Top 10 Smart Deals on New Cars for October – Back to Basics Edition

We'd be fooling ourselves if we aren't all evaluating our spending right now, which is why we bring you our Top 10 Smart Deals for October – Back to Basics Edition. All of the new cars in this gallery share the following in common:

And here's the kicker: This month, they can all be had for under $15,000. Nothing more than you need, but so much more than you'd expect in a time when every dollar counts.

By Staff Photo credit: Manufacturers, Staff

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10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

Base MSRP: $15,350 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Not tested Combined MPG: 30 (1.8-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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9. 2008 Hyundai Accent GS 3-Door

Base MSRP: $10,970 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 5 stars passenger; Side impact – 5 stars front, 3 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 28 (1.6-liter I-4 engine, four-speed automatic transmission)

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8. 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe

Base MSRP: $14,410 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 4 stars passenger; Side impact – 4 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 27 (2.2-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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7. 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Base MSRP: $14,999 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 4 stars driver, 4 stars passenger; Side impact – 5 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 25 (2.0-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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6. 2008 Nissan Sentra

Base MSRP: $16,040 Expires: 11/03/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 5 stars passenger; Side impact – 5 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 29 (2.0-liter I-4 engine, continuously variable transmission)

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5. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE

Base MSRP: $13,990 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 4 stars driver, 5 stars passenger; Side impact – 5 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 24 (2.0-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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4. 2008 Ford Focus S Coupe

Base MSRP: $14,395 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 5 stars passenger; Side impact – 3 stars front, 3 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 28 (2.0-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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3. 2008 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.8 S

Base MSRP: $12,880 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 4 stars driver, 4 stars passenger; Side impact – 4 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 28 (1.8-liter I-4 engine, six-speed manual transmission)

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2. 2008 Kia Spectra LX

Base MSRP: $12,895 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 5 stars passenger; Side impact – 4 stars front, 4 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 26 (2.0-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)

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1. 2008 Kia Rio Base

Base MSRP: $10,890 Expires: 10/31/08 NHTSA: Frontal impact – 5 stars driver, 4 stars passenger; Side impact – 4 stars front, 3 stars rear; Rollover – 4 stars Combined MPG: 29 (1.6-liter I-4 engine, five-speed manual transmission)