Looking for an inexpensive new car.

[InlineFive]

Hello folks,

I'm starting to look around for an inexpensive new car to pickup before winter hits. The plan is to keep this under $9,000 while still finding a decent model with lower miles.

Currently I've been taking a look at the Focus and Cobalt models but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Reliability is an important factor for me as my current car has been nothing but a blackhole of repairs.

Thanks!

I5 (perhaps soon to be I4)

 

[zerocool84]

I'd go for a Focus.

 

[SickBeast]

Hyundai Elantra, or the Accent if you can live with something smaller. Get them with a manual transmission.

 

[Arkaign]

The current Accent shares the same motor (and many other bits as well) as the Kia Rio :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Rio#Second_generation

My GF has one, and it's a competent vehicle, but it is very meagerly powered at 110HP, and it weighs as much as my Focus.

$9k should get you an '05 or newer low-miles Focus, which will come with a ~140hp 2.0L Mazda Duratec motor (timing chain, not a belt), and return pretty high real-world fuel economy.

As with all economy cars, the 5-speed manual is the way to go if you are willing to drive one, the autos are typically 4-speed slushboxes.

I've driven the Cobalt models as well, including the older SS (the Supercharged one). They're decent cars, and am improvement on the Cavalier it replaced, but I don't rate them as high as the Focus as the handling on the regular Focus models is better (the Cobalt weighs ~400lbs more than the Focus). The SS is out of your price range, but there is a 'sport' model available from 2008+ for the Cobalt delivering 171hp, and it may be possible to find one in your price range.

 

[Vette73]

You can probably get a Cobalt cheaper, but a more recent Focus is a better car.

 

[InlineFive]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'm going to see if I can get test drives of any of those.

 

[Heller]

is a coupe out of the question? just got my 07 scion tc with 40kmiles for $8g. was a steal...

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Heller
is a coupe out of the question? just got my 07 scion tc with 40kmiles for $8g. was a steal...

No but the styling of a Scion just doesn't do it for me. Thanks though.