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Used car for under 5k ?

matas

matas

Golden Member
What car can I get for that money. Looking for something fast and reliable(if that's possible), but not a total gas guzzler.
 
Be more specific when you say fast - what cars do you consider fast? Are we talking "not as slow as a Geo Tracker" fast, or "with just intake, cam, and exhaust it's pushing 300-325" fast, or "each one of these decals is good for 15 HP, and the coffee can exhaust adds at least 75" fast?

For example, 94-96ish Mustang GT is decently fast, can be found for $4-6k, and won't be too horrible on gas if you have a light foot. However, without any additional details, that could be complete opposite of what you're looking for.
 
Fast would be a viper or a Bugatti. Slow would be something like 1.5L 4 Cylinder non turbo. Also I would prefer a car with 4 seats, not 2. How risky is to get a mustang with like 150k miles on it?

 
Originally posted by: matas
Fast would be a viper or a Bugatti. Slow would be something like 1.5L 4 Cylinder non turbo. Also I would prefer a car with 4 seats, not 2. How risky is to get a mustang with like 150k miles on it?
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shouldn't be too risky if it's been taken care of

I assume you mean a fox body 1987-1993. Good choice.
 
Originally posted by: matas
Fast would be a viper or a Bugatti. Slow would be something like 1.5L 4 Cylinder non turbo. Also I would prefer a car with 4 seats, not 2. How risky is to get a mustang with like 150k miles on it?
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We know the difference between fast and slow,by listing ultra fast cars and then ultra slow you are still not giving us anything to go on. We were more wondering how slow was too slow for you to consider it not fast enough. understand?


 
Originally posted by: angry hampster
1993-1994 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
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This...although I'd try to swing a 98+, as that would have the LS1 instead of the LT1. Might be a bit tough to locate a local '98+ for 5k though...autotrader is currently showing a few though, so they are out there.
 
Originally posted by: matas
What is a fox body? Why not above 1993? Text
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The one you linked to is a 6 cylinder. While they aren't complete dogs they aren't really what anyone would consider fast.

1993-1994 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
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I second looking for Camaros/Trans Ams. They had a good amount of power, are relatively simple to work on, and have some of the best aftermarket support for getting more power out of them. Chevy V8s are some of the easiest engines to build up.
 
Originally posted by: swtethan
fast + reliable under 5k? I dont think there is such a car.
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My 2000 maxima with 123k miles does 0-60 under 7, is larger than most sedans out these days, and has done pretty well reliability wise. I figure it's worth about $4k private party right now! Gets high 20's gas mileage on the highway (city/highway combined I'm around 22 most of the time, I think, but I don't completely baby it), though that's with 91.

Recommendations for muscle cars that have been beaten on for 15 years kind of avoid the "realibility" part.
 
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Originally posted by: angry hampster
1993-1994 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
Click to expand...

This...although I'd try to swing a 98+, as that would have the LS1 instead of the LT1. Might be a bit tough to locate a local '98+ for 5k though...autotrader is currently showing a few though, so they are out there.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'd prefer the 98+ as well for the LS1, but under 5K is really hard to come by unless they're in shit shape or high-miled.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: swtethan
fast + reliable under 5k? I dont think there is such a car.
Click to expand...
My 2000 maxima with 123k miles does 0-60 under 7, is larger than most sedans out these days, and has done pretty well reliability wise. I figure it's worth about $4k private party right now! Gets high 20's gas mileage on the highway (city/highway combined I'm around 22 most of the time, I think, but I don't completely baby it), though that's with 91.

Recommendations for muscle cars that have been beaten on for 15 years kind of avoid the "realibility" part.
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Bah. If there is one thing the domestic guys do well its v8 rwd cars. The interior may suck and fall apart, the body panels may not line up very well, it may rattle like crazy, but the drive train will last forever.

Miata. Fast around turns anyway 🙂. I scored a 94 turbo with a hard top for under $5k so you can even find ones that are quick in the straights if you look hard enough.
 
^^^ Ooo great point, the Miatas are pretty maintenance-simple, and parts are plentiful. It lacks a certain amount of practicality, but they're a great platform.

Another poster above suggested a Maxima, this is a good choice. One thing I've noticed from a couple of friends that have had them, is that maintenance can be shockingly high on some items. Notably the emissions system is a bitch, sensors and cats are expensive on it. This is what I've heard, perhaps my buddies were just getting ripped off. This was on a 2002 SE and a 2000 GLE, IIRC, similar problems. The cars drove fine, but wouldn't pass emissions with the CEL on.
 
This would be a needle in a haystack, but possibly a 91 Honda CRX. Assuming it doesn't have 300,000+ miles and hasn't been molested (very big IFs), should be reliable, and will get around 45mpg highway.

It's lightweight, so it should be reasonably quick, and the handling is very good from what I've read.
 
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
This would be a needle in a haystack, but possibly a 91 Honda CRX. Assuming it doesn't have 300,000+ miles and hasn't been molested (very big IFs), should be reliable, and will get around 45mpg highway.

It's lightweight, so it should be reasonably quick, and the handling is very good from what I've read.
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This.

The CRX is my favorite car. You can generally find them with DOHC and even Type R engines for under 4K. Not to mention they are quick and handle like a dream.

EDIT: This CL posting has a completely bad ass CRX for just under 5K.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1150026506.html

Fast and economical. Looks great.
 
Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
This would be a needle in a haystack, but possibly a 91 Honda CRX. Assuming it doesn't have 300,000+ miles and hasn't been molested (very big IFs), should be reliable, and will get around 45mpg highway.

It's lightweight, so it should be reasonably quick, and the handling is very good from what I've read.
Click to expand...

This.

The CRX is my favorite car. You can generally find them with DOHC and even Type R engines for under 4K. Not to mention they are quick and handle like a dream.

EDIT: This CL posting has a completely bad ass CRX for just under 5K.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1150026506.html

Fast and economical. Looks great.
Click to expand...

Hmm. It might be hard to find a CRX that someone hasn't riced out or driven the hell out of. That B18C1 is a great swap, the B18C5 is even better, but a bit rare. The thing is, you just don't know how good a job they did until you have the thing for a while, lots of little things, emissions, wiring harness, motor mounts, seals, dash hookups, etc, can cause you headaches if they didn't do them right. And of course if someone did a swap like that, they probably drove it pretty hard. Also, as a guy who's had a couple of hot Hondas, it will probably chew axles if you have a 200+hp CRX/Civic.

This does bring up another possibility though, it's not as uncommon to find an unmolested Prelude, which are a bit more comfortable, in a 4G or 5G package, with ~100k miles and a 2.2 or 2.3L Vtec motor.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...st=1539&standard=false

Silver on Black 2001 Prelude, 68k miles, 5speed, $5k. Pretty classy car, and can be pretty mildly modded to the ~220-230hp level with bolt-ons and a tune without sounding like a fart mobile. Jackson also has an excellent supercharger kit for this that I installed, but be warned, your fuel economy will go to crap.
 
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