"A car is not a luxury, but a vehicle." This classic phrase, uttered in the first half of the 20th century by the authors of The Golden Calf, is still relevant today.
When buying a new car, the buyer first of all looks at the price. The cost of a car is that criterion, which in most cases is crucial. Therefore, in the field of automobile production, and then sales, a certain balance of price and quality has formed. In other words, the future owners of the "iron horse", are trying to find a car inexpensive, but with good technical characteristics. In the search process, a paradox arises - it is difficult to find a suitable machine precisely because there is a wide selection, models of tens and hundreds. Each manufacturing company has its own model range, which includes the best examples of automotive equipment. These cars have been tested for years, have good characteristics, and it would seem that such a car should be bought. However, new models have already entered the market at a similar price, for which the parameters are no worse. The buyer is distraught - "as if not to lose." As a result, he gets the car, selected on subjective grounds.
Cheap cars
Car manufacturers, in turn, are trying to follow customer requests. Thus, more and more relatively inexpensive, but high-quality models appear on the market. As a result of many years of practice of "natural selection", when cheap cars crowd out expensive sophisticated cars, a segment has formed that can be called "budget cars". This system structure is common throughout the world. The wording "budget cars" provides for the purchase of a new car, without going beyond the monthly or annual family budget. In this case, you do not need to take a bank loan, borrow money from friends, sell your own property. Budget cars are bought by installments or with a lump sum payment, but in any case from the means that your family really has at the moment.
Machine as an assistant in the house
The dynamics of modern life leaves no one with a choice - a car in the family should be, it is necessary. The new budget car is an affordable purchase that will not put a heavy burden on the life of a married couple with two or three children. On the contrary, the car will be a source of pleasure, you will have the opportunity to travel, go on weekends to nature, and on ordinary days, the car will become an indispensable assistant in business, taken to the market or to the supermarket. A new budget car is a solution to many domestic problems. And when the problems are resolved, you can relax in the soft seats, taking a short walk with your family members.
Today, when the choice of models has become almost limitless, I want to buy the best budget car. To do this, there are many Internet portals, special booklets, information leaflets. And most importantly, you can consult at a car dealership, where you will be provided with comprehensive information about the latest innovations in the automotive market. Thus, the best budget car can be placed in your garage in the near future.
Asia or Europe?
It is generally accepted that the more expensive the car, the more reliable it is. This is not always the case, and although cars worth more than 500,000 rubles are reliable enough, they are bought mainly for reasons of prestige, while budget new cars are a means of transportation. Recently, South Korean firms have noticeably improved the quality of their products, positive changes concern so far only the exterior, but the popularity of Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia has grown, and prices have remained unchanged. Thus, budget new cars of Asian origin confidently come forward. However, Japanese models are not far behind South Korean brands.
Cars of the Land of the Rising Sun
In the Russian market in the segment "budget Japanese car" will soon appear the brand "Datsun", the assembly of which is expected in our country. According to the preliminary forecast, the cost of the car will be no more than 400 thousand rubles.
They plan to produce a new budget Japanese car on the basis of AvtoVAZ's factory facilities in Tolyatti. The documentation received from Japanese engineers will allow the launch of two Datsun models at the same time, using the 2190 platform on which the Lada Kalina is based. The development of the exterior of Datsun cars in the Russian version is carried out by the Nissan design center in Japan. The equipment for the production of body structures was entrusted to engineers from Togliatti.
The novelty will correspond in appearance to such machines as the Suzuki Swift, Honda Brio, Ford Figo. Budget cars Japanese-made will share the market with the inexpensive French Renault Logan. Specialists are already talking about healthy competition.
Budget cars in Russia
Lada Granta, liftback body, supermini class. Gasoline engine, volume - 1596 liters, power - 87 liters. from. Fuel consumption - about 7 liters per 100 km. Speed - 165 km / h. Dimensions: length - 4246 mm, height - 1500 mm, width - 1700 mm, base - 2476 mm. Price - from 315 thousand rubles. The package "lux" worth 420 000 rubles includes: engine capacity of 106 liters. pp., ABS, two airbags, climate system, immobilizer, multisystem audio, alloy wheels.
"Lada Kalina", hatchback, supermini class. Gasoline engine, volume - 1596 liters, power - 87 liters. from. Fuel consumption - 7 liters per 100 km. Speed - 165 km / h. Dimensions: length - 3893 mm, height - 1500 mm, width - 1700 mm, base - 2476 mm. Price - from 328 thousand rubles. The basic equipment is clearly insufficient, requires an additional payment of 50,000 rubles. The buyer receives for this money: ABS, climate system, two airbags, heated front seats.
Lada Priora sedan supermini class. Gasoline engine, power - 98 l. with., volume - 1596 liters. Fuel consumption - about 6.8 liters per 100 km. Speed - 183 km / h. Dimensions: length - 4350 mm, height - 1420 mm, width - 1680 mm, base - 2492 mm. Initial equipment: ABS, driver airbag, adjustable steering column, front power windows, immobilizer, heated outside mirrors. For a fee, a pre-heater is installed. In a complete set "luxury": engine capacity of 106 liters. from. 1.6 liter cylinder and air conditioning.
"Lada Sport Kalina", hatchback, supermini class. Engine: cylinder capacity - 1596 liters, power - 118 liters. from. Fuel consumption - about 7.8 liters per 100 km. Speed - 197 km / h. Dimensions: length - 3943 mm, height - 1450 mm, width -1700 mm, base - 2478 mm. Basic equipment (no other): frontal airbags, adjustable steering column, heated front seats, climate system, all power windows, heated exterior mirrors, fog lights.
