Best of the cheapest?

Started by Morris Minor, June 29, 2020, 02:38:34 PM

Morris Minor

Your mission:
Buy a new car.
It has to be the cheapest in the manufacturer's' lineup - poverty trim: no frippery, no packages, no options.
It has to be available in the USA

The goal:
Assess from the experience which of the manufacturers gives the most inexpensive goodness rather than the most cynical cheapness.

I'm still looking but they seem to center around $17,000 - and are hard to actually find on a dealer lot.
And my thing about no frippery: a manual transmission say Yaris might save $1,000 but on resale you are restricted to the minuscule pool of people who can operate a manual. So I'm going to say okay on an auto... but indicate if there's a cheaper manual
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

veeman

Honda Fit. $16190 with manual transmission. $16990 with CVT. 

I drove my Dad's Ford Ecosport which for 2020 is the cheapest car in their line-up ($19995). It drove well and I liked how the rear seat passengers were slightly elevated which gives them a better view out.  I didn't take it on the highway though and I think there's better stuff out there which is cheaper than an Ecosport like a Kia Soul.  Ford no longer sells cars in the US in the $17000 price range. 

CaminoRacer

Chevy Sparks are $14,395, currently $1k off for a total of $13,395 with manual transmission.

I think Fits are probably nicer and a bit larger, but $3k nicer? :hmm:
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Eye of the Tiger

A bare bones Ferrari 488 GTB is only $252,800. I think I can live without any option packages.
2008 TUNDRA (Truck Ultra-wideband Never-say-die Daddy Rottweiler Awesome)

MrH

Quote from: CaminoRacer on June 30, 2020, 10:35:14 AM
Chevy Sparks are $14,395, currently $1k off for a total of $13,395 with manual transmission.

I think Fits are probably nicer and a bit larger, but $3k nicer? :hmm:

Yes, it is. :lol:  Have you been in a Spark?
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

Morris Minor

Hmm - least expensive Ford is the Ecosport - $20k - but that, IMO, falls into the cynical & cheap category.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

CaminoRacer

Quote from: MrH on June 30, 2020, 01:40:14 PM
Yes, it is. :lol:  Have you been in a Spark?

Nope.

Quote from: Morris Minor on June 30, 2020, 01:45:07 PM
Hmm - least expensive Ford is the Ecosport - $20k - but that, IMO, falls into the cynical & cheap category.

Yeah, $20k seems like a lot for a lifted econocar. Should be $15k.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Rich

Fits are a killer deal for the space, efficiency, and features you get for the money.
2003 Mazda Miata 5MT; 2005 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4AT

MX793

Quote from: veeman on June 30, 2020, 10:32:35 AM
Honda Fit. $16190 with manual transmission. $16990 with CVT. 

I drove my Dad's Ford Ecosport which for 2020 is the cheapest car in their line-up ($19995). It drove well and I liked how the rear seat passengers were slightly elevated which gives them a better view out.  I didn't take it on the highway though and I think there's better stuff out there which is cheaper than an Ecosport like a Kia Soul.  Ford no longer sells cars in the US in the $17000 price range. 

I was not impressed with the EcoSport.  It was plainly obvious it was built for developing countries.  It honestly felt cheaper than the Fiesta, yet starts several thousand more than the Fiesta used to start at.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Morris Minor

Kia Soul? ($17,500 [+$1,500 for the CVT])
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

veeman

Quote from: MX793 on June 30, 2020, 03:58:50 PM
I was not impressed with the EcoSport.  It was plainly obvious it was built for developing countries.  It honestly felt cheaper than the Fiesta, yet starts several thousand more than the Fiesta used to start at.

Yeah my Dad (who only buys/leases from GM, Ford, or potentially FCA [his first years in the US in the late 60s were spent in Ann Arbor, Michigan]) wanted a cheap lease.  He and my Mom didn't like the Chevy Trax because the cheap lease model didn't come with a center armrest, so I told him to look at the Ford Ecosport.  Him and my Mom liked it when they test drove it.  I kept telling him to lease the New Ford Escape instead but he didn't want to fork over the extra cash.  Now that he's had it for a while, he thinks it's just OK.  He hates the sideways opening hatch/trunk and thinks the trunk space with the rear seats up is too small.  He also thinks the gas mileage is bad for a small car.  I told him the small trunk is what you get for wanting the cheapest lease and gas is cheap right now  :lol:  I drove it quite a bit when I was at my folks house a few weeks ago but not on the highway.  Locally I felt it had plenty of power, tracked straight, and had good room for a small car.  But yeah, it should be about 2 to 3 grand cheaper which is a lot. 

veeman

Quote from: Morris Minor on June 30, 2020, 04:53:48 PM
Kia Soul? ($17,500 [+$1,500 for the CVT])

According to your original criteria though, you can't pick the Soul.  There's a cheaper new Kia available in the US.  (Kia Rio). 

