An Intern's Used-Car Gold

The recent trend of folks choosing efficiency over size in the new-car market isn’t without benefit to a few people. What am I (a humble intern) talking about? My sweet, slightly used 2006 Hyundai Accent with an automatic transmission and air conditioning, of course. If you haven’t figured out my plan yet, I’m trying to sell the thing and am using KickingTires as a selfish plug to do so. 

Here’s my angle: Automakers are having trouble producing enough hybrids for people looking to save on gas, so those out-of-luck people should come groveling to me for this Korean jewel. The new Accents’ sales were up 70% in June, so I figure it should be a slam dunk making money on my 2006.

Aside from my assumptions, though, has the current crisis really turned small cars into gold and my baby Accent into an investment? Kelley Blue Book executive editorial director Jack R. Nerad says think again.

Four Will Enter, One Will Leave: The Final Two

Our first installment pitted the all-new Suzuki SX4 against the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent. We put the Accent and SX4 to pasture in round one, leaving the Fit and Versa to duke it out. Who’s the last man standing? Read on.

Four Will Enter, One Will Leave: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa and Suzuki SX4

At last week’s media rally, staffers Bill Jackson and Kelsey Mays tried four entry-level cars — the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Suzuki SX4 and Hyundai Accent. Since most people don't rush out and buy four cars, each from a different manufacturer, we thought we'd narrow the field down to an overall winner.

In true beauty-pageant fashion, we'll start with the third runner-up.