What is the best value NEW car?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
08/14/2014 at 20:21 • Filed to: None

Lets just say someone had up to $30000 CAD ($27500 USD) to spend on a brand NEW car. What would be the highest value per dollar car you could get? Now remember value does not necessarily mean speed, power or handling, just overall what gets you the most car(I'm not talking size here) for your dollar?

The lower the cost the better. you can include current rebates as well.

So far I think the Kia Forte5 ranks very high on the value per dollar scale.

It undercuts it's competition by $2000-$8000 depending on which version you get.

The LX+ version with current $2500 rebate tick in at just over $19K CAD tax & destination included. This is $2000-$2500 less than similarly equipped competition.

The top of the range SX Turbo is just a smidge under $23K CAD all in. This undercuts everything close to it by a HUGE margin. $1500 less than an Abarth, $2500 less than a FiST, $6000 less than the FoST & Civic SI, $8000 less than a GTI.

Can you guys think of something that is an even higher value?

DISCUSSION (54)

Brian Silvestro > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 20:30

But the FiST is a better car. It'll handle better. It's built more towards performance. Has dem seats. That Kia is just an econobox with a turbo on it.

Nibbles > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 20:33

As someone who has driven most everything with automatic option in that price range in the past two weeks, I have to disagree. The Forte SX is just about the best bang for the buck around.

Nibbles > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 20:35

If you have need for automatic, I think you have it on the nose right there. The Forte SX is one hell of a little car and is less expensive than the competition. If you want a stick, do look at the FiST. You'll have more fun at the expense of comfort.

Brian Silvestro > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 20:36

....but that means you haven't driven the ST.

Renescent > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 20:37

Value implies low depreciation on the back end... So to that end, historically, it's probably a Honda Civic SI at 25k

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 20:39

It's less roomy, has less features, and dem seats are really uncomfortable day to day if you aren't thin.

Jayhawk Jake > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 20:40

You can get the forte with a stick. In theory at least

Saracen > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 20:45

The Forte SX is $2k less than a MKVII GTI here. But if I bought the Kia I would hate myself for not spending that extra $2k..

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 20:47

More fun though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 20:47

Seats designed for skinny people, harsher ride, less options per dollar, brakes made by Lucas(yes, that Lucas), and they don't have nearly as good of a warranty. Forte5 SX wins in all those categories.

Brian Silvestro > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/14/2014 at 20:48

But it's less fun.

MylesD > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 20:49

GTI

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 20:53

It would be fun enough, especially if you live in an area with straight, shit roads.

Brian Silvestro > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/14/2014 at 21:03

So you're saying you'd rather have it than an ST?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:09

2015 Focus ST, no. Fiesta ST, yes.

Brian Silvestro > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/14/2014 at 21:11

I... disagree!

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:14

But at a cost. Not everyone can be comfortable with something as small as a Fiesta.

Doesn't matter, Sonic is better value.

Also your opinion doesn't count since you don't even drive yours anymore

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:16

OMG FIESTA IS THE BEST CAR EVERH!!1!!!1!

Y DO PEOPLE EVEN BUY FERRARIS AND LAMBOS GAWD

FIESTA IS BEST CAR IN HISTURH

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:20

On a serious note, I've been meaning to make a post about how all comments on jalopnik ultimately are the same.

*that car in the article* is great/terrible but *smug statement of personal owned car* is so much better because *forced reasons *

I can say this because I totally do it all the time

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:22

Yeah I've been noticing the same thing.

What it is, is that people are just trying to justify why they bought a more shitty car than what they could've.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:26

No way, the sonic is amazing. I totally made the best decision when I bought it.

I can't decide which ones I like better: the smug 'my new corvette/Porsche/amg/m/GTR' or the 'my clearly worse car is better because of a completely irrelevant feature/spec'

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:26

You're entitled to your own opinion.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:31

DEM Seats are useless as fuck for my fat ass. I tried sitting in one and it was definitely not designed with me in mind. Not the cars fault, it's my fault for being so lazy.

FiST is 25K all in in Canada. yes it's a fast fun car but value for dollars is not where it needs to be in order for it to be on top.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:31

Fun doesn't imply value

Nibbles > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:32

Yes you can. It says on their configurator that you can. There is not a single one in Colorado.

