Finding the best used cars for sale under 5000 can be a challenge! $5000 is not much of a budget when you’re looking for a dependable motorcar and I am sure you’re asking yourself well what compromises am I going to have to make to find a used car for sale under 5000 that is going to get me from A to B reliably? Be secure in that you do not necessarily have to compromise all that much to get an automobile you can trust to get you around.

We’re going to try and help you out with giving you some direction of which are the best used cars for sale under 5000. These are going to be sedans as well as sports cars that may have some age on them but have shown to statistically be reliable and have longevity.

When it comes to purchasing any vehicle but especially cheap used autos that fall into the $5000 category you want to take a look at the overall condition of the machine your about to purchase. Also if you can get maintenance record that’s a plus which is not likely if its a dealer car but possible with an individual purchase. Short of that look at the engine oil and check for leaks as well as research the car online and see if that make or model has any known issues and what they cost to fix. That way you can get an idea of what maintenance might be coming your way and what the cost of owning the car will be in the long run. You will also want to get a carfax or autocheck to see some of the automobiles history and see if it’s been in any wrecks or has had flood damage or title issues.

 

9 Of The Best Used Cars For Sale Under 5000

The following autos have shown to be statistically reliable as well as handling age and mileage rather well. As you will find most will be a bit older so they will have some mileage and regular wear. This is why it’s important to check the vehicle you’re looking at thoroughly. Mileage combined with proper maintenance makes it less of a factor but if proper maintenance has not been done then the longevity and reliability of the used car for sale in question may be compromised.

Toyota Corolla from 2000 and older

It’s no surprise to see a Toyota on our list since they comprise a majority of the used cars on the road these days. Also, this car brand is known to be reliable. The Corolla has been around since the late 60s and is one of the most sold cars in history, at least the compact version is. It is also one of the most maintenance free vehicles. Changing the oil and regular maintenance is generally all these cars requires to gobble up mileage reliably. The Corolla is also quite fuel efficient so you will save at the pump as well. According to Polk about 80 percent of the Corollas that have been purchased in the last 20 years are still on the road today. How is that for reliability and durability in a vehicle? With that kind of track record a Corolla is a auto you can trust to perform time after time without issue.

Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993 to 1998

This luxury sedan seems like it would be out of your price range when you’re looking for a used car for sale under 5000 but much to the contrary due to its poor resale value these luxury automobiles fall right into the under 5k category. Someone has already taken the depreciation hit on these motorcars and you can take full advantage of this fact and own a luxury automobile that has a very reliable engine as well as a smooth ride. So if you don’t mind the looks of a grandpa car this car is unsuspectingly powerful and with its air suspension glides down the road. It’s a V8 so in the city it’s pretty thirsty so be aware of that and think of how you will be using it before jumping in. Another downside of this vehicle is since it’s quite a bit older parts will usually have to be aftermarket and can be pricey.

Mazda Miata, 1990 to 1997 and newer

Looking for used sports cars for sale under $5000 that is dependable and a convertible well then the Mazda Miata is the perfect fit for that. Depending on age you can pick one of these up for as little as $3000 so we recommend you get the newest least mileage one you can find under the 5k mark. These vehicles are usually in good shape since most owners of convertibles will keep them garaged so finding one in great shape should not be a problem. Just as an example the 1997 Miata sports a 9.8 out of 10 rating on Kelly Blue Books website which speaks to its reliability and durability in a sporty ragtop!

Ford Focus in the years 2002-2004

The Ford Focus is an offering by Ford Motor Company that made it into the used cars to buy under $5000 range by not only its reasonable price but the overall favorable ratings that owners of this vehicle have given it as well as owners of those years reporting cars with over 100k miles on them and still going strong. This auto is also a small compact that gets great gas mileage and is perfect for the cities where parking is a bit tough. It’s small enough to fit into most tight spaces. Expert reviewers at Edmunds say that this vehicle comes in so many configurations its hard to not find one that works for you. They also mention that the car is fun to drive as well as its thoughtful ergonomics and body configurations make it a great compact to own. The one con was that seating is not quite as comfortable for everyone so if you’re a bigger person you might want to slide in the seat first and try it on for comfort!

Acura GS-R From 1994 to 01

The Acura GS-R in these years can be found for sale under 5k. It’s a fun sporty car to drive and is based on the uber reliable Honda Civic platform which shown itself to last. Reviewers have mentioned how much they love how the car handles and its responsive transmission. However, it has been mentioned to not be too great in snow. Well here in Houston that is definitely not an issue that you will have much trouble with!

Jeep Wrangler From 97 to 1999

The Wrangler is not exactly a practical car but its a great pick if you like to off-road as well as having a removable top that lets you be out in the wind when your feeling the need to this is a great off road machine for you. It is not great on long trips just because its suspension is not set up for that rather it shines in rough terrain and snow. It will still commute quite well so no worries there. Another reason we think this car belongs on the list of the 9 best-used cars for under 5000 is that you can acquire the model years mentioned above in a fully loaded version at that price range. So when you want something more rugged the Jeep will fit the bill nicely.

Hyundai Elantra 2002 Model

When it comes to finding something used and dependable for sale under 5000 the Hyundai Elantra is one that sticks out mainly because this car came with a 10 year 1000,000 mile warranty from the manufacturer so most of theses cars for that reason alone are likely to have been well maintained just because having a warranty that went that long made it worth maintaining it. Also, the Elantra is the most popular model for Hyundai and can be had at a very reasonable price. Its spacious interior and European styled exterior make it a very popular car. This vehicle comes equipped with a solid powerful 140 Hp 4 Cylinder engine that delivers good power as well as giving you excellent gas mileage. Another plus is that it’s not unusual to exceed 200,000 miles on the Elantra making it a great choice for a used car that has high mileage on it.

Honda CR-V, 2002 and up within the Price Range of $5000

Honda has long been known to make dependable cars that require very little maintenance as well as lasting.  When you’re looking at used cars that you can trust for sale under 5000 and your objective is to find a crossover SUV that is reliable as well as having a large spacious interior then the CRV is a perfect fit. Space wise it is surprisingly ample sometimes making you forget you own a crossover instead of a full-fledged SUV! This is also another vehicle that has the ability to easily exceed the 200k mile mark with proper maintenance that is of course!

Subaru Impreza Outback, Models From 1998 to 2003

The Subaru Impreza Outback is the last vehicle on our list so far. Any Impreza really you can get your hands on for under $5000 is worth grabbing as long as of course it’s been maintained and looks reliable after you have done some due diligence. Here in Houston, you won’t need to handle tough terrain or snow but this car is known to handle it with ease if you decide to put it thru its paces on that level. The Impreza line has a reputation for being dependable so the Outback is a great choice for anyone looking at a used car that will get you from A to B in style.

Finding the best used cars for sale under 5000 here in Houston can sometimes be tough but definitely not impossible. Just look around this town there are many car lots that will be happy to help or hit AutoTrader as well as many of the bigger car sites and search in your zip code. As always research whatever you want to buy before making the purchase and if you don’t want to deal with all that contact us and let us know what you’re looking for if it’s not in our used car inventory we can always find it for you!