Respectable cheap cars - General

Is it me or do auto designers intentionally make cheap cars look worse than they need be, especially in the US? Fortunately, cheap cars nowadays look a lot more respectable, most likely because the recession put more of a consumer focus on the cheap car market. Anyways, post/discuss cheap economy cars that you think have a respectable appearance? Imo the key to this, like all good design, is honest design. [img]http://images.automodifiedesign.com/2011/08/New-Suzuki-Swift-Sport-Wallpaper-600x400.jpg[/img] (design from 05' that still looks good, why don't they sell these in the US? [img]http://img2.netcarshow.com/Saturn-Astra_5-door_2008_800x600_wallpaper_08.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.2009toyotacorolla.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2009-Toyota-Corolla.jpg[/img] (plain, but looks very respectable) [img]http://www.cars-news-focus.info/images/scion-tc-review.jpg[/img]

I hate the Scion, I don't think it's a respectable car at all. Its upbringing was too crowded with billy street racers and bodykitfags, I haven't seen a clean stock one around my town that wasn't JUST purchased. What are you calling cheap? Those cars all vary in price a LOT. Corolla can be had for as little as 15 grand, the base, cheap model tC is around 20 grand. As for the swift, I'd honestly rather drive the old GTI. [img]http://www.productioncars.com/send_file.php/suzuki_swift_gti_red_1990_2.jpg[/img] I just don't think it's good looking now, comparing it to the older one.

anything that can be bought new 15k or under or bought used 10k and under (as long as it's practical). I agree about what you said about the scions, though I still think they look very respectable when they're left stock.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALKTM7OzdMQ[/media] I had to ride in a Corolla from WI to GA with five people Never again.

Honestly I'd much rather have something older than new, new cars are too pricey and newish used cars you don't know what the reliability will be like. I don't see myself ever buying a new car, I'll stick to older stuff and classics forever. If I had to get something newer (We'll say, post-2006), I've got a few things I'd go with: [t]http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2008_hyundai_tiburon_gt_black_dual_air_bags_cruise_control_93202177560700054.jpg[/t] 2008 Hyundai Tiburon -- Currently booking at ~9-10k [t]http://www.classycars.org/Nissan/Nissan.2006.350Z.09.jpg[/t] 2006 Nissan 350Z -- Can be had with decent mileage on them now for 10k and under [t]http://www.automedia.com/new_cars/dodge_charger_2007_photos_Sedan_Exterior_2007-Dodge-Charger-ext-1.jpg[/t] 2007 Dodge Charger SXT -- Maybe it's not a screaming R/T or HEMI SRT8, but it's an AWD Charger, c'mon! it's also around 10k [t]http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/08/0804_30mpg/image/8-08_toyota_yaris_liftb_46c.jpg[/t] 2008 Toyota Yaris -- For about 8k it's a nippy little hatchback. I've driven a red one and loved it. Hate the grille, but you win some you lose some. [t]http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200705/2007-nissan-sentra-se-r-14_460x0w.jpg[/t] 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R -- I drove a base model automatic and it was so smooth, would love to own the SE-R, they're about 10k now. That'd be my top 5 picks if I had to get something that is "slightly used" but still cheap. Respectable rides that aren't slow econoboxes (save for the Yaris, but it makes up for it by being considerably cheaper than the others and getting pretty good mileage with a manual gearbox). I dunno about you but given the choice between them, I'd ditch the 15 grand vanilla Corolla and pick me up an AWD Charger or 350Z for $5,000 less.

None of those cars are cheap here.

I don't think a 350z can be considered a practical and cheap car. Can be had for a decent price, but thats about it. And you dont have to pay 15k for a corolla.

>practical Wasn't part of the deal. It might only have 2 seats but it's at least got some boot space. I DD a 2 seater everyday and have no problems with it. Friends want to hang out? They better drive. Saves you gas. Good deal. And a new corolla is MSRP'd at $14,999. Finding one cheaper is literally impossible, unless it's used. Point is, who the fuck would want a Corolla? They're boring as shit now.

well, it seems like we just have different perspectives. For me a cheap car is one that's cheap all around. the 350z has a cheap price tag, but it isn't cheap on gas, insurance, or maintenance. A car doesn't have to be fast to be respectable, but I guess a lot of people on this specific board will argue otherwise

Why are you singling out the 350Z? I listed FOUR OTHER CARS, three of which do pretty good on gas, one of those three does really good. I'd still rather have an old Yaris for under 8k than a new BORING ASS Corolla for 15k. [editline]28th December 2011[/editline] And, I can bet you the insurance on any of those, save the 350Z, would be cheaper than a brand new corolla, considering the new corolla would have to have full coverage (being a new car, you'll have to do that, since you'll be buying from a new car dealership. Some used dealers allow you to put only liability, even state minimum). [editline]28th December 2011[/editline] And maintenance would also be cheaper on any of those 5 vehicle, if you rule out any warranty Toyota gives. What maintenance could a car under 5 years old even need? Regular oil changes (which do not vary in cost for any general car), regular belts and hoses, you're probably going to have more hassle out of having to take a new car to the dealer for its mainenance and service than a used car.

It's just about cheap respectable cars. I'd probably get the yaris myself, but that doesn't detract from the corolla and no need to rule out the warranty. That's one of the greatest incentives about buying a car new. It's moot though, its obvious we have genuine differences

New Corolla is boring. I'm sure most anyone who actually enjoys cars will agree.

Something a little different? A Mitsubishi? I'd recommend nearly new. Dealerships ex-demo car? Mines an ex-demo which meant it was cheaper than a new base model, and mine came with some nice dealer-fit extras.

