New cars for penny pinchers: Try driving something small, light and foreign. These cars are ranked by the estimated cost to drive the car for five years. Includes insurance, repairs, maintenance, fuel and interest on payments. Only two American cars made the list for 2009.
No. 10: Nissan Sentra Sedan
Nissan Sentra. The Sentra has long been the entry point for budget buyers into the Nissan brand. Over the years the entry-level Sentra has grown in size, moving the once humble economy car up one full notch, where it now slots between the mid-size Altima and subcompact Versa.
While it has moved slightly upmarket, the Nissan Sentra is still aimed at those looking to get a lot of car for not a lot of money. For as little as $15,000 or so buyers can drive a car with styling, interior appointments and available options reminiscent of the more expensive Altima.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $18,753
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,673
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $1,937
Fuel: $6,945
Interest on Payments: $2,518
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 27 mpg
MSRP: $16,730
No. 9: Pontiac G3
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $18,447
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $7,377
Repairs: $770
Maintenance: $1,673
Fuel: $6,250
Interest on Payments: $2,377
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 30 mph
MSRP: $14,335
No. 8: Toyota Corolla Sedan
2009 Toyota Corolla. High gas prices are here to stay, and more and more Americans are turning to subcompact cars to save on fuel costs. Few cars are as poised to take advantage of this market change as the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is a perennial top-ten seller in the U.S. and the second-best selling subcompact behind only the Honda Civic.
The Corolla arrived in the United States in the late 1960s. Toyotas subcompact has grown over time, both in size and in features, with each generation better than the last. Now in its 10th generation, the Corolla maintains its core values of long-term reliability, great fuel economy, and excellent resale value.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $18,426
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $7,377
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $1,777
Fuel: $6,250
Interest on Payments: $2,342
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 30 mpg
MSRP: $15,350
No. 7: Honda Civic Sedan
Honda Civic Sedan. When you say Honda, the next word that likely comes to mind is Civic. After more than 30 years on the market, the Honda Civic continues to impress with its blend of high fuel economy, legendary reliability and class-leading resale values.
A total redesign in 2006 helped name the Civic Kelley Blue Books Best Redesigned Vehicle of 2006 as well as address one of the Civics weaker attributes, its bland styling. With a sleek, angular new body and a high-tech interior, the Civic Sedan visually distinguishes itself from the competition. A combination of value and good looks, the Honda Civic Sedan continues to be the standard by which compact cars are measured.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $18,301
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,834
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $1,780
Fuel: $6,465
Interest on Payments: $2,542
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 29 mpg
MSRP: $15,505
No. 6: Honda Fit
Honda Fit. If you’re thinking a full-on Fit redesign seems a little premature, you’re half right. Although the current Honda Fit only just went on sale in the U.S. in 2006, it’s been selling in Japan since 2001. In addition to all-new sheetmetal, the next Fit sports a two-inch longer wheelbase that helps increase interior space. Larger 15-inch wheels are standard, and Honda says the revised 1.5-liter engine is more powerful than the last. Interior upgrades include an available navigation system, USB audio port and a more easily configurable rear seat. The new Fit should continue to start around $15,000 when it arrives Fall 2008.
Total Cost to Drive for 5 Years$17,874
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,834
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $1,641
Fuel: $6,050
Interest on Payments: $2,669
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 31 mpg
MSRP: $14,750
No. 5: Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan
With gas prices on the rise many Americans are adding small cars to their consideration list. Import brands like Honda and Toyota have long held the dominant position in the subcompact category, but what about buyers who prefer to shop the domestic brands? Enter the Chevrolet Cobalt, an American take on the small car.
While previous small General Motors like the Chevy Cavalier might give you pause, the Chevrolet Cobalt is a different animal. Good fuel economy, attractive styling and high value make the Cobalt worthy of consideration.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $17,862
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $7,181
Repairs: $718
Maintenance: $1,562
Fuel: $6,050
Interest on Payments: $2,351
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 31 mpg
MSRP: $16,380
No. 4: Hyundai Accent
Over the years, Hyundai has transformed from a company that offered one inferior small car into a powerhouse that sells near-luxury cars like the Azera and capable SUVs such as the Santa Fe and Tucson. There’s also the 2006 Accent, the company’s entry-level small car, a totally redesigned model that best demonstrates Hyundai’s continued commitment to one of its main goals — offering customers capable cars that are well-backed and affordably priced.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $17,964
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $7,181
Repairs: $718
Maintenance: $1,996
Fuel: $6,250
Interest on Payments: $1,819
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 30 mpg
MSRP: $9,970
No. 3: Scion xD
You may not know it but this is a golden era for entry-level car buyers. Think about it — at one time a small budget meant buying a small car with limited equipment and even more limited style. Things are different now. Not only do inexpensive cars come decently equipped but some are even considered cool.
The Scion brand has done a masterful job of building their vehicles as blank palettes, designed to satisfy the custom-car dreams of twenty-something year-old hipsters. Look beyond the marketing hype however, and the Scion xD emerges as a logical choice for anyone who needs a sensible car at a fair price.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $17,942
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,386
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $2,079
Fuel: $6,250
Interest on Payments: $2,547
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 30 mpg
MSRP: $15,320
No. 2: Nissan Versa
With gas prices fluctuating, more people are considering smaller, fuel-efficient cars but do not want to sacrifice the creature comforts they have come to depend on. Nissans response to this growing demand is the new Versa. It offers compact-car affordability and gas mileage while providing the comfort and quality of a mid-size sedan.
Entry-level cars have a reputation for being meagerly equipped and cramped. The Nissan Versa challenges that reputation with uncharacteristic safety, technology and performance features and a generous helping of cabin space. The Versa is available in hatchback and sedan forms, in basic S and better-equipped SL trims. Several packages are also available, offering features almost never found in this segment. Both the sporty hatchback and practical sedan deliver unprecedented legroom and options at a price that wont break the bank.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $17,315
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,261
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $2,033
Fuel: $6,250
Interest on Payments: $2,091
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 30 mpg
MSRP: $13,110
No. 1: Toyota Yaris
Recently, erratic gas prices have increased demand for small, fuel-efficient vehicles. Toyota is meeting this demand with the Yaris, replacing the Echo as its smallest and most economical offering.
The all-new Yaris is longer and wider than its predecessor, with a more sophisticated Euro look. The Yaris comes in two very distinct styles, the Liftback and Sedan. The shorter Liftback has combines avant garde styling with a practical rear hatch and versatile seating arrangement. The longer Sedan offers a more conventional design with plenty of interior space. It is also offered in a sportier S configuration.
Both Yaris models deliver Toyotas reputation for quality in a small, fuel-efficient package.
Total Cost to Drive for Five Years: $16,837
(MSRP not included in total cost to drive).
Insurance: $6,261
Repairs: $680
Maintenance: $2,200
Fuel: $5,680
Interest on Payments: $2,016
Combined Fuel Efficiency: 33 mpg
MSRP: $12,205
