Spending $ 5,000 or less on a used car is not a gamble. While there are certainly questionable options in this price range, you will also find reliable, well-equipped cars with many years of traffic, habitation or vacations left. This is a thorough examination of all the research and everything you are thinking of buying. If necessary, bring a friend who knows the cars inside and out or pay the shop for pre-purchase inspection (PPI).
To get you started, we have prepared a list of the best cars available for under $ 5,000.
Best: Honda CR-V
Why you should buy this: It is spacious and practical, yet car-like.
who is it for: Motorists who want a long-lasting vehicle.
Why we chose the Honda CR-V:
Introduced in 1995, the original Honda CR-V stood as one of the first crossovers located at the intersection of sedans and SUVs. It offered ride height, ground clearance and the cargo capacity of an SUV, yet it was preferred to drive more car than the larger, truck-based model, And This provided better fuel economy. This is a Honda, so you know it will be reliable for years on end, but we suggest avoiding those with more than 150,000 miles.
On spending $ 5,000 you should get a first or second generation CR-V anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. Two and four-wheel drive models are available in this price range. Always remember to ask for service records – they do not have to come from an authorized Honda dealership, but you do want to make sure that what you are buying is maintained on a regular basis. This is true for all cars on this list.
Best Used Hatchback: Scone XA
Why you should buy this: Don’t let the badge fool you – it’s a Toyota.
who is it for: Motorists who need something small, cheap and cheerful.
Why we chose Scone XA:
If you regularly tell people that you need “just one car”, and if you spend most of your time driving in a city, then the Scone XA is an excellent option that is affordable, reliable and agile. The scan no longer exists, but it Was Owned by Toyota, and the XA was developed by the same people who designed the Corolla and Camry. Finding parts will not be a problem.
The $ 5,000 cost you get in an XA from anywhere between 100,000 and 125,000 miles from the mid-2000s. Front-wheel drive only configuration was available, but the Scone offered an automatic or manual transmission. We suggest avoiding instances that look like they belong in the film Fast and Furious.
Best Used SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Why you should buy this: It is as capable as its Jeep badge.
who is it for: Motorists who want to explore the great road.
Why we chose the Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Called the WJ internally, the Jeep’s second-generation Grand Cherokee is a large, go-anywhere SUV with room to spare and, when properly equipped, a long list of equipment. While the Laredo trim level was relatively basic, the limited edition received leather upholstery, heated seats and auto-dimming rear mirrors. Jeep offered a 4.0-liter straight-six for its exceptional longevity and a 4.7-liter V8 that provided more power at the expense of fuel economy. Despite the cylinder count, the Grand Cherokee is highly capable off-road in its standard configuration. The trade-off is that it is more truck-to-drive than, say, the CR-V above.
Our $ 5,000 budget is either six or eight cylinders with second-generation models and anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. This is a car that is rusting well, so crawl under it before purchasing, and make sure you don’t see the carpet through a giant hole. Drive it to double-check the four-wheel drive system as it should be, and avoid those who have spent the last 20 years being driven into the ground in dense forest.
Best used fuel-efficient car: Honda Civic Hybrid
Why you should buy this: It is a reliable hybrid.
who is it for: Motorists who want to save money at the pump.
Why we chose the Honda Civic Hybrid:
Honda released the original Civic in 1972, but it did not add a hybrid powertrain to the range until the 2003 model year. Based on the seventh-gen model, the Civic Hybrid received a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and battery-powered electric motors, which worked together to deliver 93 horsepower. It is definitely not going to win the race, but when it is run with a mild right foot, it can return over 50 mpg on the highway.
Travelers loved the Civic Hybrid when it was new, so finding a low-mileage example (especially under $ 5,000) is challenging. We suggest avoiding cars over 200,000 miles, but $ 5,000 puts a first- or second-gen Civic hybrid with about 150,000 miles in your driveway. The Note Civic Coupe was never offered as a hybrid.
Best Pickup Used: Ford F-150
Why you should buy this: This is a tried truth.
who is it for: Motorcar with tow or houle.
Why we chose the Ford F-150:
Sheer luck did not top the Ford F-150 in the US sales charts. This is a truck that is tough, reasonably comfortable, relatively efficient, and offered in a variety of configurations. The 10th-gen model, introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model, was available with two or four doors and several cargo box options. Some were configured as basic, agri-fantasy trucks, while others offered a luxurious cabin with comfort features.
If you have $ 5,000 to spend, you can place the 10th-gen model anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. Whether it is powered by V6 or V8 is your call. You can choose between rear- and four-wheel drive. We do not recommend purchasing the F-150 sight-unseen because it is a truck that suffers from extensive corrosion problems. If you’ve spent your life in a dry climate, you’ll be fine, but we suggest avoiding trucks that have been in the rust belt since new. The good news is that the use of the F-150 is common throughout the country. Take your time, carefully examine the frame and underbody before purchasing, and you’ll end up with a nice, long-haul truck.
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