The Only Cars ACTUALLY Under $25,000 In America
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- Опубліковано 19 кві 2024
- If you're looking for a car that (on average) you could actually buy with $25,000 out the door, you have essentially 12 options today, and in this video we look at all of them from mosgt to least expensive.
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It's amazing Honda does not have a car for under 25k. Honda built their reputation in the USA on small, affordable, fun to drive cars. Now they offer none.😢
Civic sedan starts at 23,950 but that’s before tax
yall stop buying small cars ... especially the subcompacts ... these are the results... don't act surprised now 😂 keep buying them boring crossovers
@@EthanbarelaThat’s excluding the Destination Fee
The Fit existed, and was a fantastic sub-compact, but no one bought it.
We ain't missing much. I have a 2018 Honda Fit and its a terrible car. Poor build quality and very unreliable. I have massive water leaks all over.
If you are still trying to find your phone, Alex, you left on the passenger seat of the blue Jetta. Nice video!
💀bro
I love topics like this...glad you're including destination fees 😎
More to come!
@@AAutoBuyersGuide not even in the market for this price range necessarily, but appreciate you from doing these videos. Might look for one for my kids in the future.
I always buy base models so many of the reviews don't mean as much to me. The manufacturers almost always have the top of the line out there for the review guys. It's very nice to see a roundup like this even if we don't actually get to see the car in the lower trim. Great work.
I really appreciate that you're making videos like this on affordable cars. Thanks for looking out for us poor/working class Americans!!
Love your focus on the affordable new car Alex! Very few journalists care about the affordable car as much as you do and I have massive respect that you do!
The Versa is certainly an attractive price tag but I’m leaning toward a base model Corolla Hybrid for the additional MPG and long term reliability
I test drove the Versa and it's very bouncy and feels cheap! Corolla the right choice.
I made this decision last year and have averaged 51 MPG over 21,000 miles in the Corolla. Recommend it to anyone in the segment.
We got a Mazda CX-30 last year when It was at 22k (24.5k out the door) no regrets so far! A lot of Power and good value
Steal! The interior and styling of that car is top tier for the price.
Me too! 2023 2.5S. Amazing car for the money with tons of technology, power, and awd!
Mazda does a driver-centric cabin well even at affordable levels. I work at the factory that makes a Toyota and a Mazda, and at the nicer trim levels you can really tell that they understand how to design the cabin for that.
I had a Mazda2 which in 2011 was $15k new. Before that had a 2010 corolla. I liked the Mazda2 much more.
Someone casually rolling by on the new Honda Motocompacto 0:12
I have a 2023 Nissan Sentra. Currently at 18,000 miles, I love it even more now than I did when it was new. It has enough power to do what you need, it is the best looking compact car, and I'm averaging 39.7 mpg.
Make sure the cvt doesn't break on you
Would love to see a similar video with hybrids. Understand they will be more $$.
I bought a Trax, but went above $25, I got the 2RS $28K All In, 10 months and 13k miles. I love it.
That’s sad , should’ve went with the better brand and you would’ve gotten more features and awd , plus something that’ll last 😂
The Trax has been really well reviewed honestly @@cormaro1376
@@cormaro1376 Yeah, I guess if I spent $5k more I could have gotten something more expensive, but no better. All modern cars are consumables. No classic cars in the future. I like this and it fit my budget. What do you drive?
@@user-ek3gd5wm8i I mean you didn’t really have to over spend on anything , a barely used 2023 Mazda is at the same price and it comes with more features than the trax plus better reliability lol
I got a 2023 Mazda cx5 and 2024 Toyota crown for gas and it’s been killing it , I don’t touch American anymore lol
That Buick is one hell of a deal!
too bad that wet belt 1.2 engine won't be durable
There's a reason you can get a "luxury" plate cheaper than a Honda Civic... in this case it's the 3 popper with turbo
Buick FTW!
@@joa8593 Acura is cheaper?
@@normt430they're not, the Integra starts at like 30k, but Acura is another brand in trouble for different reasons
It is almost like Honda made a mistake getting rid of the Fit.
Right when the gen 3 was fully refreshed (looks fugly from outside but inside is 💯)and came with a hybrid power train 😮💨😭😭😭
They are making money hand over fist with the new HR-V. So right now they aren't regretting that decision.
