Top Ten Cheapest Cars to Own

All top ten vehicles on the cheap car list are either compacts or subcompacts -- because the small cars tend to have the lowest market price, the best fuel economy, and reasonable insurance rates -- since premiums tend to rise with horsepower.

#1. Nissan Versa 1.6 Base 4dr

Market price: $10,922
5-Year fuel cost: $8,456
5-Year insurance cost: $4,851
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,233

Nissan's subcompact hatch, which gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, hits the streets at a smidge over ten grand but offers a bigger interior than classmates Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. Six airbags are standard on even the lowest trim, but you'll pay $250 extra for ABS.

Depreciation: $6,874 Fees & taxes: $905 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,371 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $452 Maintenance: $1,917 Repairs: $1,406

#2. Hyundai Accent GL 2dr hatch

Market price: $9,677
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,134
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,715

For under $11,000, the Accent boasts killer fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway and 28 in the city. Even on the base model, optional equipment includes an iPod hookup ($35) and Bluetooth ($325). Six airbags are standard, but there’s no option for ABS.

Depreciation: $7,748 Fees & taxes: $822 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,207 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $423 Maintenance: $1,795 Repairs: $1,500

#3. Chevrolet Aveo5 LS 4dr hatch

Market price: $11,038
5-Year fuel cost: $8,171
5-Year insurance cost: $5,446
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,958

Chevy’s smallest car will be replaced next year by the Sonic, but for 2011 the little hatchback offers good interior space and cargo room -- 15 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seat up. Maintenance and repairs average just $3,000 for five years. Side airbags and six months of OnStar Automatic Crash Response are standard, but ABS and side-curtain airbags are not available. Mileage is 27 city, 35 highway.

Depreciation: $7,547 Fees & taxes: $919 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,385 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $451 Maintenance: $1,618 Repairs: $1,422

#4. Ford Fiesta S 4dr

Market price: $13,212
5-Year fuel cost: $7,576
5-Year insurance cost: $5,623
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,402

The return of the Fiesta to Ford’s lineup brings serious value -- and premium-car amenities -- to the compact category. A wallet-friendly price meets a peppy engine, an ultra-smooth manual transmission, and terrific handling. The SE trim offers Ford’s SYNC system (to connect phones and music players) as a $665 option. Even the entry-level Fiesta boasts a full complement of safety equipment: seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 28 city, 37 highway.

Depreciation: $8,919 Fees & taxes: $1,063 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,690 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $467 Maintenance: $1,564 Repairs: $1,500

#5. Mazda2 Sport 4dr hatch

Market price: $14,625
5-Year fuel cost: $7,825
5-Year insurance cost: $5,630
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,593

Its design is unmistakably Mazda, but the Mazda2 isn’t just a downsized Mazda3. Built on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, this sporty hatch takes corners with ease, and it has a full line of standard safety equipment-- ABS, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Mileage is 29 city, 35 highway.

Depreciation: $8,405 Fees & taxes: $1,139 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,864 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,613 Repairs: $1,627

#6. Toyota Yaris 4dr

Market price: $13,818
5-Year fuel cost: $7,737
5-Year insurance cost: $5,163
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,616

The Yaris’s 1.5-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder engine pushes fuel economy to the max. The car gets 29 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, giving it ultra-low fuel costs over five years compared with the competition. Good resale values give the car a leg up in our cost calculations. ABS and stability control are standard, as are six airbags.

Depreciation: $9,377 Fees & taxes: $1,089 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,757 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $463 Maintenance: $1,623 Repairs: $1,406

#7. Kia Rio 4dr

Market price: $11,824
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,447
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,157

Kia keeps even low-budget customers happy by offering many standard goodies -- auxiliary connections and USB ports for music, plus Sirius satellite radio (a subscription costs extra). Six airbags are standard on the base trim; stepping up to the LX ($15,690) gets you standard ABS. Mileage is 28 city, 34 highway.

