Best new cars for the potentially unemployed

[SoCalCTS]

Los Angeles Times article

Best new cars for the potentially unemployed

By Joni Gray, Times Staff Writer

If you're going through tough times but still need to buy a new car, there are programs on the market from three automakers that could help mitigate the risk of such a purchase. Whether you choose the Hyundai Assurance Plus, Ford Advantage Plan or GM Total Confidence, these programs were created to stimulate the economy and the bottom line for the manufacturers.

With the help of Consumer Reports, we took a look at some of the top-rated cars that would best take advantage of these three programs. Do your own careful research before you buy, but this list should get you started.

Chevrolet Malibu

CR Score - 83

Base MSRP price range: $21,605 - $26,880

Highs: Acceleration, powertrain, handling, relative quietness, controls

Lows: Small trunk opening, low-beam headlights, turning circle

Hyundai Elantra

CR Score - 82

Base MSRP price range: $14,120 - $18,600

Highs: Braking, controls, ride, transmission, secure handling, reliability, standard ESC on SE.

Lows: Steering feel

Ford Flex

CR Score – 77

Base MSRP price range: $28,550 - $36,810

Highs:Ride, quietness, SYNC media-control system, interior room and flexibility, crash-test results

Lows: So-so braking, no telescoping steering wheel, intrusive front head restraints, turning circle

Ford Fusion

CR Score - 77

Base MSRP price range: $19,035 - $25,605

Highs: Ride, handling, transmission, SYNC media-control system, interior room, reliability, crash-test results

Lows: Turning circle

Ford Taurus X

CR Score – 77

Base MSRP price range: $28,270 - $34,175

Highs: Access, SYNC media-control system, second-row seats, usable third row, secure handling, crash-test results

Lows: Limited trim, seats only six, braking distances, fuel economy

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

CR Score - 70

Base MSRP price range: $19,375 - $47,305

Highs: Ride, access, selectable full-time 4WD, payload rating, towing capacity

Lows: Braking, turning circle, IIHS side-crash results

Ford Mustang

CR Score - 73

Base MSRP price range: $20,430 - $47,950

Highs: Acceleration, handling, V8 sound, SYNC media-control system

Lows: Rear seat, low-speed ride, interior quality, trunk space, no ESC

Ford Focus

CR Score – 71

Base MSRP price range: $15,520 - $18,265

Highs: Steering, interior room, SYNC media-control system, access, trunk, fuel economy

Lows: Fit and finish, noise

Chevrolet Impala

CR Rating – 64

Base MSRP price range: $23,790 - $31,135

Highs: Controls, trunk

Lows: Wind noise, no ESC on base trim

Hyundai Accent Sedan

CR Score – 62

Base MSRP price range: $9,970 - $15,870

Highs: Ride, controls, turning circle

Lows: Acceleration, crash-test results, ABS option hard to find, no ESC

[Intrepidation]

Deleted the double post, just so you know.

[SAmadei]

Best new vehicle for the unemployed... Chevy Express van. Then you can start a delivery business. ;-)

[Intrepidation]

Best vehicle for the unemployed or soon to be unemployed is the one they have now (in most cases).

[siegen]

[Camino LS6]

Best vehicle for the unemployed or soon to be unemployed is the one they have now (in most cases).

Agreed.

[DBeaSSt]

Best new vehicle for the unemployed... Chevy Express van. Then you can start a delivery business. ;-)

And/or live in it!

[SoCalCTS]

Deleted the double post, just so you know.

Thanks and sorry about that.

[SAmadei]

And/or live in it!

LOL... I live in a VAN down by the RIVER! ;-)

[Intrepidation]

Thanks and sorry about that.

No worries, it happens.

[FAPTurbo]

LOL... I live in a VAN down by the RIVER! ;-)

This wouldn't happen to be your van, would it?

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Wow... Let's recommend that jobless people buy cars from the domestics. That'll surely bankrupt them!

Here's a novel idea: if you don't have a job, don't buy a f*cking car.... Do we really need to even think about this?

Edited April 6, 2009 by FUTURE_OF_GM