It didn't sell. To sell cheap cars you need volume. Even the civic isn't selling well. If it weren't for the CRV Honda would be in trouble.
I was mad too until I looked at the actual sales numbers. They had to cut it. I work at the Mazda Toyota plant that makes the Corolla Cross. They had to replace their CH-R with the Corolla Cross to compete with the HR-V.
I recently bought a 2024 Corolla LE for about couple of dollars under $25,000 OTD price. I was also looking at Nissan and Subaru but stock near me was pretty limited. Same for the Corolla but it has a slightly better engine (more HP and more MPG efficiency) and couple with Toyota reliability are why I went with the Corolla. Happy with my purchase so far. I plan to keep this car forever or until I decide to give it to a relative.
I remember back in the 1970s and even in the 80s, you could avoid the destination fees if you picked up the vehicle at the production plant. I remember my parents purchased a new Chevy truck in 1974 and went to the production plant in Fremont California to pick it up rather than paying destination fees. Since we lived 25 miles away it wasn't a big deal. Ironically, that Chevy plant became NUMMI which is now the original Tesla plant. And how many people have travelled to the Tesla plant to pick up their new car but still paid destination?
There are still a lot of popular vehicles being built in the States and some people could easily pick up their vehicles to avoid those fees, and I personally would really fight those insane fees if say I was buying a Honda product living in Ohio or a Hyundai in Alabama or any Nissan in Tennessee or Mississippi.
Seriousely, with destination charges approache $2000, I could fly to the plant, pick up the car, and have a week-long road trip back to New York while staying at proper motels (Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, Best Western Plus) along the way
You would have to pick up that vehicle at a plant in either Michigan or Utah which are the only states that tolerate direct sales.
@@stanwbaker I know you can't in Alabama.
German-ish. The Jetta is assembled in Mexico.
I do like the level of detail you are going in for this video. Really useful buyer advice in a segment that doesn’t get the same coverage as the flashier SUVs.
Sad to see the Kia Rio’s life has ended. I like my 2023 especially for the price. I felt the extra cost of the forte wasn’t worth it. Also it’s actually appreciated in value haha. I have no idea how that happened.
Destination to freight an Envision across the Pacific from Korea is $200 more than inland trucking for a Corolla originating in Mississippi. That's your Toyota Distributor cartel at work
Envista. Envision is Chinese.
I'm happy with my 2019 Jetta, which was well under $20K out the door when new. I'm thinking next time I may pile a few more Sheckles in my cart and stretch for a Corolla Cross Hybrid. I know, I can't get it for $25K, but I think the long-term cost to own it will be lower.
None of this is sustainable. Think about how much $25k is in absolute terms, rather than comparing it to more expensive cars. Almost half of people don't even have $1000 in cash on hand. $25k is cheap by modern standards, but still unaffordable for the average person if we're being honest about how long one should finance a car.
Nothing wrong with financing a Toyota for, say, 9 years.
@@aliendroneservices6621 yes it is when you paying thousands extra in interest. Also the fact lower income people have higher interest rates.
@@aliendroneservices6621 9 years? That's ridiculous.
A versa is 16K. Is that good enough.
Here’s the thing tho. 25k is still cheap for a car. In 1998 the msrp of a base Corolla was 13,495. Adjusted for inflation it’s right at about 25k. Now think about how much MORE you get out of A newer vehicle. Power windows, power seats, infotainment, holy airbags and crumple zones, abs, traction control, stability control, for essentially the same price a base Corolla was in 98x
I bought a used Soul 4.5 years ago super cheap and it’s been solid so far. Love the cargo hauling ability. Have a kid in college. Helpful for moving.
I love affordable vehicles!! Their honest, they're usually cheap to maintain and operate, and that feeling of a low/no car payment is the best feeling!
This is a great video guys ! I know the big expensive cars get more views but this will definitely help ppl on the lower income side . Salute , that’s why you guys are the best !
Really appreciate this segment of using out the door pricing. Really sad how few and dissapointing the options are. I believe only the Sentra and Corolla have independent rear suspension
Unfortunately the 2024 Corolla LE gasoline sedan has a torsion beam rear suspension. Toyota is cost cutting
left the phone in the jetta lol
The car to buy is the Subaru Impreza! Only car with symmetrical AWD which is best in the business,! Plus safety, more standard features, comfortable ride, and it’s a hatchback.
