Kelley Blue Book Names Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

Are you in the market for a car but think you can't afford anything new? Think you can't get anything cool on a budget? With summer approaching, many are looking for a cool car to get around in and be seen in. The editorial team at Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) recently took a look at all of the latest vehicles on the market and found 10 cool new cars selling at prices below $18,000.

   Vehicle                                    MSRP           New Car Blue
                                                               Book Value
   2004 Dodge Neon R/T                        17,990             17,451
   2004 Honda Civic                           17,750             16,915
   2004 Honda Element                         17,390             17,042
   2004 Mazda 3 s                             17,415             16,966
   2004 MINI Cooper                           16,999             17,509
   2004 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally            17,372             17,025
   2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R                    17,760             17,405
   2004 Scion xB                              14,965             14,965
   2004 Toyota Corolla S                      15,830             14,949
   2004 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Xtracab       17,410             16,631

New Car Blue Book values represent transaction values or what others are paying for this vehicle during the week of April 5, 2004. New Car Blue Book values are updated weekly on kbb.com. The Kelley Blue Book editorial team has spent hundreds of hours researching, driving and reviewing the vehicles above. Those looking for a "cool" car might want to check out some of the Top 10 vehicles on the 2004 list.

"What makes these 10 cars cool is their handling, design and ability to be personalized," said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor at Kelley Blue Book. "All of these vehicles provide style at an affordable price."

Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Coolest New Cars List

"The Mazda 3 is one of the coolest new designs on the road today. Mazda has finally returned to its sports car roots. With this car you get a lot of 'zoom zoom' for very little 'bling bling.'"

"The MINI Cooper is truly the most fun you can have driving for under $18,000. With updated and retro design cues this car is cool whether you are 16 or 66. Best of all, this car holds more of its value than any other car in its class."

"While Scion's xB was intended for young 'tuners,' but this car is being scooped up by young and old alike. With the ability to customize the car at the time of purchase, this vehicle is so hot dealer's can't keep them on the lot. The xB transcends cool."

"The Toyota Tacoma PreRunner is the coolest truck for the money. Despite its long-standing design this truck has maintained its classic good looks. For style, affordability and reliability, you can't go wrong with the Toyota Tacoma PreRunner."

"The Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally has great eye appeal for the money. With the same style and looks as its big brother, the Lancer Evolution, the OZ Rally brings a little more 'cool' to the road."

The top 10 coolest new cars were chosen based on the expert opinions of the Kelley Blue Book editorial team. Selection was based on price, design, style and performance as well as extensive research of each vehicle, the driving of manufacturer test units, talking with dealers as well as owners of cars under $18,000 and those considering a car under $18,000.

For more information on these, and other new vehicles log on to www.kbb.com.

About Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com has been named first visited and No. 1 automotive site according to J.D. Power and Associates five years running and is the most trusted vehicle information resource, providing comprehensive automotive research tools and up-to-date pricing on thousands of used and new vehicles. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers have relied upon Kelley Blue Book for timely and accurate information to make well-informed automotive decisions. The company also offers objective vehicle pricing via products and services for both the auto industry and consumers, including the famous Blue Book Official Guide, software and the Internet. Rated No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings, no other medium reaches more in- market car-buyers than kbb.com; one in every four people who purchase vehicles visit Kelley Blue Book.

SOURCE: Kelley Blue Book

CONTACT: Robyn Eckard of Kelley Blue Book, +1-949-268-3049,
reckard@kbb.com

Web site: http://www.kbb.com/