If you are looking for a new vehicle but your price range is under $15,000, look no more. I asked Jody Victor to tell us about the rest of the top ten from msn.com.
Jody Victor: Yes, it is still possible to find a new car in your price range even if it has to come under $15,000. Some of them are just basic transportation but that's the point. Here are the last five from msn.com's list.
Mitsubishi Lancer DE - MSRP $14,790, 152 hsp, 22 mpg city/31 highway, 5-speed manual transmission. With jet fighter looks, this underdog brings a lot of value to the tarmac. It is sleek, powerful and well-built and has a lot to offer in its base DE trim. Key standard-issue amenities include a 140-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 WMA playback capability and axillary input jack, and power windows and locks. However the DE does not include air conditioning, and its optional continuously variable transmission goes for a hefty $2,200.
Kia Soul - MSRP $13,300, 122 hsp, 26 mpg city/31 highway, 5-speed manual transmission. It's a blast to drive and its fit and finish is on par with the competition. The Kia's forward-thinking interior boasts many engaging elements, ranging from a well-laid-out center dash and efficient glove box to fashionable bucket seats and plenty of cargo room. However, there are compromises. It comes with a 1.6-liter engine instead of the 2.0-liter, 142 hsp offering found in the Soul+ ($15,195), Soul! ($17,195) and Soul Sport ($17,195) models; there is only one transmission choice; and only one option (carpeted floor mats).
Nissan Cube 1.8 - MSRP $13,990, 122 hsp, 27 mpg city/31 highway, 6-speed manual transmission. The Cube Mobile Device, as Nissan calls it, takes the "it's hip to be square" persona to new heights. There is a lot to get one's head around here, the asymmetrical window treatment, the bulldog-with-sunglasses front fascia and the industrial design interior. The tiered rear seats that recline and that slide to accommodate cargo or open up legroom are a nice touch. It comes with air conditioning; and AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack; power windows and locks, and traction control.
Honda Fit - MSRP $14,900, 117 hsp, 27 mpg city/33 highway, 5-speed manual transmission. The Fit has been a top contender in this class since it hit the American market in 2006. It's tossable, spunky and versatile with a tight suspension, responsive 1.5-liter SOHV-VTEC engine and a shape-shifting cargo area. Standard equipment includes a 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and axillary input jack; air conditioning; power windows and locks; and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel. The Sport model ($16,410) adds a body kit, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and more.
Ford Fiesta SE Sedan - MSRP $14,320, 120 hsp, 30 mpg city/40 highway, 5-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta's numbers are not a true barometer of its "bang-for-the-buck" potential. Its 1.6-liter Ti-VCT-equipped Duratec engine combines peppy performance on the road and a miserly personality at the pump. Its 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway figures are topped on this list only by the 3-cylinder smart. Inside, the cabin has the aura of a more upscale and more expensive class of car. The SE model ($14,320) includes an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack and power windows and door locks.
Thanks, Jody! We'll be sure to check them out!