Best Compact Cars of January 2009

The Subaru remains but now the i30 and the Ritmo are added to the line-up. The Ritmo is very cheap but the i30 beats it with value for money.

#1 Subaru Impreza

Base Model Estimated Price: $26,680

Pros:

• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Poor fuel economy

#2 Hyundai i30

Base Model Estimated Price: $22,972

Pros:

• ESP Standard


• Full size spare


• Alarm standard


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Metallic Paint extra


• No alloys standard

#3 Fiat Ritmo

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,990

Pros:

• Cheap price

Cons:

• No ESC


• No full-size spare


• Metallic Paint extra


• No alarm standard


• No alloys standard

Best Light Cars of January 2009

With a new year comes a new rating system. Safety is now under tighter scrutiny and cars that seemingly had 5 star ANCAP ratings, actually didn't (obviously varies for models - ANCAP sometimes reports on higher trim levels which have more safety features). Extra charges has been increased to $3,000 additional value as well.

Since the Punto is now the only true car to have a 5-star ANCAP rating even at its base trim level, it is also now #1. The Ford Fiesta enters the list at third place.

#1 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,590

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Safe

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,500

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Extra year warranty

Cons:

• No full-size spare

#3 Ford Fiesta

Base Model Estimated Price: $15,990

Pros:

• Made in Germany

Cons:

• No full-size spare

Best Large Cars of December 2008

Hooray! An affordable large car is back on the charts with the Holden Commodore being massively reduced from its original price (probably around $10,000 less when you consider all the other charges and stamp duty).

#1 Holden Commodore

Base Model RRP: $29,990

Pros:

• Only large car under $32,000


• ESP Standard


• Big 3.6L Engine


• Alloys standard


• Alarm standard

Cons:

• A bit thirsty with fuel


• No full size spare


• Metallic paint extra


• Questions about parent company GM's future

Best Compact SUVs of December 2008

This month the Suzuki Grand Vitara enters the fold and we now have 3 Japanese made Compact SUVs all at the same price of $29,990. It was a tough decision, especially between the Mitsubishi Outlander and Suzuki Grand Vitara, but the Suzuki Grand Vitara won thanks to it not having any cons.

#1 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Alloy wheel standard


• Full size spare tyre


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• None

#2 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Alloy wheel standard


• Alarm standard


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#3 Toyota RAV4

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Full Size spare standard


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Alloy wheels extra


• Alarm extra


• No ESP option

Best Medium Cars of December 2008

No changes except the Toyota Camry Altise has replaced the Hyundai Sonata due to a cheaper price thanks to End of Year sales.

#1 Kia Magentis

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,190

Pros:

• Ridiculously low price


• Alloy wheels standard


• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

#2 Toyota Camry Altise

Base Model Estimated Price: $27,990

Pros:

• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Alloy wheels extra


• A bit thirsty on fuel

#3 Mazda 6

Base Model Estimated Price: $30,375

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• ESP standard


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Premium unleaded recommended


• Alloy wheels extra

Best Compact cars of December 2008

Not much of a change in the hotly contested Compact cars segment although the Mitsubishi Lancer has reduced in price another $1,000.

#1 Subaru Impreza

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Poor fuel economy

#2 Mitsubishi Lancer

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#3 Toyota Corolla

Base Model Estimated Price: $21,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• Metallic paint extra


• No ESP option

Best Light Cars of December 2008

Not much of a change in this category, probably because it's one of the most popular nowadays.

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $15,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $17,768

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Extra year warranty

Cons:

• Space saver spare

#3 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None