Car for $5000? - Page 2 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

NWFRS · 01-02-2014, 12:37 AM

Ford Focus.
Toyota Tercel.
Honda Civic.

Personally, for the mileage and the budget, I'd stick to 10-20yo bare bones economy cars. There are SO many good ones out there if you're not picky and you just want them to run. Gotta watch Craigslist like a hawk. :-)

jflogerzi · 01-02-2014, 01:45 AM

4 years ago I found my G/F a 2004 Ford Focus with 88,xxx miles in great shape for 4K. At that time I did not realize how much of a steal that was. 40,000 miles + later not a single major problem. Great little car and it was perfect of her. I hate driving the thing. Good luck on your search.

stugray · 01-02-2014, 02:07 AM

My 99 Solara has been the best car I have ever owned.
Dependable, fun to drive, great in the snow, great reviews.

You should be able to get a low mileage one (under 100k) for under $5k

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

AKBrrrrrrrrZ · 01-02-2014, 03:23 AM

Or Toyota's version of the civic, the celica. I had my 7th gen through college and still have it. Only thing I've had to do is change the oil and it runs great at ~190,000 miles. I've driven it from Alaska to the lower 48 and back a few times and it has never given me any problems. Will last forever and they can be found cheap almost anywhere. (Just try and stay away from 2002 gt models as I believe they had an oil consumption issue.)

N1rve · 01-02-2014, 04:31 AM

Corolla or a Civic. You do NOT want to drive a nice car to college. Door dings...hit and runs... sigh LOL

argonaddict · 01-02-2014, 04:58 AM

The corolla ,camry,civic or outback/ n/a impreza, all mentioned before. I have seen hundreds at work with seriously high miles (well over 200k) still plugging along amazingly well, if they have been taken care of.

I will add this one to the mix though ,the hyundai accent. I have put insane amounts of miles on them. they make great basic cars.

5k will get a solid car, I would buy from a dry state like California or Arizona though because the car will have not seen years of road salt and snow. so spend 4k and save some for shipping. Also living out east I would lean on AWD cars.

4agze · 01-02-2014, 05:42 AM

07 suzuki sx4 awd not bad for a college student I wish I had same option as him when I was in college

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4204251990.html

Whitigir · 01-02-2014, 08:18 AM

Like many have said....a Camry lol. They run forever...and never damage your pocket. I like Toyota more than Civic, you don't have to rev the heck out of it for power.

During my college hood I had seen countless of Civic with fart can reved up loud but run slow....resulted in a cop pull over. While my Camry I could step on it, and go....and never pull attention.

If you want coupe and sporty feel...TC. They have the same engine as the Camry...and talk about lasting forever and mods friendly.

f0rge · 01-02-2014, 11:53 AM

I'd be shopping for a Honda Accord. Great cars and nicer than a Civic/Focus.

boxer 2.5 · 01-02-2014, 12:23 PM

Buy a nice Civic, for 5k you can pick up an 02-05 civic with less than 100k.
If he's more of a car guy, get an Integra. Either a 98-01 LS or a 94-97 Gs-R.
Both of these will last forever and are easier to fix than playing with legos.
/previous Integra, Civic, Accord, Impreza, WRX, BRZ owner.

rice_classic · 01-02-2014, 12:59 PM

Definitely not an Integra, especially a GSR. Theft rates are still through the roof. Get something that has little demand from ricer-engine-swappers.

Civic LX, Corolla, 1st gen TC, 1st gen Insight (I still want one of these).

enwave · 01-02-2014, 01:19 PM

I just today bought an '06 Corolla LE with 70k miles for $5500 as a winter beater for my wife while she finishes up school. I'm guessing something along those lines would be perfect for you.

EDIT: granted, I got special family pricing from my cousin who needed it gone. You'll likely have to go a few years back before you can get a price that low for a car in decent shape.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

gymratter · 01-02-2014, 01:21 PM

Camry, Accord, Civic are all great ideas for a college student.

I would also add GS300/IS300 to the list. Those have been great cars in our family and can to had for the $5000 price range. Also that aren't bad to look at in my opinion.

gymratter · 01-02-2014, 01:23 PM

I would not recommend a Focus. I have owned one and it gave me so many issues. That thing was a lemon.

