Just looked up some actual affordable cars under $25k because everyone keeps saying there's nothing cheap anymore, and honestly there are still some decent options if you're not trying to break the bank.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is wild - starts at like $18k and it's supposedly one of the most cost effective cars you can grab right now. Yeah it's not fast and it's kinda small, but if you're in the city that's actually perfect. Gets great gas mileage too which saves you money over time.

If you want something with more room inside, the Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra are both under $22k and people say they're solid values. The Forte has a nicer cabin and the Sentra's got good safety stuff. Hyundai Elantra is around $22,775 and apparently even Car and Driver recommends it for first-time buyers.

Then there's the Toyota Corolla at $23k - obviously reliable which matters if you're keeping it long term. And the Volkswagen Jetta rounds out the list just under $25k. Honestly the Jetta seems like the most cost effective option if you want more features because it's got that driver assist stuff and decent interior space.

The whole point is if you're looking for something practical that won't destroy your budget, these are actually still out there. Just depends what matters to you - fuel economy, interior space, reliability, whatever. Anyone else shopping for something affordable right now?