Car for under $5K...Recommendations (insurance, vehicle, 2011, hybrid)

[Fourdifferentseasons]

Hi,
I'm looking for a car under $5 k, and posting on here for recommendations for such (year, model). I'm primarily looking for a car that is reliable, not too expensive to repair, and still has some style/basic features. Thanks.

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by Fourdifferentseasons

Hi,
I'm looking for a car under $5 k, and posting on here for recommendations for such (year, model). I'm primarily looking for a car that is reliable, not too expensive to repair, and still has some style/basic features. Thanks.

Don't worry about which car. Buy the owner, not the car.

If you know someone that is meticulous & anal and has an older car, buy it!
I've bought a couple from these type of people, a Chevy and a Mitsubishi.
They were very good cars, lasted a long time.

[thecoalman]

Look for a Buick, nobody wants a Buick. You can typically find older models, low mileage, 1 owner, well maintained in that price range.

[elnina]

Look for small Toyota, like Corolla. They are built to last.
Yes, get maintenance history and check it by YOUR trusted mechanic, or buy certified.
One owner that took care of the car is more important than lower mileage or year.
You can get some mileage to price ideas by consulting Bluebook.

If you aren't experienced car owners take with you someone who is.
If you want to learn what to look for
when buying used car, and other useful stuff read this:
https://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm
This is a very good guide.
In your spare time explore this website, it has very valuable tips and guides, budget spreadsheets, insurance info etc.
https://www.carbuyingtips.com/
Click on menu.

Happy shopping!!

[EckyX]

I'm pretty fond of the Honda Fit, in manual. My girlfriend is averaging 42-48mpg with no special driving, just a little conservative with the throttle pedal. It's at 220k miles and has never had any maintenance other than belts, oil, tires, and a battery. My brother is 6'2" and says he's comfortable in it, but would probably get some seat rail spacers to move the driver seat back an inch. The cargo area is ridiculous for the car's footprint, and icing on the cake is that it's actually kinda fun to drive.

My understanding is that although the automatic looks better on the EPA cycle, real world the manual gets much better economy and will go more miles without maintenance.

But I agree, buy the owner. One owner car, older female, dealership maintenance records would probably be an ideal case.

[Kluch]

I had a similar thread going on a while back. I was in a situation where I only had 4k-ish to spend on a used car and was trying to find something reasonably reliable. I think it will really come down to who owned the car previously and how it was maintained. There's probably no one make/model that will perform flawlessly for a long period of time with such a low budget. I was able to find a used high mileage prius (where the 2nd owner had replaced the hybrid battery) for 4k. I think you just need to look around OP and see what you can find that's in good condition/well kept.

[Pilot1]

Older Nissan Sentra, or similar Mazda.

[adjusterjack]

Ford Crown Victoria 1999 to 2011.


Virtually indestructible.

[latunafish]

an estate sale might be a good place to find one.


the first pickup truck i ever owned was bought at an estate sale. there are usually more cars, old buicks and cadillacs, than trucks.

[johnd393]

Your looking for the best maintained, best condition, fewest owners, lowest mileage vehicle, in your price range. You can have some loose preferences, but you can't be looking for a specific brand/model. High depreciation is a good thing.

When you find a vehicle of interest, do some online research for specific problems for that model. You have to use some rational judgement about what problems are severe enough to avoid the vehicle.