Sometimes the car you can afford isn't one you're proud of. Some may consider this a life changer!  A new car you can afford that you will be proud to drive. With gas prices and environmental concerns reaching record highs at a time of moderate economic uncertainty, the vehicles that made our 2008 list of 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 — typically a gas-sipping bunch — are cooler than they've ever been. More fun, more practical and more amenity-laden, today's entry-level vehicles deliver more than simply affordable and efficient transportation. They're fun to drive and feature-filled. First-time buyers and frugal down-sizers have never had it so good. 

Versatility and technology are growing trends in the under-$18,000 segment. Eight of the cars on this year's list are flexible five-door hatchbacks, or available as such. The collective options list includes navigation, hard-drive music storage, voice-controlled iPod integration, Bluetooth phone connectivity, push-button start and leather seating – some of which were introduced on high-end luxury cars just a few years ago.In choosing the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000, we used the same set of criteria that many consumers use in examining this category. Safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology and fun-to-drive were all considered, as was the decidedly subjective cool factor. The list of qualifying vehicles under $18,000 was put together using our New Car Blue Book values, which reflect real-world transaction prices and provide a more useful comparison point than Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Every vehicle on the list can be purchased for less than $18,000.

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