[logansowner]

Well, maybe. Went on a road trip yesterday in the gf's "bff"'s Hyundai Accent hatch. I was impressed with the room it had, and I've been secretly thinking of getting a new subcompact for school. With gas at $1.40 ($5.30 US) and the rattles and blown radio (last night, not a fuse) of the Impala, coupled with a 30 mile commute, it is starting to make sense.

So this afternoon I went searching. Hyundai will sell me a base Accent for $9,995 + freight which will be around $11,250. Toyota will offer me a base Corolla for $14,500 + freight. Chevy will sell me a base Cobalt for $13,000 flat + freight.

Toyota wouldn't let me test drive the Corolla because apparently it's so good people will come in and buy it sight unseen- NEXT.

The only Cobalts they had were LT trimmed or better and automatic, so I couldn't see what it would be like to live with a base version.

Hyundai gave me the keys to the Accent and told me to bring it back by noon tomorrow...

I've contemplated the resale of the Hyundai, but OTD at well under 12 grand, it will still be worth $7k when I sell it in 4 years. The others will be worth 8 or 9 k, but cost 3-4 grand more upfront.

So far I like it. I knew it would be ok, because I spent the whole day in one very similar yesterday. The only thing I don't like is that it's so underpowered that you have to rev the piss out of it to get it to take off from a stop sign.

I'm sure it's not the best in it's class, but if Toyota won't let me drive their car, and Chevy doesn't have a comparable car to test, for the money, I can't see a real negative. Plus I never thought about it, but most companies have a student discount too, around 500-1000.

Of course my first thought was used, but all the used Hyundai's on AT cost more than the new ones-the discounts. And because money will be tight a warrant is very important while I'm in school. Keep in mind, making this feasible, is the fact that I have about $7000 worth of POS Impala to sell and apply to the loan.

I dunno, I am just really enjoying the Accent, and the dealership has been great, which is a plus too.

 

[HoosierRon]

Before spending $10,000, have you thought about asking the Chevy dealer if they can get you a car to test drive?

Interpersonal communication: it's a wonderful thing.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Looking at resale Hyundai is not like Toyota. Have you looked at Toyota Yaris? I would never touch a Corolla since they are boring. But the Yaris 3-door hatchback (or the 5 door even) in the deluxe trim is pretty alluring, not as expensive as Corolla, better fuel economy and also has a very high Toyota resale (if not bring it to Montreal and it will).

But at 9 995 the Accent is alluring. That's a 3-dr hatch, much better than the old type. The Accent "sport" with the mags looks pretty alluring too but they are nearly TWICE the price...

This is MSRP too... can't you snag 9 500 at least?

Rev the piss you are supposed to. Not every car is like an Impala at 2000 revs...

That said, if you are "money is tight" and "in school" I can think of little that is more dumb than to buy a new (from the factory) car!

Can you throw a "student discount" on the Accent? GM has one I am sure Toyota has one... And the Accent you can't lease the sale is different.

 

[logansowner]

Looking at resale Hyundai is not like Toyota. Have you looked at Toyota Yaris? I would never touch a Corolla since they are boring. But the Yaris 3-door hatchback (or the 5 door even) in the deluxe trim is pretty alluring, not as expensive as Corolla, better fuel economy and also has a very high Toyota resale (if not bring it to Montreal and it will).

But at 9 995 the Accent is alluring. That's a 3-dr hatch, much better than the old type. The Accent "sport" with the mags looks pretty alluring too but they are nearly TWICE the price...

Rev the piss you are supposed to. Not every car is like an Impala at 2000 revs...

That said, if you are "money is tight" and "in school" I can think of little that is more dumb than to buy a new (from the factory) car!

Can you throw a "student discount" on the Accent? GM has one I am sure Toyota has one... And the Accent you can't lease the sale is different.

I have considered a Yaris in the past but I think I would throw up every time i looked at it, and then it's no better on the inside with that stupid center instrument cluster.


I realize Hyundai resale is low, but nobody else will sell me a car for under 13,000 plus freight. So after 4 years, as long as the Accent is worth no more than $3000 less, it's still cheaper.

Also, besides the Yaris being ugly, I don't think I want to deal with the dealership for 4 years. If they don't respect you when you want to give them money, how are they going to act when I have a warranty problem that they don't make money from?

As for revving it, I expected to, but I think it revs higher than most cars in the class.

My tester is white, which was ok, but since I want to go with the red, I think it might be wise to spend the extra $1500 and get the A/C+whatever other goodies come with it. Not to mention trying to sell a used car without A/C is harder than finding a smart person at Walmart.

As for the dumbness of a new car, I agree, but the Impala is unreliable, and 30 miles each way every day is adding up at the pump. The trans had brown fluid after 3 years, so if that goes, there's $3000 that isn't covered.

Also, like I said, the used cars don't take the huge rebates into account around here, so the cheapest ones I can find cost more than I can get a new one for- plus they've all got 50,000+ kms on them.

All in all, I can sell the Impala, take all the rebates and end up financing less than 5 grand.

 

[logansowner]

FWIW, I think people would be shocked at how good these sub compacts are today. When she showed up with her Accent I thought it would be 8 hours of vibrating, overheating and loud tinny engine noise. These cars are nothing like their cousins from the 90's, like that 94 Cavalier I drove...absolutely night and day.

 

[rumble bee]

Less then 10k for a new car isn't bad either. Have you looked at the Aveo, it is also South Korean so they may be close enough to suit you and that way you can stick with Chevy and not risk Hyundai and Kia's shaky resale future

 

[logansowner]

Less then 10k for a new car isn't bad either. Have you looked at the Aveo, it is also South Korean so they may be close enough to suit you and that way you can stick with Chevy and not risk Hyundai and Kia's shaky resale future

This is in Canada, it's their 15's ann sale or something. But I just realized that the 3500 rebate is only on the base model and can't be applied to the better AC equipped car...

