I’m trying to determine which car represents the best value in a new, small car that gets pretty decent mpg, while still providing the absolute necessities such as safety and power windows/locks. I’m not really partial to any brand, but the Ford Focus SES seems to be at the top of the list from what I’ve seen (I believe it can be had for ~$14k after discounts/rebates, etc, maybe less because my company has a “parternship program” with Ford).
I’ve also looked at Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas, and VW Jetta TDI’s (I used to own one, hands down, the best on mpg, but starting around $23k).
I’d like to be able to fold down the rear seats, put a roof rack on it for bikes, and a manual transmission to reduce the purchase price.
For what it’s worth, I currently drive an Xterra which is great for bad weather and hauling everything I own.
I bought a Pontiac Vibe last fall. Seats fold flat, tons of storage space, getting 30mpg in the city, has 5 airbags, could take a rear-hitch for bikes or comes with a roof rack. Price was low $16s…I think…but that was pretty loaded, seems like a manual could be had for $800-$900 less. Obviously GM dealers are REALLY dealing right now, but there’s the ever-present specter of bankruptcy out there.
I must admit, I’ve toyed with the idea of the Vibe as well. What about getting the Toyota Matrix? Which is supposed to be the exact same thing…I think.
Well, I went through that process last fall…Vibe vs. Matrix. I had a GM card with nearly $2k in earnings, and GM doubled it for me. So obviously…that pushed me toward the Vibe. The Vibe also came standard with AC, the Matrix had it as an add-on ($900?), so it was a better deal all around.
Given everything we know now about the state of GM, would you buy a car from them or recommend someone like myself buying a car from them? I’m juts a bit hesitant to do that right now, especially since I believe they indicated that Pontiac was going to “go away”.
x2 for the vibe - had one great smallish car - we upped to an element for longer road trips, but was very happy with the Vibe.
Have you checked the Honda Fit? I have heard a lot of good things about it, including it’s bike hauling capability (you can fold up the rear seats and stand your bike up). I haven’t tried one - but it would be on my list to check out.
yes Vibe and Matrix are pretty much the same.
I am not sure how much % is common. You probably have the Toyota quality and reliability though.
However Toyota is not (yet) that desperate, so you would very likely get a better deal with the Vibe.
The April 2009 issue of Consumer reports is their annual car issue, and lists the 2009 Honda Fit as the best value in cars, the Toyota RAV4 as the best Small SUV, and the Hyundai Elantra SE as the best Small Sedan.
I traded in an Xterra for a 4-door VW GTI…awesome little car. Great performance, 26 MPG in the city, seats fold down easily, and you can put in a road or tri bike in the back without even having to take the front wheel off. IIRC, the regular Rabbit won a Car and Driver compact car shootout, which is even less expensive than a GTI, although not as fun to drive.
I like the looks of the Fit. My other hobbies include camping and fly fishing, and hauling my chocolate lab around. I’m a bit worried about the cargo storage aspect of the hatch back. Is there enough room to put anything back there without putting the seats down?
The Vibe was the only car I’d buy from GM, and the only reason was it’s basically a Toyota Corolla drive train (as is the Matrix). I wanted a smallish wagon well under $20k, so choices were limited. I can’t say if I’d buy it again or not, knowing the status of GM. I guess you’d have to balance that out. I certainly wouldn’t buy any sort of extended warranty. I assume the Matrix parts fit the Vibe, should there be an issue…well, not the body panels, but the engine, etc.
I also drove the Fit and liked it a lot, but it just didn’t seem to have enough interior space in the hatch area for what I needed. Otherwise it would have been perfect. I also looked at the Nissan Versa and found it to be a bit too small. It was really cheap, though.
I have a fit and a scion xb. The fit feels more like a car, lots of room, smooth ride about 30 mpg, very safe little car.
scion is a great little car, have over 90k on it with no problems, about 33mpg, good sound system, lots of room for gear, nice plat roof for bike rack, but can easily fit two bikes in the back with fron wheels off. drive isnt as smooth as the fit, but other than that, a great little car. the new ones have a bigger engine and a smoother ride!
Have you looked at the MINI Cooper or Clubman? Fits all your criteria. They start around $18K, but well worth it in my opinion. I’ve had mine for over 5 years now, and it’s just been fantastic. Actually tons of room for stuff when the rear seats are down. Not much room for more than about three grocery bags when they’re up, though.
You get the BMW service plan which means you pay for nothing except gas and tires for three years.
Way, way more fun to drive than any of the other cars you mention.
Yes, I have dreamt of the Mini’s before - I absolutely love them. I have both read, and heard from owners, that if you get a Mini, get the “S level” with the more powerful engine. That option takes me from the $19k price point up to $22.6k.
So, yes, in the ideal world, one of those would have a home in one of the garage bays.
Yes, I have dreamt of the Mini’s before - I absolutely love them. I have both read, and heard from owners, that if you get a Mini, get the “S level” with the more powerful engine. That option takes me from the $19k price point up to $22.6k.
So, yes, in the ideal world, one of those would have a home in one of the garage bays.
Oh those are MINI snobs. The S is sweet, but the base engine is just fine, and is comparable to the engines in the other cars you’re looking at. You’d have to equate a Cooper S to something like the Focus RS or Jetta GT.
**Is there enough room to put anything back there without putting the seats down? **
For me this has always been an issue with the 5 door hatch type cars that are popular today - like the Matrix, Vibe, Fit etc . . when the back seats are in place, their is not much room back behind the seat. Plus, where do you put the emergency stuff( jumper cables, etc . .) cause, now it’s rattling around back there as well. This is why I have alway preferred a sedan. Similar cars like the Corolla have a big trunk which you can close and the back seats stays where it is.
11 years ago I bought a Saturn SW series compact wagon, and it’s been great - reliable, 32-33 mph, room for stuff with the rear seats in place, and plenty of room for a bike or multiple pairs of skis + swim bag + running stuff, etc. with the seats folded down. And all for about $16K. It’s a damn shame they don’t make them anymore.
With the seats up, my Vibe has 32" behind them, measured to the hatch. 40" wide at the narrowest part. Don’t know how this compares to the others, though I do believe the Fit had a much smaller area.
2K miles into our new 2009 Fit Sport, no complaints so far. Easily the best in its class in terms of safety, functional cargo space, and overall looks. Getting roughly 33mpg on average (mostly hwy driving), up to 37 on road trips. Paid just over 15K with taxes & tags. If you’re going subcompact, there’s no better car on the market IMO.
Edit: BTW, my 2004 mini cooper s is up for sale (baby coming in May) - $2K below Kelly Blue Book for slowtwitchers.