The New Worlds Cheapest Cars

When I was 9 years old I remember my parents surprising us and driving home in what appeared to be a large metal box with 4 bicycle tires attached. We couldn't believe our eyes as they pulled up in the driveway with a $3990 sales sticker still on the window. What was even more shocking was that this large metal box wasn't a box at all it was actually a brand new car called the Yugo. At that time the Yugo was just being introduced to the United States and they were marketing it as the world's most affordable car. We immediately hopped inside to take a look at the simple interior and went for a ride around the block. I immediately compared the ride to that of a roller coaster because from start to finish it just felt very unsafe due to the poor cheap quality of the car.

All it took was one ride to realize that $3990 was actually over priced for this hunk of garbage. The Yugo became quite the phenomenon for a few months, but very soon later most people started to realize that when it comes to quality and safety with an automobile, $3,990 wasn't going to get you very far. Within a year, the seats on the car both fell out, the clutch went bad, the heating system broke, and the engine was shot. At first we thought maybe we just got a lemon, but soon realized that this was common with almost every Yugo. The Yugo only lasted for a few years after becoming more of joke than anything else, as dealerships couldn't give that car away.

Now it's the year 2009 and similar to the Yugo, India is releasing the "Tata Nano" which is being advertised as the world's cheapest new car at roughly $2500. The Tata Nano is a small, rear-engined, four-passenger car aimed primarily at the Indian market and yet to be released to the United States. Newsweek identifies the Nano as a part of a "new breed of 21st-century cars" that embody "a contrarian philosophy of smaller, lighter, cheaper" and portend a new era in inexpensive personal transportation - and potentially, "global gridlock" . The Wall Street Journal confirms a global trend toward small cars, which includes the Nano. Now I don't know if the quality of the Nano will be as poor as the Yugo, but in my opinion $2500 for a brand new car sounds a little sketchy. As a comparison, here is a breakdown of some of cheapest new cars sold in America at the moment:

1. Nissan Versa: $9,990
2. Hyundai Accent: $11,070
3. Kia Rio: $11,495
4. Chevrolet Aveo: $11,965
5. Smart fortwo: $11,990
6. Toyota Yaris: $12,205
7. Kia Spectra: $13,550
8. Suzuki Reno: $13,839
9. Hyundai Elantra: $14,120
10. Pontiac G3: $14,335

Now, I'm not sure if the Tata Nano will ever make its way to the United States or if it is a quality automobile. However just from past experience with the Yugo, I will not be one of its guinea pigs lured in by the ridiculous cheap price!

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The Buick Regal 2010

The news is just coming out that Buick's Regal will be making a return to the brand's line up. Produced by GM from 1973 to 2004, the Regal was at one time one of the best selling Buicks, offered in two and/or four door body formats. The most well known iteration of the Regal was the Grand National, a stock car that won several titles in the 1980s.

GM has been considering reviving the Regal name for some time. The company is turning to its European division, Opel, to produce the Regal, a model currently sold in China. Right now the Opel Insignia is sold across much of western Europe, thus GM is expected to offer a Buick version of that car by swapping out its grill and replacing Opel badging with Buick.

2008 Introduction, Replacing the Vectra

First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Insignia has been a success for Opel. Replacing the Vectra, the Insignia is stylish, luxurious and very comfortable. Sold as a four door sedan, five door hatchback and a wagon, the Insignia seats five passengers. Only the sedan version will be sold in the US.

Like so many European vehicles, the Insignia has numerous engine choices, nine to be exact. Gas and diesel engines ranging from 1.6L I4 to a 2.8L turbo-charged V6 are available. Likely, a larger in-line four and one or two V6 powered engines will be offered with the Insignia. Unfortunately, no diesel option will be available, given the cost of meeting stringent US pollution requirements.

What the US Model May Look Like

Though US specifications for the new Regal have yet to be announced, we know that the same six-speed manual and automatic transmissions offered in Europe will be paired with the engines sold in cars in the United States. Furthermore, given that Buick is an upscale brand, leather seating surfaces, navigational controls, wood and aluminum inlays and dual zone air conditioning will either be standard features or packaged optionally.

GM has been looking at separating Opel from its operations, possibly selling off the brand or at least a share of it. That may not affect the Regal as whatever agreement is reached would likely include a long lasting supply chain for Buick's operation. Moreover, the car is sold in Brazil as the Chevrolet Vectra in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia and will soon be sold in Australia as a Holden model.

Clearly, the Regal is coming back. Perhaps as early as this fall in the form of a 2010 model.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Buick rims and BMW wheels.

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