Editors of Kelly Blue Book Names The Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
04-06-06, 08:33 AM
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Editors of Kelly Blue Book Names The Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Kelley Names Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Pick Top 10 Cool, Affordable New Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 6 -- With the average price of a new vehicle surpassing $25,000, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing you have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about. Unless you're all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.
After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than $18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest. Instead of reporting based on vehicles' Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs), the list is based on each model's New Car Blue Book value, the price buyers are typically paying in the market. Consumers' actual payment will be determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate available to them.
"While everyone bemoans the fact that new cars are so expensive these days, we found a wide variety of cool, fun-to-drive vehicles that are still affordable," said Jack R. Nerad, editorial director, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "We settled on the $18,000 price point, because it offers most buyers a monthly payment of less than $350 over the course of a five-year loan."
Whether you're drawn to performance, reliability, styling, versatility, economy, comfort or some combination thereof, Kelley Blue Book's 2006 list is diverse enough that you're bound to find something to fit your tastes. Buying a used vehicle is another good way to get something cool for under $18,000, but there's no denying the allure of the flawless, warranted, inimitably scented new car.
All vehicles are listed by their New Car Blue Book value. New Car Blue
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 3, 2006. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
Toyota Yaris
With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG rating, the Yaris' value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.
Scion xB
The xB has proven to us that, these days, it's cool to be square. Not only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious hauler of people and stuff.
Dodge Caliber
Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self- charging flashlight.
Kia Sportage
When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.
Chevrolet HHR
As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.
Ford Fusion
Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel and cruise control.
Nissan Frontier
Utility is in, and nothing's more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.
Mazda3
Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to the compact-car segment. We can't decide which model we like better, but the combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks make this a "cool cars" list repeater.
Honda Civic
You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren't so cool, and now they're as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built -- and cool once again.
Scion tC
If you're cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable features in the tC deliver "Lexus-like" technology in an affordable package. This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel gauges and iPod connectivity.
The top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000 were chosen based on the expert opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team. Selection was based on price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research of each vehicle and test drives of vehicles selling at or below $18,000 during the week of April 6, 2006. For more information on these and other new vehicles, log on to www.kbb.com.
source : theautochannel
Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Pick Top 10 Cool, Affordable New Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 6 -- With the average price of a new vehicle surpassing $25,000, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing you have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about. Unless you're all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.
After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than $18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest. Instead of reporting based on vehicles' Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs), the list is based on each model's New Car Blue Book value, the price buyers are typically paying in the market. Consumers' actual payment will be determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate available to them.
"While everyone bemoans the fact that new cars are so expensive these days, we found a wide variety of cool, fun-to-drive vehicles that are still affordable," said Jack R. Nerad, editorial director, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "We settled on the $18,000 price point, because it offers most buyers a monthly payment of less than $350 over the course of a five-year loan."
Whether you're drawn to performance, reliability, styling, versatility, economy, comfort or some combination thereof, Kelley Blue Book's 2006 list is diverse enough that you're bound to find something to fit your tastes. Buying a used vehicle is another good way to get something cool for under $18,000, but there's no denying the allure of the flawless, warranted, inimitably scented new car.
Code:
Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Vehicle MSRP New Car Blue
Book Value
2007 Toyota Yaris $14,630 N/A
2006 Scion xB $15,370 $15,524
2007 Dodge Caliber $15,985 $15,985
2006 Kia Sportage $16,490 $16,134
2006 Chevrolet HHR $16,890 $16,472
2006 Ford Fusion $17,795 $17,084
2006 Nissan Frontier King Cab $17,530 $17,179
2006 Mazda3 $18,175 $17,646
2006 Honda Civic $17,860 $17,860
2006 Scion tC $17,640 $17,960
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 3, 2006. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
Toyota Yaris
With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG rating, the Yaris' value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.
Scion xB
The xB has proven to us that, these days, it's cool to be square. Not only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious hauler of people and stuff.
Dodge Caliber
Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self- charging flashlight.
Kia Sportage
When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.
Chevrolet HHR
As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.
Ford Fusion
Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel and cruise control.
Nissan Frontier
Utility is in, and nothing's more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.
Mazda3
Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to the compact-car segment. We can't decide which model we like better, but the combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks make this a "cool cars" list repeater.
Honda Civic
You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren't so cool, and now they're as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built -- and cool once again.
Scion tC
If you're cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable features in the tC deliver "Lexus-like" technology in an affordable package. This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel gauges and iPod connectivity.
The top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000 were chosen based on the expert opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team. Selection was based on price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research of each vehicle and test drives of vehicles selling at or below $18,000 during the week of April 6, 2006. For more information on these and other new vehicles, log on to www.kbb.com.
source : theautochannel
04-06-06, 09:50 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
I would dump the Yaris, with its geeky styling and center-mount gauges, and substitute the much-better-designed Corolla XRS with the high-output 1.8 L four. It starts at $17,880....just under the wire...but freight, options, and taxes will probably push it closer to 20K.
I would also certainly buy this car before I bought a Ford Fusion...but unfortunately an automatic is not availble on the XRS...a major omission on Toyota's part.
I would also certainly buy this car before I bought a Ford Fusion...but unfortunately an automatic is not availble on the XRS...a major omission on Toyota's part.
04-06-06, 10:22 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
I like that new Caliber. And the Tc is just incredible for the money.
But my choice is the Mazda 3
Honda should show a little concern, the Fit is to bring younger buyers to Honda. I hope they don't have another Element on their hands (it sells but to TWICE the age demographic than they wanted).
But my choice is the Mazda 3
Honda should show a little concern, the Fit is to bring younger buyers to Honda. I hope they don't have another Element on their hands (it sells but to TWICE the age demographic than they wanted).
04-06-06, 10:50 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
too bad the Honda Fit isnt in the list, it annihilated everything in the car and driver (i think) 15k economobile comparison test, it beat 2nd place by a considerable margin
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04-06-06, 10:53 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by XeroK00L
Hmm how come people are paying more than MSRP for the Scions?
04-06-06, 04:53 PM
#10
Speaks French in Russian
This is an okay list. I guess you can call the Fusion cool with its Lexus IS tail lights and squared off body. I also think the Tacoma is a little cooler than the Fronier(whatever that is suppose to mean).
I finally saw that Caliber on the highway this past weekend. Looks great in pictures but man that thing is sooo tiny on the street. Not sure if I like it as much as I used to.
I finally saw that Caliber on the highway this past weekend. Looks great in pictures but man that thing is sooo tiny on the street. Not sure if I like it as much as I used to.
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