Least Expensive Cars of 2012

1. Nissan Versa 1.6 S
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1. Nissan Versa 1.6 S: $11,750 (including destination charge)

You might be surprised to learn that the lowest-priced new car in America is not some ancient, long-ago-paid-for design, but rather an all-new-for-2012 model. Meet the Nissan Versa, which offers as much interior space as a mid-size sedan plus Nissan's legendary reliability and longevity, all for half the price of a base-model Toyota Camry. Cheap as it is, the Versa is far from stripped-down -- it comes with air conditioning and a CD stereo as standard equipment. There is a bit of a catch: An automatic transmission will cost you $1,770, about twice the going rate. But even so equipped, you can't beat the Versa for affordable, reliable family transportation. A fitting car to take the #1 spot on this list.
2. Hyundai Accent GLS
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2. Hyundai Accent GLS: $13,205

Last year's Hyundai Accent was the cheapest car on this list, undercutting the Nissan Versa by just $20. Like the Versa, the Accent has received a complete re-do for 2012, but unlike the Versa, the Accent has willingly given up its cheap-car-chap title, although the base model is still inexpensive enough to make the #2 spot. The bad news is that the $13,205 Accent is pretty hard to find -- Hyundai doesn't even acknowledge its existence on their web site, and if you can find one, you might be disappointed by the lack of air conditioning, power windows, or a stereo, which are only available bundled together as part of a $1,750 option package. And if you want an automatic transmission, fuggedaboudit -- automatic Accents start at $16k. The new Accent is a very good car; it's great looking, decent to drive, and gets fantastic gas mileage, but it's not exactly an outstanding bargain.
3. Smart Fortwo Pure
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3. Smart Fortwo Pure: $13,240

Thanks to a handful of cheap-car stalwarts either disappearing or raising their prices, the Smart ForTwo has crept up to the #3 spot. Though few Americans seem to take the two-seat Smart seriously, it actually does make a decent entry-level car. Though sparsely equipped -- crank-down windows, no stereo, and no air conditioning (the latter is available as a $740 option) -- the ForTwo Pure does come with an automatic transmission, roomy seating for two and a surprisingly spacious trunk. And the novelty factor is unbeatable! The herky-jerky transmission turns some drivers off (it's essentially a manual transmission that does all the clutching and shifting for you), but if you can get used to that, the Smart Fortwo is actually rather entertaining to drive -- if for no other reason than the fact that you can park it anywhere.
4. Ford Fiesta S
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4. Ford Fiesta S: $13,995

The Fiesta joined this list last year, and it remains one of my favorite inexpensive cars. The sub-$14k price includes air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with an auxiliary input jack, although the color palette is limited (white, black, gray or silver; the red car in the photo is a nicer trim level) and you'll still have to crank down your own windows. What sets the Fiesta apart is the high fun-to-drive factor -- a rarity in such an inexpensive car. Designed in Europe, the Fiesta is huge fun on curvy roads and delivers outstanding fuel economy, even if you spring for the automatic (a high-tech six-speed twin-clutch transmission, available as a stand-alone option for $1,095). The Fiesta is cute, cheeky and eager. It's a thoroughly lovable car -- and the low price makes it even easier to love.
5. Kia Rio LX
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5. Kia Rio LX: $14,150

The Kia Rio used to be one of the poor relations of the Cheap Car list, but Kia has redesigned it for 2012, and while the new car is not quite as cheap, it's a heck of a lot better in every other respect. I'd venture to say the Rio may be the best looking car you can buy for under $15k, and the interior is every bit as nice as the exterior. As with many cars on this list, the sedan is the least-expensive version, but you can get a hatchback for just $200 more -- which, coincidentlaly, makes it America's least-expensive 5-door hatch. Both sedan and hatchback get a fuel-efficient engine, air conditioning, and a CD stereo with USB input jack as standard, and unlike the Hyundai Accent (which is essentially the same car under the skin), you don't have to buy an expensive option package if you want an automatic transmission -- it's available as a stand-alone option for $1,110. All told, the Rio LX is a good-looking car that provides excellent value.
6. Suzuki SX4 Base
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6. Suzuki SX4 Base: $14,464

