Close to getting first car, best for around $5,000

[roylan101]

Im 20 and finally have enough free time from school and work to learn to drive properly and get my license, also found a family member with a manual that can teach me to drive stick (👍) Hopefully I have my license by the summer time, and Ill also have some money saved up. While neither of my parents drive or owned cars, I have an uncle who may be willing to put me under his policy so I dont pay astronomical prices for insurance.

My dad said he'll help me a bit, but im thinking of getting something for around $5000 or less. It'll be my first ever car, and has to be something I can take the family in (5 people), so any good 4 door sedan will do. I dont need something really sporty, its my first car and the first car for the family, so I need something reliable, decent gas mileage, and decent room for 5 folks including driver. Ive been looking around and a early 2000s ford focus or VW passat seem like good cars, but I havent been able to get good maintenance estimates for either of them. Not sure if I want it to be manual or not, depends how much I like it when I learn (Im sure ill love it) but I also live in new york city.

 

[Bopop4]

Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord are both good cars.
If you are going to be in a lot of traffic then just go the automatic, too tedious to use a manual in stop-and-go traffic.

 

[roylan101]

Thats why I was thinking of getting an automatic, In Fall 2014 I'll be applying to universities, my top being Michigan, so I might not be in the city anymore, but thats awhile from now.

What year would I be looking at to get a good accord or camry for 5 grand?

 

[Cale]

If you're planning on going to MI you can get a nice Subaru for 5k also. Anything from an Impreza to a fully loaded H6 Outback.

 

[Anna+Reece]

One of these is possibly the best first car ever.

 

[roylan101]

Im guessing from 99 to 2001 or 2002 for the subarus, what kind of mileage should I be looking at for 5 grand

I know maintenance is much more important than mileage, but is there such a thing as a mileage threshold where at that point youre crossing your fingers it doesnt break down and become unserviceable?

 

[Cale]

They'll be over 100k for the higher end models. Chances are all the preventative maintenance is done so mileage really won't matter. For 5k you should be able to get literally any model beside wrx/sti through 2004. Obviously the Legacy/Outback will be more spacious for the family and for that price you'll find base 2.5s too LL Bean 3.0s. The H6 has a timing chain instead of a belt whivh doesn't require replacemnt every 100k or so, however it runs on premium but gets better highway mpg. And it sounds like a poor mans 911.


Just checked my local craigslist and there are 200 Subarus for $5k for sale.

If you don't think you need awd or don't want to sacrifice mpg really any japanese midsizer would be a safebet.

 

[roylan101]

That actually made me pretty happy, as Ive always wanted a subie since I saw a blue impreza with gold rims when I was like 9. Ill look into the legacies and outbacks, wonder if I can find a 2003 legacy with the 4th gen styling, but I somehow doubt it. Mileage isnt huge but its definately a factor, as long as I can get into the 20s on the highway. I know Im not purchasing for a couple months but I want to know the market

 

[RDF97]

This might be all that helpful if you live in America, but if you live in Australia or New Zealand, you can get a pretty good Falcon for that!

 

[roylan101]

lol unfortunately I live in America, so no Falcon for me.

Anyone know what the insurance premiums on an outback would be? Ive also seen some nice VW passats for 5 grand, anyone have an opinion on those?

 

[Antonisbob]

One of these is possibly the best first car ever.

No, a '57 Chevy or '60s Camaro is, but nowadays that's almost impossible.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Mx-5

 

[ND4SPD]

Mx-5

Ah yes, known for carrying families of 5 in complete comfort!

 

[lvl1dnIghT7un3R]

Camry or Passat

 

[roylan101]

Ah yes, known for carrying families of 5 in complete comfort!

/thread

 

[Rotary Junkie]

The answer is always Miata, except when you need more than two seats.

It may be possible to find a decent early Mazda6 in your price range but I wouldn't be quick to trust the V6 at high mileage (pre-cat failure is not a fun scenario, especially when you live in an area where you can't get away with just gutting them) and I wouldn't really want to deal with an auto late in its life either given a rebuild will hurt your wallet quite badly if/when it does go... Which pretty much leaves a 4cyl/manual car in an area that gets just as many rust problems as we do here in Michigan and worse traffic...

Okay suddenly this actually sounds like a not-good idea. Protege5 would be my next thought but it'd be a bit cramped to stuff an entire family into unless at least 3 of you are dwarves or haven't hit full height yet + Mazdarot + age.

Bah. Really, it might be better to look into stuff that catches your eye then coming back to us to see if anyone has any particular horror stories about them. Find something you like with a good rep and roll with it. If a properly nice 6 comes up in your price range I'd advocate it but I doubt the possibility of it somewhat.

 

[roylan101]

The answer is always Miata, except when you need more than two seats.

It may be possible to find a decent early Mazda6 in your price range but I wouldn't be quick to trust the V6 at high mileage (pre-cat failure is not a fun scenario, especially when you live in an area where you can't get away with just gutting them) and I wouldn't really want to deal with an auto late in its life either given a rebuild will hurt your wallet quite badly if/when it does go... Which pretty much leaves a 4cyl/manual car in an area that gets just as many rust problems as we do here in Michigan and worse traffic...

Okay suddenly this actually sounds like a not-good idea. Protege5 would be my next thought but it'd be a bit cramped to stuff an entire family into unless at least 3 of you are dwarves or haven't hit full height yet + Mazdarot + age.

Bah. Really, it might be better to look into stuff that catches your eye then coming back to us to see if anyone has any particular horror stories about them. Find something you like with a good rep and roll with it. If a properly nice 6 comes up in your price range I'd advocate it but I doubt the possibility of it somewhat.