The Aveo would have been on my list but the economy isn't really that great and it starts at 2 grand higher than the Accent.

 

[rumble bee]

This is in Canada, it's their 15's ann sale or something. But I just realized that the 3500 rebate is only on the base model and can't be applied to the better AC equipped car...

The Aveo would have been on my list but the economy isn't really that great and it starts at 2 grand higher than the Accent.

It seems that over the years that the Aveo's price has climbed while the car has not changed. Didn't Chevy used to advertise the Aveo as the cheapest car in america or something?

 

[mjdart]

Chevy has a new promotion with $2,000 off on the Cobalt. Thay make it pretty attractive.

 

[2b2]

Join the dark side...

Don't forget the darkBLUE side : the FOCUS!

 

[HoosierRon]

FWIW, I think people would be shocked at how good these sub compacts are today. When she showed up with her Accent I thought it would be 8 hours of vibrating, overheating and loud tinny engine noise. These cars are nothing like their cousins from the 90's, like that 94 Cavalier I drove...absolutely night and day.

Oh please. My first car was a 1975 Vega. You cannot imagine.

Well anyway, sounds like your mind is quite made up. Couples that drive Hyundais together are best friends forever. I'm sure she can't wait to tell all her friends how you two have matching cars. :yup:

 

[F14CRAZY]

They wouldn't let you test drive a flippin COROLLA!? omfg...

Call Enterprise and have them bring you a Cobalt...they're definitely base models

The Accent doesnt sound like a bad car from what you're saying, however

 

[logansowner]

Oh please. My first car was a 1975 Vega. You cannot imagine.

Well anyway, sounds like your mind is quite made up. Couples that drive Hyundais together are best friends forever. I'm sure she can't wait to tell all her friends how you two have matching cars. :yup:

Not completely made up, but close. But the one we drove on the trip was her friends car, I wouldn't buy a car that was the same as my girlfriends..that would be weird....

If I could find a Cobalt Coupe for the same money, I'd go with that, but the dealer quoted me 13,000 plus freight, and since I already quite like the Accent I'd have to find a Cobalt for damn near the same money. What others think isn't a big concern, but since it's a university campus, any foreign brand is respected more than an American car, if I was willing to drive a Prius I'd fit right in...

I dunno, it's a big decision, and whatever I choose has to keep me happy for at least 3 years...and possibly 4 until I finish school. I'd like to go with a Chevy, but my only experience with the Cobalt was 4 door base model my friend's dad owned, and when it was only a few months old the rotors had warped to the point that it felt like you were in a paint shaker every time you stopped.

I do like this Accent, for 10,000, but if I can find a ncie Cobalt for say no more than 11k, plus freight/tax, I'd definitely give it a serious look.

 

[Neanderthal]

We paid 12 grand U$ for a new 07 Spectra (plural of spectrum).

Drive one. It will surprise you.
Good space, good quality, fun to drive, quiet, good power, good layout, tight, 6 bags.
I got one oddball tank @ 22 MPG, all others have been over 30 in mixed driving.
It's a step up from the Rio, but they're all nice cars now.

I've seen air conditioned 2008 Spectra price leaders regularly advertised for 10 or 11 grand U$, stick or automatic. The LX model has rear drums and AC is an option, the EX model is better equipped.

I've driven GM or Chrysler most of my life, with some Hondas and the occasional VW or Toyota (91 Camry 2.0 5-speed, an excellent car) thrown in.

Dark side? I figure if I spent 20 years in the military I can drive what I damn well please and I don't need to apologize or 'splain to anyone.
S Korea is an ally, anyway.

 

[t-rex]

I'm seeing those Accent hatchbacks all over New Orleans. Apparently they're popular with both the student community and the Black community here.

I have to admit though, it's an awfully "cute" little car, but no so much so to relegate it to "chick car" status. Seems like it would be a fine commuter car.

 

[rumble bee]

X2

I am also seeing a lot of those and of its Kia brother, the Rio. From a prodominently poor South eastern NC city, we are loaded with poverty and projects so I see a lot of these parked out in the streets. Not to take anything away from them but they are simply cheap and this is why they sale so well. Pretty good standard features as well.

 

[Neanderthal]

X2

I am also seeing a lot of those and of its Kia brother, the Rio. From a prodominently poor South eastern NC city, we are loaded with poverty and projects so I see a lot of these parked out in the streets. Not to take anything away from them but they are simply cheap and this is why they sale so well. Pretty good standard features as well.

Not to mention the warranty.

Our project right now is shredding 30 years' worth of documents and paperwork with SS#s and other ID.

There was a neat looking burnt orange Rio hatch stick at the dealer where we bought our Spectra. It looked like the perfect town runabout.

Wish I'd driven it. Except then we might have bought it, and the garage is already full.

 

[E. Haskell]

A lot of those people might buy them used....for $6-$7k those are probably the newest/lowest mileage cars they can get.

 

[Squachy]

dont most dealerships have designated test drive vehicles?
the toyota dealer near my house has specific demos with big gigantic model name decals on them.

I woudl assume all dealers have specific demo vehicles.....

 

[Old Dood]

Looking at resale Hyundai is not like Toyota. Have you looked at Toyota Yaris? I would never touch a Corolla since they are boring. But the Yaris 3-door hatchback (or the 5 door even) in the deluxe trim is pretty alluring, not as expensive as Corolla, better fuel economy and also has a very high Toyota resale (if not bring it to Montreal and it will).

However, the Yaris does not have the Side Curtain Air bags like the Corolla.

The Corolla is the better over all vehicle....A much safer car.