The cost of a new car will be determined by the type, size and most of all brand of a vehicle. Smaller cars tend to be least expensive to buy initially as well as much cheaper to maintain. The rule will not apply to sport and luxury vehicle which are the most pricy options regardless size. But there are always personal preferences and requirements. Cars cost comparison will make sense only if similar in performance and dimensions vehicles will be analyzed. Family of 5 might need spacious and with bigger interior size vehicle considering only 7 passenger minivans or SUVs, while two doors economy coupe might be a good option to consider for a single driver.
MSRP is a manufacturer suggested retail price excludes any additional charges and fees. Dealer will set the actual price depending on many factors including location. Even within one state the actual cost of the same car with equal options might vary. Very often local dealers might sell the new cars 1% - 3% below its manufacturer suggested retail price.
While shopping for a new vehicle all the time ask for a factory invoice to get an initial idea about the vehicle price. Most of dealerships will not share the information about actual dealer invoice or the price factory billed a dealer for a particular vehicle, but this is the initial factor while estimating the cost of a car. Actual dealer invoice will be lower than factory invoice and the actual price vehicle sold. The difference will allow dealer to make a profit and stay in business.
2012 list of budget friendly cars worth to consider while shopping for a new vehicle.
Most affordable coupe
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Smart fortwo pure coupe
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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3 cylinders 1 L / 61 in³
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$12,490
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Power
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70 hp / 52 kW
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Transmission
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5-speed automated manual
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Drive Train
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rear wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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34/38
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Seats
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2
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Destination charge for a Smart is $750 and total MSRP will come to $13,240. Air condition option is an extra $740. Smart for two comes in different option and the most expensive is passion cabriolet stars from $17,690 excluding destination charges, tax, tile and registration fees.
Least expensive compact sedan
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Nissan Versa 1.6 S
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 1.6 L
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$10,990
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Power
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109 hp
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Transmission
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5-speed manual
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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27/36
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Seats
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5
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Destination charge for Nissan Versa is $780 and total MSRP will come to $11,770. Automatic transmission is an additional option and will cost extra $2,130. Nissan Versa 1.6 SL is the most expensive option which come with automatic transmission. MSRP for this model $15,990 excluding destination charges, tax, title and registration fees.
Budget friendly SUV
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Jeep Patriot Sport
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 2.0 L
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$15,995
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Power
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158 hp
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Transmission
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5-speed manual
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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23/29
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Seats
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5
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Jeep Patriot Limited with 4x4 option will cost from $25,330 excluding $880 destination fee.
Cheapest full size minivan worth to consider
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Dodge Grand Caravan AVP
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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6 cylinders (V6) 3.6 L
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$20,995
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Power
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283 hp
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Transmission
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6-speed automatic
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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17/25
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Seats
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7
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Total MSRP for Dodge Grand Caravan AVP will starts from $21,180 adding $935 destination charge and minus $750 retail consumer cash. The most expensive option is Dodge Grand Caravan R/T with a total MSRP $29180.
Least expensive pickup truck
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Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 2.7 L
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$17,125
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Power
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159 hp
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Transmission
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5-speed manual
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Drive Train
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rear wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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21/25
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Seats
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2
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With $810 delivery, processing and handling charges total MSRP will be $17,935 for base Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab. Top of a line Toyota Tacoma X-Runner starts from $27,440 total MSRP
Not expensive hybrid vehicles
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Honda Insight
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 1.3 L
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$18,500
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Power
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98 hp; 13 hp electric motor
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Transmission
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automatic
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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41/44
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Seats
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5
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$790 destination charge for Honda Insight and total MSRP will come to $19,290. The most expensive Insight EX with navigation and rear camera starts from $24,480 total MSRP.
Buying a hybrid vehicle fuel economy is always a prior factor to consider. And while many vehicles from smaller sedans to larger SUVs might be equipped with hybrid-electric engines to reduce traditional fuel consumption Toyota Prius still perform the best.
