Driving to Impress
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Friday 15th October 2010- It's never too soon to make a statement with what you drive.
- A sharp car for every style.
- You don't have to break the bank to look good.
They say: It's not the destination, it's the journey.
As you embark on your journey into the business world, you may consider a new ride. If so, read on as SharpMan highlights the top five cars under 25K.
When You Think the Time Has Come
You’ve done it; put in your four, five or maybe even six years of college and are now officially a Bachelor of something. With the ink still damp on your diploma, you’re ready to conquer the business world. You’ve got your brand new suit (tailored so the sleeves aren’t too long, right?), a freshly printed resume and faithful, "Old Sally" – that two-door, smoke-belching, oil-seeping hatchback that was there for you during all those years of school. She shudders and wheezes her way through winter and spits and sizzles steam during the summer. She’s little rough around the edges but has always gotten you where you needed to go.
As hard as it may be to say goodbye Sally has seen better days. If you want to see them, too, you might be thinking it's time for an image upgrade.
The good news is that buying a new car is a lot of fun. You can’t beat that new car smell, shiny paint and ding-free sheet metal. The bad news is that in addition to a brand new car loan, you might also be staring down student loan debt, an increase in living expenses and an entry-level salary that is hardly justifies braggadocio.
This dilemma leaves you with the proverbial graduate question: what to do to give the appearance of living comfortably when your bank account is saying "ride the bus?" With your car options limited to vehicles under $25 Grand, nightmares of Kia, Geo and Hyundai may have you worried your coolness factor is in jeopardy. Fear not, there are cars are out there that not only start the bidding at less than $25,000, but do so in style.
Okay, Something New… But What?
We’re here to help. Check out the following 2004 vehicles under $25K:
Feelin' Sporty?
Volkswagen Jetta - Base MSRP: $22,995
The great thing about the Jetta is that it’s a mid-size sedan that thinks it’s a sports car. This translates into plenty of room for toting around passengers and at the same time, acceleration that is quick, responsive and about as close to speed as you’re going to feel in this price range (read: driving enthusiasts on a budget will appreciate this VW). With its 200 horsepower engine, six-speed transmission and firm, yet absorbing suspension, it’s no surprise that the Jetta is Volkswagen’s volume leader when it comes to sales.
On the flip side, the con list is short but important to early morning commuters: the beverage holder is completely misplaced. When extended and filled with a double tall latte from Starbucks, it’s impossible to adjust any audio controls without removing the coffee and retracting the holder. To remedy this, insert your favorite CD and adjust the volume before you pick up your coffee.
Also, making our blip list is the manual seat adjuster. A stiff knob-style contraption, it’s nearly impossible to alter while driving. And, once you do finally find that perfect angle, you’ll never want anyone else to drive lest they change what took you so long to adjust. Fortunately, the Jetta is so much fun to drive that you’re not going to want to ride shotgun, anyway.
Angling For Elegance?
Suzuki Verona - Base MSRP: $19,999
Do you crave posh amenities like leather interior, alloy wheels, fog lamps and an interior bathed in dark wood grain? Then the ’04 Suzuki Verona should be on your short list of test drives. It offers more standard features than both the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. It’s also getting an image boost by having Rod Stewart serenade it as it swivels through the streets of NYC in its latest commercial.
The Verona comes decked out with such amenities as leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote controls, power sunroof, heated, leather seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, eight-way power adjustable driver seat, alloy wheels and fog lamps. Outside, the exterior is elegantly pleasant. It’s the kind of car that ages well, because its styling is not about trend.
We give the Verona negative points for its nighttime illumination. Although, appearing posh during daylight hours, when the sun goes down, the lights come up – resembling glow-n-the-dark instrument gauges. Sore to look at, this "glow" didn’t match up to all of its other, more refined features.
Thinking Green?