The Kia Soul is a real nice car though and a good deal. 

Morris Minor

Quote from: veeman on June 30, 2020, 04:59:43 PM
According to your original criteria though, you can't pick the Soul.  There's a cheaper new Kia available in the US.  (Kia Rio). 

The Kia Soul is a real nice car though and a good deal. 
You're right - The base Rio is 16k and includes a CVT. And a ton standard features.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

Eye of the Tiger

Quote from: Morris Minor on June 30, 2020, 05:11:53 PM
You're right - The base Rio is 16k and includes a CVT. And a ton standard features.

Base Rio has a CVT? Base Accent has a 6 speed manual. Accent wins.
2008 TUNDRA (Truck Ultra-wideband Never-say-die Daddy Rottweiler Awesome)

Raza

I was shocked to find that the X1 is actually cheaper than the 2 series and comes pretty well equipped at $35,200.

The Jetta S is much closer to this $17,000 number, but does seem a bit cynical. But then again, anything with cloth seats makes me feel like it's a prison.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

Soup DeVille

I would openly welcome the return of high quality cloth seats.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

FoMoJo

Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 01, 2020, 08:54:15 AM
I would openly welcome the return of high quality cloth seats.
Mohair.
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

MX793

Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Payman


veeman

Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 01, 2020, 08:54:15 AM
I would openly welcome the return of high quality cloth seats.

VW's fabric seats (especially their plaid colored ones) are really good. 

FoMoJo

Quote from: MX793 on July 01, 2020, 09:54:35 AM
Velour.
I would suspect that most modern fabrics used for car seats are synthetic.  Mohair, as commonly used in older vehicles, is a cloth made from the Angora goat hair which I recall as having a texture that is slightly bristly but also soft, a bit of a contradiction.  Very comfortable to sit on.
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." ~ Albert Einstein
"As the saying goes, when you mix science and politics, you get politics."

Morris Minor

Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 01, 2020, 08:54:15 AM
I would openly welcome the return of high quality cloth seats.
We had a Prius with fabric seats. They were more comfortable than leather. It's one area where poverty spec beats rich-bastard spec IMHO.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

WookieOnRitalin

A Nissan Versa S with a 5 speed is only 14,700.

Cruise Control. Bluetooth. Aux jack. Power Doors/Windows. Google Assistant. Lane departure warning. Emergency braking.

I mean, if you needed something bare bones?
1989 Mazda 929
1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2010 Saab 9-3
2012 Suzuki Kizashi
2015 Mazda3

1987 Nissan Maxima GXE
2006 Subaru Baja Turbo

MX793

Quote from: FoMoJo on July 01, 2020, 10:37:36 AM
I would suspect that most modern fabrics used for car seats are synthetic.  Mohair, as commonly used in older vehicles, is a cloth made from the Angora goat hair which I recall as having a texture that is slightly bristly but also soft, a bit of a contradiction.  Very comfortable to sit on.

But it's not velour.  One of my friends in high school had an early 80s Olds Cutlass with velour seats that could have doubled as Barcaloungers.  Soooo comfy.  I understand why so many drivers of these cars died peacefully in their sleep while behind the wheel.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Raza

Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 01, 2020, 08:54:15 AM
I would openly welcome the return of high quality cloth seats.

I don't even know what that means. Like silk?
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

Soup DeVille

Quote from: Raza  on July 01, 2020, 09:24:10 PM
I don't even know what that means. Like silk?

Like alcantara, or high quality tweed. Materials that feel nice and wear nice and breathe better than leather.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Eye of the Tiger

2008 TUNDRA (Truck Ultra-wideband Never-say-die Daddy Rottweiler Awesome)

Morris Minor

Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 02, 2020, 04:56:45 AM
Like alcantara, or high quality tweed. Materials that feel nice and wear nice and breathe better than leather.
But with leather you can punch little holes in it and pipe in cooled air (provided you buy the $2,500 Executive Package)
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

MX793

Quote from: Morris Minor on July 02, 2020, 03:39:29 PM
But with leather you can punch little holes in it and pipe in cooled air (provided you buy the $2,500 Executive Package)

You can pump cool air through cloth without needing to poke holes in it.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Morris Minor

#29
Quote from: veeman on June 30, 2020, 04:59:43 PM
According to your original criteria though, you can't pick the Soul.  There's a cheaper new Kia available in the US.  (Kia Rio). 

The Kia Soul is a real nice car though and a good deal. 
Hah.
My sister and her wife just bought a Kia Rio 3 T GDi. It's loaded with everything – they're thrilled with it.
1.0L. 99 BHP. 0-60 10.3 sec. Hatchback.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