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FeedCar Fever
Lots of wheels are rolling in at $20,000 (and less).
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Even with the economy sputtering and the cost of almost everything climbing, there are bargains to be had—and a lot of them are in new-car showrooms. Some of the most interesting models are under $20,000—a few below $15,000. That means you can buy a new car for the same price as—or less than— a used one. What a nice surprise.
Baby, You’ve Got Soul
The 2010 Kia Soul comes in at less than $14,000. Even if you stuff it with every available bell and whistle (including a moon roof), the price still falls under $19,000. Already popular in Korea, Kia is holding down costs by making just four trim levels available. One up from the bargain base model is the Soul +, which includes a keyless entry remote and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Soul !—a car with its own exclamation point—comes with a power moonroof, fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels for $17,645. According to Kia, the top-of-the-line Soul Sport is designed “for those with active lifestyles,” although you can still drive the other models to the Shore.
The Soul offers the boxy style of the new Nissan Cube and the Scion xB. And Kia has its eyes on the same youthful market—although, at this price, it’s sure to become a second family car or a first car for retirees on a strict budget. (Much to Toyota’s surprise, that’s just what happened with the Scion and even the retro-looking Chevrolet HHR.)
The basic engine is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder version mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which kicks out around 120 horses—not exactly a Ferrari. The Soul +, Soul ! and Sport can each be upgraded to a 2-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine in your choice of manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for both is estimated at 30 miles per gallon or more.
Because of its tall, square shape, the Soul sits five adults comfortably. The interior features an uncluttered dashboard with three dials that handle just about everything. There’s even a USB jack in the center console for your iPod.
Get Fit
The Honda Fit is a small car you won’t be embarrassed to hand over to a valet. It’s stylish, drives with crisp handling, and absorbs the occasional pothole or bumpy manhole cover without rattling your brains. It’s a four-door hatchback with large glass windows that offer a feeling of spaciousness. A neat cargo feature is the flexible rear seat-back. The seats fold down conventionally for a long, flat cargo bay stretching from trunk lid to rear seat, and the rear seat cushions flip up so you can haul things like a lawnmower upright.
And since it’s a Honda, you can count on reliable service and fuel efficiency that’s about the best in the business for non-hybrids—33 overall miles per gallon for combined city/highway driving with the five-speed manual, and 30 with the automatic. The 1.5-liter, 118-horsepower four-cylinder engine has enough oomph for rabbit-like starts.
You get it all for a base price of $14,550—add a couple thou for the Sport model. The Fit’s main competitor is the Yaris, which has been Toyota’s best-selling small car in Europe and costs a few thousand more than the Fit, which was rated best in class by Consumer Reports.
Versatile Versa
The Nissan Versa is a fun ride and has the fit, finish and creature comforts of a more expensive model. At a base price of $9,990, it’s available as a sedan or hatchback, both with 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines (except for the 107-horsepower base model).
The SL model—with a sunroof, a wireless cell phone link, and remote keyless entry and engine start—is a bargain at just under $17,000. The sprightly five-seater delivers 27 city/33 highway miles per gallon
(decent but not exceptional).