The most budget car in Russia today is the Daewoo Matiz. The car is small-sized, the length of the body is less than 3.5 meters, the width is about one and a half meters, however, the interior of the five-door hatchback is quite spacious, two adult passengers can comfortably accommodate in the back seat, and if a little shade, then one child. The model has good sound insulation, technical specifications are at a decent level. The engine is torquey and at the same time economical. The cost of the car is 199 thousand rubles.
Inexpensive but reliable
The most budget cars, the cost of which does not exceed 500 thousand rubles, are produced in South Korea, the USA, Japan, the Czech Republic and Russia. Relatively inexpensive vans are produced in France.
Rating of budget cars:
- Chevrolet Lanos.
- Chevrolet Aveo.
- "Daewoo Nexia."
- "Ford Focus".
- Hyundai Getts.
- Hyundai Accent.
- Nissan Almera.
- "Renault Logan".
- "Skoda Fabia."
- "Lada Priora".
Chinese cars are presented in a separate list:
- "Lifan 520 Breeze."
- Cherry Kimo.
- Cherry Amulet.
- Flyer
- "Brillans M2".
The quality of cheap Chinese models is poor, although defects are random and relate mainly to unreliable contacts in electrical equipment.
Performance Machines
The following models can be attributed to cars that are more expensive, but still budget ones:
- Citroen C3 is a subcompact B-segment front-wheel drive car with an in-line 4-cylinder 1124-liter engine with a capacity of 60 liters. from. Dimensions: length - 3860 mm, height - 1515 mm, width - 1677 mm, base - 2460 mm.
- "Citroen C4" - a compact car, front-wheel drive, with a 4-cylinder 1.4-liter engine, power - 90 liters. from. Dimensions: length - 4260 mm, width - 1773 mm, height - 1459 mm, base - 2608 mm.
- "Honda Jazz" - a four-door micromobile, an engine of 1.2 liters, power - 78 liters. from. Dimensions: length - 3820 mm, width - 1670 mm, height - 1145 mm, base - 2440 mm.
- "Mazda 2" - a subcompact five-door hatchback, front-wheel drive, 1.3-liter engine, power - 91 liters. sec., speed - 160 km / h. Dimensions: length - 3920 mm, height - 1475 mm, width - 1695 mm, height - 1475 mm.
- Nissan Micra is a subcompact front-wheel drive, B-segment. Gasoline engine, three-cylinder with a volume of 0.987 liters, power - 52 liters. from. Dimensions: length - 3735 mm, width - 1560 mm, height - 1390 mm, base - 2300 mm.
- "Opel Corsa" - a B-segment car, front-wheel drive. Engine 1.0-liter, gasoline, power - 62 liters. sec., speed - 146 km / h. Dimensions: length - 3652 mm, height - 1365 mm, width - 1535 mm, base - 2343 mm.
How to choose a budget car?
Reasonably priced models offered in Russia to customers account for about 60% of the total market. Manufacturers deliberately go to reduce the cost of their products in order to increase sales. At the same time, the quality of the car must remain impeccable. Marketing is carried out carefully, with a daily analysis of the market situation.
A budget car must meet several criteria. First of all, these are technical specifications. The cost of the car fades into the background, because the buyer knows that a budget car cannot cost more than the price accepted in its class, if you do not order a “luxury” package.
Technical details
So, all attention to technical parameters. Engine characteristics are taken into account in four positions: volume, power, fuel consumption, resource. For a budget car, the optimum power in the range of 60-75 liters is considered. sec., which corresponds to approximately the working volume of the cylinders from 1.2 to 1.4 cubic meters. see. Fuel consumption indicated in the passport should not exceed 7 liters per 100 km. The engine resource is a relative concept, but its declared value cannot be lower than 100 thousand kilometers.
The transmission is allowed both automatic and mechanical, the choice is purely individual in nature, however, it should be remembered that a car equipped with an automatic transmission will cost about 30-35 thousand rubles more.
The wheel formula of the car should be designated as 4x2, and it is better to choose a model from the family of front-wheel cars.
The undercarriage is the most critical part, the MacPherson front suspension as well-proven will serve as an argument in favor of buying this model. The rear suspension can be either pendulum dependent or independent linkage with a lateral stabilizer. Both of these options are quite reliable and durable.
The brake system must be double-circuit, with a diagonal distribution of braking forces. Ideally, the front wheels are equipped with disc brakes, rear drum. Handbrake with rear wheel drive. If the machine is equipped with a vacuum brake booster, this is an additional advantage.
Next, you need to pay attention to the steering mechanism, which is of two types: rack and pinion. The first mechanism works easily, the second requires effort. Preference is given to rack and pinion. Along the way, you can pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the steering column in height, sometimes it can be useful.
And finally, inspection of the car. Inexpensive models, as a rule, do not differ in luxurious interior decoration; high-quality leatherette or velor is used for upholstery. The dashboard should be comfortable, the sensors readable. Seats - easy to move and adjust. There is an audio system in the car in any configuration, this should be known.
After the car is selected, it is necessary to check the operation of the engine and all mechanisms, to make sure the gear changes reliably and the braking system is functioning properly.
Car in a budget organization
All vehicles in state institutions are on the balance sheet. Budget organizations receive cars centrally, according to the order. This is a fairly complex system, including the terms of operation, passport service and many more different conditions. Commercial actions are not possible, it is prohibited to sell or exchange cars.
There are certain rules governing the cancellation of obsolete vehicles, transferring them from balance to balance between enterprises within the same ministry.