Depreciation: $9,158 Fees & taxes: $966 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,500 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $458 Maintenance: $2,042 Repairs: $1,500

#8. Kia Soul 4dr hatch

Market price: $13,826
5-Year fuel cost: $8,771
5-Year insurance cost: $4,402
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,275

Kiplinger’s Best New Car for Teens makes boxy cool again. Along with its funky looks, the Soul has 19 cubic feet of cargo space and the most rear legroom in its class. It’s also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. All the safety equipment you’ll want is standard: six airbags, ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 26 city, 31 highway.

Depreciation: $9,305 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,956 Repairs: $1,500

#9. Honda Insight 4dr hatch

Market price: $18,097
5-Year fuel cost: $5,955
5-Year insurance cost: $5,497
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,953

Proving that hybrids don’t have to break the bank, Honda’s Insight boasts estimated service costs (maintenance plus repairs) of just $3,149 for five years. Low fuel costs are a given, with 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway. Automatic transmission, ABS, stability control, traction control and six airbags are standard.

Depreciation: $11,145 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,727 Repairs: $1,422

#10. Ford Focus S 4dr

Market price: $13,643
5-Year fuel cost: $8,571
5-Year insurance cost: $5,484
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $30,290

The Focus will get a redesign for 2012, but the 2011 version is already a solid value. The 2.0-liter engine puts out 140 horsepower but sips fuel politely -- it gets 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Stability and traction control, ABS, and six airbags are standard.

Depreciation: $9,819 Fees & taxes: $1,101 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,741 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,661 Repairs: $1,422

Best Family Cars in 2011

#1.Honda Odyssey

The Best in Class winner in Kiplinger's annual rankings, the Odyssey is made with families in mind. Its third row has even more legroom than in rows one and two but still has 38 cubic feet of cargo room behind it.

Sticker price: $28,580 (LX)
Invoice price: $25,976
Resale value: 3 years: 51%; 5 years: 32%
MPG: city: 18; highway: 27
Cargo space (cubic feet): 93.1

#2. Chevrolet Traverse

Sticker price: $32,675 (LT)
Invoice price: $31,082
Resale value: 3 years: 47%; 5 years: 34%
MPG: city: 17; highway: 24
Cargo space (cubic feet): 68.8

#3. Ford Flex

Sticker price: $32,775 (SEL)
Invoice price: $30,705
Resale value: 3 years: 46%; 5 years: 31%
MPG: city: 17; highway: 24
Cargo space (cubic feet): 43.2

#4. Kia Sorento

Sticker price: $32,990 (SX)
Invoice price: $31,025
Resale value: 3 years: 49%; 5 years: 31%
MPG: city: 20; highway: 26
Cargo space (cubic feet): 37

#5. Toyota Highlander

Sticker price: $29,505 (V6)
Invoice price: $27,006
Resale value: 3 years: 50%; 5 years: 34%
MPG: city: 18; highway: 24
Cargo space (cubic feet): 42.3

#6. Subaru Outback

Sticker price: $29,220 (2.5i Limited)
Invoice price: $27,455
Resale value: 3 years: 53%; 5 years: 35%
MPG: city: 22; highway: 29
Cargo space (cubic feet): 34.3

#7. Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI

Sticker price: $25,765 (manual)
Invoice price: $24,765
Resale value: 3 years: 58%; 5 years: 40%
MPG: city: 30; highway: 42
Cargo space (cubic feet): 32.8

#8. Ford Fusion

Sticker price: $25,805 (SEL)
Invoice price: $23,830
Resale value: 3 years: 44%; 5 years: 29%
MPG: city: 23; highway: 33
Cargo space (cubic feet): 16.5

#9. Hyundai Sonata

Sticker price: $25,095 (SE 2.0T)
Invoice price: $23,776
Resale value: 3 years: 48%; 5 years: 31%
MPG: city: 22; highway: 33
Cargo space (cubic feet): 16.4

#10. Your current family car (YOU NAME IT) if not among the above list

What you own now is always the best, as she has been part of the family long enough and you know her very well. Just like a family!

Best-Selling Vehicle in 2010

According to Cars.com, the best-selling vehicle in 2010 was Ford F-Series, including F-150 pickup, F-250 truck, F-350 and F-450 heavy duty truck.


