Are you planning on buying a used car and you are looking for the best used cars under 5000? If this is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic. Since there are so many different vehicles that are at this price point.
Getting yourself properly informed before you purchase a new or used car is key. You don’t want a basket case. Even if you buy a used vehicle you want something reliable and something that you can rely on and not something that is completely unreliable and cannot be trusted.
That’s why we are here to list you the best cars that you can purchase under 5000. Why under $5,000? Because this is the price point that a lot of people are purchasing cars. And trust me, for $5,000 you can still purchase some good vehicles.
Not everything that is under $5,000 is for the junkyard. There are a ton of cars and excellent deals that can be snatched if you know where to look and on which models to look. And we are going to help you out.
First, we will learn why getting a car under $5,000 is a great idea, then we will give you the best tips when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. After, we will cover the best used cars under 5000 that you can get and their common problems. So, if you want to learn more on this topic, follow along.
Why You Should Get A Used Car Under 5000?
So, why is this a great idea? The answer is simple, you save money. But how? Let’s say that you purchase a new vehicle out of the dealership. The car would cost you about $25,000 for example. The moment you leave the dealership you are losing money.
And over the course of 20 years, that car will keep depreciating until it reaches scrap metal value. And that is $100 to $300. Depending on the parts that it has on it.
So, if you want to save money, you can look for the best used cars under 5000 and learn more about these models and get the best car for that budget. And trust me, there are a ton of cars for this budget. Most of them are good deals. But still, there are some cars that you need to stay away from.
This is the case because old cars break more often than new cars. So, you can expect that your maintenance costs will be more expensive than let’s say purchasing a brand new vehicle. So, during your ownership, you can pay $5,000 extra on possible repairs that can come up. But you will still save $15,000. And you can make some money if you decide to sell this used vehicle in a few years’ time.
That’s why getting a used vehicle is a clever idea if you want to spend your money on some more fulfilling things than cars. So, learn what are the best used cars and get your future vehicle. Later on, we will elaborate on this topic in detail when we will share our picks.
Tips On Buying Used Car Under 5000
Now let’s discuss some tips on buying used cars, you still need to learn some things before you make a purchase. Since these are used cars meaning that they have been through a lot. So, knowing how to find one in good condition can be rather difficult.
The first thing you need to do is to narrow your list down to the cars you really desire to purchase. Then when you have a clear list of possible candidates, you need to narrow this list even more.
You need to go online and learn all the possible problems found in these vehicles. You don’t want to get a basket case. Learning all the problems will tell you what are the possible faults of this vehicle and also the wear and tear problems that you might come across during your ownership.
Remember those factory problems and wear and tear are not the same. Some vehicles are built in such a way that they develop more problems than others. Because of poor quality parts or poor build quality. While other vehicles are simply suffering from regular wear and tear from the mileage buildup.
Then when you decide what will be your choices when it comes to your future car, you will be able to go out there on the market and look for cars. Make sure that they have a clean history and no accidents. Also, make sure that they are mechanically in good condition and they have been properly maintained.
Stay away from cars that need extensive work like timing chain replacements, bad transmissions, and other expensive repairs. When looking for the best used cars under 5000 follow these simple tips and you will get a good vehicle.
Best Used Cars Under 5000 Our Top Picks
Now let’s discuss the best used cars under 5000. In the following chapters, we are going to cover the best used car models that you can purchase. We will take a look at their specs and also some factors like safety, fuel economy, as well as their problems.
At the end of the day, you still need to know the problems of that specific vehicle before you make a call and determine if it is a good deal or not. So, let’s get to it.
1. Honda Fit 2009 – Best Used Cars Under 5000
The Honda Fit is a cute small car that is manufactured by Honda since 2001. But our target is the 2009 model. This model is from the second generation of the Fit and these days can be found for a bargain price of about $4,200. That’s why we chose to add it to our list of best used cars under 5000.
This car on other markets is also known as Honda Jazz. The important thing is that this car is a subcompact car that comes as a 5-door hatchback. It is relatively small and is perfect if you don’t want to drive a big and obnoxious car.
Engine & Transmissions
The Honda Fit comes with a peppy 1.5 inline-4 engine that is outputting 117hp. For this car, this horsepower is more than enough, to be honest.
This engine is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission that is good and delivers good shifts.
Fuel Economy, Is It Really One Of The Best Used Cars Under 5000?
The fuel economy of the Fit is excellent. And it deserves to be on the list of best used cars under 5000. It easily gets 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with combined fuel consumption of about 30 mpg.
Safety
The safety is relatively good for a subcompact car. But it cannot be compared with the safety of a bigger car. That’s why you need to look for something bigger if you want to get something safe.
Common Problems
This car has a problem with the cylinder head. They can certainly break. Although sounds odd, it’s actually true. So, checking the service history of that car is key before you make a purchase.
