On occasion, I need to pick up or drop off a review car in New York City. Thankfully, it’s easier to get to NYC from my place than it is to get to a random corporate marble and glass palace in suburbia.

In order to get to New York City without a car, I have to walk a mile and a half to the closest public transportation … a bus stop on the other side of the state highway. There, I can pick up a local bus that will (eventually) take me to the Princeton “Dinky” train station.

The Dinky is a cool little light rail train that runs between Princeton and Princeton Junction, which is on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. There is no direct commuter bus from my town to the Princeton Junction train station.

Once upon a time, our town had its own train station. The West Trenton passenger train line, with service linking to both New York City and Philadelphia, ran through here until it was abandoned by NJ Transit in 1983.

Freight trains still run on the line.

Over the years, there’s been much talk (and a bit of funding) devoted to the topic of restarting commuter service on the West Trenton train line. This would require the construction of a bunch of new train stations and the laying of a whole new set of tracks.

A huge effort like that seems a bit crazy in these times.

So the question comes to mind ….

Why can’t NJ Transit simply devote a pair of clean-burning Natural Gas Powered buses to provide direct commuter service between suburban centers (like this town) and the existing train stations?

This could be done rapidly, with minimal impact to both the environment and state budgets. It would reduce traffic congestion by removing hundreds of cars off the road during peak hours. It might even be able to pay for itself.

Come to think of it, the solution might be best left to the private sector …

Although each of the Big Three have domestically produced vehicles in our list of the 22 Cheapest Cars of 2009, the bulk of today’s bargain-priced rides hail from overseas. The Nissan Versa 1.6 Base Sedan was the cheapest new car on the market, ever so briefly last fall … until Hyundai lowered the price of the Accent to twenty dollars below the Versa.

While the tiny Smart Car is the only European-built car currently on the list, your next cheap new car might just come from Italy. With the recent announcement of Fiat’s stake in Chrysler, our inexpensive transportation options have taken a step in a positive direction. Seeing that Fiat is a world leader in remarkably fuel-efficient clean diesel engines, that new little runabout won’t just be cheap to buy, it might be cheap as beans to drive, as well.

The Ford Fiesta holds great promise, as well. With Ford’s announcement that the acclaimed Fiesta will soon return to our shores, we’re in for a treat …

… cheap is the new black!

Everyone has a favorite story about the cheap cars in their past. I’m no exception, having bought my first car (from its original owners) for $800 and my second (a multi-colored mongrel) for a whopping $350. I worked two jobs while I was in high school to scrape up enough money to buy those dream rides … and I spent thousands whipping them into shape, while saving a bundle by doing my own paint and bodywork.

It should come as no surprise that inexpensive vehicular transportation is one of the most popular topics here at MPGomatic.com. Of course, we look at fuel efficiency as part of the big picture.

Cheap cars hold a place in my heart, for as much as I enjoy driving the latest and the greatest, I still remember, plain as day, the freedom that set of wheels can bring …

• 20 Cheapest Cars of 2009
  Thinking about buying a new cheap car? We haven’t just assembled a list of 2009’s cheapest cars, we’ve gone out of our way to review them.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1995
  There were just creeping changes to the 1995 Top Ten High MPG list, as the Honda Civic Del Sol snuck into the ranks, along with the along with the Nissan Sentra – 200SX.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1994
  The names remained the same among the ranks of high MPG cars in 1994, with a notable exception.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1993
  The 1993 model year was deja vu all over again, with Honda and Suzuki-built cars edging out every other manufacturer in the Top Ten High MPG list.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1992
  The 1992 model year offers a good range of choices for the cheap car shopper. There’s an abundant range of 1992 models that score over 35 MPG.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1991
  1991’s Top Ten High MPG list is dominated by GM-badged Suzukis, wearing Geo Metro, Pontiac Firefly, and Chevy Sprint nameplates.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1990
  The 1990 model year saw the high-MPG field tighten, as gas mileage ceased to be the priority it was in the early years of the previous decade.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1986 – 1989
  Looking to buy a truly inexpensive car that provides 40 to 50 miles per gallon (or more) on the highway? The 1986 through 1989 model years present a range of opportunities.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1985
  1985 marked a turning point for fuel-efficient cars in the United States.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1984
  1984 was a high-volume year for high-MPG cars in the USA, as the domestic and import manufacturers produced a range of cars that matched or exceeded the 40 MPG mark.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1983
  1983 was another banner year for inexpensive high-MPG cars in America, with both import and domestic auto manufacturers well-represented among the ranks of cars that eclipsed a 40 MPG highway rating.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1982
  Small cars that eclipsed 40 miles per gallon on the highway weren’t the exception in 1982 … they were the norm … with a good number of cars breaking the magic 50 miles per gallon mark.
  
• Cheap Cars: 1978-1981
  Looking for a car that gets crazy great gas mileage but don’t want to spend a lot of cash? This list of knucklebusting (can we call them classic?) small cars from 1978 through 1981 haul down some impressive gas mileage figures and can be had for chump change … if you’re handy.
  

