Free Reviews - 10 cheapest car to own

You've read it on Bankrate.com and heard it elsewhere: A well-informed consumer will get a better deal when buying a vehicle.

Research is the key. Every additional piece of information you have increases the likelihood that you will negotiate a fair price, lock in the best financing available and drive away in a car or truck you can afford. The emphasis here is on "afford." Affordability involves much more than down payment and monthly installments. It encompasses other costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and depreciation. You must factor these costs into your annual vehicle-ownership budget as well as into that magical dollar amount you feel you can afford monthly.

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds' current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn't so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa's stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine's 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo's 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

MAZDA3 MPS / MAZDASPEED3 "260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine"

The new Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.With a combination of a 260-horsepower strong 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine and an extra hot hatch body, it certainly will give a WRX owner to be a second thought.Following the design theme of the all-new 2010 Mazda3, the MPS variant gets a more aggressive design with the help of larger intakes, a new front fender and front bumper, a new front grille and a new intake for the intercooler on the hood. It also gets new side skirts, a floating rear spoiler, lead tail lamps and new rear bumper. The 2010 Mazda3 MPS rides on 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels designed exclusively for the Mazda3 MPS.

The Mazdaspeed Heritage

Inside, Mazda attempted to give the car a sportier feeling with semi-bucket seats and a tachometer that features a red MPS logo and a needle that travels through 260 degrees as opposed to the 190-degree rotation on other new Mazda3 models. The instrument cluster for the all-new MPS also includes an LED turbo boost gauge positioned between the meters. The MPS also gets red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, door trim, shift lever boot, and centre armrest.

Model name Mazda3 MPS

Dimensions

Overall length(mm) 4,505
Overall height(mm) 1,460
Overall width(mm) 1,770
Wheelbase(mm) 2,640
Track (front/rear)(mm) 1,535 /1,520
Luggage capacit(l) 340 (300 with Bose® System)

Drive train FWD
Engine MZR 2.3-litre DISI Turbo
Displacement(cc) 2,261
Bore x stroke(mm) 87.5 x 94.0
Fuel tank capacity(l) 60
Max. output(kW/PS) 191/260 at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque(Nm) 380 at 3,000 rpm

Fuel consumption *

Combined(l/100km) 9.2
Urban(l/100km) 13.5
Extra urban(l/100km) 7.5

Exhaust system single-nanotechnology
Transmission 6-speed manual transmission
Differential Torque-sensing Limited Slip Differential

Performance

Max. speed 250km/h
0-100 km/h (EU) 6.1sec

Steering Electro-hydraulic power assist system
Turn lock-to-lock 2.7
Min. turning circle(m) 11

Suspension
front MacPherson strut
rear Multi-link

Hottest 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda installed new concept of the classic British roadster with the original Miata in 1989, and two decades later, the process is still in progress. Suspension tuning strikes an inspired balance between everyday comfort and track-day readiness, there’s enough power to make a track day rewarding, the transmission is race-car crisp, and the steering provides that rare sense of connection that makes the car an extension of the driver’s will.

Although it’s a two-seater with no superfluous sheetmetal, the Miata is roomy enough for two adults (NBA players need not apply), with enough space in the trunk for a couple of duffels. The convertible top has long set the standard for simplicity of manual use—it can be operated with one hand from the driver’s seat—and Mazda also offers a power-retractable hardtop. Like the softtop, it’s a gem, folding up or down in just 12 seconds.

Because it’s civilized enough for everyday use, the Miata is more than a track toy. And because it’s affordable—pricing starts at about $22,000, and even loaded with every option, it just crests $30,000—this is sports-car fun almost anyone can afford.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $22,000–$28,000

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 158 or 166 bhp @ 6700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 140 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed auto with manumatic shifting; 5- or 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 91.7 in Length: 157.3 in Width: 67.7 in Height: 49.0–49.4 in
Curb weight: 2450–2650 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 20–22/27–28 mpg

Newest Mazda3 aims downsizers with big car features

Mazda applies the pressure to local large cars and the Toyota Corolla by including satellite navigation and Bluetooth as standard on half of its Mazda3 models and making stability control standard across the range.

Mazda is aiming to tempt more buyers away from Commodores and Falcons by equipping its Mazda3 with features more commonly associated with big luxury cars.














Satellite navigation and Bluetooth mobile connectivity will be standard features on the Maxx Sport and SP25 variants, which will account for more than half the sales of the next-generation Mazda3 that goes on sale in April. Mazda has enhanced the trim levels of its new 3 to attract buyers who are considering opting for a smaller car but are concerned about missing luxury features they’ve become accustomed to.
“We’re seeing a strong trend with people downsizing for better fuel economy,” says Mazda Australia spokesman Glenn Butler.

“These buyers, however, are not prepared to give up luxury items such as sunroofs, leather seats and satellite navigation. So we see a potential market for that.”
Mazda hopes the 3’s standard luxury and safety features will also help close the gap to the market-leading Corolla.

“Those features [sat-nav and Bluetooth], along with stability control standard across the range, give us a big advantage over the biggest-selling car in the small-car segment,” says Butler.
The Corolla offers Bluetooth as standard on some models, though sat-nav is a dealer-fit option even on the range-topping Ultima, and stability control is not standard on every model.
Mazda Australia is still in negotiations with Japan HQ about pricing, which has been complicated by the collapse of the dollar against the yen.

Mazda3 prices were already increased in January – from between $500 and $1000 depending on model – and the company is hoping to avoid further increases for a car that sits in Australia’s most competitive vehicle segment.

The new Mazda3 line-up will be familiar, starting with the entry-level Neo followed by the Maxx and Maxx Sport. Each will be powered by a 108kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. A diesel model with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine will have similar specifications to the Maxx, and the SP23 makes way for an SP25 model – acknowledging an upgrade from a 115kW 2.3-litre to a 2.5-litre engine with 122kW.

A six-speed manual is the standard transmission, with a five-speed auto replacing a four-speeder as an option. The SP25 will be a short-lived range-topping model. The new Mazda3 MPS hot-hatch arrives in September. The Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla comprised more than a third of small-car sales in 2008, while the 3 accounts for 40 per cent of Mazda’s annual sales volume. The Mazda was Australia’s best-selling car in January, and the company has brought forward the new Mazda3’s onsale date by two months because it is running out of stock of the current model.