Top five overachievers for under $10,000

DAVID COOPER/THE TORONTO STAR

Pontiac Vibe GT

Mark Toljagic

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Being known as an overachiever probably earned you a wedgie behind the portables at recess – but, in the automotive world, the term is still considered a compliment.

As more North Americans, especially Canadians, come to view compact cars as bona fide automobiles and not as grocery carts or penalty boxes, manufacturers are reciprocating by bringing more stylish, well-finished compacts to market.

Cars like the Volkswagen Jetta ushered in the sophisticated design, fussy attention to engineering details and fun-to-drive quotient that had been sorely missing in the econobox class.

Consumers are willing to pay more for small cars if they can see the quality and features previously restricted to more expensive models. No longer is "being small" synonymous with "cheap and cheerless."

Here are five second-hand compacts under $10,000 we believe belong in the overachievers' class. As usual, the emphasis here is on low operating costs and sterling reliability.

2004-06 MAZDA3

Thanks to its corporate overlords at Ford, the new-for-2004 Mazda3 borrowed extensively from the European-market Focus and new Volvo S40, using the same stiff front-drive platform and sophisticated multilink suspension.

To retain a more natural steering feel, Mazda stuck with conventional hydraulic assist rather than electric steering (look where drive-by-wire got Toyota and General Motors). The rack-and-pinion steering was accurate and quick at 2.8 turns lock-to-lock, and disc brakes hung out at all four wheels.

The 3 came both as a four-door sedan and practical five-door hatch. Occupants were greeted with a pleasant cockpit and premium finishes that belied the car's budget mission. Some owners disliked the red instrument lighting, which wasn't always easy to read.

The base powerplant was an all-aluminum DOHC 2.0 L four-cylinder, good for 148 hp. Optional was a DOHC 2.3 L four with sequential valve timing and variable intake runners, rated for 160 hp. Both engines could be had with a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Owners found the larger motor was fond of gasoline.

The Japanese-built 3 has a legion of fans, but there are a few reliability issues. A small number of owners reported automatic transmission failures, some at very low mileage. Significant corrosion and blistering paint are problems on '04 models in particular. A noticeably weak air conditioning system that barely keeps the cabin comfortable is a common gripe.

2003-06 PONTIAC VIBE

The California-built Vibe crossover wore a cool Pontiac wrapper around a durable Toyota Matrix/Corolla drivetrain. Designed for the outgoing Y-generation, the utilitarian five-door wagon came with a standard roof rack to which fashionable sporting goods could be cinched down and forgotten.

The Vibe (the Vibe GT is pictured at top) was powered by a DOHC 1.8 L four-cylinder that put out 130 hp, attached to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Quicker ambitions were answered with a frenetic 1.8 L four out of Toyota's Celica GT-S, whose variable valve-timing helped crank out 180 hp, but only 130 lb.-ft. of torque.

The interior was a little less plush than some, in keeping with the outdoorsy lifestyle its owners purportedly embrace. The rear cargo area was finished in hard plastic, which could be noisy, but at least it could be wiped clean by attendant moms.

The crossover handle stemmed from the fact the Vibe could be ordered with all-wheel-drive, tied to a decaffeinated base motor putting out 123 hp. The viscous-coupled system was intended for slippery conditions only, and gained a double control-arm independent rear suspension.

The Vibe is an untragically hip wagon that's roomy, reliable and practical without being a gasoholic. There were a few gripes about loose weatherstripping, leaky sunroofs, poor wheel alignment and errant dashboard rattles. Watch for short-lived clutches on GT models.

2006 HONDA CIVIC

Honda rewarded the Civic nation with a fresh design bristling with advanced technology, safety features and high fashion. The new-for-2006 Civic was larger outside but, curiously, a little smaller inside than the outgoing model (that goes for the trunk, too). At least the floor was somewhat flat.

Up front was a two-tiered instrument panel with an analogue tachometer and a digital speedometer close to the windshield to help drivers keep their eyes focused on distance. The unibody benefited from a 35 per cent increase in torsional rigidity. Front, side and head-protecting curtain airbags were standard in an effort to democratize safety.

Available in four-door sedan or sleek coupe models, the Civic was powered by an all-aluminum 1.8 L SOHC i-VTEC four-banger. Lighter and more compact, it was good for 140 hp and 128 lb.-ft. of torque, matched up with either a manual or automatic transmission with five forward gears (a segment first). Drivers marveled at the Civic's road manners, but what they didn't like was the noticeable noise at speed.

Reliability is better than average, although there are a few bugaboos. Namely, uneven rear tire wear due to poor suspension geometry traced to faulty upper control arms (the subject of a service bulletin), short-lived a/c condensers, as well as leaky shock absorbers, defective motor mounts, broken sun visors and pesky interior rattles.

2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

Introduced for 2007, the newest-generation Hyundai Elantra had the bestselling Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic squarely in its laser sight. Available solely as a four-door sedan, the cabin was nicely finished and generously sized; in fact, it was rated as a mid-size sedan by the U.S. EPA.

While not as sporting to drive as the Civic and Mazda3, the Elantra made up for it in refinement. The interior coddled, the ride was supple, and acceleration and handling were both near the top of the class. Road noise was remarkably subdued for an economy car.

If there was one weakness, the Elantra's 140 hp 2.0 L four-cylinder was not quite as fuel-efficient as some of the competition. It was tied to the usual five-speed stick or four-speed autobox. Drivers reported the automatic could exhibit harsh or delayed upshifts or downshifts; dealers respond by blaming the autobox's "learning" mode.

Also beware the speedometer, which may display erroneous readings off by as much as 9 per cent. Hyundai has changed some instrument clusters, as well as some faulty fuel pumps. A few owners also warned of delaminating clearcoats and paint.

On the plus side, Hyundai's comprehensive warranty covers most repairs for five years instead of the industry-standard three. Anyone questioning the Elantra's "overachiever" status needs to take one of these out for a spin.

2002-04 SUBARU IMPREZA

Subaru used to plumb the depths of weirdness – the constellation that serves as the company's logo has been jokingly referred to as the star map to the automaker's home planet – and still exhibits some unworldly characteristics.

It's a big proponent of the horizontally opposed "boxer" engine that offers some nifty benefits, including a lower centre of gravity, good second-order balance and longitudinal orientation ideally situated for all-wheel drive – which came standard in every model.

Available as a four-door sedan and five-door wagon, the new-generation 2002 Impreza had a nominally larger cabin with a rear seat that was shifted back almost 3 cm to boost legroom. The furnishings were upmarket enough, though it was a little cramped in Subie's smallest North American model.

The Impreza is pure joy to drive, its all-wheel-drive imbuing the compact with fabulous high-speed stability and road-holding stickiness. Regular (non-WRX) models got by with a 165 hp DOHC 2.5 L four-cylinder boxer mated to a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic.

Subies are very dependable, although owners have noted problems shifting the manual transmission due to bum synchros; a few have had the entire gearbox replaced, sometimes at a tender, young age. The 2.5 L boxer engine has a documented problem with failed head gaskets up to and including part of the 2002 model year; newer motors are improved.

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