Miata? The older gens can be found for pretty cheap

 

Most of the suggestions in this thread so far have been good ones. I would also consider a used Hyundai Tiburon. They have a high depreciation rate, so are generally good values as used cars if in good condition.

Don't go back too far, though, Hyundai, in general, didn't start to make good products until about 2000 or so. And Tiburons are often driven fairly hard, so inspect it and test-drive it carefully.

 

With 5K I would go for a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Yes, you could get a high mileage BMW or Lexus for that money as well, but I would not suggest it.

Lexus and BMW are generally better built than Civics, and have beefier suspensions, better cooling systems, stainless exausts, and because of that they will be way more mechanically reliable. However, when things do go wrong, they cost way more to repair, parts are much much more expensive and labor is more complex and extensive.

And then you have a ton of electronics, which are generally very reliable in Lexus, but very unreliable in German cars. Electronics are very expensive to diagnose and repair.

 

Interesting... I had no idea they had that bad of an issue with oil burning. I had a 95 SE 5-speed many years ago (first year of the same gen you had as I'm sure you know)... I still miss some things about that car. Only 190hp but it was only 2900 pounds and so it moved pretty well... probably very low 15s, very nice handling, reliable, awesome Bose stereo, pretty good build quality and such, etc...

It had something like a $27,500 sticker when it was bought new in 1995. I bought it for $5000 in 2001 with 80k miles on it. Got very good mileage, too.

 

what kind of mpg are you looking for in your beater?

 

yeah man, i really liked my slightly modded 97 5spd.... eibach ground control coils/tokico adjustables. Apexi cat-back, 50/50 tails and some other stuff. i regreted selling it when i did. bought the 02 6spd. as a replacement a couple years later.... nowhere near the same. sold it after 1 year(if that)

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to go shopping around now. I may have to extend my price point but then I would be financing something.

 

You can always put $2000 down on a lease and get something new. Would be nicer than the used Civics and Accords, but then of course you'd have that monthly payment.
If it were me, I'd do a new 2010 Camry LE. They are leasing VERY low and you'd even get rear LED's!

 

If you want to figure in the fun factor as well, here are some suggestions:

98-01 Honda Prelude
99+ Mazda Miata
01 Lexus IS300 (might be slightly out of your price range)
99-00 Honda Civic (possibly SI?)
99-00 Subaru Impreza RS

Of course, you can get reliable with Camrys, Accords, Lexus ES, Infiniti I30. All those can be had for around $5k and under 10 years old.

 

Lots of good choices mentioned already like the maxima and the protege. I would also look at the ford focus, it is fun to drive for a cheap commuter and there are some good deals out there for your price range.

 

you can get a 4 banger 2000 camry for that price.

 

What do you guys think of the E30 BMW?

 

Everyone always says Honda and Toyota. How about:

- Subaru Impreza

- Scion TC - my husband's best friend bought one as a commuter car (he's 6'4" and 275 lbs+) and he loves it...

Sandi

 

good stuff, i had 2 A32's 95 and 99 SEL, very realiable and you can buy them for less than 5k. i just moved from the VQ world to the lexus/toyota world (well soon)

 

you'll never look back.....