Thanks for the sound advice. Hadnt thought about the extra complexity of an auto transmission/v6 late in the cars life. Still there are a lot of I4 passats and some with manuals around as well, I went over to passatworld and asking around to see what people think of a passat at over 100k miles as a first car.

So far my top choices look like an early 2000s (2003 and 2004 can be had at the price range) third gen Subaru legacy outback, or a b5/5.5 early 2000s Volkswagen Passat, both between 100-130k miles.

 

[Azuremen]

I'd avoid most Subaru's older than the 2003 model year with an automatic, because the automatics sucked then. They kind of sucked afterwards, but not nearly as much and seem to lack the older issues with shifting in and out of overdrive if you so much as sneezed on the pedal.

Would also avoid pre-08 VW anything.

 

[lvl1dnIghT7un3R]

Thanks for the sound advice. Hadnt thought about the extra complexity of an auto transmission/v6 late in the cars life. Still there are a lot of I4 passats and some with manuals around as well, I went over to passatworld and asking around to see what people think of a passat at over 100k miles as a first car.

So far my top choices look like an early 2000s (2003 and 2004 can be had at the price range) third gen Subaru legacy outback, or a b5/5.5 early 2000s Volkswagen Passat, both between 100-130k miles.

From my experience, the 2001 Subaru Outback Limited(i think) Wagon was a little more tight in the back than a 1998 Passat.

I'd avoid most Subaru's older than the 2003 model year with an automatic, because the automatics sucked then. They kind of sucked afterwards, but not nearly as much and seem to lack the older issues with shifting in and out of overdrive if you so much as sneezed on the pedal.

Would also avoid pre-08 VW anything.

No.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Talking from experience here if you want to learn stick, Honda Accord is a good place to start.

CD5s are right around that price or much cheaper and they're easy to learn manual with. Light and easy to use clutch, light and smooth gearchange. I had a little experience in my Suzuki Sierra before I bought the Accord driving stick, but overall it would have taken me 2 hours tops to get it down pat.

The Accord's a little boring to drive but in my opinion its the definition of a first car. Fairly small, easy to park, won't make your wallet cry when it goes in for service or (God forbid this happens of course) repairs, and it's got "VTEC, yo!"

 

[RVDNuT374]

1996-2007 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable-

You can easily pick one up for around $2-5000. Despite what you may have read, these cars actually handle fairly well for what they are, especially with better tires. Power is adequate with the more common Vulcan V6, plentiful with the higher output but less common Duratec V6. These cars never came with a manual transmission, only a 4-speed automatic which is a bit on the fragile side, so pay close attention to how the transmission shifts if you decide to test drive one. Other trouble spots are the factory coolant tank in the 96-03's develops cracks in it after while; OEM replacements run about $60. Also, change the coolant in the Vulcan engine every 2-3 years; it is infamous for rust in the cooling system which can lead to bad things. Finally, watch out if the rear of the car is sagging, that means the struts/springs are shot and replacement is apparently very expensive.

 

[Azuremen]

No.

Right, because VW's from the early 2000's and late 90's are so reliable and cheap to maintain. Great first cards, if you don't mind dealing with not being able to drive a couple weeks every year.

 

[lvl1dnIghT7un3R]

Most imports will be more expensive to maintain than domestic cars. But not thousands more and you don't have to wait weeks for parts to come.

 

[Jet Badger]

I agree on VWs. Even though here they are built by germans and are bulletproof, late 90s - early 2000s smaller VW are like riding on a wooden table. I hate Mk IV Golfs so much. Poor when every second car here is a MkIV Golf.

 

[lvl1dnIghT7un3R]

I like the R32 Golf...
But OP wants car that can fit 5 people. Something with a little more room would be more comfortable for 5.

 

[roylan101]

Does that extend to the Passat as well? I heard it was based on an Audi a4 platform and that it was really good, but that could mean its expensive if something goes wrong.

 

[Jet Badger]

Well B5 Passat is heaps better. It's much quieter, much smoother. It's like getting into a spa jacuzzi after a prisons shower. Easily fits 5 people (I'm 186cm tall and could comfortably use the back seat, where Golf's back seats' a joke, either for kids or people with no legs).

 

[Azuremen]

Most imports will be more expensive to maintain than domestic cars. But not thousands more and you don't have to wait weeks for parts to come.

Apparently you've never heard of Toyota or Honda?

Does that extend to the Passat as well? I heard it was based on an Audi a4 platform and that it was really good, but that could mean its expensive if something goes wrong.

It is the same platform for that generation, if I recall correctly.

The NA VW engines are quite a bit cheaper to keep running than there turbo engines. The 1.8T is wildly regarded as unreliable, and even the 2.0T prior to 2008 has known issues.

 

[Doog]

Does that extend to the Passat as well? I heard it was based on an Audi a4 platform and that it was really good, but that could mean its expensive if something goes wrong.

My cousin had an early 00s Passat. Pretty nice car inside and out and it was pretty comfortable, but the problem is they're just so unreliable. After a year of regular electrical gremlins and faults they finally sold the car and got a Mazda 6.
Speaking of cousins, another one of mine used to have a Maxima that had 200k miles on it. Was fairly comfortable (albeit it was on cheapo tires) and roomy, and it's just a little more upmarket than a Camry or Accord. You should be able to find one within your price range, and it should last you forever.

 

[lvl1dnIghT7un3R]

Does that extend to the Passat as well? I heard it was based on an Audi a4 platform and that it was really good, but that could mean its expensive if something goes wrong.

It does extend to passat but: Have you ever heard of a car that is cheaper to maintain that a Japanese car (camry, accord)?
I think that A4 has a stiffer chassis (more sporty) and the Passat is less stiff(family;comfortable city driving). Pretty sure both are based on B5 chassis. Some parts may be interchangeable but not a lot.

@Azureboy
m-o-s-t