The guys at CNNMoney.com have come up with a list of the 7 best "college cars" -- the best available rides for current college students or new grads who have to work within a limited budget. To make the list, each car had to have a base price of under $16,000, be fuel-efficient, and offer good utility.
Without further ado, here's what they came up with. We've listed them from lowest to highest base price:
- Nissan Versa - $12, 450
- Scion xA - $12, 780
- Dodge Caliber - $13,425
- Ford Focus - $13,450
- Mazda3 -$13, 710
- Honda Fit - $13,850
- Kia Sportage - $15,900
[Source: CNNMoney.com]
The fuel economy kings are the Versa (30/34 mpg), Scion (31/38 mpg) and Fit (33/38), and in terms of value, all seven cars bring some good things to the table.
While the Honda Fit is a very attractive candidate, Honda has acknowledged that it's having trouble keeping up with the demand, so it may not necessarily be easy to find one.
The Focus looks a little dated compared to some of the newer vehicles listed above, but as CNN points out, it's also available as a sporty wagon (base price, $16,735), which is a really nice thing for a student who has to haul his or her life to and from school a couple of times a year.
The Scion is a nice deal, but its 1.5L engine only makes 105 horsepower. Still, the low entry price leaves the buyer with some extra dough that can be used to accessorize the car.
The Sportage is pretty cool as small SUVs go, but its entry price doesn't include A/C. Plus, if you want 4WD, the number immediately jumps to $20K. Unless you absolutely must have the SUV body style, you'll likely get more bang for the buck from the other cars on the list (if you stick to the $16,000 budget, that is).
The Mazda3 sports 150 ponies underhood, stylish bodywork (though we wish the car at this price point was the hatchback and not the sedan), and can also be upgraded to include PW/PDL while still sneaking in under $16,000.
The Versa boasts decent power (122-hp) from its 1.8L, looks good on the road, and gets great gas mileage. While it doesn't come with power windows or door locks at the price shown above, buyers can upgrade to the better-equipped SL trim and still stay well below the $16,000 threshold CNNMoney set for the list.
Finally, Caliber brings bulldog-tough looks and a highly versatile interior to the party, though CNNMoney advises that you wait until you can get a manual transmission to go with the 2.4L four.
No matter how you cut it, there are a number of new, interesting, stylish, and frugal small cars out there for the budget-minded. The list is geared toward students and new grads, but you needn't be either one to appreciate the value the list highlights.
[Source: CNNMoney.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kowell @ Aug 15th 2006 1:35PM
I don,t understand why they out an SUV in there since it's a college students listing.....
Kamil @ Aug 15th 2006 1:37PM
Why do they think that kids in college would want one of these mostly boring cars?
$16k buys some cool used (almost new, '02 and newer) cars like a WRX, Mustang, RS-X, that 300hp Neon thing, and many others... all of which would be probably more liked by the kids driving them as opposed to these econoboxes.
Alex Nunez @ Aug 15th 2006 1:42PM
Kamil, I the point is to showcase brand new cars at the price point. It's no secret that $16,000 can get you an excellent used car. That's actually an interesting topic in itself (used cars/same budget). Hmmm...
Sid @ Aug 15th 2006 1:44PM
Insurance, Kamil.
I'd pick the Mazda3. Well...I already did:-)
joe @ Aug 15th 2006 1:44PM
KAMIL: theyre talking about new cars, though. i am so a student and i bought my 2002 Audi A4 in 2005 with 21k miles still under warranty for just a bit over $16k; so yes, i believe your rationale.
ruggels @ Aug 15th 2006 1:45PM
Has CNNMoney ever, you know, bothered to go to a college parking lot in the last half decade? $13,000 cars? Try WRX STIs, S4s, G35s, 350Zs, et-al. The majority of new cars I witnessed in student housing parking lots, working with housing services from 2000 to 2006 at the University of California Riverside (arguably the 'poorest' UC in terms of average student income, etc) were $20,000 and more. M3s, 911s, Boxters also had a decent showing as well. Often I wonder if the same sort of rules of journalism apply to internet based journalists (the whole research your story bit).
rwdmtparkingonly @ Aug 15th 2006 1:50PM
If you grow up in the north shore suburbs of chicago or barrington and go to U of Illinois instead of wasting your parents money on Northwestern or University of Chicago you get a free Corvette. Unfortunateley I didn't grow up in one of those neighborhoods, but it seems like a good deal.
Dan @ Aug 15th 2006 1:55PM
While this list accounts for maybe 25% of college students, most drive F-150s/Silverados, and larger cars such as Nissan Altimas, Toyota Camrys, and Honda Accords. I am personally a college student and wouldnt drive anything other than my 2003 Nissan Altima. Where was the Corolla on this list? Its seems that every other parking spot is occupied by a Corolla. I would not drive any of the cars on that list except maybe the Sportage.
