For those looking to buy a used car, $5,000 is usually considered a good price for an affordable and quality vehicle. Those who are not that familiar with the used car market might feel that it is difficult to find a reliable car within this price range, but it’s actually entirely possible and easy to do. Car buyers just need to do a little research online and try to find as much information as possible on the reliability of the car they are interested in, by reading reviews posted by owners, as there are lots of quality vehicles that can be purchased for less than $5,000, and here is a list of some of the best among them.
Ford Focus
The Focus is often one of the most commonly recommended vehicles by mechanics and owners. Low maintenance costs and high reliability level are among its strongest points, which is exactly what you should be looking for in a used vehicle. On top of that, no matter what model year, the Focus has always been known for being very fuel efficient, which is a huge plus. When it comes to a used Focus, many mechanics recommend model years 2002-2004, which also have great safety ratings.
Toyota Corolla
When talking about reliability, a Toyota vehicle must be brought into conversation. Based on warranty claims records and repairs reported by owners, the Corolla is definitely one of the most reliable cars on the market, on top of being very affordable. Any Corolla built between 1995 and 2000 is a great option for used-car buyers, and can be purchased for well under $5,000. In addition to the excellent fuel economy, the Corolla has a great resale value, so it can be considered as a pretty good investment.
Mazda Miata
The Miata is definitely one of the most popular choices for used-car buyers. It’s an affordable sports car, with amazing handling, that puts the Miata right up there with much more expensive sports cars. Most Miata owners have traveled well over 100,000 miles with their cars without facing any serious problems and expensive repairs, and mechanics usually recommend model years 1997-2002.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is an extremely common sight on U.S. roadways, which suggests that it’s a dependable car that a lot of people enjoy driving. Civics built between 2001 and 2005 get a good gas mileage that is rated somewhere around 35 mpg combined, and owners always underscore how inexpensive it is to maintain and how rarely it breaks down.
Subaru Outback
It’s definitely difficult to find a quality SUV for under $5,000, but there are a few exceptions, and the Subaru Outback is one of them. In general, 1998-2004 model years can be purchased for less than $5,000, and owners don’t report any major service issues. It features an incredibly spacious interior and great fuel economy for a crossover, in addition to having satisfactory off-road capabilities.