CRITERIA (rough order) : Fit behind the wheel / under 20k / good MPG / reliable / radio / AC / I’m a sunroof guy
Note: I don’t fit in a Civic

Car Shopping
February 2007

prius yaris versa rabbit fit forester xb aveo

Toyota Prius
$23,819
60/51 city/highway
Toyota Yaris
$12,789
34/40 city/highway
Nissan Versa
$15,565
30/34 city/highway
Volkswagen Rabbit
$17,850
22/30 city/highway
Honda Fit
$14,918
33/38 city/highway
Subaru Forester (wagon)
$20,470 ( -1,500 rebate)
22/29 city/highway
Scion xB
$15,907
30/33 city/highway
2006 Chevy Aveo
$12,950
26/35city/highway
  • Exceptional MPG
  • Modern interior design
  • Toyota reliability
  • Reminds me of Six Feet Under (I kid)
  • Very, very good MPG
  • Cheap
  • Nice exterior design
  • Toyota reliability
  • Manual Transmission
  • Above average MPG
  • Slighty funky exterior (almost Citroen)
  • VERY good crash rating
  • Manual Transmission
  • Reasonable price
  • Feels awesome
  • Best interior of the bunch, hands down
  • Good crash rating
  • Manual Transmission
  • Deep rooted love for VW
  • Honda reliability
  • Great fuel economy
  • Good interior quality
  • Flat fold seats
  • Low Emission Vehicle
  • Headroom
  • Reliable
  • Utilitarian design
  • Tons o space (except for rear seat)
  • Manual Transmission
  • Great safety rating
  • Reliable
  • Good fuel economy
  • Tons o space

 
  • Nice styling
  • Manual Transmission
  • Good price

 
  • A little cramped (knee hits gearshift)
  • Automatic
  • Over budget, out of contention
  • Worst interior EVER
  • Bit small, similar to Geo Metro, not as awesome as an Echo
  • Interior design and feel of the ride that made me cross this one off
  • Really bad crash rating
  • A little cramped
  • Cheap feeling interior
  • Unkown reliability
  • Limited availability (just came out)
  • Not feeling it, out of contention
  • MPG is average
  • Higher end of the budget
  • Sirius included on the one available
  • No sunroof (at this price point)
  • Reliability has been an issue with prior Golf models
  • Demand pushing price above MSRP
  • Impossible to find non-sport package.
  • MPG is average (but great for an AWD)
  • Higher end of the budget
  • No sunroof in my price goal
  • Blingy taillights
  • Rear seat almost useless
  • Road Noise, stiff ride
  • Blingy taillights
  • The 2008 looks real nice, has more horsepower, roomier, and an armrest (!)
  • MPG is only slightly above average
  • Weak acceleration
  • Reliability below average
  • Sadly no Metro, out of contention

Added Features:

  • Carpet floor mats & cargo mat
  • AM/FM/CD/AUX
  • Smart Key System
  • backup camera

Added Features:

  • All-Weather Package
  • Daytime Running Lights
  • Carpeted Floor & Cargo Mats
  • AM/FM/CD/AUX
  • 15-in. Steel Wheels
  • Rear Window Wiper & Defroster

Standard

  • AC
  • AM/FM/CD audio system
  • Roof-mounted curtain side-i air bags
  • Seat-mounted side-impact air bags

Added Features:

  • ABS
  • Power windows and door locks (shrug)
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Cruise control
  • AM/FM/CD audio system
  • Vehicle Security System

Standard

  • AC
  • ABS
  • Anti-theft
  • Armrest
  • Cruise control
  • Heated Seats
  • Floormats
  • AM/FM/CD
  • Side blinkers on mirrors
  • Height adjusting armrest
  • telescoping + tilt steering wheel
  • Cruise control
  • Rear wiper + defroster

Standard

  • ABS
  • Airbags
  • AM/FM/CD
  • AC
  • Power Windows
  • Rear wiper

Added Features:

  • All season floormats
  • iPod thingie
  • Security System

Standard

  • AC
  • Airbags
  • ABS
  • AM/FM/CD

Added:

  • Upgraded speakers

Standard:

  • AC
  • ABS
  • Stability Control
  • Rear defogger/wiper

Added ($1,297 over base):

  • Fog Lights
  • Security
  • Cargo Liner
  • Center Armrest
  • AM/FM/CD/AUX

Standard

  • AC
  • Floor mats

Added

  • ABS
  • Foglamps
  • CD Player

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

NEW CARS TO SCRATCH OFF THE LIST :

Scion line-up too small save for the xB
which was a strong contender

Toyota Corolla: painful seats for my frame

Mazda 3: great interior quality, but bizarre small
(Mazda 5 was in contention after a favorable rental experience)

Kia Anything: all too small, save for SUVs

Ford Focus: My mom has an original Focus, it's been a pill

PITY:

2007 MINI doesn't come out til late '07

2008 Scion xB not out.

 

 

USED VEHICLES TO EXPLORE :

Honda Accord
Mazda Millenia
Nissan Altima
Subaru Forester
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius
Toyota Echo (highly recommended)
VW Passat Wagon (certain years)
VW Diesel Golf

VW's to avoid based on Consumer Reports.
NOTE - my current car falls in this list :

Golf (4-cyl.) '98-99, '02
Golf Turbo '01-02
Golf Turbo Diesel '02

Jetta (4-cyl.) '97-00, '02, '05
Jetta (5-cyl.) '05
Jetta (V6) '00-01, '03
Jetta Turbo '01-04
Jetta Turbo Diesel '01, '05
Jetta Wagon (4-cyl.) '03

Passat (4-cyl., FWD) '98-00, 02-03,'05-06
Passat (V6, AWD) '00. '03-04
Passat (V6, FWD) '99-01, '03-04
Passat (W8) '03