2000 Suzuki Swift

Talk about economy: Suzuki's pint-size Swift hatchback coupe pulls impressive low numbers to the bottom line for an initial purchase, then delivers high fuel economy figures to save more money down the road on gasoline. The base three-door Swift GA hatchback with manual five-speed gearbox, which happens to be the lowest-priced car in a line of economical Japanese minicars, delivers some of the best fuel economy figures of all gas-burning cars sold in North America. Thus, saving money, it seems obvious from the outset, becomes an overriding concept behind Suzuki's small car. That penny-pinching stance extends beyond the fuel pump because Swift offers highly competitive retail prices, beginning at $9,099 for the Swift GA. Even the top Swift, a GL equipped with air conditioning, cassette player and an optional three-speed automatic transmission comes home for about $11,200.