Need a good vehicle for under $5k

[M1Accord]

Are there any reliable and durable vehicles out there for under $5k without any known problem such as Subaru bad head gasket, Toyota sludge engine, and Honda bad transmission. I am looking for either a large sedan, small SUV, or medium truck. Since I am living pay check to pay check because I bought a house recently and the economy is bad, so I don't want to spend a lot of money on a new or even slightly used car costing too much. However, I don't want a piece of junk. I see nice used vehicles going for sale for under $5k before but don't know which to pick.

Criteria:

1) Must be big enough for baby seat in the back
2) ABS and disc brake all around
3) 4 doors for cars and SUVs, large back area for trucks though 4) doors are prefer.
5) Get at least 18 mph on highway for SUV and truck and 22 mph for sedan.

 

[DieselTech]

My best advice is to be patient, I picked up my 99 F150 for 5500.00, 67,000 original miles and in great shape. Keep your eye out on craigslist and on roadsides as your driving around. Unfortunatly todays economy allows for some really good deals when people need Cash. Keep your eyes peeled It's a buyers market right now

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Nissan Maxima, Taurus, a minivan, Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, first gen Santa Fe...

Why do you need disc brakes all around?

 

[Dave Hess]

Automatic Corolla, but it has no ABS.

 

[ls1mike]

I picked up my Regal with 65,000 miles for 5000 bucks.
Get about 26 mgp on the highway.

 

[IndyIan]

22 mpg highway? I don't think any sedan made in the last 20 years gets worse mileage than that.
A plain jane manual trans Corolla or Civic or Focus or Cobalt should do the trick. Personally I'd stay away from trucks or SUV's if money is tight, and unless you are on track rear disc brakes don't do anything to shorten stop distances.

 

[01rangerxl]

A 1995-2001 Explorer 4.0 OHV V6 or 5.0 V8 would be a vehicle to look at. 2WD models will be the cheapest to buy, insure, and maintain. All 1995+ Explorers have four wheel disc brakes, ABS, and dual air bags. If looking at an automatic trans model, check the condition of the fluid. Explorers can have some issues, but they are mostly minor, and good maintenance will go a long way. I have seen Explorers with 300K-600K miles on them before.

 

[bretfraz]

At that price point, it is all about condition. Anything you find that meets your basic criteria should be considered. Do not dismiss anything unless you find something better for the same money.

The problems you mentioned are those big issues that will have either been resolved on any particular car you buy, or will still plague it and you will know it when you see it. Either way, it will not be one of those major issues that will cause you problems.

Instead it will be a myriad of ticky-tack little things that will drive you crazy and cost a fortune to fix. You can avoid those by buying a car that was well cared for its whole life, where the previous owner took care of the little things so you don't have to.

Find a car that is fundamentally good and you will have a good one that will do the job you need.

 

[sciphi]

Buick LeSabre, Pontiac Bonneville, Olds 88. ~28-30 highway doing 70-75, better if you slow down. ABS, rear drums, good in inclement weather, easy and cheap to fix. The 3800 is a fairly bulletproof engine, and the rest of the car's mechanicals are straightforward. Plus it's a GM so parts are in stock at any parts store.

A 2.2 liter Subaru without head gasket issues may be in the cards. Underpowered is a fitting term for the 2.2's, though.

Or an older Malibu. It's not a looker, but may have what you're looking for.

 

[hpichris]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Nissan Maxima, Taurus, a minivan, Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, first gen Santa Fe...

Why do you need disc brakes all around?


He takes the car to the track.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

I have a great running 1993 Toyota Camry LE V6 for a daily driver! With normal matenance these things can run forever!!!

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: hpichris
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Nissan Maxima, Taurus, a minivan, Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, first gen Santa Fe...

Why do you need disc brakes all around?


He takes the car to the track.


I have to ask the same question, WHY?
As was said ; Condition is everything!

 

[wapacz]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Buick LeSabre, Pontiac Bonneville, Olds 88. ~28-30 highway doing 70-75, better if you slow down. ABS, rear drums, good in inclement weather, easy and cheap to fix. The 3800 is a fairly bulletproof engine, and the rest of the car's mechanicals are straightforward. Plus it's a GM so parts are in stock at any parts store.

A 2.2 liter Subaru without head gasket issues may be in the cards. Underpowered is a fitting term for the 2.2's, though.

Or an older Malibu. It's not a looker, but may have what you're looking for.


well close the erg stove pipe would cook a gasket causing coolant leaking problems. With that said I hear it is an easy job to do and once done with the updated gasket it will not happen again.

 

[Nick R]

Used Crown Vic.

 

[SrDriver]

We live in a neighborhood mixed with young professionals and us retired folks.

Often you can get a well maintained vehicle like a Crown Vic or Buick, etc., because of an estate sale. Kids live away and are in a hurry to settle the estate.

Have seen a lot of good deals.

 

[OVERKILL]

Crown Vic.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Used Crown Vic.


+1

 

[M1Accord]

I like to have disc brakes all around because they are much simpler to maintain for me. It also seem that they lasts longer. I am still on my original set for my 02 Accord V6 with about 90k miles. It has about 75% life left according to several places that do my state inspection. I don't know anything about drum brake and don't see how I can maintain it with the simplicity I have with disc brakes, which I spray cleaner on every month.

I forgot to mention that the car has to be an automatic because I don't drive a stick and has no inclination to try. Sticks aren't for me. I also prefer AWD or 4WD if it is a larger vehicle but no necessary on a sedan.

I see a nice looking Ford near the house. I has 4 doors, either a F250 or F350 for $2700. It looks good on the outside and has been used as a work truck by the look of the ladder rack. It is the mid to late 90s model due to the curvy body shape. Since it parks on someone's front yard, I haven't get the chance to check it out yet. I prefer to do the walk through without the pressure of having the owner there. In this economy, I hate to give false hope and wouldn't want to buy because of guilt.

For some reason, my 02 Accord only gets 25 mph highway, with a little city driving mixed in. I think it is the combination of K&N air filter and non-OEM tires that aren't as efficient. It has plenty of power and oil is changed every 5-7k miles using 5W20 Mobil 1 or Val Supersyn and Mobil 1 filter. My driving style can be best described as very conservative with minimal use of brake and almost no hard acceleration. I pay attention to traffic and rarely have to stop at red lights.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I always thought drum brakes are easier to maintain, last longer than discs, and are cheaper? I think some places only charge $20 to clean and adjust drums, no?

 

[addyguy]

I used work truck?

Keep looking.......