Looking for a compact car under 19k MSRP - Only new cars

[vaportech]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a new commuter car for under 19k MSRP.

The thing is, I'm accumulating way to many KMs on my BMW 335is (22k KM since August 2011!!!!) and I really only wanna drive it during the summer during nights, weekends and track days.

Tires and gas are killing me! Tires are costing me at least 1 grand every year expected. My annual expectation for gas consumption is at $5840!! Even that is a conservative number! (Fill up every 5 days at $80 per tank (91 premium) / 365 days)

I'm looking for something very fuel efficient, A/C and manual. To be used as a A-B car, nothing fancy, and winter beater (as in MUST BE FWD, or AWD no RWD)

Everything else is just a bonus.

The car is to be leased for 36 months and with a monthly payment no greater than 300 with no down.

The cars I already have on my list are:

1. Chevy Cruze LT 1SB package, I qualify for 1750 in factory rebates (Auto show, cash delivery, lease cash, student bonus)
2. Hyundai Veloster, No factory incentives
3. Volkswagen Jetta Trendline+ or Comfortline, no factory incentives, lowest lease rate (1.9%)

Do not recommend list:

1. Any Nissans (already test drove the compacts, not loving it at all)
2. Beige Corolla
3. Honda Civic

Expected savings for making the beemer a garage queen (conservative numbers):

1/3 gas consumption: 3893.33 fuel savings
4 month pause in insurance: 1200 (policy switched to fire and theft)
Tires: Sell winter tires & rims for $800 (5 series wheels + Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3), reduce wear on summers 1/2: $500
Reduce 24,000km in wear annually
Annual expected savings: $6393

Expected costs for commuter car based on the chevy cruze:

Tank of Gas: 32MPG (7.4L/100KM) AVG based on fuelly.com database. Tanks size: 58L/7.4 = 783 KM per 58L tank. Cost for tank of fuel: 1.25 per L = $72.50 or $70
Expected annual fuel cost: 24,000km(lease allowance)/783KM x 70 = $2145
Insurance: $250est. (1 person, two cars, student, single, under 25, 2 speeding tickets.): $3000
Lease cost: $300 x 12: $3600
Tires: $300 annual
Maintenance allowance: $400 annual
Total annual cost: $9445

Actual annual cost of getting another car: $3000

[cheapmeister]

Used honda-acura TL. They have strong rear bumpers; its a high end car.

[vaportech]

Used honda-acura TL. They have strong rear bumpers; its a high end car.

Must be new

[AutoApp]

Based on your criteria there are 29 different cars available for under $19,000. Some of the results you've not already listed:

Honda Fit
Toyota Matrix
Ford Fiesta, Focus
Fiat 500
Mazda 3, 2
Scion has 3 vehicles that would also work

Overall I'd recommend the Veloster as you already mentioned. Going from a BMW 3 down will be tough, but a Veloster should cushion the fall a little as its the most sporty of anything available in your price range.

If you want the full list of 29, and have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch; download Automotive App and use Specification Search. If you don't have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch let me know and I can generate a full list for you.

[Rehan]

[B]The car is to be leased for 36 months and with a monthly payment no greater than 300 with no down.

The Veloster is $363/month (including tax) at MSRP. You'd have to get it well below invoice price to get it under $300/month. That's not going to happen without incentives.

[kay188]

With all that snow drifting, no wonder your car drinks gas like it's an alcoholic drunk who loves to get wasted everyday.

[Tacobellboy]

I recently got a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer DE for around $17,500 all taxes included.
I am happy with the warranty, longest out there I think.

[Dilton]

The new Dodge Dart is really nice, not sure if they've hit the dealerships yet.

[jaszy]

The Focus looks nice! edit: so does the veloster. *drool*

They changed the axle ratios iirc on the 2012 cruzes (compared to the 2011s) which translated better fuel economy. The Eco model does even better in terms of FE but it might be out of your outlined budget.
I drive a 2011 LT Cruze (AT though). Got it in Nov '11. 6k so far. No problems with mine (yet) FE is okay but could be better
Check the cruzetalk.com forums for any TSBs or issues that people are having on the 2012 model. I think there's only two TSBs right now for the 2012.

[thrifthunter]

LOL every compact car with just a/c and manual can be had for that price.

You might as well just get the rfd super car, a motha****in hyundai!

[Dilton]

By the way I don't think you've thought this through. The cost of leasing and maintaining a second car would far exceed any gas savings. Also you've made some assumptions abuot how much money you'll save that I don't think are realistic. Why don't you just drive your 335 slower, wouldn't that save you gas and wear on your tires?

[sandikosh]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a new commuter car for under 19k MSRP.

The cars I already have on my list are:

1. Chevy Cruze LT 1SB package, I qualify for 1750 in factory rebates (Auto show, cash delivery, lease cash, student bonus)

Student bonus? Did your parents/grand parents paid for your bmw and going to pay for your other car?

[flyz]

Jetta TDI?

It's a little over the 19k but since you drive so much (50k/year estimated), fuel savings should make up for the difference.

[jaszy]

Student bonus? Did your parents/grand parents paid for your bmw and going to pay for your other car?

lol. GM Cash incentives!

Auto Show Bonus/Factory to Dealer Rebate - Please see General Comments $500.00 February 29, 2012
GM Cash for Leases/Factory to Customer Rebate - Please see General Comments $1,500.00 February 29, 2012
Canadian Forces Personnel Appreciation Program $500.00 February 29, 2012
Student Bonus Program/Factory to Customer Rebate - Please see General Comments $500.00 February 29, 2012
Finance Cash/Factory to Dealer Rebate - (TFC) - Please see General Comments $500.00 February 29, 2012
Stackable Lease Cash/Factory to Dealer Rebate - Please see General Comments $500.00 February 29, 2012
Stackable Cash Delivery Allowance/Factory to Dealer Rebate (CDS) - Please see General Comments $500.00 February 29, 2012

[hopsoid]

Student bonus? Did your parents/grand parents paid for your bmw and going to pay for your other car?

Thought exactly the same thing; In which field did you graduate?