What's the best new compact cheap fuel efficient commuter car?

You know that Apple play or Android auto can be installed in any vehicle? You don't decide a car purchase depending on the radio it brings? Originally Posted by BLM69

I wasn't aware of that. I know a lot of 2018 Camry owners were upset because they thought they couldn't get Apple Carplay retrofitted into their Entune infotainment system.

I agree that some people may overemphasize the importance of Apple CarPlay & Android Auto but it sure is nice to have it.

Apart from music, phone calls etc. you also get a great navigation system because of Apple Carplay and Android Auto.Not so long ago, people had to pay thousands of dollars to add a Garmin or some other navi system to their car. Now it's free with Apple Carplay and many times even better than Garmin.

I've owned 49 cars in my life so far and used to build street rods and cobras so I know a few things about them. The most important thing to always remember is if it has tits or tires you're going to have trouble with it!



Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are all very good cars but now days you pay a premium for them. If you're going to pay a premium step up to German cars and get handling to go with the shiny paint job. The Koreans have really upped their game in the past 10 years or so, remember it was Hyundai that first offered a 10 year 100K warranty. Right now the best bang for the buck is probably Kia. Same warranty as Hyundai but less money. I bought my daughter a Soul a few months ago and in December a lady ran a red light in a Nissan Pathfinder and plowed into her at 40+ MPH. The Soul looked like this.





Bottom line is my daughter walked away with a few bruises and the lady in the Pathfinder went to the hospital. Kia's are very well built and safe cars.


Here's a tip. We bought the Soul from Hertz, 2018 model with 30K and paid an even $13K for it. Originally Posted by Brass Balls

Wow, I'm glad your daughter made it out safe. That's so scary! I'm a very careful driver but no matter how careful you are, you can still get in an accident if the other motorists on the road are irresponsible drivers.

Yes I've heard a lot of good things about the Korean twins, Kia and Hyundai. However, when it comes to their actual sales price, they're not that much cheaper brand new compared to Toyota.

Toyota's MSRP sticker price is a bit more than Kia but Toyota seems to be more willing to heavily discount their cars.

Yes I've heard a lot of good things about the Korean twins, Kia and Hyundai. However, when it comes to their actual sales price, they're not that much cheaper brand new compared to Toyota. Originally Posted by VeryClean

What? Can you give examples? It looks to me like, across the board, both Hyundai and Kia are significantly cheaper than Toyota on every competing model.

What? Can you give examples? It looks to me like, across the board, both Hyundai and Kia are significantly cheaper than Toyota on every competing model. Originally Posted by Crock

The MSRP sticker price of that new Hyundai or Kia may be lower than a new comparable Toyota but the actual sale price is not far off.

I'll give an example:

Huffines Hyundai of Plano is willing to sell me a brand new 2019 Hyundai Elantra SE (base trim) automatic for $16,000 plus ttl. They're not willing to go below that price.

Toyota of Dallas is willing to sell me a brand new 2019 Toyota Corolla LE (trim above the base trim) sedan automatic CVT for $15,500 plus ttl. This is because there's a $2000 manufacturer rebate on the Corolla and the dealership is willing to give a heavy discount.

Even though the MSRP of the Hyundai Elantra is lower than that of the Toyota Corolla, the real world sale price of the Elantra is higher than that of the Corolla.

The MSRP sticker price of that new Hyundai or Kia may be lower than a new comparable Toyota but the actual sale price is not far off.

I'll give an example:

Huffines Hyundai of Plano is willing to sell me a brand new 2019 Hyundai Elantra SE (base trim) automatic for $16,000 plus ttl. They're not willing to go below that price.

Toyota of Dallas is willing to sell me a brand new 2019 Toyota Corolla LE (trim above the base trim) sedan automatic CVT for $15,500 plus ttl. This is because there's a $2000 manufacturer rebate on the Corolla and the dealership is willing to give a heavy discount.

Even though the MSRP of the Hyundai Elantra is lower than that of the Toyota Corolla, the real world sale price of the Elantra is higher than that of the Corolla. Originally Posted by VeryClean

If that's how you buy a car, you know nothing about negotiating. Both cars can be had for much less, and the Hyundai will absolutely be the less expensive of the two cars.

If that's how you buy a car, you know nothing about negotiating. Both cars can be had for much less, and the Hyundai will absolutely be the less expensive of the two cars. Originally Posted by Crock

The sales prices I gave above for the Elantra & the Corolla have already been negotiated down.

"Both cars can be had for much less"

I find that very hard to believe, Crock. The MSRP sticker price of that brand new 2019 Toyota Corolla LE sedan plus destination charges and some basic options like Corolla floor mats is $20,500 plus ttl. I negotiated that price down to $15,500 plus ttl. That's a $5,000 discount. 25% below MSRP. That's a great deal.

However you claim that I know nothing about negotiating and this car can be had for much less...well how much lower? You expect them to sell me a $20,000 car for $10,000?

Be reasonable, Crock. Dealerships have to make a profit too or at least break even.

As for your last statement about Hyundais being less expensive than Toyotas all the time, I disagree. There may be some cases where that's true but from my experience with compact sedans, the real world negotiated sale price of the Toyota is lower than that of Hyundai.

I recently rented a Chevy Camero convertible for a weekend trip to Nashville. I was pleasantly surprised with the fuel efficiency 33 mpg. Although not the most comfortable nor best handling car in the rain.

My Lexus 350C only gets about 26 mpg but way better handling.