Best used car for $5K
- Thread starter Barkleymut
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: MarkM66
A guy I work with has a '04 cavalier with 280k miles on it.
Original engine and auto trans. On minimal/jiffy lube maintenance.
Surprised me.
That thing should be donated to the Smithsonian. Krapaliers aren't known for their longevity...
A guy I work with has a '04 cavalier with 280k miles on it.
Original engine and auto trans. On minimal/jiffy lube maintenance.
Surprised me.
That thing should be donated to the Smithsonian. Krapaliers aren't known for their longevity...
Last edited:
Drew, lol - I emailed him last night! I got a $6,000 firm response when I asked if I showed up with $4800 cash, would he sign the title over if it looked good.
I also found a '00 Saturn 5 spd with 100K for $1900. Even if it needs something done this could be the winner. Too bad they didnt indicate if it was a SL or LS....argh
I also found a '00 Saturn 5 spd with 100K for $1900. Even if it needs something done this could be the winner. Too bad they didnt indicate if it was a SL or LS....argh
dude a bmw e36 318 5spd would be a great car if you find one in maintained condition. I know it's older, but the 318s are easy to work on and don't carry the same price as the I6's do. super comfy and pretty safe for its size. fun to drive, great seat.
Best seat I ever knew was a used S60 I had for a short time. 28 mpg commute, but was quirky to understand maintenance. also, an 02 will have 150,000+ miles and still sit around $7k???
M
Best seat I ever knew was a used S60 I had for a short time. 28 mpg commute, but was quirky to understand maintenance. also, an 02 will have 150,000+ miles and still sit around $7k???
M
wow, I forgot just how much fun it is dealing with people on c-list. I have called or emailed for info on 7 cars. I guy emailed back, 1 guy answered call and 5 have not responded. 1 guy took his off of clist so I understand that one.
People - if you want to sell something you must communicate. I can not show up and hand you money if I don't know where your car is.
Sorry....rant over.
People - if you want to sell something you must communicate. I can not show up and hand you money if I don't know where your car is.
Sorry....rant over.
Originally Posted By: garlicbreadman
94-2001 integra LS/RS/GS..
I get up to 40mpg driving 60mph
parts are cheap, car is super reliable, and really fun to drive
My GS-R never got better than 32mpg. But it was loads of fun and still ran well when I sold it at 200,000 mi.
94-2001 integra LS/RS/GS..
I get up to 40mpg driving 60mph
parts are cheap, car is super reliable, and really fun to drive
My GS-R never got better than 32mpg. But it was loads of fun and still ran well when I sold it at 200,000 mi.
Consider a Pontiac Vibe auto rated at 25/31.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Originally Posted By: tgferg67
Consider a Pontiac Vibe auto rated at 25/31.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Vibe?
not a bad idea....
Consider a Pontiac Vibe auto rated at 25/31.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Vibe?
not a bad idea....
As others have mentioned the '99 > 2002 FORD Escort w/5 speed manual , CHEVY Prizm '99 > 2002 w/5 speed , and COROLLA '99 > 2005 w/ 5 speed be good choices . Also may want to consider an TOYOTA Echo , SCION XA , or XB w/ 5 speed manual . That's if you can get past the toaster on wheels look . All these will likely exceed 35 m.p.g.. Most should be under $5,000 . If possible , take your time to get as much info ( records ) and background ( flood , etc. ) on the car of your choice . Good luck and let us know on your decision and how it works out for you .
Last edited:
I don't know if you can get an xB for $5000. xA? Sure. But the older 1.5 xBs are still pretty popular.
The Echo is weird to drive. Especially at night. You glance down and see nothing but blackness where the instrument panel usually goes so you keep reaching down to the turn signal stalk to turn the headlights on. (I suppose Saturn Ion drivers do that for awhile too) The Echo is not tippy...not at all, but the seat bottom feels higher in the middle and lacks thigh bolstering so it lends to that high center of gravity feeling.
The Echo is weird to drive. Especially at night. You glance down and see nothing but blackness where the instrument panel usually goes so you keep reaching down to the turn signal stalk to turn the headlights on. (I suppose Saturn Ion drivers do that for awhile too) The Echo is not tippy...not at all, but the seat bottom feels higher in the middle and lacks thigh bolstering so it lends to that high center of gravity feeling.
Would think the 2004 XB w/ 5 speed could be found for less than $5,000 . Depending on the mileage . We had an '06 XB w/ 4 speed auto and that averaged about 32 . Someone we know has the '06 with the 5 speed and claims to get over 35 m.p.g.. I'd think that car must have well over 70,000 miles on it . They love it .
Originally Posted By: odie
Would think the 2004 XB w/ 5 speed could be found for less than $5,000 . Depending on the mileage ...
You probably can, but just a quick glance at Autotrader showed that manual transmission 1.5 xBs start in the $7500 range. Other markets may have better pricing.
I still don't know why Toyota changed it to the current model. It definitely inspired Nissan and Kia to bring their own "boxes" to North America and seemed real popular and got fairly good fuel economy for such a brick (aerodynamic).
You might be able to get a Kia Seoul in that range. (intentional misspelling) But I would be wary. Cheap cars are often neglected just because they are cheap.
Would think the 2004 XB w/ 5 speed could be found for less than $5,000 . Depending on the mileage ...
You probably can, but just a quick glance at Autotrader showed that manual transmission 1.5 xBs start in the $7500 range. Other markets may have better pricing.
I still don't know why Toyota changed it to the current model. It definitely inspired Nissan and Kia to bring their own "boxes" to North America and seemed real popular and got fairly good fuel economy for such a brick (aerodynamic).
You might be able to get a Kia Seoul in that range. (intentional misspelling) But I would be wary. Cheap cars are often neglected just because they are cheap.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: tgferg67
Consider a Pontiac Vibe auto rated at 25/31.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Vibe?
not a bad idea....
Yeah, a great little car. But they hold their friggin value a little too much around here.
Originally Posted By: tgferg67
Consider a Pontiac Vibe auto rated at 25/31.
Many owners have driven them enough miles to report the odometer stops reading after 299,999 miles...
Avoid the manual transmission Vibe/Matrix/Corolla as there are alot of reports of transmission bearing failures.
Vibe?
not a bad idea....
Yeah, a great little car. But they hold their friggin value a little too much around here.
Last edited:
The XB was one of the 1st TOYOTA made vehicles to get A.B.S.,V.S.C.,and T.C. as a standard feature . If I remember right the XA came with A.B.S. as a standard feature . Why they didn't make S.I.A.B. standard or optional for the XB is beyond me . The S.I.A.B. was optional for the XA . The XB we had did very in the snow with the GOODYEAR tires .
The problem with Scions is they hold their value extremely well. If you could actually find one for 5K, it would likely have very high miles and not be in good shape.
Cavalier/Sunfire
- Status
Similar threads
