Car in $5k range?

[BlackTigers]

Well, I'm about to push my escort off a cliff, so I figure and I should probably get rid of it before I do. I'm going to fix all the issues (_most_ of them) and then unload it.

I'm looking for a new car then, and I really have few criteria.

I'd like for it to have under 100k, or close to it.
Import/Domestic... no difference.
Easy to work on...
I prefer coupes...
Under $5k or close to it. A couple thousand above would be okay if reallllly worth it,
If it's fast(er)..or capable of being fast (engine swap) ... all the better.


Any suggestions?

 

[StageLeft]

Don't ever mention engine swapping a $5k car again.

Anyway at that price range your primary motivator should be cost of ownership and the lowest will be with something like a sentra. Boring as hell but you're spending $5k. You could also buy a Maxima. For $5k you can get into a 5th gen (2000+) 🙂 More fun but really a sentra is the most "responsible" choice or something similar. There are probably some domestics like a focus in that price range with decent miles, too.

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Don't ever mention engine swapping a $5k car again.

Anyway at that price range your primary motivator should be cost of ownership and the lowest will be with something like a sentra. Boring as hell but you're spending $5k. You could also buy a Maxima. For $5k you can get into a 5th gen (2000+) 🙂 More fun but really a sentra is the most "responsible" choice or something similar. There are probably some domestics like a focus in that price range with decent miles, too.

Man, ca I 2Jay-Z swap in one of those? 😛

I want something with some feel to it...the last Sentra I drove felt really numb...even more numb than my Escort.

 

[BassBomb]

I like the Maxima idea

Another alternative is the plentiful American Sedans with the 3800

My friend got a 1999 Bonneville with 3800 supercharged for like 2000CDN

 

[ballmode]

Toyota Avalon, leather, V6, camry reliablity, room. FWD for winters

 

[Homer Simpson]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
I like the Maxima idea

Another alternative is the plentiful American Sedans with the 3800

My friend got a 1999 Bonneville with 3800 supercharged for like 2000CDN

and if you want a 2dr coupe, the 97-03 body style grand prix's came with 2 door option until 2001. i had a 97 gtp and really enjoyed it. a friend of mine owns it now. almost 140k miles and still going strong. supercharged 3800's are great motors.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

For 5k, in coupes you could be looking at higher mileage (80k+) 2000-2003 Mustangs (6 cylinder, be looking at 1998-2000 for an 8 cylinder) and Grand Prix. I know there's two 2000-2001 Camaro Z28s (supercharged, both around 75k miles), available for 5k in my area. Also 2000-2001 Tiburons, 2005-2006 Sunfires, Also Cavalier Coupes up to around 2004.

Sedans obviously opens up the ability for *big* sedans (2000-2003 Grand Marquis, Town Cars, and Crown Vics, also De Villes). Also can look at 2004+ Malibus, Elantras, Regals, Saturn LS, 2000+ Impalas etc. Also 2006+ Focus.

Again, I'd personally pass on Hondas and Toyotas in this price range as their prices are overly inflated. 5k won't net you anything made after 2000 and they'll all be in the 90k+ mileage range.

My personal vote goes to the Focus. They're really cheap and anything 2004+ will have Mazda's timing chained engine which is a really good reliable engine. It's easy to get a 2006 Focus with <70k miles on it for 5k. Definitely the "newest" vehicle you can get out of your options and if you're used to driving an old escort it won't feel any smaller.

 

[StageLeft]

Again, I'd personally pass on Hondas and Toyotas in this price range as their prices are overly inflated. 5k won't net you anything made after 2000 and they'll all be in the 90k+ mileage range.

Agree.

 

[MovingTarget]

I'd go for a Grand Marquis/Crown Vic. Cheap, durable, reliable, and very easy to work on. That would be the best bang for your buck if fuel economy isn't a big factor.

 

[caspur]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I'd go for a Grand Marquis/Crown Vic. Cheap, durable, reliable, and very easy to work on. That would be the best bang for your buck if fuel economy isn't a big factor.

I thought I was the only one that liked these cars!

Yes, these cars depreciate a huge amount in a few years and are a bargain in the used market. Coincidentally, their fleet costs for me when new are astronomical, so I try not to keep too many of them around.

They are very reliable, get 25 mpg on the highway (though only 15 or so in town), they ride well, and have lots of trunk room. The only negative is that they are terrible on snow and I hate parking them.

 

[matas]

I am in the similar situation. Been looking for a reliable car, after my crappy 2000 TL's trans fucked up. Looking for a car in new jersey for 5k. Anyone selling anything?

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: caspur

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I'd go for a Grand Marquis/Crown Vic. Cheap, durable, reliable, and very easy to work on. That would be the best bang for your buck if fuel economy isn't a big factor.

I thought I was the only one that liked these cars!

Yes, these cars depreciate a huge amount in a few years and are a bargain in the used market. Coincidentally, their fleet costs for me when new are astronomical, so I try not to keep too many of them around.

They are very reliable, get 25 mpg on the highway (though only 15 or so in town), they ride well, and have lots of trunk room. The only negative is that they are terrible on snow and I hate parking them.

Any of those cars with the 4.6 Modular V8 are fantastic cars for the money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Modular_engine

If you're looking for coupes, the Thunderbird, Cougar XR7 and Mark VIII can be found usually in excellent condition for great prices.