With graduations around the corner for so many, it seems a great time to review what new cars under $13,000 are currently available in 2012. These new cars for sale are great choices for anyone on a budget both because of their low starting price and because of their high gas mileage. Just don't get caught thinking these models are all budget, the bar on standard equipment has been raised in recent years.
Invoice Price of Cars Under $13k
Nissan Versa - Dealer invoice price $10,616
Smart forwo - Dealer invoice price $11,616
Hyundai Accent - Dealer invoice price $12,244
Ford Fiesta - Dealer invoice price $12,788
Kia Rio - Dealer invoice price $13,145
Suzuki SX4 - Dealer invoice price $13,295
Chevrolet Sonic - Dealer invoice price $13,518
Kia Soul - Dealer invoice price $13,600
30 City / 38 Hwy
34 City / 38 Hwy
30 City / 40 Hwy
29 City / 40 Hwy
30 City / 40 Hwy
25 City / 33 Hwy
29 City / 40 Hwy
29 City / 36 Hwy
You may remember several of these models being former cars under 10k. You would be right, but many of them like the Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta have undergone significant upgrades over the years and while the price has moved with them you can buy many of these cars for under 12000. Some models were included because they were just to close to the cap to exclude them. And some new cars for sale like the Suzuiki SX4 have cash rebates that drive the price under the $13,000 cap.
Low Cost Low Mileage Cars
These cars aren't on our most affordable new cars list just for their price however. Their small size and fuel efficient engines means each one of them is on our 30 mpg cars list with the exception of the SX4. And many of them like the Hyundai Accent, the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, and Chevy Sonic are cars over 40 MPG highway. A particularly attractive option if you plan on attending college away from home or are starting a new job and are joining the daily commute.
There aren't many cars over 40 mpg that beat these for total cost. Yes you could buy a Prius and get 50 mpg, but you can end up easily paying $10k more for your car. That's a lot of gas you could have bought instead, no matter how high fuel prices go. Just be mindful of the Suzuki. While 30 MPG cars offer a respectable fuel economy, its cost is just not comparable to the others when it comes to gas mileage.
In fact if you are truly budget caustious, or just have a fixed income that makes it difficult to justify the upgrades, consider sticking to the cars under 12000. While the Smart fortwo is not for everyone, the Nissan Versa is as affordable as you can get in a budget minded car and the Hyundai Accent is one of the nicest of the bunch if you can talk the saleman down out of a few pennies. And of course if you need financing for your new car, just click on the banner below.