Cars and Drivers

The Cheapest Car in America

Nissan

When it was introduced to U.S. car buyers in 1985, the Yugo cost $$3,995 and was the cheapest car on the American market. Adjusted for inflation a 2016 Yugo would cost just over $8,900. There is no new car currently on the market anywhere near that price.

The good news, though, is that for a little more, American consumers can purchase a far better and more reliable vehicle than the notoriously underwhelming and underperforming Yugo.

The Nissan Versa with an MSRP of $11,990 is currently the cheapest new car for sale in the United States. Including a destination charge of $835 to Chicago, the price rises to $12,825. According to Kelley Blue Book the invoice price is $12,538 and KBB’s “Fair Market Range” is $11,600 to $12,235. A bonus cash offer of $1,000 which is available until July 5, lowers the price even more.

Within 50 miles of Chicago there was one car advertised at exactly $11,990 with a more common low price of $12,360 which includes a carpeted trunk, floor mats, and splash guards. The basic version also includes music and Bluetooth hands-free phone systems.

The standard Versa comes with a 109-horsepower, 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The mileage rating is 27 city/36 highway/30 combined miles per gallon. This version is a hatchback style with a 5-speed manual transmission. Overall, that’s not bad for less than $12,000.

The main attractions for this car, according to an expert review at KBB, are its bargain price, fuel efficiency, and high reliability. The Versa is definitely not your father’s (or grandfather’s) Yugo.

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.