Update: Hyundai has lowered the MSRP on the entry-level Accent GS to $9,970 … making it the cheapest new car in America … for now …

A new version of Nissan Versa is the second cheapest new car in America today. With a starting price tag just under $10,000 ($9,990 to be exact), the Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 Base sits atop the chart of 2009’s Cheapest Cars, delivering the goods with a roomy interior and very good gas mileage.

Folks looking for the cheapest car on the market need look no further than this value-priced four-door. While we haven’t had the chance to spend time with the 2009 Versa Sedan 1.6 yet, we did spend a week with its five-door hatchback sibling earlier this fall. It’s a pleasant little car. Our Versa review clearly shows the car’s strengths.

The entry-level Sedan 1.6 is equipped with a smaller engine then the original Versa (1.6-liter vs 1.8-liter), and can be fitted with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter engine gives up fifteen horsepower (HP) – producing 107 HP vs 122 HP for the 1.8-liter. With the five-speed manual transmission, the Versa Sedan 1.6 is EPA-rated at 26 city / 34 highway. With the automatic, it’s rated at 26 city / 33 highway.

While the 1.6 Base is the cheapest version of the Versa, the prices ratchet up quickly in the 1.8 S and SL models, running all the way up to a starting price of $16,210 for the well-equipped 1.8 SL Hatchback.

The 1.6 uses a number of less expensive components to achieve its lower price, including smaller (14″) wheels, black manual outside mirrors (rather than power body-color), and more thinly padded seats. It lacks cruise control, air conditioning, glove compartment and cargo area lights, vanity mirrors, digital clock, and any audio system whatsoever (although it is pre-wired for audio) … proving that if you want the cheapest car possible, you’ll have to give up more than a few things …

Although we’ve only had the chance to put less then half of cars on the list through an exhaustive week-long test drive (so far), we aim to have most (if not all) of the cheapest cars reviewed by mid-2009. Properly reviewing cars – while producing video reports – is a rather time-intensive process (no matter whether the cars are cheap or not). Our goal isn’t to shower you with flowery words and the personal preferences of the reviewer … we’d rather put you in the driver’s seat with a real-world perspective of what it’s like to live with each car.

Chevy Aveo

Starting MSRP Aveo Sedan $12,625
Starting MSRP Aveo5 Hatchback $12,625
Manual 27 / 34 MPG
Automatic 25 / 34 MPG
106 HP, 1.6-liter VVT engine
While it’s not made in America, the Aveo is the least expensive car sold by an American automaker.
Built in South Korea
Reference: Chevy Aveo5 Review

Chevy Cobalt

Starting MSRP Coupe $16,330
Starting MSRP Sedan $16,330
Manual XFE 25 / 37 MPG
Automatic 24 / 33
155 HP 2.2-liter DOHC Ecotech
The XFE delivers class topping highway mileage.
Built in America

Dodge Caliber

Starting MSRP $16,840
148 HP, 1.8-liter (manual)
158 HP, 2.0 liter (automatic)
Manual 24 / 30 MPG
Automatic 23 / 27 MPG
The Caliber can be fitted with four different engines, from the base 1.8 liter though the SVT 2.4 Turbo, which puts out 285 HP.
Built in America

Ford Focus

Starting MSRP $14,995
Manual 24 / 35 MPG
Automatic 24 / 33 MPG
140 HP, 2-liter Duratec engine
Microsoft Sync audio system and ambient interior lighting sets the Focus apart.
Built in America
Reference: Ford Focus Review

Honda Civic

Starting MSRP Civic Coupe $15,205
Starting MSRP Civic DX Sedan $15,405
140 HP, 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine
Manual 26 / 34 MPG
Automatic 25 / 36 MPG
The Civic is both an icon and an inspiration.
Built in America

Honda Fit

Starting MSRP Base Fit $14,550
Starting MSRP Fit Sport $16,060
Manual 27 / 33 MPG
Automatic 28 / 35 MPG
117 HP, 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine
Sport includes 16-inch alloys, USB audio interface, aero-package, and paddle shifters (automatic).
Built in Japan
Reference: Honda Fit Sport Review

Hyundai Accent

Starting MSRP Accent GS 3-door $11,070 $9,970
Starting MSRP Accent SE 3-door $15,070
Starting MSRP Accent GLS 4-door $12,920
Manual 27 / 33 MPG
Automatic 26 / 35 MPG
110 HP, 1.6-liter DOHC CVVT engine
The GS grabs the title of America’s cheapest car, by a whopping $20. The racer wannabe SE is fitted with 16-inch alloys, B&M (manual) shifter, leather-wrapped steering wheel and knob.
Built in Korea

Hyundai Elantra
Starting MSRP Elantra GLS $13,970
Manual 24 / 33 MPG
Automatic 25 / 33 MPG
138 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC engine
Built in Korea

Kia Rio

Starting MSRP $12,145
Manual 27 / 32 MPG
Automatic 25 / 35 MPG
110 HP, 1.6-liter DOHC CVVT engine
Built in Korea

Kia Spectra
Starting MSRP $14,200
Manual 23 / 30 MPG
Automatic 24 / 32 MPG
138 HP, 2.0-liter engine
Built in Korea

