Speaking of cheapo cars...

[Perfectlap]

Yaris according to these guys starts at $12K or so. But either way I'm not financing, I should have made that clearer.
Used Honda may not be a bad idea. That would avoid comprehensive insurance each month.

[dcporsche99]

A couple of weeks ago, I went through the latest Consumer reports book ('01-'06) before my dad bought his Toyota 4Runner. It definitely shows that Toyotas, Hondas, and a few other Japanese makes and models have better than average results across the board. And their rating as used cars is better than average as well.

Just the other day at a local car shop, I met a guy who owned a '94 Corolla (original owner) with well over 300K. According to him, he's only had minor maintanence issues. Many other folks I know with Hondas and Toyotas have very similar stories (over 180K w/ minimal issues).

Good luck with your choice!

[saaber]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Yaris according to these guys starts at $12K or so. But either way I'm not financing, I should have made that clearer.
Used Honda may not be a bad idea. That would avoid comprehensive insurance each month.

Wow you are right the Yaris is 12k now, i remember them being much more when they first came out in the US (they were out in Europe for a long time prior to the US). This car has a good track record and has been around long enough to work out all the bugs. I have had a bazillion cars and without a doubt the most consistently realiable cars have been the simplest available toyota followed extremely closely by the simplest Honda.

The Honda fit is another ultra-reliable and excellent car with an amazing amount of room but I don't know the current price (these cars have been out as the Honda Jazz in Europe for a long time also).

Another car to consider is the geo/chevy prism. The prism (prism only, not any other geo/chevy model) is a Toyota Corolla and is made side-by-side in the same factory. You can get a prism for much, much less than a corolla and it is the same car. I don't remember when they stopped making these though so they may be too old. Gas mileage is same as corolla of course.

[Dr. Kill]

Is this for you, a family member or employee? What are you using it for - DD? Doing some work in Orlando and need a ride when you are down there?

How long do you intend to keep the car? If you are leasing for just 1 year, what is the $11k figure for?

These answers should help clarify the situation a bit.

[Sammy]

I had a Hyundai Sonata as a rental car for a long business trip and I must say I was quite impressed. It felt very solid despite what I expected and the ride was pretty good. Nothing fancy, just a nice little car. I actually will consider a Hyundai as a future purchase in the event I need something economical.

[dcporsche99]

Speaking of a mini-cooper. How about a classic mini??

Here's a link (c/o Grizz) that shows a 1962 mini going for 15K.

http://www.steeldreamz.com/Cars_from_1960%27s_and_1970%27s.htm

[Jeph]

You want a lease? For how long, and how many miles do you plan on driving?

Of what you've listed, I'd say either Toyota (Scion?) or Hyundai. Hyundai has a great warranty! That's the advantage of a new car.

But I say go with a used Civic though. No lease contracts or mileage to worry about, it reduces insurance woes, and by the time you sell it, you'll have spent the least amount of money compared to your leasing options (most likely).

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

Is this for you, a family member or employee? What are you using it for - DD? Doing some work in Orlando and need a ride when you are down there?

How long do you intend to keep the car? If you are leasing for just 1 year, what is the $11k figure for?

These answers should help clarify the situation a bit.

its for a family member who lives most of the year but renting cars all the time for the random one or two week visit is getting old. Basically, very low mileage just something to get around in. My thought process on a leasing was that you'd always have a fairly new hassle free car at all times. I figure the lower the sticker price the lower the monthly lease price.

p.s.
I thought about a mini! I just the car on a list of best resale values. Do those cars come with automatic transmissions?

[xxxalexxxx]

from my experience, Hyundai cars are very reliable, great quality (newer ones have like a 10 yr warranty anyway) and pretty comfy and you can get them for really cheap. So I would go with that. My brother in law drives a Sonata for business and the car isn't exactly taken care of as a car should be but he hasn't had one single problem with it in the last 10 yrs ( its a 98) except the window on the passanger side wouldn't work because the window motor gave out but even that was covered by the warranty. I would say its your best bet for the cheapest price.

and yes mini coopers do come in automatics as well. They are a little more pricey though vs most of the other cars u mentioned originally

[lapis986]

Toyota of orlando has ads all the time on tv here. They recently advertised a Corolla (sure it was a base model) for like 12K. High volume dealer I guess? You could probably recoup most of that when you sell it. Lots of service people here (working in the theme park service industry) who don't make too much money so cars in that price range or lower if used are always marketable. My Acura 3.2 has about 162K on it and runs like new- seriously everything works including the seat heaters. Killer Bose stereo was stock, ample room for a couple adults and friends to go out on the town If you can pick one up they are one of the nicer cars I've ever driven and I got 28-30 MPG on the highway. My son drives it now, I got my box!