
sales numbers are an indication of what critics have long known
about the vehicle: It's a great deal. Starting at $13,160, the
Civic has built a reputation for quality. "[The Civic] is
a car that does extremely well in all categories -- reliability,
overall crash tests, and maintenance," says Joe Wiesenfelder,
a car reviewer at Cars.com.
And while you'll pay a little more at the outset for this car,
it's worth the price, particularly if you plan to sell it later,
adds Bell. "If you're going to trade your car in after a
few years for a higher-priced vehicle down the road, it might
be smarter to spend a little bit more to buy a car like a Civic."
Hyundai Accent
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Hyundai Accent
Inexpensive Honda and Toyota models are favorites
among buyers, but other imports are making significant inroads
in the entry-level market. "Many of the new Korean models,
like the Accent, have some really striking design, and they're
very well engineered," says Bell. "[The Accent] is a
warranty-packed vehicle as well." The quiet, zippy Accent
starts around $10,000. One caveat: If previous models are any
indication, it will depreciate rapidly.
Mazda3
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Mazda3
Consumers Union testing has shown the Mazda3 to perform well on
crash tests and fuel economy, while offering exceptional performance
and refinement for a compact sedan. "With cars like the Mazda3,
it's unbelievable what you can get for your money," says
Weisenfelder. Starting at $14,240, the sporty Mazda3 is quiet
and has good handling. It will likely have low maintenance and
ownership costs.
Kia Rio
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Kia Rio
If your primary concern is cost, consider
the Rio, where for about ten grand you can get a remarkably fuel-efficient
car. While it won't turn any heads, the Rio will get you from point
A to point B reliably, and its warranty is good. As with the Accent,
depreciation is one of the downsides for the Rio. Still, you'll
be hard-pressed to find a more affordably priced new car on the
market.
Scion tC
If you're not content with old favorites, a new model that's making
headlines is the snazzy Scion tC. It's designed to attract the
Gen Y buyer -- but its head-turning design, roominess and reasonable
price make it worth a look for buyers of any age.
Scion tC
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Older buyers are likely to find it even more attractive
when they realize that Scion is a brand founded by the always-reliable
Toyota. Wiesenfelder says when he took some friends for a drive,
they guessed that it would retail for about twice its $16,465
base price.
While it was once considered unwise to buy a car
in its initial model years because manufacturers were still working
out all the bugs, it's far less risky today. The tC is one of
the best new finds at any price.
-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005