Mitsubishi Lancer

Starting MSRP Lancer DE M/T $15,035
Manual 22 / 30
CVT 22 / 28
152 HP, 2.0-liter MIVEC engine
Built in Japan

Mazda3

Starting MSRP Mazda3 i Sport 4-door $15,360
Manual 24 / 32 MPG
Automatic 22 / 30 MPG
148 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC VVT engine
Fun-to-drive and a good value. Update due for 2010.
Built in Japan
Reference: Mazda3 Review

Nissan Cube

Starting MSRP Nissan Cube 1.8 4-door $13,990
Manual 24 / 29 MPG
Automatic 28 / 30 MPG
122 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC engine
The Cube’s asymmetrical design may be polarizing, but it’s undeniably spacious and easy to drive.
Built in Japan
Reference: Nissan Cube Review

Nissan Sentra

Starting MSRP $16,730
140 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC engine
Manual 24 / 31
Xtronic CVT 25 /33
Year-after-year, the Sentra delivers solid value for the dollar.
Built in Japan
Reference: Sentra Review

Nissan Versa

Starting MSRP 1.6 Base Sedan $9,990
Starting MSRP 1.6 Sedan $10,990
Starting MSRP 1.8 S Hatchback/Sedan $12,990
Starting MSRP 18 SL Hatchback/Sedan $15,990
Manual 26 / 31
Automatic 24 / 32
Xitronic CVT (SL) 27/33
122 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC engine
With the second lowest base price in America (by a mere twenty bucks) and a roomy interior, the Versa delivers bang for the buck.
Built in Japan
Reference: Nissan Versa Review

Scion xB

Starting MSRP $16,420 (manual)
158 HP, 2.4-liter engine
Manual 22 / 28 MPG
Automatic 22 / 28 MPG

Scion xD

Starting MSRP $15,320 (manual)
Starting MSRP $16,120 (automatic)
128 HP, 1.8-liter engine
Manual 27 / 33 MPG
Automatic 26 / 32 MPG
The latest entry from Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand.
Reference: Scion xD Review

Smart Fortwo

Starting MSRP pure $11,990
Starting MSRP passion coupe $13,990
Starting MSRP passion cabriolet $16,990
70 HP, 1-liter engine
Auto/Manual 33 / 41 MPG
With just room for two and a passion for premium fuel, the Smart’s not as cheap as it first appears.
Built in France

Suzuki SX4 Sedan / Sport

Starting MSRP SX4 Sedan $13,299
Starting MSRP SX4 Sport $15,739
Sedan 23 / 31 MPG
Sport 22 / 30 MPG
143 hp, 2-liter, DOHC engine
SX4 Sport model rolls on 17-inch alloys clad with low-profile 50-series tires.
Built in Japan

Suzuki SX4 Crossover

Starting MSRP $15,939
22 / 30 MPG
143 HP, 2-liter, DOHC engine
The rally-inspired SX4 Crossover is the least expensive AWD vehicle available in America.
Built in Japan
Reference: Suzuki SX4 Crossover Review

Toyota Corolla

Starting MSRP $15,350
Manual 26 / 35 MPG
Automatic 27 / 35 MPG
132 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC VVT-i engine
Year-after-year, the Corolla delivers the goods without the hype.
Built in America
Reference: Toyota Corolla Review

Toyota Matrix

Starting MSRP: $16,290
132 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC Dual VVT-i engine
Manual 26 / 32 MPG
Automatic 25 / 31 MPG
Built in America

Toyota Yaris

Starting MSRP 3-door Liftback $12,205
Starting MSRP 5-door Liftback $13,305
Starting MSRP Sedan $12,965
Manual 29 / 36 MPG
Automatic 29 / 35 MPG
110 HP, 1.5-liter DOHC VVT-i engine
An excellent value and MPGs that exceed the estimates have the Yaris winning over fans.
Built in Japan
Reference: Toyota Yaris Review

Note: For the purposes of this article, we’ll define a “cheap car” as having a MSRP under $17,000.

The good news is that we have three decades of used fuel efficient vehicles to fall back on.

When looking back at the list of the most economical vehicles of the last 25 years, you’ll see three marquees show up with the greatest consistency: Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen. While General Motors put in a fair showing in the past, it’s been more than five years since the demise of the Saturn SL and SC dropped GM out of the top ranks of cars rated at 40 miles per gallon (MPG) or higher.

The market for used Geo Metros is red hot. These Suzuki-built econo-boxes are proven high-MPG performers, with tiny three- and four-cylinder engines that deliver excellent gas mileage. If you’re in the market for a Metro, be sure to keep an eye out for its corporate cousins, the Suzuki Swift and Pontiac Firefly … they’re essentially the same car, with different badging.

Among the newest fuel-efficient cars, the Mini Cooper stands apart from the crowd with truly superb handling. In a recent review of the Mini Cooper Clubman, we blew past the official gas mileage estimates, scoring a remarkable 44.7 MPG on the highway.

Most Fuel Efficient Cars: 1999-2008

Most Fuel Efficient Cars: 1989-1998

Most Fuel Efficient Cars: 1984-1988