tigerhonaker
04-09-2006, 10:58 PM
kbb.com Names Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Pick Top 10 Cool, Affordable New
Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- With the average price of a new
vehicle surpassing $25,000, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing you
have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about.
Unless you're all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters
with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled
with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.
After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than
$18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest.
Instead of reporting based on vehicles' Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices
(MSRPs), the list is based on each model's New Car Blue Book value, the price
buyers are typically paying in the market. Consumers' actual payment will be
determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate available
to them.
"While everyone bemoans the fact that new cars are so expensive these
days, we found a wide variety of cool, fun-to-drive vehicles that are still
affordable," said Jack R. Nerad, editorial director, Kelley Blue Book's
kbb.com. "We settled on the $18,000 price point, because it offers most
buyers a monthly payment of less than $350 over the course of a five-year
loan."
Whether you're drawn to performance, reliability, styling, versatility,
economy, comfort or some combination thereof, Kelley Blue Book's 2006 list is
diverse enough that you're bound to find something to fit your tastes. Buying
a used vehicle is another good way to get something cool for under $18,000,
but there's no denying the allure of the flawless, warranted, inimitably
scented new car.
Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Vehicle MSRP New Car Blue
Book Value
2007 Toyota Yaris $14,630 N/A
2006 Scion xB $15,370 $15,524
2007 Dodge Caliber $15,985 $15,985
2006 Kia Sportage $16,490 $16,134
2006 Chevrolet HHR $16,890 $16,472
2006 Ford Fusion $17,795 $17,084
2006 Nissan Frontier King Cab $17,530 $17,179
2006 Mazda3 $18,175 $17,646
2006 Honda Civic $17,860 $17,860
2006 Scion tC $17,640 $17,960
All vehicles are listed by their New Car Blue Book value. New Car Blue
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 3, 2006. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
Toyota Yaris
With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates
to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting
unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG
rating, the Yaris' value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.
Scion xB
The xB has proven to us that, these days, it's cool to be square. Not
only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also
mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious
hauler of people and stuff.
Dodge Caliber
Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible
interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to
keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the
open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self-
charging flashlight.
Kia Sportage
When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to
find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a
sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.
Chevrolet HHR
As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool
for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and
the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a
compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.
Ford Fusion
Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan
with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the
unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry,
tilt steering wheel and cruise control.
Nissan Frontier
Utility is in, and nothing's more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier
backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.
Mazda3
Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to
the compact-car segment. We can't decide which model we like better, but the
combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks
make this a "cool cars" list repeater.
Honda Civic
You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren't so cool, and
now they're as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to
regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built -- and cool
once again.
Scion tC
If you're cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable
features in the tC deliver "Lexus-like" technology in an affordable package.
This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel
gauges and iPod connectivity.
The top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000 were chosen based on the expert
opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team. Selection was based on
price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research of each
vehicle and test drives of vehicles selling at or below $18,000 during the
week of April 6, 2006. For more information on these and other new vehicles,
log on to http://www.kbb.com.
About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is America's most used and trusted vehicle
pricing, values and information resource. The top-rated Web site provides the
most up-to-date pricing and values for thousands of new and used vehicles,
including the Blue Book(R) New Car Value, which reveals what people actually
are paying for new cars. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers have relied upon
Kelley Blue Book for authoritative and unbiased information to make well-
informed automotive decisions. The company also reports vehicle prices and
values via products and services, including the famous Blue Book(R) Official
Guide and software products. Kbb.com also has been named the No. 1 automotive
information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and J.D. Power and Associates seven
years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than
kbb.com; one in every three American car buyers complete their research on
kbb.com.
SOURCE Kelley Blue Book
Web Site: http://www.kbb.com
Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Pick Top 10 Cool, Affordable New
Vehicles
IRVINE, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- With the average price of a new
vehicle surpassing $25,000, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing you
have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about.
Unless you're all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters
with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled
with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.
After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than
$18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest.
Instead of reporting based on vehicles' Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices
(MSRPs), the list is based on each model's New Car Blue Book value, the price
buyers are typically paying in the market. Consumers' actual payment will be
determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate available
to them.
"While everyone bemoans the fact that new cars are so expensive these
days, we found a wide variety of cool, fun-to-drive vehicles that are still
affordable," said Jack R. Nerad, editorial director, Kelley Blue Book's
kbb.com. "We settled on the $18,000 price point, because it offers most
buyers a monthly payment of less than $350 over the course of a five-year
loan."
Whether you're drawn to performance, reliability, styling, versatility,
economy, comfort or some combination thereof, Kelley Blue Book's 2006 list is
diverse enough that you're bound to find something to fit your tastes. Buying
a used vehicle is another good way to get something cool for under $18,000,
but there's no denying the allure of the flawless, warranted, inimitably
scented new car.
Top 10 Coolest New Cars Selling Under $18,000
Vehicle MSRP New Car Blue
Book Value
2007 Toyota Yaris $14,630 N/A
2006 Scion xB $15,370 $15,524
2007 Dodge Caliber $15,985 $15,985
2006 Kia Sportage $16,490 $16,134
2006 Chevrolet HHR $16,890 $16,472
2006 Ford Fusion $17,795 $17,084
2006 Nissan Frontier King Cab $17,530 $17,179
2006 Mazda3 $18,175 $17,646
2006 Honda Civic $17,860 $17,860
2006 Scion tC $17,640 $17,960
All vehicles are listed by their New Car Blue Book value. New Car Blue
Book values represent transaction values, or what others are paying for
this vehicle, during the week of April 3, 2006. New Car Blue Book values
are updated weekly on kbb.com. Adding optional equipment at the time of
purchase will increase the price of the vehicle.
Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
Toyota Yaris
With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates
to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting
unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG
rating, the Yaris' value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.
Scion xB
The xB has proven to us that, these days, it's cool to be square. Not
only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also
mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious
hauler of people and stuff.
Dodge Caliber
Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible
interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to
keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the
open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self-
charging flashlight.
Kia Sportage
When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to
find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a
sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.
Chevrolet HHR
As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool
for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and
the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a
compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.
Ford Fusion
Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan
with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the
unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry,
tilt steering wheel and cruise control.
Nissan Frontier
Utility is in, and nothing's more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier
backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.
Mazda3
Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to
the compact-car segment. We can't decide which model we like better, but the
combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks
make this a "cool cars" list repeater.
Honda Civic
You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren't so cool, and
now they're as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to
regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built -- and cool
once again.
Scion tC
If you're cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable
features in the tC deliver "Lexus-like" technology in an affordable package.
This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel
gauges and iPod connectivity.
The top 10 coolest new cars under $18,000 were chosen based on the expert
opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team. Selection was based on
price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research of each
vehicle and test drives of vehicles selling at or below $18,000 during the
week of April 6, 2006. For more information on these and other new vehicles,
log on to http://www.kbb.com.
About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is America's most used and trusted vehicle
pricing, values and information resource. The top-rated Web site provides the
most up-to-date pricing and values for thousands of new and used vehicles,
including the Blue Book(R) New Car Value, which reveals what people actually
are paying for new cars. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers have relied upon
Kelley Blue Book for authoritative and unbiased information to make well-
informed automotive decisions. The company also reports vehicle prices and
values via products and services, including the famous Blue Book(R) Official
Guide and software products. Kbb.com also has been named the No. 1 automotive
information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and J.D. Power and Associates seven
years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than
kbb.com; one in every three American car buyers complete their research on
kbb.com.
SOURCE Kelley Blue Book
Web Site: http://www.kbb.com