Nibbles > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:32

Not as a purchase option, no. Have I driven one? Yes

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:33

MY E46 325XI AUTOMATIC IS BETTER THAN THE E92 M3 BECAUSE BETTER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, LIGHTER, AND FASTER SHIFTING

(In reality this person is just trying to justify the purchase of this car because they either made a stupid/lazy decision, or they couldn't afford anything else.)

Jayhawk Jake > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 21:33

I suspect you have to special order it

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/14/2014 at 21:34

Those were my thoughts as well. on a value stand point the Kia is hard to beat. I was looking for more car per dollar not funnest car per dollar 2 different things entirely which Silvestro fails to see.

Brian Silvestro > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 21:34

But for amount of fun per dollar, it must win.

Brian Silvestro > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 21:35

Then I.... disagree!

Nibbles > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:39

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:39

That's so true. I drive a 2013 Ford Fusion 1.6L Auto. It's a great car for what it is but it has a bunch of negatives as well. You will never here me say that it's the best car altho I am more than happy with it.

Nibbles > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:40

Likely

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Saracen
08/14/2014 at 21:42

big difference in Canada in the GTI it starts at $30,800 tax in which is just under 8K more for the GTI.

at 2K more the GTI would probably be the best bet.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > MylesD
08/14/2014 at 21:43

The GTI is terrible value in Canada. The base GTI is over $30K with taxes

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 21:45

The Forte5 with a stick is $1500 less than auto. Fun or not the Forte is way better value than the FiST. Way more car for your dollar.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 21:47

Mazda 5 seems like it's a great value to me. It would be in my driveway most likely if I didn't see the need for AWD. They drive just like a Mazda 3, but with more room. Currently quite a few incentives on them too.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Brian Silvestro
08/14/2014 at 21:48

Fun for dollar the FiST wins without a question. nothing else can even touch it for the price(maybe the Abarth but who cares about that car).

But value for dollar the FiST is not quite there.

Jayhawk Jake > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 21:48

You just did it even though you didn't mean to. It's like name dropping in a tv interview: all of us want any excuse to brag about what we own.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jayhawk Jake
08/14/2014 at 21:51

Not really be happy with your car does not make it the best.

Ah fuck it! IT'S THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD!!!

MylesD > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 21:52

Didn't know it was that much more up there. That'd be my US choice.

Brian Silvestro > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/14/2014 at 22:00

Yeah I don't really care about value because I'm a douche.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Renescent
08/14/2014 at 22:00

Yeah the Civic would probably be a really good choice as well. I't be an SI sedan for me tho.

Brian Silvestro > Nibbles
08/14/2014 at 22:01

I know this isn't the first time you've used that comment today.

Nibbles > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/15/2014 at 00:25

Agreed. But for the same price as an optioned out SX, you can get a base EcoBoost Mustang.

Nibbles > Brian Silvestro
08/15/2014 at 00:27

Quite right

Axial > Brian Silvestro
08/15/2014 at 06:10

I like to take the road less-travelled: disparage the car I do own, call the featured one better, but then say I'd never buy it because it lacks the feels !

Brian Silvestro > Axial
08/15/2014 at 06:53

Lol. Or you could use the "it suits me best" excuse. Examples:

"Well for me , the steering is quite adequate."

"In my situation, the seats work fine."

ZugZug > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/15/2014 at 09:26

Dodge Charger SXT. You get a fullsize car with a good, high-tech V6, one of the best auto transmissions in the world, very good independent suspension all around (double wishbones up front, 5-link in the back), tons of space, a well finished interior, reasonable reliability. Sticker is at $31-32k USD, but they're advertised for the low $25k range.

ZugZug > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/15/2014 at 09:30

The downside with the 5 is that it's way overdue for a refresh. They were a great car 6 years ago, but now the platform is getting old, the infotainment hasn't stayed current with the rest of the line (3/6). If they update the 5 to be once again based on the new 3/6 platform, it'll be awesome.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > ZugZug
08/15/2014 at 09:39

even in canada they go for $25-$26K with rebates which is not a bad deal for a fullsize car at all.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nibbles
08/15/2014 at 09:42

in the great white north the Eco-Stang is $25K before taxes and destination. which makes it at least $5K more than the SX.

Nibbles > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/15/2014 at 09:54

Waow. An SX here in Colorado with the premium package is $25k. We were about to pull the trigger on an Aurora Black Koupe SX, then I found out the EcoBoost is, like, fiddy bucks more