Kowell @ Aug 15th 2006 1:55PM
of course this listing in aimed at college students that actually pay for their cars... nor rich kids who live off the parents fortune and get a brand new 30k car every Xmas....
Chris @ Aug 15th 2006 1:56PM
I think this ist is right on. I see many of these cars on the campus here at the University of Michigan. (Go Blue!) I don't think too many campuses are loaded with M3s, 911s, Boxters and such. I know U of M, Michigan State, Central Mich. and Eastern Mich. don't have many of these types but definatly have plenty of Focuses and Scions.
Monsta @ Aug 15th 2006 2:00PM
So, Ruggels, they're just supposed to take your own little experience at UC and apply that to every single college in the United States? And then you have the audacity to suggest that they do more research? Wow.
I'm not arguing that there are not certain students that are driving nice cars--there are, whether they're spoiled by mommy and daddy or they've paid on their own--but it's completely insane to think every single college is like UC Riverside.
WB233629 @ Aug 15th 2006 2:03PM
Ruggels is exactly right. I go to a private college in PA and I drive an '04 FX45. While I love my car it is certainly not one of the nicest on campus. Off the top of my head I can think of multiple M3's, S4's, C55's and G35's. The most popular car on Campus is probably an A4, I have seen more than 20 at a time in the parking lots on campus. Let's be honest with ourselves though, when the average college education cost $150,000+, how can we be surprised that college kids are driving very nice cars. Oh and just to top it off, one of the girls on my floor last year got the first Range Rover Supercharged in the state of PA, all for her 19th B-Day.
Corey W. @ Aug 15th 2006 2:04PM
No Aveo???
5-speed man. 27/37
4-speed auto. 26/34
2007 Aveo 5-Door SVM 1VL $9,995.00
2007 Aveo 4-Door LS 1LS $12,395.00
Sean @ Aug 15th 2006 2:08PM
The problem with every car on that list save for the Mazda is that they are all so BORING! Few aftermarket companies to supply performance parts.
No thanks,, as a current college student I will take my 1999 Land Rover Discovery I, thank-you very much. Give me something with a personality, not a boring econobox P.O.S.
Dr. Woo @ Aug 15th 2006 2:08PM
I'm surprised at the exclusion of the new Rabbit, and a Civic can be had for a very reasonable price, minus things like a radio.
Jeff Banks @ Aug 15th 2006 2:26PM
"Has CNNMoney ever, you know, bothered to go to a college parking lot in the last half decade? $13,000 cars? Try WRX STIs, S4s, G35s, 350Zs, et-al"
Typical cars seen at my high school!
I think they omitted the Civic because Honda sort of pushed it up sizewise and upscalewise compared to the lineup shown. Still, its only $15,560 for the base automatic. I'd take it over the focus any day even if it is 2k more.
aliasfox @ Aug 15th 2006 2:28PM
Dr. Woo-
I was recently looking at cheap/small, and a Civic that is remotely adequately equipped (AC and anti-lock brakes) starts at just shy of $17,000, with the autobox version going for around $18k. Due to demand for both the Civic and the Fit, dealers in the St. Louis area weren't budging on the sticker price, so for now, the Civic is well out of reach as a "student" car.
If you're at a private university and you're not on financial aid, chances are you have the keys to a nice and/or new car - a brand new Civic or Mommy and Daddy's hand-me-down Camry are about as bad as it goes, and those are rarer than the 3-series, A4s, and SUVs, or the RSX and IS300 for the ricer crowds.
This is judging by me glancing at the Washington University in St. Louis residential parking garages - where each spot costs $360 a year on top of $33k tuition with a minimum of $10k going towards room and board.
I get to ride my bike to campus and Target and the supermarket.
aliasfox @ Aug 15th 2006 2:31PM
Actually, these are probably the best "after college" cars - ya know, after Mommy and Daddy cut you loose and you realize that blowing $150 a night on dinner and drinks or $100 for your tenth pair of shoes doesn't quite fit into a $40k a year salary.
Ryan @ Aug 15th 2006 2:33PM
Another peice of shit FALSE list with FAKE MSRP's
Question?
What is the BASE price of a 2006 Mazda 3?
HINT:It's not:$13,710
REAL STARTING PRICE: $15,150
Source: http://www.mazda3.com
That is almost $1,500 OFF, peices of shit, why make an inaccurate list?
PLUS the $15,150 does not even include A/C.
Geeno @ Aug 15th 2006 2:33PM
The Versa is awesome. It is a great car and would no doubt be a great car for a college kid, but you guys must be thinking Ivy League, Stanford or Duke. I've been out of college for five years and can just now afford a NEW car. I went to University of NC-Charlotte and most cars on campus in 2000-2001 were 5-10 year old Civics, Sentras and Golfs.
That's the real world. I guess if you're paying 40K a year for your kid to attend school, then a $15,000 runabout is pocket change. The rest of us have to graduate, get a job and save for a while to get new wheels. But the wait for the Versa was worth it.
For those who think it's boring, grow up.