No new car is cheap.
Dave Ramsey: "A Beater".
A the cheapest car is a well selected "Beater". Probably from an owner upgrading to a better "Beater".
Driving off a New Car off the dealers curb, figure loosing %15. And you better have Gap Insurance and be ready to pay high property taxes (in most states).
A well selected "Beater" drives the money into Savings.
They mean cheap Asian crap; pretty soon, Chinese cars will be on the list.