Overall, there are no major issues with the Fit. The most-reported problem on it was the clear coat chipping. So, before purchasing make sure that you inspect it well for paint issues.
2. Kia Optima 2009 – Best Used Cars Under 5000
We cannot talk about the best used cars under 5000 and not talk about the Kia Optima. So, why is this the case? This is the case because Kia is one of the brands that offer great cars for affordable prices.
With them, more means less. You can snatch one of these Kias for less than $4,000 and find some in really excellent conditions under $5,000. You just cannot avoid these models made by Kia. And similarly to the Fit that we covered, the reviews on Edmunds are almost impeccable on the Optima. So, adding it to our list of best cars under 5000 was a no-brainer. And more precisely, this is the updated version with better looks
Engine & Transmissions
The Kia Optima is equipped with a 2.4L inline-4 engine that is outputting 175hp. Which is quite good for this chassis.
The transmission in the Optima is a 5-speed automatic that delivers excellent shifts.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy is good. The Optima gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg.
Safety
The safety aspect is also good. On the NHTSA tests got 5 stars. Comparing it to the Honda Fit, the Optima is a much safer car.
Common Problems
On the Kia Optima form 2009, there were no big problems reported. Meaning that this is a reliable vehicle. Some minor things were noted like hard shifts on the transmission but these problems were sorted with a simple software update. Another minor problem was the airbag light that was popping up. Overall great car that should be one of your top picks.
3. 2009 Hyundai Sonata – Best Used Cars Under 5000
In our list of best used cars under 5000, we also feel obliged to add the Hyundai Sonata. But why is this the case? This is the case because Hyundais are also very good cars.
Similar to Kia they are both Korean brands that make some of the best value cars around. And the Sonata is one of them for sure. That’s why adding it to our list was a no-brainer. We don’t want you to end up with a junk car and then curse us, we want you to have the best car around.
Engine & Transmissions
The Hyundai Sonata came with a 3.3L V6 engine that produced 234hp and 226 lb-ft of torque. As you can see the engine that the Sonata has is quite powerful and driving it on the road will be a breeze.
The transmission that was paired to this engine was a 5-speed automatic. The usual mid 00’s technology. But still shifts quite well.
Fuel Economy, Is It Really One Of The Best Used Cars Under 5000?
The fuel economy is 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg. Not the best. But also not one of the worst, good enough to be on the best used cars under 5000 list. Since this is a powerful car, it is quite understandable to drink more fuel.
Safety
According to the NHTSA which is performing the testing, the Sonata performed really well, getting 5 stars on most of the crash tests.
Common Problems
The most common problem on the Sonata was that some people reported the car to stall on the highway, this was probably owed to the bad fuel pump (you can diagnose this if you know the signs of a fuel pump going bad). Overall a good car when it comes to mechanicals. When picking a car from this generation make sure that you avoid the 2008 model. This model is notorious for engine failures!
Other problems may include the paint chipping issue. So, before purchase inspect the paint for defects.
4. 2006 Honda CR-V – Best Used Cars Under 5000
Now let’s cover an SUV, a list of best used cars under 5000 would make no sense if we don’t include all the possible types of vehicles right? And here comes the Honda CR-V.
The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover manufactured by Honda since 1996. But what is important for us is the second generation. More precisely the 2006 model. Why this model? Because it is the least prone to problems and you can get one for about $5,000. So, what are the specs of the CR-V? Let’s see.
Engine & Transmissions
The 2006 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 2.4L straight-4 engine that produces about 156hp. This engine has been used by Honda in a ton of products and is extremely reliable.
The 2.4L engine was paired with a 5-speed automatic, something that many of the cars had back in the day.
Fuel Economy, Is It Really One Of The Best Used Cars Under 5000?
The fuel economy of the CR-V is pretty much average. It gets about 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg. Not the best performer but still this Honda is an SUV and it is heavier than other cars.
Safety
The safety of the CR-V was good for that time. It exceeded most of the tests that were performed on it and it has really proven itself to be a durable vehicle and is easily one of the best cars under 5000.
Common Problems
On the 2006 model, there were no major problems reported. And it deserves to be on the list of best used cars under 5000. Some electrical stuff with the lights was the major issue on car complaints but overall a good year.
It is important though to avoid the 2005 model since it has problems with the transmission. So, 2006 is probably the best out there when it comes to reliability.
5. 2005 Toyota RAV4 – Best Used Cars Under 5000
Here is another good and reliable SUV made by Toyota and this is the Toyota RAV4. A list of best used cars under 5000 without a RAV4 I think would be incomplete. Why I’m saying this?
Well, because it is true, the RAV4 is one of the most reliable cars that Toyota has released to the market, period. The RAV4 is a popular SUV that is sold worldwide and it has a long history behind it. On Edmunds, the 20005 RAV4 has an almost perfect rating. But let’s talk about the specs of the RAV4.