Toyota Prius - Base MSRP: $19,995
If you work in an eco-friendly environment, you will definitely score points with the Toyota Prius. While perhaps not as feature-rich as the Verona or Jetta, you just can't beat its gas mileage: 60-mpg city and 51 mpg on the open road. Seemingly reversed, the mileage is better in the city because the Prius actually recharges itself every time you brake (read: this car doesn’t need to be plugged in, ever). If all of the gas savings hasn’t endeared you to this earthy hybrid, then perhaps Uncle Sam can persuade you with his $1,500 tax break just for buying the Prius (See tax break details).
Additionally, the acceleration is not bad. With a 0-to-60 mph time of 10 seconds, the Prius is capable of easily maneuvering in and out of traffic – although we wouldn’t recommend pulling out in front of a fast-moving semi. The ride feel is comparable to most small cars. You’ll feel some bumps in the road, but no dramatic jolts. Ditto with the handling.
If you do decide to go with this tree-hugger’s dream, know that there’s a give and take with everything and this old adage is true with the Prius. No doubt, your wallet will feel a lot fatter as a Prius owner; however, the downside is that you could possibly be the butt of acceleration ribbings by your V8-loving counterparts. The Prius isn’t going to win you any drag races. And forget that intimate driver-road connection you’ll find in a sports coupe. Just keep patting your pocket and watching your net worth grow, and these idiosyncrasies will be easy to swallow.
Ready For Anything?
Honda Element - Base MSRP: $20,850
At first glance you’re either going to like the Element, or not. However, if you’re into sport utility vehicles, you’ve got to get behind the wheel of this one. When it comes to amenities think bare bones (read: no keyless entry); however, when it comes to utility, the Element is second to none in its price category.
Versatility is king. The bungee-cord style rear seatbacks are up for any task: they can fold flat into a bed, flip-up and out of the way or be removed entirely. Best of all, they’re truly simple to operate. Camping out in this bread-box-shaped car is a lot of fun, as you and your sweetie can lie back and look up through the rear skylight for some star gazing.
Cubbyholes, storage bins and cup holders abound. The Element is ready for any adventure you throw at it; there are even hooks on the backs of the front seats to hang backpacks, lightweight jackets or flashlights. The interior is also completely water-resistant.
Element owners are all about the Great Outdoors and will be the envy of all of their rugged, kayaking/hiking/mountain biking buddies. However, the elemental disadvantage is: if you’re into attracting girly girls whose idea of roughing it is checking into a Holiday Inn, then you may want to lasso in the utilitarian factor just a bit and look for a more urban-friendly SUV (read: leather seats, dual-zone climate control and an interior that cannot be sprayed with a water hose).
Something Tan and Windblown Perhaps?
Mazda Miata MX-5 - Base MSRP: $22,388
If you’re after a convertible with a low monthly note, then make a point of checking out the Miata MX-5. With the top up, it’s simply a very tiny car with micro-size pedals, controls, air vents and knobs.
Drop the top and it looks awesome. This sporty two-seater is made for crystal clear afternoons and weekend trips to the beach. It’s pure, unadulterated fun. The exterior is a sweet mix of smooth curves; trios of ovals make up the taillights while slanted headlights give this roadster an aggressive face.
Inside, the Miata MX-5 cradles its passengers in leather bucket seats with room for two drinks… and not much else. Of course, if you do need some storage space, pop the trunk for 5.1 cubic feet – plenty of room for cold drinks, a beach towel and sunscreen.
The con list is short, but notable: should you have the unfortunate timing of driving the Miata when it’s raining or cold, then you’ll quickly notice the disadvantages to driving with the top up. For one, it’s not as exciting (and can be bit, shall we say cozy). Secondly, there’s a blind spot to the driver’s left, which, when we drove the Miata, forced us to change lanes based on a leap of faith.
The Miata is made for sunny days and guys under the six-foot marker.
In short? Don’t settle for generic. Whether you love fast, elegant, outdoorsy or eco-friendly there’s a way to get you where you want to go in style.
This article last updated on Friday 15th October 2010