So its that time for me and getting into a new vehicle is a painful activity for me...so lets see the options

1. Toyota Yaris -top of the class in fuel efficiency and reliable...starts at 13.5k (Canadian pricing) - also gov canada tosses you back 1k for the ECOauto program
2. Chev Aveo/Pontiac Wave - decent fuel economy, crap reliability...also don't really dig much about these either then the price - starts at 10k
3. Honda Fit - almost ties the yaris for fuel economy, most reliable, most stylish(my opinion) and well...its honda...the downside being it starts at 15k, but I also get a 1k rebate from the government on this one as well
4. Other Contenders - Nissan Versa, Susuki Swift, and whatever else <15k

What I want to know
1. your top choice and why
2. how much can you get dealers to drop below the msrp

My situation - aka influences in my decision
1- I don't want a used car - I've been down this road more then once and seem to always come out with a lemon (this is not because of a rushed decisions) , would only consider something <2years old, with very low km or miles for all you guys from down south
2- I can afford all these straight up, but I still want best value...I'm 21 and a student, I don't want to waste funds that took some effort to earn thru poker and work
3- depreciation - if I was to go with one of the less reliable cheep ones, I would sell it within 4 years, while the yaris and fit I may keep for there full lives so that they last me all of my post-secondary (still have to get into my faculty and will be in school for 8-9 years more right now

LETS HEAR IT! (please back up opinions and not just bash without reason or fact) Thanks to all who contribute!

you should strongly consider buying an American car and importing it
you can save a lot of money (used or new) by doing this
the Canadian manufacturers haven't equalized prices with the American ones relative to the strengths of the currencies

I have a Yaris, reliable as anything and really does get 38mpg.

The previous owner had the Toyota body kit put on it and alloys on it as well so it looks slightly more manly.

Plenty of space for passengers, especially considering its a small car. Only negative is boot(trunk) is pretty small.

Canadian prices have come down, although I know not as far as they should be...but so far people have said that because of what I would have to pay at the border, that its not worth it

Get a smart car - pussy magnet!

Stay the hell away from the Aveo/Wave.

buy a 10 year old honda civic and spend the savings on cocaine and hookers.

if you can't find a used civic in good working order you are either a ****** or the unluckiest man alive. in either case you shouldn't be driving as you will undoubtedly run over a gaggle of preschoolers or get creamed by a semi any day now.

I like the Honda Fit because it can carry the most stuff with all the Kung Fu seat repositions.

I bought a Fit in Jan. I ended up choosing between a Yaris and a Fit. The Yaris was a bore to drive (relatively) and while cheaper, came with less car (two door, small trunk space).

The Fit had more energy, feels like a Civic. It also has a track record of success as a model (Japan, Europe). Parallel parking is a breeze.

(I tried to find a used, low-mileage Civic but came up completely empty in Greater Boston.)

The car is fantastic. I can't recommend it enough. Good on gas, reliable and reasonably fun to drive. Also, it fits lots of stuff.

I also looked at a Prius, but I don't drive enough/ gas isn't expensive enough to justify the buy.

Don't get a Smart Car. Pretty expensive + not significantly better on gas + no room for anything in the back = car for dumb people who think they're smart (tied with Prius, generally).

I got mine for about 13,800, again in January. I called around to several dealers and talked everyone down, playing them off each other. I'd be inclined to think you'd be less likely to get a good deal now.

Honda Certified Used would be the way I'd go. I bought a 2008 Accord with 10K miles (dealer car) a few months ago for $6K less than the new sticker. The rest of the warranty plus the additional Certified warranty covers the car for seven years. I plan to drive this car until like 2020.

Bike, Schwinn has a classy design while wal mart will offer price and versatility together.

I've been looking at these cars as well. The EcoAuto rebate only applies to 2008 models. I'm leaning towards the Mazda3 even though it uses more gas. It starts at $14895.

The Mazda 3 is very fun to drive especially at the price it's at. While it starts at $15k Canadian, you will likely want the one that's closer to $20k though.

Do not Pass Go, do not collect $200, Go DIRECTLY to Edmunds.com research all these vehicles, their used counterparts, get the exact value the dealer paid for the cars. Then you can negotiate like this: " I know exactly what you paid...I will give you $200(or whatever) more for the exact car I want...here is the check...do you want it or not". Get your money from your bank or better credit union if you don't have it to spare in your roll. That is a must! The dealerships roll suckers for a living, it is fun to roll them a bit. By the way don't doubt that you may have to go to a few dealers to get the deal you want, but it is well worth it, and fun.

The Fit sounds fun! I am waiting for Accord diesel for USA. It has already seemed like a long wait. Have fun!

haha was leaning towards this

thanks for the input, these are pretty much the two that I've lowered it to...I've driven the yaris on a road trip and I'm gonna give the fit a go today or tomorrow

I've been looking for this with civics, but so far no luck...it might be because the accord starts at so much more and you can potentially save more this way...but so far the depreciation seems pretty slim for the low km civs

As far as the fit goes, the ecoauto only applies to the 09 model because its 10% more fuel efficient

Thanks for the heads up on this site, might give me a little bargaining room and I will def go dealership hopping haha

FIT vs YARIS vs <2 year CIVIC(prob has around 40kand less warrenty)???

which is the best of these three?
has anyone else had to make a similar decision recently who could share how they came to their decision?

I'm told the Fit is Go.

this thread is useless without pics

I'd also ask at a Fit specific forum like http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/

There was a thread there on what people were paying in different locations, can't find it right now. I bought an 08 Fit a few months ago. Most dealers wanted $500 to $2000 OVER sticker since they only had a few in stock. I told them they were on crack.

But, I don't know how much of a discount you can negotiate, the cars are much more popular than a Nissan Versa or whatever. In fact you can probably get a big discount and rebate on the Versa since they aren't moving. But they're ugly.

Please provide report on what you negotiate, I'd be curious.

Do you have a source for this? I can't find it on the ecoauto site. Only this: "Please note: 2009 model year vehicles are not eligible to receive a rebate under the ecoAUTO Rebate Program. "

I'm going to look into this right away, because I heard that the program was being canceled, but I also didn't think that it was canceled until next year. I was initially under the impression that the Fit didn't qualify til 09, but I now see that I'm wrong and 08 did work...and now it might be cut off, which would be mega lame considering honda has it advertised on their site with the 09 fit