The average price of a new car in the United States is now about $30,000. It's not an issue for some folks, but 30 grand is still 30 grand. But if you're in the market for a good quality vehicle for half the price, I've driven two 2007 cars I enthusiastically recommend.
A few months ago, I drove the Honda Fit for a week. It's classified as a sub-compact. But it's hardly a fair assessment. The Fit is a four-door, five passenger wagon available in base and sport models, both with 109 horsepower, four-cylinder engines and a standard manual transmission, although a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. The sport model includes manual shift steering whel paddles.
Like other Hondas, the Fit has an attractive exterior and interior design, strong steering and handling qualities and superior cargo room for a sub-compact. The manual transmission model is rated at 33 mph in city driving, 38 mph on the highway. Its price range: $13,850-$15,970. Consumer Guide succinctly raves about the car: "You'll be hard pressed to match Fit's blend of thrift, clever packaging, standard safety features, spry road manners and Honda pedigree."
More recently, I drove the 2007 Suzuki SX4. Far less heralded than the Fit but not to be overlooked, the SX4 is the Japanese manufacturer's smallest car.
Like the Fit, the SX4, which replaces the Aerio, is new for 2007. And likewise like the Fit, the SX4 offers an economically minded buyer a lot for their money.
The four-door subcompact wagon has 143 horsepower and a five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic is an optional).
With 16-inch alloy wheels and its three-mode all-wheel drive, the SX4 zips around town and powers along pretty nicely on the freeway. Like the Fit, the SX4 doesn't seem to know it's a sub-compact.
Again like the Fit, the SX4 has superior interior room, its steers and handles well and its design — dashboard to cabin materials — are impressive for the car's sub-compact designation and price range.
The five-speed manual is rated at 24 mpg (city) and 29 mpg (hwy.). The SX4 offers and good supple of standard features, more than expected from a sub-compact. It also includes Suzuki's limited seven-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty.
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