Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000

34 messages, Last post on Apr 26, 2009 at 1:30 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura Integra, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Honda Prelude, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Nissan 240SX, Subaru Impreza, Car Buying

The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 - A dealer lot is the wrong place to get a deal on a used car. Check out Autotrader.com, eBay.com, craigslist.org or a local paper. (more)

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#1 of 34 Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 by KarenS HOST Feb 04, 2009 (10:44 am)
There are three things you need to know about this list. First, as soon as the unit cost of automotive fun starts to look too good to be true, it probably is. You're not going to get a $10,000 car for $5,000. Second, cars this capable of driving goodness with sub-$5,000 price tags have at least 100,000 miles — universally. Get over it. Finally, all of them — with careful shopping and plenty of patience — are still worth it. The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 Replies to this message: tallman1 (Feb 04, 2009 11:15 am) tidester (Feb 04, 2009 12:10 pm) volvomax (Feb 04, 2009 4:14 pm) and 1 more... athakur999 (Feb 04, 2009 12:42 pm) sloshman (Feb 09, 2009 12:10 am) gearhead1977 (Feb 10, 2009 4:53 am)
#2 of 34 Re: Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 [KarenS] by tallman1 Feb 04, 2009 (11:15 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Invalid Date) Best is a relative term in this case. Fun, sporty, etc. might be better choices... but "best"?? Replies to this message: tidester (Feb 04, 2009 12:10 pm) volvomax (Feb 04, 2009 4:14 pm) fezo (Feb 04, 2009 4:16 pm)
#3 of 34 Re: Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 [tallman1] by tidester HOST Feb 04, 2009 (12:10 pm)
Replying to: tallman1 (Feb 04, 2009 11:15 am) Fun, sporty, etc. might be better choices... but "best"?? Perhaps. But the title of the article uses the plural, cars, which provides a fair bit of latitude in defining "best" and the word "best" is far more succinct than including 10 different categories in the title which would cause everyone's eyes to glaze over. How about some comments on the cars named in the article instead? tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper Replies to this message: volvomax (Feb 04, 2009 4:14 pm) fezo (Feb 04, 2009 4:16 pm)
#4 of 34 Re: Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 [KarenS] by athakur999 Feb 04, 2009 (12:42 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Invalid Date) My former ride was a '97 Prelude (non-SH) and it was a fun car to drive. If I had to pick between it and a same year GS-R for a "fun car" though, I'd go with the GS-R. It weighs less, is faster, and gets better gas mileage. Also, the Prelude required premium, not sure if the GS-R did. I think the Prelude looks much better though (and yes, I know I'm in the minority for thinking the 5G Prelude was a good looking car). Anyway, this is a great article. I was thinking to myself a few days ago that a "most fun used car for $X" type article would be a cool idea and low and behind one appears on Edmunds. Replies to this message: sloshman (Feb 09, 2009 12:10 am) gearhead1977 (Feb 10, 2009 4:53 am)
#5 of 34 by m_thrizzle Feb 04, 2009 (3:18 pm)
Keep the used car assessments coming. I think it is particularly useful when you can summarize the model year differences, problem areas, and particular options that are desirable. Do a $5-$10k or $10-15k top 10 next!!
#6 of 34 Re: Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 [tidester] by volvomax Feb 04, 2009 (4:14 pm)
Replying to: tidester (Feb 04, 2009 12:10 pm) In this case, "Best" seems to be most bang for the buck. These cars are going to require more TLC than a Civic DX for example. Replies to this message: fezo (Feb 04, 2009 4:16 pm)
#7 of 34 Re: Article Comments - The 10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $5,000 [volvomax] by fezo Feb 04, 2009 (4:16 pm)
Replying to: volvomax (Feb 04, 2009 4:14 pm) Yeah, that's certainly so. Can you really get a 2000 Miata for $5K? I suppose with enough miles. I was looking for one a year ago and the prices were north of that for anything in the second generation Miata.
#8 of 34 article comment by 3ricchu Feb 04, 2009 (4:53 pm)
Absolutely enjoyed this article. I spent about 7500 on my 2000 Mustang GT with about 70k miles on it about a year ago, so I think these prices are right on the money. American cars depreciate ridiculously.
#9 of 34 by bankerdanny Feb 04, 2009 (7:26 pm)
I bought a 1 year old Mustang LX 5.0 5-speed in 1988, I loved that car. There's a 1991 near me now that might be available, I am very tempted. Stay away from the first gen Eclipse/Talon if you're tall, Same thing for the early 90's 240sx (which I sold in 1990-91). I'm 6-4 and my head hit the roof in both models. I would bet that less than 5% of the 240sx's out there are unmodified. You ain't kidding that they are popular with the drifter crowd. Finally, you can get a pretty good deal on a Porsche 944. I have seen plenty of sub 100k mile cars for $5-6k. If it's just a toy why not a Porsche vs a 240sx. Replies to this message: tidester (Feb 04, 2009 7:35 pm) volvomax (Feb 05, 2009 8:16 am) volvomax (Feb 05, 2009 8:15 am)
#10 of 34 Re: [bankerdanny] by tidester HOST Feb 04, 2009 (7:35 pm)
Replying to: bankerdanny (Feb 04, 2009 7:26 pm) Stay away from the first gen Eclipse/Talon if you're tall, I had one of those '90 Talons and absolutely loved it! I am of average height and it fit like glove but, yes, a very tall person would be a bit cramped. tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper Replies to this message: volvomax (Feb 05, 2009 8:16 am)