The corolla is [i]painfully[/i] bland. Cheap, cool or "respectable" cars? '02-03 WRX <$10,000 '01-04 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT <$5,000

[QUOTE=Mister_Jack;33946964]'01-04 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT <$5,000[/QUOTE] No. Those are the spawn of Satan. Non-DSM Eclipses are nonexistant Eclipses to me.

[QUOTE=bradley;33933252]I hate the Scion, I don't think it's a respectable car at all. Its upbringing was too crowded with billy street racers and bodykitfags, I haven't seen a clean stock one around my town that wasn't JUST purchased. What are you calling cheap? Those cars all vary in price a LOT. Corolla can be had for as little as 15 grand, the base, cheap model tC is around 20 grand. [/QUOTE] I've never actually saw a modified Scion.

[QUOTE=GameDev;33933744][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALKTM7OzdMQ[/media] I had to ride in a Corolla from WI to GA with five people Never again.[/QUOTE] Thats what i got, cheap on fuel and solid car, but lack of room. Though i would have more fun speeding with a Camry V6 3.5L. [editline]29th December 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=bradley;33934816]New Corolla is boring. I'm sure most anyone who actually enjoys cars will agree.[/QUOTE] Mid 2000 corolla are more reliable than new one, i heard toyota had economical problem because they didnt sold enghout car part because their car were too reliable, 75% of the money a car brand make is from the car part they sell, the rest is the car itself.

[QUOTE=bradley;33951920]No. Those are the spawn of Satan. Non-DSM Eclipses are nonexistant Eclipses to me.[/QUOTE] Okay so they're not the coolest cars out there, but for how much you pay you do get a good bit of bang for your buck. v:v:v

[QUOTE=adam1172;33933833]None of those cars are cheap here.[/QUOTE] Nothing is ever cheap here.

I think the new Chevy Sonic looks pretty decent. [img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/08-sonic-opt.jpg[/img] It's around 13k, if that's considered "cheap".

I haven't seen that car at all. It does look kinda neat. 13K new?

looks like a hot wheels car with those huge headlights

I've been reading reviews on it. Apparently it isn't a very nice car. Like, it looks cool on the inside but the build quality is Chevy small car bad.

[QUOTE=Second-gear-of-mgear;33957676]I've been reading reviews on it. Apparently it isn't a very nice car. Like, it looks cool on the inside but the build quality is Chevy small car bad.[/QUOTE] Oh wow that's really bad.

GM never really got the whole compact car deal down.

Personally if I wanted a new car I'd go for a Renault twingo Pzaz 1.2 Eco, cheap to buy (Under £8k new, under £7k if you pay in cash and you could probably pester the dealer into getting a bit more off), cheap to run (55.4 UK MPG, petrol), and £0 road fund in the UK. [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/twingo.png[/img] I couldn't give a shit that its 0-62 is 12 seconds and that it only has 75hp. Because you can't accelerate faster than that shed-on-wheels in front of you anyway and you can't break the speed limit or you loose your licence :v: - It's cheap motoring without having the appearance of cheap motoring. I'd buy a used car though, modern, but used.

80's jap cars [editline]30th December 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Tezzanator92;33958821]Personally if I wanted a new car I'd go for a Renault twingo Pzaz 1.2 Eco, cheap to buy (Under £8k new, under £7k if you pay in cash and you could probably pester the dealer into getting a bit more off), cheap to run (55.4 UK MPG, petrol), and £0 road fund in the UK. [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/twingo.png[/img] I couldn't give a shit that its 0-62 is 12 seconds and that it only has 75hp. Because you can't accelerate faster than that shed-on-wheels in front of you anyway and you can't break the speed limit or you loose your licence :v: - It's cheap motoring without having the appearance of cheap motoring. I'd buy a used car though, modern, but used.[/QUOTE] my mom has a 94 twingo that i used to drive, it literally ran on holy spirit, even though you had to floor it every time you wanted to actually move. [editline]30th December 2011[/editline] i seriously dislike the styling of new cars, combined with the fact that it's impossible to see out of them

[QUOTE=Tezzanator92;33958821]Personally if I wanted a new car I'd go for a Renault twingo Pzaz 1.2 Eco, cheap to buy (Under £8k new, under £7k if you pay in cash and you could probably pester the dealer into getting a bit more off), cheap to run (55.4 UK MPG, petrol), and £0 road fund in the UK. [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/twingo.png[/img] I couldn't give a shit that its 0-62 is 12 seconds and that it only has 75hp. Because you can't accelerate faster than that shed-on-wheels in front of you anyway and you can't break the speed limit or you loose your licence :v: - It's cheap motoring without having the appearance of cheap motoring. I'd buy a used car though, modern, but used.[/QUOTE] Id get a 2/3 year old Chevy Cruze as its the biggest car for as little money going and I do a lot of motorway driving and that Twingo would just get blown away.

seems like cheap euro and jap market cars look more respectable than the one in the states. Everything cheap here seems to be made to look "cheap", whereas that little cheap twingo looks like it actually has a sense of integrity when it comes to its styling.

[QUOTE=silverhawk79;33956992]I think the new Chevy Sonic looks pretty decent. [img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/08-sonic-opt.jpg[/img] It's around 13k, if that's considered "cheap".[/QUOTE] Looks like the new Lancer EVO, but I like it. Why don't they put the symbol on the grills instead though? Also, this and everything else here is anything but cheap... I'd need like 2 years without spending even one euro to get something like that. The cheapest you can get that actually works okish are Peugeot 106's at less then 1k euros. Of course, if you work and wait, you could get something better. I think even EVO 7's for 20k, used though.