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Toyota Prius c One
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 1.5 L
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$18,950
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Power
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99 hp hybrid system net power
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Transmission
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automatic
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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53/46
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Seats
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5
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Total MSRP for Toyota Prius c One including $760 destination fee is $19,710. The most expensive Prius c Four option which comes with 16-in. Alloy Wheel Package starts from $23,990 total MSRP.
Most affordable sport car
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Mazda MZ-5 Miata Sport
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 2.0 L
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$23,470
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Power
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167 hp
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Transmission
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5-speed manual
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Drive Train
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rear wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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22/28
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Seats
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2
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6-spped automatic transmission is an additional option and will cost an extra $2,260. Total MSRP for the base model $24,265. The most expensive Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring with power retractable hard top starts from $29,745 total MSRP.
Electric cars prices
Fully electric vehicles are relatively new to auto market. There are still many debates about advantages and disadvantages of plug in cars and in Europe they are becoming more and more popular due to high prices for traditional types of fuel and much shorter travel distances. In North America, and particular in USA electric vehicles just get recognition on the car market.
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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Electric battery
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$29,125
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Power
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63 hp / 47 kW
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Range
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62 mi
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Drive Train
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rear wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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126/99
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Seats
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4
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It is fully electric vehicle and fuel economy measured as an equivalent to traditional fuel. With $850 destination charge total MSRP is $29,975. Buyers might qualify for $7500 tax credit while buying fully electric cars. For comparison total MSRP for 5 passengers front wheel drive Nissan Leaf $36,050 with 62 – 138 mi range on a full charged battery.
Cost of best-selling vehicle in USA
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Ford F-Series
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Technical specifications of F-150 XL Regular Cab
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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6 cylinders V6 3.7 L
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$23,300
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Power
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302 hp
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Transmission
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6-speed automatic
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Drive Train
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rear wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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17/23
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Seats
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2
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Total MSRP for Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab 6 ½’ Box $24,295 including $995 destination charges. There is wide range of Ford F-Series trucks and some of them might cost as much as $60,000 -$65,000.
Cheapest doesn’t mean the best car to buy or the best-selling vehicle even though the expenses are minimal and losses because of depreciation will be lowest because of initial low car prices.. Statistic for 2011 shows Ford F-Series was the most popular among US customers and still on the top of a list in the first quarter of 2012.
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Not the cheapest Chevrolet Silverado was second bestselling in 2011. In 2012 Chevrolet Silverado WT 1500 Regular Cab standard model starts from $22,195 MSRP (excluding additional charges and fees). Rear wheel drive base model equipped with 4-spped automatic transmission, V6 4.3L engine. Chevrolet offer Silverado 1500 4WD Crew Cab equipped with gas/electric V8 6.0L hybrid engine with 20/23 MPG fuel economy and prices starts from $47,615 MSRP excluding destination fee and including total $3,000 cash back offer. |
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From the family sedans Toyota Camry was and seems like will be a leader in sales on US car market in 2012. Base Toyota Camry L model estimated at total $22,815 MSRP including $760 destination charge and comes with 2.5L 178 hp. engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. 2012 Toyota Camry XLE equipped with 4 cylinders 2.5L hybrid engine with estimated 40/38/40 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined) fuel economy available from $27,500 MSRP excluding any additional charges and fees. |
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Good deal who drives manual transmission
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Kia Soul
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Technical specifications
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Price (MSRP*)
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Engine
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4 cylinders 1.6L
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$13,900
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Power
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164 hp
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Transmission
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6-speed manual
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Drive Train
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front wheel drive
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Fuel economy city/highway (MPG)
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27/35
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Seats
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5
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Total MSRP for base 2012 Kia Soul $14,650 including $750 destination fee, and upgrading to 6-speed automatic transmission will cost an additional $1,800.
Comments
Some additions
Car manufacturers might have some good offers during a year. Many dealerships have occasional sales on new vehicles. Also while shopping for new car check a few dealers and compare prices for identical vehicle. You will see the prices are different and they are almost always lower than manufacturer suggested retail price.
Might be a good for low budgeters getting cheapest new with warranty car than spending same amount on used vehicle, but if you want more than cheapest have to spend extra $$. Good thing about these cars you will lose least when it’s time to sell it.
Just my thoughts.