Least expensive new car?

Don't know about the USA, but world's cheapest is the Tata Nano, built in India.

This is a genuine stripper, just a couple of seats under a roof, with low cost, low power engine, I have heard it described as a scooter with a roof.

Cheap can mean many things, what do you need it to do - for example a Ford Fiesta might be low priced, but if you need soemthing that can tow a trailer, then it is no good, and you are better off buying a larger, more powerful car, like our Aussie Ford Falcon, which will pull a triler all day, every day.

another example might be a commuter car, in which case the Smart is the best bet, or a Peugeot or VW diesel, or even a Fod Focus diesel, rather than a medium or large car.

Enjoy.

Terrible by our standards, but exactly what the Indian market demanded, you are right, I would never buy one, but then I have the luxury of a house with a roof, bedrooms, lounge room and much more - this is for a large group of people who would be ecstatic if they had guaranteed access to clean water on a daily basis.

As I said previously, it is all about the right product for the right market.

Dp you have the i30 there yet?

We got it as an Accent replacement, a brilliant little car which is now also carving a niche for itself in racing and rallying.

kia?

except for the boot area, so much unnecessary padding and cladding around th erear pillars, like staring down a tunnel in the rear vision mirror, and it eats into the available space.
a bare bones Falcon wagon has more space, and goes pretty well, and is a bit cheaper.
Mind you, would still go for a Kia Rio for a town car, or the c'eed if we could get the diesel version.

Best bang for your buck right now is the New Ford Fiesta -

We have the i30 wagon in the states, but it's sold as an elantra.

a base model 2011 Chevrolet Cruz is only about $17.000 in Canada, so it's probably cheaper in the US, i have heard good things about this car for fuel mileage and driveability, if i had the means i would most likely buy this car. But as mentioned above, it really depends on what you want to use it for, as it is not vary powerful (1.6L 4cylinder turbo)

HONDA the new small concept.

I bought a brand new Yaris last year (2010) and love it. It ran us only about 11k after all of our deductions and we pay 0% for life.

Its a basic model no power windows, sun roof etc. Gets good gas mileage and hasnt needed any work.

something used