Thinking about buying a new cheap car? We haven’t just assembled a list of 2009’s cheapest cars, we’re going out of our way to review them first hand. There’s one thing we can say so far; the cheapest cars of our time have come a long way from the days of the Pinto, Vega, Gremlin, and Yugo.

Although we’ve only had the chance to put less then half of cars on the list through an exhaustive week-long test drive (so far), we aim to have most (if not all) of the cheapest cars reviewed by mid-2009. Properly reviewing cars - while producing video reports - is a rather time-intensive process (no matter whether the cars are cheap or not). Our goal isn’t to shower you with flowery words and the personal preferences of the reviewer … we’d rather put you in the driver’s seat with a real-world perspective of what it’s like to live with each car.

Chevy Aveo

Starting MSRP Aveo Sedan $12,625 Starting MSRP Aveo5 Hatchback $12,625 Manual 27 / 34 MPG Automatic 25 / 34 MPG 106 HP, 1.6-liter VVT engine While it’s not made in America, the Aveo is the least expensive car sold by an American automaker. Built in South Korea

Chevy Cobalt

Starting MSRP Coupe $16,330 Starting MSRP Sedan $16,330 Manual XFE 25 / 37 MPG Automatic 24 / 33 155 HP 2.2-liter DOHC Ecotech The XFE delivers class topping highway mileage. Built in America

Dodge Caliber

Starting MSRP $16,840 148 HP, 1.8-liter (manual) 158 HP, 2.0 liter (automatic) Manual 24 / 30 MPG Automatic 23 / 27 MPG The Caliber can be fitted with four different engines, from the base 1.8 liter though the SVT 2.4 Turbo, which puts out 285 HP. Built in America

Ford Focus

Starting MSRP $14,995 Manual 24 / 35 MPG Automatic 24 / 33 MPG 140 HP, 2-liter Duratec engine Microsoft Sync audio system and ambient interior lighting sets the Focus apart. Built in America

Honda Civic

Starting MSRP Civic Coupe $15,205 Starting MSRP Civic DX Sedan $15,405 140 HP, 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine Manual 26 / 34 MPG Automatic 25 / 36 MPG The Civic is both an icon and an inspiration. Built in America

Honda Fit

Starting MSRP Base Fit $14,550 Starting MSRP Fit Sport $16,060 Manual 27 / 33 MPG Automatic 28 / 35 MPG 117 HP, 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine Sport includes 16-inch alloys, USB audio interface, aero-package, and paddle shifters (automatic). Built in Japan

Hyundai Accent

Starting MSRP Accent GS 3-door $11,070 Starting MSRP Accent SE 3-door $15,070 Starting MSRP Accent GLS 4-door $12,920 Manual 27 / 33 MPG Automatic 26 / 35 MPG 110 HP, 1.6-liter DOHC CVVT engine SE is fitted with 16-inch alloys, B&M (manual) shifter, leather-wrapped steering wheel and knob. Built in Korea

Hyundai Elantra

Starting MSRP Elantra GLS $13,970 Manual 24 / 33 MPG Automatic 25 / 33 MPG 138 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC engine Built in Korea

Kia Rio

Starting MSRP $12,145 Manual 27 / 32 MPG Automatic 25 / 35 MPG 110 HP, 1.6-liter DOHC CVVT engine Built in Korea

Kia Spectra Starting MSRP $14,200 Manual 23 / 30 MPG Automatic 24 / 32 MPG 138 HP, 2.0-liter engine Built in Korea

Mitsubishi Lancer

Starting MSRP Lancer DE M/T $15,035 Manual 22 / 30 CVT 22 / 28 152 HP, 2.0-liter MIVEC engine Built in Japan

Mazda3

Starting MSRP Mazda3 i Sport 4-door $15,360 Manual 24 / 32 MPG Automatic 22 / 30 MPG 148 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC VVT engine Fun-to-drive and a good value. Update due for 2010. Built in Japan

Nissan Sentra

Starting MSRP $16,730 140 HP, 2.0-liter DOHC engine Manual 24 / 31 Xtronic CVT 25 /33 Year-after-year, the Sentra delivers solid value for the dollar. Built in Japan

Nissan Versa

Starting MSRP 1.6 Base Sedan $9,990 Starting MSRP 1.6 Sedan $10,990 Starting MSRP 1.8 S Hatchback/Sedan $12,990 Starting MSRP 18 SL Hatchback/Sedan $15,990 Manual 26 / 31 Automatic 24 / 32 Xitronic CVT (SL) 27/33 122 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC engine With the lowest base price in America and a roomy interior, the Versa delivers bang for the buck. Built in Japan

Smart Fortwo

Starting MSRP pure $11,990 Starting MSRP passion coupe $13,990 Starting MSRP passion cabriolet $16,990 70 HP, 1-liter engine Auto/Manual 33 / 41 MPG With just room for two and a passion for premium fuel, the Smart’s not as cheap as it first appears. Built in France

Suzuki SX4 Sedan / Sport

Starting MSRP SX4 Sedan $13,299 Starting MSRP SX4 Sport $15,739 Sedan 23 / 31 MPG Sport 22 / 30 MPG 143 hp, 2-liter, DOHC engine SX4 Sport model rolls on 17-inch alloys clad with low-profile 50-series tires. Built in Japan

Suzuki SX4 Crossover

Starting MSRP $15,939 22 / 30 MPG 143 HP, 2-liter, DOHC engine The rally-inspired SX4 Crossover is the least expensive AWD vehicle available in America. Built in Japan

Toyota Corolla

Starting MSRP $15,350 Manual 26 / 35 MPG Automatic 27 / 35 MPG 132 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC VVT-i engine Year-after-year, the Corolla delivers the goods without the hype. Built in America

Toyota Matrix

Starting MSRP: $16,290 132 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC Dual VVT-i engine Manual 26 / 32 MPG Automatic 25 / 31 MPG Built in America

Toyota Yaris

Starting MSRP 3-door Liftback $12,205 Starting MSRP 5-door Liftback $13,305 Starting MSRP Sedan $12,965 Manual 29 / 36 MPG Automatic 29 / 35 MPG 110 HP, 1.5-liter DOHC VVT-i engine An excellent value and MPGs that exceed the estimates have the Yaris winning over fans. Built in Japan

Note: For the purposes of this article, we’ll define a “cheap car” as having a MSRP under $17,000.