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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#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)
#11 of 34 Re: [bankerdanny] by volvomax Feb 05, 2009 (8:15 am)
Replying to: bankerdanny (Feb 04, 2009 7:26 pm) 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. Because 944 running costs will eat you out of house and home.
#12 of 34 Re: [tidester] by volvomax Feb 05, 2009 (8:16 am)
Replying to: tidester (Feb 04, 2009 7:35 pm) 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. I had a 95 Eclipse GST, great car!
#13 of 34 by gearhead1977 Feb 05, 2009 (12:55 pm)
I'd love to have a first gen or second gen Miata as a "toy". Just simply a wonderful car, meant for the purity of driving a fun car. It will lose a drag race to a minivan or even a modern econobox, but it's not always about speed is it? There was an unmolested 240SX around me a few months ago. It's a shame that most of them have gone to "rice rocket" land, along with the DSM cars (Don't forget the Plymouth Laser version of the first gen cars) the MR2, Prelude (another one I'd love to have). For the pony cars, I've always been a Mustang fan. I never cared for the look, the interior or the driving position of the GM cars. Great list, I'd give more props to the 944 suggestion, but the prices for parts,are,uh, Porsche. I recently started looking in the 5k realm for a used car. 5k COULD get you a BMW 750iL. But just researching the parts via Advanced Auto Parts internet site was sobering enough. Combine that with the V12 thirst for premium fuel and you remember why they were rare (where I live) to begin with and why many don't exist now. But oh for owning a V12 powered anything! Replies to this message: chrisa222 (Feb 25, 2009 3:48 pm)
#14 of 34 Mk2 GTi by ivannachoo Feb 05, 2009 (12:56 pm)
I just picked up a 1.8L 16V with some minor modifications for $1500. This car is completely tossable and handles like a go-kart. We'll see how reliable it is. There is an abundance of parts and references out there for this car too.
#15 of 34 Extremely helpful by CarPro21 Feb 05, 2009 (1:37 pm)
Thanks for the article post. I've been searching a long time for the perfect kind of starter car for myself, Stick obviously, and I know there were places to find them cheap but I had no foundation and no one to say "ok, here's a list of good, decent cars and with budget you can't beat ay ANY dealer". I agree Prelude's are the most underrated car I've ever seen but that makes me chase them because I want a car that rarely anyone would see or drive. All I see is Civics, Camrys, Corollas, etc. the normal average cars.
#16 of 34 top ten used cars by forddude2 Feb 05, 2009 (2:56 pm)
I don't think that you should overlook the Ford Contour SVT as a best buy for under 5k. It has as good or better performance as some of the cars listed, plus it has four doors for hauling the kids too. It also sounds awesome and is a ton of fun. Replies to this message: fezo (Feb 05, 2009 3:35 pm)
#17 of 34 Re: top ten used cars [forddude2] by fezo Feb 05, 2009 (3:35 pm)
Replying to: forddude2 (Feb 05, 2009 2:56 pm) Good candidate. That's indeed a fun car and in teh right price range.