Always like to see these lists. Only thing is some of these cars might be hard to actually find on a dealer lot under 25k, especially the Corolla. Crosstrek, CX30, and mazda3 are 3 cars you could probably negotiate under 25k as those dealers offer more discounts and incentives.
great point!
And much better real world safety!
Fantastic video. I would love to see more videos like these for other segments.
my choice would be either the corolla or the versa with 5 speed
I had a 21 Jetta with 6 spd. Highly recommend it. Fun to drive especially when you can hear the turbo whistle
If you look at OTD prices after discounts there are a few interesting options. Currently you can get a V6 (!) Dodge Charger or Challenger under $25k, last chance EVER to get this type of vehicle. Chevrolet Malibu and Equinox are offered with huge discounts (edit: Equinox often costs less OTD than Trax currently). Buick EncoreGX is more expensive than Envista on paper, no idea why, their OTD prices seem to be pretty much identical.
Impreza should be possible for 25k, Subaru seems to actually build the base trim in relatively high numbers and often sells them slightly below MSRP.
Chevy dealerships here in Dallas are selling new Equinox SUVs for $6000-$7000 off MSRP! New Malibu for 5k off MSRP! Huge discounts! Here in Dallas, it's cheaper to buy a huge new Equinox SUV than a much tinier new Corolla sedan!
Cause no one wants that piece of junk v6 charger or that piece of junk Malibu and equinox , all u offered was bad brands with trash cars , were good 😂
Good list of options, I would get the Trax. I think you could add the Mazda 3 to the list
that wet belt 1.2 engine won't be durable
The Mazda is well over the price limit
Good point about the Mazda 3. Even though it's technically over 25k, Mazda dealerships are much more willing to discount a Mazda 3 than a Toyota dealership is willing to discount a Toyota Corolla. I've found that the Mazda dealerships in my city (Dallas) are willing to sell a 2024 Mazda 3 Select Sport for 25k out the door while Dallas Toyota dealerships are demanding a minimum 27k out the door for the base 2024 Corolla LE gasoline sedan
@@sachinnair91 I admit that's very much the real world consideration but we can't possibly compare all of the various incentives and discounts offered by 10s of thousands of different dealers. We have to draw a line somewhere and that's going to be MSRP. I guess plus destination. This kind of list is obviously no substitute for doing your own shopping around and negotiating,
Good video, love when you focus on the practical cars.
I have a 2024 Forte LXS and so far it’s been 3500 miles trouble-free and have been loving it
The Corolla is the way to go, you save money in the long run and the cvt has a physical first gear, which means less stress on the transmission
They're all compelling for one reason or another, so it really boils down to the nitty-gritty of how much you want to spend, comfort, features for the price, styling, and perception of reliability.
If I could buy any car there I'd buy that green Subaru Forester seen in the background while Alex is discussing the new Impreza.
A presentaion of the cheapest cars in America, but yet doesnt show you any of them...that should tell you all you need to know. No dealer will sell you one.
We have 2017 & 2023 Elantras. Reliable point A to point B cars.
Michigan roads tear up the light-duty front ends, though.
Hyundai/Kia may have a lot of models starting under $25k, but the insurance costs might run more than your monthly car note. Definitely need to consider that cost when looking at some of these cars.
Thank you for this!
I know you can't account for this it is not common, but a lot of dealerships in Northern VA(especially CHevy ones) they add their own destination fee which equals the manufacture destination fee. So that means it doubles the destination fee. It is quite sad.
Found that moving the front seat up a bit on the first vehicle (Buick) to show the legroom in the rear was a bit weird since he didn't do it for any other vehicle. Then I saw the in video ad for the Chevy version and understood.
That envista seems like a good value. Good job Buick!
When did the Venue drop the manual transmission? It definitely had a 6-speed standard when it launched.
I always thought "destination charge" was a scam. Not like you have an option to go pick it up at the factory or whatever to avoid the charge...
you think kia will replace the Rio with the K3 like the did in other markets?
The Honda Civic LX is $25,045 so not too far off, the base Corolla is actually selling for $26k so the Civic and the HRV is actually cheaper than the Corolla where I live
Would really love if you'd add a category in your reviews for the ADAS systems; as they are now a relatively standard feature on all new cars -- even those under $25K (even if they don't get the full suite).