Engine & Transmission
The engine that comes with the RAV4 is a 2.4L straight-4 engine that is producing 161hp. Pretty much similar to the CR-V that we covered above.
This engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic that is quite reliable. But still, you need to find one that is shifting well.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the RAV4 is average. The RAV4 gets about 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. Decent fuel economy for an SUV of its size.
Safety
When it comes to the safety aspect we can say that the RAV4 performs well for a vehicle of its age. Still, it is a used car that is almost 20 years old. You cannot expect it to be on par with the 2022 model in this aspect.
Common Problems
When it comes to the RAV4 it is worth noting that this engine loves to drink some oil and you will need to top it off here and there. This is quite normal on Toyota’s products from this generation. After 100,000 miles they love to drink oil. Overall there are no major flaws with this engine except the stripped head bolts that some of these engines suffer from.
6. 2009 Honda Civic – Best Used Cars Under 5000
Now here is something newer. And that is the Honda Civic. A legendary product made by Honda that is for sure deserving a place on the best used cars under 5000 list.
The Civic has proven itself during the long years of production and when you mention a Civic people instantly assume something good. But what about the specs of the Civic. Well, that’s what we are going to cover next. If you want to learn more, also check out our explainer on are Honda Civic reliable.
Engine & Transmission
The Civic is equipped with a 1.8L straight-4 engine with a single overhead cam, meaning that it is extra fuel-efficient. This engine produces about 140hp and 128lb-ft of torque. Which is plenty for this vehicle.
This transmission is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the Civic is excellent. It easily gets 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The combined fuel economy is 29 mpg. What for a vehicle of this size is really good.
Safety
The safety is average for a small compact car from 13 years ago. You cannot expect to perform like the 2022 Civic but still, it delivers a good safety score. And it really deserves to be on the list of best used cars under 5000.
Common Problems
The most common problem according to car complaints is paint issues. The paint is flaking off and chipping, you need to be aware of this. There were also noted problems with the brakes and problems with the accessories in the interior.
The only mechanical problem is the engine mounts that fail often on this generation of the Civic. So, when trying to purchase one, make sure that they are in good condition.
7. 2009 Hyundai Elantra – Best Used Cars Under 5000
And last but not least is the Hyundai Elantra. We decided to end our list of best used cars under 5000 with something really good. The Hyundai Elantra is another extremely reliable workhorse that will keep and keep going. Some of these cars even go up to 300,000 miles.
And they are also quite affordable and can be found for about $5,000 on the second-hand market. Just find an Elantra that has been loved and you will never regret it. But what about the specs of the Elantra? Let’s cover them in detail.
Engine & Transmission
The engine in the Elantra is a straight-4 2.0L engine that is producing 138hp. Which is quite decent for this chassis and can deliver an excellent performance as well as good fuel economy.
The transmission in the Elantra is a 4-speed automatic transmission that delivers a good overall performance.
Fuel Economy
The fuel economy of the Elantra is rather good. And it really deserves to be on the list of best used cars under 5000. It gets about 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Making the Elantra one of the best performers out there.
Safety
According to the IIHS, the Elantra got good grades on all of the tests. Making the overall safety rating quite good. But consider that this car is old more than 10 years so things have changed a little bit in this aspect.
Common Problems
The most common problem with the Elantra was concerned with the EPS light. Overall, no major mechanical issues with it.
Facts about Buying Reliable Used Cars Under $5,000:
- You can find reliable used cars under $5,000 with a solid track record.
- Realistic expectations are important when shopping for a used car in this price range.
- Factors to consider when looking for a used car include reliability, vehicle history reports, and durability.
- Private sellers may offer better prices, but buyers should take precautions such as looking for state inspection stickers and asking for maintenance and repair records.
- 10-year-old cars with 100,000-150,000 miles and some cosmetic wear and tear are typical at this price point.
- Eight of the best used cars under $5,000 are the Toyota Camry (2002-2006), Toyota Sienna (2004-2010), Fiat 500 (2008-2015), Ford Escape (2001-2007), Ford Focus (2008-2011), Honda Civic (2006-2010), Subaru Outback (2005-2009), and Acura TL (2003 or earlier).
- The Toyota Camry and Sienna have a proven track record for durability and reliability.
- The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback are good choices for those needing more cargo space or all-wheel drive.
- The Honda Civic has a range of affordable models to choose from.
- The Acura TL offers upgrades for the $5,000 price tag.
Conclusion To Best Cars Under 5000
In this article, we have covered a lot when it comes to the best used cars under 5000. First, we learned why you need a car under $5,000. Remember that these cars are very cheap and affordable. You can also fix them on the cheap as well.
Then we covered some tips that will be useful for you if you are out there on the market for a used car especially if you look for the best used cars under 5000.
Then we shared our long list of best cars under 5000. For some people, this list might be boring. But we weren’t looking for fun cars but cars that are really reliable and can run forever. With these cars, you basically cannot make a mistake if the car is in good condition.