There were 528,349 Ford pickup and trucks sold last year in 2010.

Top Ten America's Most Stolen Cars and Trucks

Why steal? Buy low price high quality aftermarket auto parts from Auto King Source! Online Store www.kingsource.com


10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

Trade-In Value*: $11,100
Original Price in 2009: $15,910
New  Car Value (2011): $17,400

The Toyota Corolla is one of the “best loved cars in America” according to Kelley Blue Book. It rates high on maintenance and resale value — and it gets decent gas mileage. The 2011 had just “minor cosmetic changes,” which means parts from prior year models can be used in the newer models, which makes the car very attractive to car thieves.

_{* Based on the Kelley Blue Book value, assuming the vehicle is in good condition}


9. 2002 Ford Explorer

Trade-In Value: $4,350
Original Price in 2002: $27,775
New Car Value (2011): $30,000

The Ford Explorer is one of the most popular SUVs on the market. People love the vehicle because it has the functionality of an SUV but also has style and comfort. Because they’re so popular, Ford hasn’t made too many changes in subsequent models, except for improvements to safety and roominess. You know what that means — thieves love them for the parts.

8. 1994 Acura Integra

Trade-In Value: $625 
Original Price in 1994: $16,695 
New Car Value (2011): N/A 

The Integra makes the stolen list because it was a popular vehicle that Honda made from 1985 to 2007 that people liked to buy and soup up “Fast and Furious” style with everything from engine modification to enhanced suspension and blinged-up wheels, Keah explains. 

What makes them even more desirable for car thieves is that they were easy to steal and the same parts were used from year to year. 

7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup

Trade-In Value: $1,200
Original Price in 1994: $16,322
New Car Value (2011): $20,800

Pickup trucks like the 1994 Chevy S-10 are extremely popular, particularly in Texas and the south. In Texas, for example, they’re often stolen and then driven across the border into Mexico where they’re harder to recover.

6.  2000 Dodge Caravan

Trade-In Value: $1,450
Original Price in 2000: $21,905
New Car Value (2011): $24,800

The Dodge Caravan is a popular minivan that is a big hit among soccer moms in places like Michigan and, as a result, thieves, who steal them for their parts. Thieves love the older models because they lack anti-theft devices and they have valuable parts like airbags and catalytic converters. The Caravan is so popular in Michigan, that five of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Michigan are Caravans (the 2000, the 1999, the 1998, the 1997 and the 1996).



5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup

Trade-In Value: $5,050
Original Price in 2004: $22,295
New Car Value (2011): $20,100

Pickup trucks like the Ram are stolen for valuable parts such as the wheels and tailgates, Keah said. Tailgates can often get mangled in an accident and the new ones are expensive to replace since they often have cameras for backing up in them. (A tailgate with a camera can set you back $1,000 to $1,500.) Plus, the older ones are easy to steal, he said. 



4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup

Trade-In Value: $1,200
Original Price in 1997: $17,480
New Car Value (2011): $22,600

Ford has been making its best-selling F-series pickup trucks since 1948 and for most of that time the F-150 has not only been the best-selling truck in America but the best-selling vehicle in America. That means there will always be a market for parts — and for thieves, who love those older models. 1997, incidentally, marked Ford’s first redesign of the F-150 since 1980. It was also the model where Ford introduced the rounded nose, a risky move given the F-150's popularity. To give buyers time to adjust to the change, Ford began selling the 1997s in January 1996, right alongside the 1996 models.


3. 1991 Toyota Camry

Trade-In Value: $700
Original Price in 1991: $14,513
New Car Value (2011): $19,900

The top three cars are all popular sedans, including the 1991 Toyota Camry. What makes them attractive to thieves is that these makes and models are easy to steal and the parts don’t change much from year to year. The Camry is known for its quality and reliability and great resale value. As a result, it’s a popular target for thieves all across America, from Delaware to Florida, Kansas, California and Hawaii.