The base-model SX4 is your classic cheap-car "loss leader": No air conditioning, no stereo, no automatic transmission, and no options. Dealers generally don't stock this car; it has to be ordered, which means you can get it in any color you like -- provided the only color you like is white. (The grey car in our photo is the nicer Sport model.) That said, the SX4 does come with power windows and locks and a zinger of an engine: 2 liters and 150 horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission, which makes it the muscle car of the bargain-basement set. But with great power comes great fuel consumption; with EPA estimates of just 23 MPG city and 33 MPG highway, the SX4 is the thirstiest car on this list. I love the SX4 for its its cute styling, big back seat, and high fun-to-drive factor, but if you're shopping for bargain wheels, it's a bit hard to justify.
7. Chevrolet Sonic LS
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7. Chevrolet Sonic LS: $14,495

For years, Chevy held a place on the cheap-car list with the hapless Aveo -- but now they've replaced it with something much, much better. While the Aveo was cheap and cheesy, the handsome little Sonic is actually a very nice car, with plenty of power from the base model's 1.8 liter engine and an interior that feels like it was built from the parts bin of General Motors' more expensive vehicles. For $14,495, the least-expensive model, the Sonic LS, gives you air conditioning, ten airbags, an AM/FM radio with an input jack for your MP3 player, and 15" alloy wheels -- a nice change from the plastic wheel covers found on most cheapmobiles -- and an automatic transmission is just $1,070 away. The Sonic has a firm ride and a distinctly sporty demeanor, although it lacks the raw run factor of the Ford Fiesta. But unlike the Mexican-built Fiesta, the Sonic is an American car that is actually made in America -- in fact, it's the only car on this list that wears the "Made in USA" label.
8. Kia Soul Base
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8. Kia Soul Base: $14,650

The Kia Soul Base is one of my favorite cheap cars, offering cutting-edge style and a lot of standard equipment (air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, and an iPod-compatible stereo) for an exceptionally reasonable price. For 2012, the base-model Soul gets a new 1.6 liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission that delivers plenty of power and fantastic fuel economy. And for the first time, the cheap Soul can be had with an automatic transmission, although it's overpriced at $1,800. If you can drive a stick, you can be stylin' in a Soul for the same price as a decent used car.
9. Toyota Yaris L 3-door
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9. Toyota Yaris L 3-door: $14,875

For years, the Yaris has been the cheap car I most often recommended, but I fear that may change. The Yaris is all new for 2012, and many of the things I loved the previous version are intact in the new one: Small size, unbeatable reliability, and a solid list of standard equipment (including air conditioning and an iPod-compatible stereo). But Toyota has raised the price to almost $15,000, and the 5-door version -- available only with an automatic transmission -- runs nearly $16k. For that price, you could get an automatic Nissan Versa with cruise control, and still have enough change left over to gas it for a year and a half. So while the Yaris is still a very good car, it's just not the bargain it once was.
10. Mazda2
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10. Mazda2: $15,165

The Mazda2 is a distant relative of the fourth-place Ford Fiesta, but the two cars couldn't be more different in character. Cute as it is on the outside, the Mazda2 has a surprisingly grown-up feel on the inside, thanks to the quality of its interior materials (significantly better than most cheap cars) and a smooth, quiet ride -- so smooth and quiet that it's easy to forget you're driving Mazda's entry-level car. The Two's small size makes it easy to park but not much good for hauling passengers. The long standard equipment list includes power windows, mirrors and locks, air conditioning and electronic stability control, but just over $15k, it's still rather pricey for such a small car, especially considering the Kia Soul offers the same equipment (and more space) for less money.

Thanks for the update.

hope you can say something

Great, thanks for the information. Was really in search of this type of knowledge.. Helpful to me at least!

very happy that i post can help you

:) You seems to be the most active forum member huhn ? :D

i hope all of us can be active

Yes but many of the users are not that active :(

if we are active and then the others will be active
it will be a long time to let all of us be active

I bought my tianyu SX4 3 years ago, seems the price now declined.

and have changed some car accessories.

wow! nice cars.. wish i could have one of those someday!