Glad to see the base prices of these affordable cars most reviews are all done with the higher trims
Alex, we all want to see you review a Mirage
I went with the Chevy Malibu RS with discounts. I like it.
Great video!!! (Welcome to THE City)
Thank you for including the insane destination charges in the cost.
Btw: Sales tax where I am is 9.525%. Freaking insane!
Alex, you didn’t include the Honda Motocompacto that scooted by you at the beginning. You could by almost 10 of those for $25k. Crash gear not included though. 😅😅😅
Thank you for doing an affordable cars video!!
This was a great video thanks. My previous car was totalled October 2023 (Fortunately no one was seriously injured, and I wasn't at fault) so I had to do "emergency" car shopping. I ended up with a low mile 2020 Sentra SV. Even buying used I had sticker shock and interest rate shock! My payments are significantly higher than my last loan. On the other hand I am a saver and getting actual interest on my savings accounts helps offset this somewhat.
If loan higher than savings just pay off. The spread between is savings ❤😊
There's no sales tax in Oregon, luckily.
Good video on somewhat affordable cars for a change. The dealers and the manufacturers with their blessing have screwed everybody blaming it on supply chain, and this and that now there’s hardly any decent good used cars left.
Mazda 3S 2.5L - $25495 MSRP with all weather floor mat pkg and 191 HP with 6 speed automatic (not CVT). DEFINITELY worth the extra money 🎉
Just bought a Trax Activ. Super value. Easily the best car on this list.
Not when it’s the biggest piece of crap on the list 😂 enjoy your low quality , should’ve bought a better brand
What’s up with cvt trans and turbos ? Sounds like a maintenance headache. I do like the American hatchbacks tho but will they last like Toyotas
Yea my brother got the rare lemon corolla hatch its cvt grenaded at 110 miles on the odimiter it took the dealer 4 months to source a new trans and controller only for it to grenade again during the dealers test of the trans they finally decided to refund his costs and helped hime get into a new 4runner for only a increase of $50 a month
I got a 2023 Jetta Sport for 23700 OTD. Definitely a great car for under 25k
appreciate you focusing on affordability.
Great video but I'm keeping my 2003 Pontiac Vibe
Great video! So is bad Nissan transmissions still a thing?
I think their cars with a new powertrain after ~2019 fixed it, including the Versa. I considered the new generation and I didn't find transmission issues for it. Don't forget a more powerful engine will always stress the CVT more.
Alex is your phone still in the Jetta?
Versa for me! Pretty damn good looking inside and out despite the price.
Own Impreza sedan and love it
Does anyone else here miss the actual subcompact hatchbacks of the subcompact market section? Of the cheapest cars you mentioned in this video, only the ancient Mirage, old Kicks and the current Hyundai Venue remain for someone who wants a small and lightweight hatchback. Everything else has either been discontinued (Honda Fit, Chevrolet Spark and Sonic, Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio, etc.), or become sedan only (Versa). Don’t get me wrong, I like sedans and love the current Versa. But I would never buy one over a hatchback body style for my urban needs because sedans are so darn long.
Of these, the Venue and Kicks make the most sense to me for my preferred size and form factor. If size were less important, then I suspect I would get the Trax or the Envista.
Well there are only two manuals on the list so my options are limited.
In canada add 30% and we make less money on average dollar to dollar. They sell 6 year old used civics base here for 30k. So hard to get affordable transportation
Missed the Kia Rio completely which is still around, but leaving also, at under $20K base.
Versa with manual will last for-ever. The rear seatbacks do NOT split with access to the trunk. FYI. Still, it's super reliable. (I have a 2015 Versa Note with no signs of slowing down)
That Buick looks great in person, no matter the trim
Alex, You have successfully identified the cars that are cheap to buy but how many will be cheap to keep on the road once the warranty expires? 🤔
Depends on how long you want to keep them on the road. -Travis
@@AAutoBuyersGuide The average age of the entire fleet is older than it has ever been so long term reliability really matters. I have a personal fleet of one car. The $1-2,000 premium
I paid for a reliable brand has easily been justified over 19 years of trouble-free ownership. 😁
No mention of the Polaris Slingshot?
Impreza or Venue for me: I’d go Elantra, but I’d take the savings with the more unique and “me” Venue. I’d prefer the Impreza but as a SoCali resident, it isn’t like NEEDed.
