Now that is one pimped ride... Hope I could have it in my 2005 Scion xA... Even though this car is hard to beat when you look at the price and the features that come standard with it: anti-lock brake system (something the Honda Civic doesn’t even offer as an option until you get to the pricier trim levels), a 6-speaker stereo with CD player capable of reading mp3s, power windows/locks, apc tail light, air conditioning, front AND rear windshield wipers. All that, plus the assurance of Toyota quality and reliability. I upgraded the stereo system to the 6-CD changer and had an alarm system installed, which bumped the price up to just under $14K. For a cheap compact car, the xA handles like a dream. Quick, responsive and pretty impressive cornering ability. The engine is small, but with the 5-speed manual transmission, it’s plenty zippy. I imagine that the automatic would be more anemic, especially when accelerating from a standstill. At any rate, my xA beats the VW New Beetle (my former car), the Ford Focus (it was a rental car, so I don’t know which trim) and the Chevy Cavalier when it comes to acceleration. The gas mileage on this puppy is pretty damn sweet, especially for a conventional gasoline engine. I have to deal with a wide variety of travel conditions and speeds in my daily commute, from 75 mph on the highway to 30 mph in residential areas to stop-and-go traffic. It’s been hot lately, so I’ve had the A/C on a fair bit of the time, too. The car still got 35 mpg. Not too shabby. Road noise is pretty minimal for such a small, cheap car. In fact, I’m still startled by how quiet it is, especially compared to the Beetle I used to own, and compared to the Cavalier and Focus. The suspension is sporty and firm. A bit more cushiony than the New Beetle, and definitely a lot more cushiony than my husband’s Datsun 510. Take those speed bumps slow, avoid those potholes, and you’ll be fine. I really like the interior, especially the firm seats with their relatively elevated position, which offers excellent road visibility. I’m practically a midget (5’2”) and some cars, like the Honda Accord and the Pontiac Sunfire, have seats that are set low and I end up needing to elevate myself with a cushion just so I can see over the steering wheel.

Nice car... The only way I could own this car is from a free car loan search and I keep wondering how.