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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1999)
URBAN PICKS By L. Conrad Bell O.K., here's the deal: You can have any car you want, as long as it costs $ I 3,000 or less, so what do you buy? Shopping in this price range used to be as appealing as a root canal. Fortunately, times have changed. Economy does n't necessarily mean sacri fice anymore. You know that a cars speed through the pylon cones o f the slalom is a good measure of its handling. W hat if I told you that one o f our Urban Picks is faster through the slalom than a BMW 3 18ti? Got your attention? Good! Before we get off into it. let's talk about what these cars have in common other than a low price tag, four tires and a steering wheel. After all, Jazz & Hip-Hop are both music, but what sets them apart is the tastes and values o f the listener The same holds true when shopping for a new car W e all have dif ferent priorities. However, whether it's style and performance, or com fort and spaciousness, there is truly something here for nearly everyone. To be sure, this represents a diverse group o f buyers. Some are parents purchasing a vehicle for high school or college students. Some are recent graduates. Others are urban commuters looking to get maximum mileage. And others may be budget-minded buyers. It may be the lone car o r one o f three sharing space with a SUV and luxury car “This sub-compact category is constantly evolving," says Editor-in- Chief Jacqueline Mitchell. “ For decades, it has been a category that the Japanese auto companies have dominated. In recent years, the so-called domestic auto companies have tried, many times unsuc cessfully, to make strides in this market. But the top five Urban Picks reflect a diverse mix, showing that the entry-level vehicle market has become much more competitive." Still, don't expect a whole lot in this category. Expect to sacrifice performance for size. W ith the exception o f the three-cylinder Chevrolet Metro, you WILL get a four-cylinder engine: there are no V’s in this category. The least expensive vehicle in this group is the Daewoo Lanos S Hatchback at $8,749. It's a little smaller than the Mazda Protégé, but has the same size engine ( 1,6-liter) and horse power (105).The most expensive in the group is the Pontiac Sunfire SE Sedan at $ 12,745. It has a 2.2-liter engine cranking I 15 horse power: ABS is standard. Additionally, all o f our Urban Picks come with five-speed trans missions. Automatics are generally offered as an option in the $600 to $800 range. ABS is optional or only available on more expensive trim levels for most o f the models in this category. 40 AFRICAN AMERICANS O N WHEELS FIRST PLACE: HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK The Honda Civic Hatchback practically invented this category. Remember the cute little Honda Civics o f the 70s that looked like high top tennis shoes? They are still around and better than ever. Honda is known for infusing even their most basic cars with excep tional technology. For example, the Civic was the first Honda sold in the U.S. to qualify as a Low Emissions Vehicle.The Civic H X with the Continuously Variable Transmission is the only car sold in America equipped with an automatic transmission that is one o f the EPA's top fuel misers. A t a base price o f $10,650, all o f our writers agreed that the Civic represents an excellent value. Senior Editor Winfred Cross said, "This is truly a fine entry level car. It has all o f the goodness o f larger Hondas at a reasonable price." So agreed Senior Editor Warren Brown, who said the Civic is an "exceptionally made little commuter...high quality in a small efficient package." According to Senior Editor Paul Eisenstein the Civic is "solid and depend able...when you're plunking down your hard earned cash, you want a vehicle you can count on." Hey, if I have to drive an inexpensive car, I don't want to be reminded every time I walk up to it. Apparently a lot o f people agree. The Honda Civic has been the best selling small car in America for the last tw o years running. In California, Honda Civics are the car o f choice among the young hot rodders, which only demonstrates the versatility o f the pack age. All o f these factors have given Civics an immense popularity that, in turn, gives them terrific resale value.