“Cheap” isn’t the best term to use in marketing, they say you should replace it with “inexpensive” or “cost effective.” But when it comes to Nissan, they aren’t afraid of “cheap” as long as it means pricing and not manufacturing. In this time of financial purgatory, the Japanese auto maker has announced beginning November 18th dealerships across the nation will stock a base-model 2009 Nissan Versa starting at $9,990 MSRP.

Currently, the most “inexpensive” vehicles in the US are the base Hyundai Accent ($11K approx.), Kia Rio ($12K) and Chevrolet Aveo ($12,600K). This base price Nissan Versa blows them all away. And the quality of a Nissan far surpasses that of a GM product, which the other “cheap” vehicles are made by. This particular Versa will include a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic with its 1.6-liter engine. Fuel economy is rated 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual, 26 mpg/33 mpg with the 4-speed.