You can't go wrong with either one. Depending on where you live, you probably get discounts on the Impreza due to the Crosstrek outshine it in popularity. As for the Venue, I love its small size and looks, but I will like to see it available with a hybrid (1.6) powertrain and a performance powertrain. If Hyundai do this for the next-generation, then I will buy 2 of them.
what is the cheapest AWD SUV (not crossover)?
Can you get a cx30 anywhere near $25k?
Inexpensive reliable transportation is crucial for many and practical for all. The major problem with these choices is the associated dealers. Buick or Toyota the exceptions. Subaru or Honda worth the extra.
I wish the Bolt wasn't discontinued. You could get one of those for under $25k, now that the tax credit can be applied at sale.
I hear people talking about engine power but I dont understand why it matters. Was there a street racing tournament I was supposed to join and I lost my invitation?
Other people have different priories than you? Safety/driver assistance features are like 6th or 7th on my list of priorities (yes I know I'm in the minority there)
First, THANK YOU for doing this video. It can be quite depressing seeing automobile prices anymore. Given that my 2013 Elantra just hit 195,000 miles and I'm still getting 37 mpg plus highway, I would choose the Elantra. I like the styling, and though the engine isn't the same, my personal experience with reliability is hard for me to ignore. My second choice would probably be the Corolla because Toyota reliability is incredibly tough to beat.
I really liked my 2015 Toyota Yaris SE hatch 5-MT for the 4 years that I had it before it was "retired" by a distracted driver. It only cost $19K brand new & loaded. Wish that I could buy another one today, but not enough people liked/bought subcompacts in the USA, so that vehicle class basically went extinct in this market (Yaris, Fit, Mazda2, etc.).
Heh, I bought a 1991 Geo Metro new and felt the same way about it. 49mpg and never a problem. Mine was $6700.00 new but the only option was a/c lol. I did love that little car.
Unfortunately it is difficult to find these base models on the lot. Even then some of us are older and like some creature comforts.
You are Envista and Trax's target customer.
I would love to see a list of the "best cars that have the lowest markup". Since we all know that inexpensive cars that are popular just get price gouged/scalped by dealers so that they're are no longer a good value. Like Anything Toyota.
That’s totally down to the dealership you work with. You can get Toyota’s for MSRP just not everywhere and not the “hot new model” in its first few months.
I'm in rural Ohio and there's not a single dealership near me that charges over MSRP. It is rare that you don't get some sort of discount on anything... Even the cars with waitlists.
They know that you'll come back if they treat you right.
@@sociopathmercenary Sadly I'm in Houston, where dealerships charge $500 for air in your tires on the dealer sticker. But "you get lifetime free refills on air."
@@sociopathmercenary- 💯 my BIL drove from Columbus to some dealer in rural Ohio for a decent deal on a Nissan Frontier - in mid-pandemic when inventories were very low. Dealer told him they had enough repeat service business to keep them afloat.
Last year I bought a Kicks SV. That was my choice.
I'll always take the mirage, super easy to drive and maintain. I get around 49mpg combined most tanks.
I think the hate is undeserved. It can be almost hooliganish with a stick. Maybe that's just how I drive though ;)
I love the Mirage but I just find them to be overpriced. Just 5 years ago, you could buy a new Mirage ES for 10k due to huge dealer discounts and manufacturer rebates. Now they're 18-20k for base Mirage, almost double.
Only one model in this list is made in the USA, the Toyota Corolla sedan.
The last time I purchased a new vehicle was when GM was doing their friends and family promotion. I wouldn't buy a new vehicle today.
That was a day or two ago!
Love the Envista
Buick FTW!!
Alex looks good in green
We need a new car like the VW Beetle, Citroën C2V, or original Mini. Those cars were not only cheap to buy, they were simple which made them cheap to own. That made them huge successes, built in millions for decades!
Any thoughts on the Kia Rio?
Sadly it is gone in the USA,
14:14 Corolla, obviously, for reliability and long-term lowest TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). If you would allow a slightly higher price, then Prius.
Really appreciate these videos. would like something similar for used..maybe even German/Japan/USA/Korean etc. only vids. I went with a 2021 BMW 530i for 34k OTD with 34k miles CPO. Let's see how reliable she will be for the next few years
Oregon has no sales tax.
I like the Buick and Chevy the most. You couldn't gove me a Mitsubishi in any price category.
😂 the poor