01-02-2014, 12:37 AM	#15
NWFRS Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: ‘13 FRS Location: USA Posts: 1,298 Thanks: 3,946 Thanked 1,503 Times in 635 Posts Mentioned: 17 Post(s)	Ford Focus. Toyota Tercel. Honda Civic. Personally, for the mileage and the budget, I'd stick to 10-20yo bare bones economy cars. There are SO many good ones out there if you're not picky and you just want them to run. Gotta watch Craigslist like a hawk. :-) __________________ http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82872

01-02-2014, 03:23 AM	#18
AKBrrrrrrrrZ Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 02 Celica GT Location: Aurora Borealis Posts: 74 Thanks: 120 Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Or Toyota's version of the civic, the celica. I had my 7th gen through college and still have it. Only thing I've had to do is change the oil and it runs great at ~190,000 miles. I've driven it from Alaska to the lower 48 and back a few times and it has never given me any problems. Will last forever and they can be found cheap almost anywhere. (Just try and stay away from 2002 gt models as I believe they had an oil consumption issue.) Last edited by AKBrrrrrrrrZ; 01-02-2014 at 03:25 AM. Reason: forgot to add disclaimer about the 2002 model

01-02-2014, 12:59 PM	#25
rice_classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Nevermorange FRS Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,175 Thanks: 758 Thanked 4,215 Times in 1,809 Posts Mentioned: 78 Post(s)	Definitely not an Integra, especially a GSR. Theft rates are still through the roof. Get something that has little demand from ricer-engine-swappers. Civic LX, Corolla, 1st gen TC, 1st gen Insight (I still want one of these). __________________ PRO86 \| WTCC \| STL

01-02-2014, 01:19 PM	#26
enwave That headunit though... Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited SSM Location: Provo, UT Posts: 520 Thanks: 304 Thanked 297 Times in 185 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s)	Car for $5000? I just today bought an '06 Corolla LE with 70k miles for $5500 as a winter beater for my wife while she finishes up school. I'm guessing something along those lines would be perfect for you. EDIT: granted, I got special family pricing from my cousin who needed it gone. You'll likely have to go a few years back before you can get a price that low for a car in decent shape. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2013 BRZ Limited SSM 6AT Phantom ESC 1.5Dump + E85 + OFH + Q300 Eibach Pro-Kit + Michelin PSS (stock size)

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01-02-2014, 02:07 AM	#17
stugray Banned Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: 2013 GBS BRZ Limited Location: Colorado Posts: 1,925 Thanks: 627 Thanked 1,445 Times in 711 Posts Mentioned: 41 Post(s)	My 99 Solara has been the best car I have ever owned. Dependable, fun to drive, great in the snow, great reviews. You should be able to get a low mileage one (under 100k) for under $5k http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

01-02-2014, 04:31 AM	#19
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s)	Corolla or a Civic. You do NOT want to drive a nice car to college. Door dings...hit and runs... sigh LOL

01-02-2014, 04:58 AM	#20
argonaddict Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2005 PSM STI Location: nor cal Posts: 35 Thanks: 31 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	The corolla ,camry,civic or outback/ n/a impreza, all mentioned before. I have seen hundreds at work with seriously high miles (well over 200k) still plugging along amazingly well, if they have been taken care of. I will add this one to the mix though ,the hyundai accent. I have put insane amounts of miles on them. they make great basic cars. 5k will get a solid car, I would buy from a dry state like California or Arizona though because the car will have not seen years of road salt and snow. so spend 4k and save some for shipping. Also living out east I would lean on AWD cars.

01-02-2014, 08:18 AM	#22
Whitigir Banned Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 450 awhp twin turbo vr4 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,012 Thanks: 94 Thanked 273 Times in 177 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Like many have said....a Camry lol. They run forever...and never damage your pocket. I like Toyota more than Civic, you don't have to rev the heck out of it for power. During my college hood I had seen countless of Civic with fart can reved up loud but run slow....resulted in a cop pull over. While my Camry I could step on it, and go....and never pull attention. If you want coupe and sporty feel...TC. They have the same engine as the Camry...and talk about lasting forever and mods friendly.

01-02-2014, 12:23 PM	#24
boxer 2.5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 2007 Impreza, 2013 BRZ Location: Vernon, CT Posts: 314 Thanks: 240 Thanked 119 Times in 78 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Buy a nice Civic, for 5k you can pick up an 02-05 civic with less than 100k. If he's more of a car guy, get an Integra. Either a 98-01 LS or a 94-97 Gs-R. Both of these will last forever and are easier to fix than playing with legos. /previous Integra, Civic, Accord, Impreza, WRX, BRZ owner.

01-02-2014, 01:21 PM	#27
gymratter Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: BMW Location: TX Posts: 2,400 Thanks: 1,972 Thanked 1,827 Times in 954 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s)	Camry, Accord, Civic are all great ideas for a college student. I would also add GS300/IS300 to the list. Those have been great cars in our family and can to had for the $5000 price range. Also that aren't bad to look at in my opinion.

01-02-2014, 01:23 PM	#28
gymratter Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: BMW Location: TX Posts: 2,400 Thanks: 1,972 Thanked 1,827 Times in 954 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s)	I would not recommend a Focus. I have owned one and it gave me so many issues. That thing was a lemon.

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