With the rising used car prices and lack of good options in the market, getting a reliable daily driver is quite a hard task. However, what if you want something that is cheap, reliable, and fun to drive? Well, you would expect nothing in the sub-$5,000 price range. This is where our list of 10 fun beater cars that you could buy for less than $5,000 makes quite a lot of sense.
Instead of going for terrible cars like Chrysler PT Cruiser or Dodge Avenger, you are going to see a lot of fun-to-drive machines in this list that has the potential to even make you forget your ride that you would like to keep in your garage. These cars are also reasonably reliable and fuel-efficient too. With not a lot of things going against them, here are our choices for a fun daily driver that doesn't break the bank.
10 1993-2004 Ford Mustang SN95 ($3,000)
Many would expect the Ford Mustang lineup to be expensive to own and maintain due to the potent powertrain. However, the SN95 Mustang which came out in 1993 is a perfect pick if you are budget constrained. This is also considered to be one of the least complex and most reliable generations of Mustangs to ever hit the market.
The fourth generation Mustang could be had for around $3,000 for a car with less than 150,000 miles, and this is especially great when considering the prices of Camrys and Corollas on the used market. All the engine options are perfect, with the V6 being the most fuel-efficient of the lot. You might also get some low mileage examples due to many college students skipping it for more fuel-efficient cars.
9 2003-2008 Toyota Matrix ($3,000)
The first generation of the Toyota Matrix may not be the go-to choice for someone looking for a fun-to-drive beater car. The cheap price tag and Toyota badge meant that it was a daily driver and nothing more. However, the Toyota Matrix is one of the finest driving hatchbacks of the time due to its go-kart-like behavior and a peppy 1.8-liter four-banger engine.
The Aisin-sourced automatic transmission is bulletproof and so is the case with the engine. It also came with decent safety and interior features, making the car feel less spartan. The design has aged well, too. With the prices hovering around $3,000, this is one of the few beater cars where you wouldn't face any serious issues before hitting the 200,000-mile mark.
8 1999-2004 Nissan Xterra ($3,500)
The first-generation Nissan Xterra is the only SUV on the list and is one that you should never skip. The versatility offered by the Xterra is impressive and there is more than enough space even if you wish to go overlanding in it. The 4WD drivetrain and torquey engines make sure that this SUV could conquer hardcore off-roads without many issues. The cheap price tag, lots of clean examples still running, and macho design also add to the appeal.
Some of the common issues include power steering leaks, valve cover gasket leaks, cracked manifolds, and rust. However, both the inline-4 and V6 engines are solid. The 4-speed automatic is famous for its longevity too. You could get a neat example for just $3,500, and it is not going to drive you mad in terms of repairs and maintenance.
7 Lexus GS300 ($3,500)
The Lexus GS300 is a perfect choice for enthusiasts on a budget as it is supremely reliable and excellent to drive. Coming with the 2JZ engine under the hood mated to an Aisin-sourced automatic transmission, the powertrain is very famous for lasting quite a lot of miles with little to no trouble. The performance is impressive too.
The sorted suspension, spacious cabin, and reasonable tech and features are some of the other selling points of this ride. If you search a bit hard, you could lay your hands on a slightly higher mileage GS300 for as low as $3,500. The top-notch reliability means that you do not need to worry too much about higher mileage vehicles if it was regularly serviced.
6 Mazda Miata ($5,000)
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has to be one of the top picks for any driving enthusiast. With earlier model-year Miatas going for ridiculous prices, it is not something many would expect to find in this price range However, you could still spot a few options here and there, making it one of the best purchases of the lot.
You would get a high mileage NA generation of the Miata for under $5,000, and it is a great deal. However, we would highly recommend the NB generation monikers as the engine is much more refined. The almost perfect mechanicals mean that you wouldn't spend a lot of time in the garages.
5 Lexus LS400 ($5,000)
Considered by many as one of the most reliable luxury cars of all time, the Lexus LS400 is going to be a perfect choice for those who want a brawny V8 engine and RWD drivetrain configuration. Being more than three decades old, the used car price of the LS400 makes it pretty attainable.
The luxury on the inside coupled with exceptional interior space means that it is very comfortable to travel in. Most of the parts are still available, and the prices aren't ridiculously expensive like that of the similarly priced Mercedes and BMWs of the time. A few performance upgrades make the LS400 a fast four-door sedan, even by the 2022 standards.
4 2007-2013 Mazda Speed 3 ($5,000)
When it came out back in 2007, the Mazda Speed 3 was a hot hatch that could plaster a wide smile on anyone's face. Coming with a turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, the Mazda Speed 3 could do the 0-60 MPH run in just 5.8 seconds. 15 years later, it is still a fast hatchback that manages to impress as it did before.
The 6-speed manual is perfect and the multilink suspension makes it a capable handler. Being a Mazda, the reliability is excellent as well. Some of the common issues include VVT actuator problems, turbo seals going bad, bad engine mounts, and leaky injectors. But all of these aren't ridiculously expensive to fix. The $5,000 price makes it an exceptional bargain too.
3 2006-2011 Honda Civic Si ($4,000)
The eighth-generation Honda Civic has always been the ideal choice for those who are looking for a car on a budget. The low maintenance cost, easy parts availability, and capable engine made it a perfect choice for many. However, you could one-up on the Civic and get the mighty Civic Si for not a lot more money.
The 190 hp K20 inline-4 engine and the slick 6-speed manual transmission take care of the fun part. The design also looks much more appealing than the regular version. The maintenance cost will be even lesser than the Mazda Speed 3 and there aren't many things that usually go wrong with the Civic Si. The reasonable fuel efficiency and decent used car pricing add to its appeal.
2 2004-2008 Acura TL ($1,900)
If you want a bit more luxury and comfort than the Honda Civic Si while having enough fun behind the wheel, the 2004-2008 Acura TL is your best bet. What makes the Acura TL an even more enticing purchase option is the tanked market value of the moniker.
You could get a high-mileage model for as low as $1,900. A lower mileage example could be had for $3,000 to $4,000. The only major downside of the 2004-2008 Acura TL is its troublesome 5-speed automatic which had a high failure rate. Hence, we would recommend getting the 6-speed manual-equipped version. Rust and interior rattling are some of the common problems reported by the owners.
1 2005-2007 Scion TC ($4,000)
The first-generation Scion TC is easily the top pick of the lot if you want to look cool and do not wish to spend much time in the garages. The 2.4-liter 2AZ FE inline-4 engine producing 161 hp is an almost bulletproof engine. Both the 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic are also dependable. What makes it even more perfect is the low price tag.
There is enough aftermarket support on offer to soup up the ride, helping the Scion TC to look younger. Rust on the fenders and rear quarters is common for cars from the rust belt area. Some of the earlier models also experienced high oil consumption. Apart from that, the Scion TC is a perfect companion if you want a car that could do over 200,000 miles with just regular maintenance.