2. 1995 Honda Civic

Trade-In Value: $1,100
Original Price in 1995: $11,970
New Car Value (2011): $17,400

The Civic gets great reviews and is one of the best-selling compact cars. People love them for their great fuel efficiency, reliability, repair history and resale value, according to Kelley Blue Book. It’s also pretty roomy inside, despite being a compact. Thieves love them for their parts. Cars like the Camry and Civic make the most-stolen list just about every year though the model year generally goes up one.



1. 1994 Honda Accord

Trade-In Value: $975
Original Price in 1994: $15,430
New Car Value (2011): $20,200

And the winner of the Most Stolen Vehicle contest is … the Honda Accord! The model year is 1994, the year that NAFTA was established, skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in the knee with a pipe and O.J. Simpson took the entire nation on a high-speed chase.

The Accord is loved by both drivers and thieves and is universally stolen all over America. Drivers love it for its quality and refinement. It handles well, rates high on safety and maintenance and has a roomy interior. Thieves, of course, love them for their parts, which don’t change much from year to year, and for their lack of anti-theft technology.

Top Ten Cars Women Drivers Will Love

Women have huge influence on purchasing cars for work and pleasure transportation. Eight out of 10 purchasing decisions are heavily and directly influenced by women, and more than two-thirds of the new cars sold each year are bought by women.

What do women want? Above all, a car they can trust. There are two types of women drivers: singles who like small, efficient cars, and mothers who need something large to transport children. They both are looking for safety and are still looking for style. Women car buyers are more cost-conscious and purchase fuel-efficient vehicles.

Full list of top ten cars women will love, complied by Hannah Elliott of Forbes.com.

1. 2011 GMC Acadia

Special features: Standard stability control, XM Radio, OnStar and remote keyless entry; optional power sunroof and heated/cooled front seats.
MPG: 17 city/24 hwy
MSRP: $31,840

2. 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

Special features: This is Kia's first hybrid car. It uses a lightweight lithium polymer battery with a 4-cylindar engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It'll go on sale later this spring.
MPG: 36 city/40 hwy
MSRP: $26,000

3. 2011 Hyundai Tucson

Special features: Standard brake control and hillstart assist, traction control and (on the GL) five-speed manual transmission; optional six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
MPG: 20 city/27 hwy
MSRP: $18,895

4. 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Special features: Standard stability control with hillstart assist, USB capability and (on the ES) five-speed manual; optional high-intensity headlamps, auto climate control with pollen filter, heated front seats, passive-entry system with panic feature.
MPG: 24 city/31 hwy
MSRP: $18,495

5. 2011 Volvo C70

Special features: Standard front fog lights, stability control and anti-skid system, remote controlled alarm and locking system, door-mounted inflatable curtain airbags; optional dual xenon headlamps, remote garage door opener.
MPG: 19 city/28 hwy
MSRP: $39,950

6. 2012 Mazda 5

Special Features: Standard stability and traction control, five-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, second-row captain's chairs and fold-out table; optional xenon headlights, leather-trimmed heated front seats, anti-theft alarm system.
MPG: 21 city/ 28 hwy
MSRP: $19,195

7. 2012 Acura TL

Special Features: Standard sport-shift automatic with paddle shifters, performance braking, keyless remote entry and Bluetooth; optional surround sound, all-wheel-drive, blind-spot warning.
MPG: 20 city/29 hwy
MSRP: $35,605

8. 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

Special Features: Standard 6-speed manual transmission, OnStar, remote keyless entry, XM Radio; optional Bluetooth, remote vehicle start, cruise control, 6-speed automatic transmission
MPG: 28 city/42 hwy
MSRP: $18,425

9. 2011 Saab 9-5

Special Features: Standard Bluetooth, USB, XM Radio, cooled glove box, heated front seats, keyless start, ambient lighting; optional leather seats, panorama moonroof, multi-color display, sport-leather steering wheel.
MPG: 20 city/33 hwy
MSRP: $38,525

10. 2011 Chevrolet Equinox

Special Features: Standard traction control, tire pressure monitor, hillstart assist, XM Radio, sliding rear seat; optional rear-seat entertainment, E85 flexfuel capability, heated front seats, rear-park assist.
MPG: 22 city/32 hwy
MSRP: $22,995