Five Cool Cars Under $20,000
It’s a good time to be a car buyer. The uncertain economy and recent auto manufacturer struggles mean that there are lots of good car deals to be had. But what if you want more than just a good deal? What if you want something that’s both cool and affordable? Never fear, because there are a number of cool cars that can be bought for less than $20,000. The following are five of them.
When it comes to the 2009 Honda Fit, Car and Driver magazine wrote, “If there’s a better combination of thrift, practicality, and fun-to-drive, we haven’t seen it yet.” High praise indeed for this front wheel drive, five passenger, 5-door wagon. For the 2009 model, the wheelbase has been made a little longer and the car is a little more of everything – more room, more muscle and more spirit. But best of all? This subcompact starts at just over $15,000.
Honda also scores with the 2009 Civic. The body style is sleek – making it look much more expensive than it is – and the performance solid. For these reasons, the Civic has consistently been one of the best selling small cars on the market. The interior cabin is made of quality materials and this year, Honda has slightly modified the front end for an updated look. The base starting price for the Civic starts at just over $15,000.
The folks over at Edmunds call our next choice “…a hoot to drive,” with its “…polished interior, comfortable ride, solid German engineering and strong power.” That car is the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. The Rabbit handles as well as it rides – in fact, the Rabbit shares its foundation with the more expensive Volkswagen GTI. For this reason, Edmunds calls the Rabbit “…one of the most entertaining entries in the economy car market.” Just take a look at the full power accessories, cruise control, 60/40 split rear seat, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and CD player with 10 speaker stereo and you’ll pronounce it “cool” yourself. The base list price for this German coolness is just over $16,000.
Next up is the Hyundai Elantra. One of the really cool things about this car is that it provides both reliability and quality, without sacrificing affordability. It comes with a great warranty and U.S. News recently named it the Best Car for the Money in the compact class. The seats are some of the most spacious and comfortable that you’ll find in any small car – all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the great fuel economy you’ll be getting. Another really cool feature of the Elantra is that with a base price of just over $14,000, you have room to add some options and still stay under your $20,000 budget.
The last car on our list is the 2010 Mazda3. Love it or hate it, the exterior styling is distinctive. But it’s the energetic engine and upscale amenities that really catch the eye. The navigation system on the Mazda3 is widely touted as one of the best, most intuitive models available today. Bluetooth connectivity is also available as a standard feature. This sporty car is fun to drive, and with a base price slightly over $15,000, you can add some options and still stay on budget.