Used cars for $5,000 can offer safe and reliable transportation. These models did well in CR Tests when new and earned our Recommended status. Years later, they’ve held up with few reliability issues, even after eclipsing the 100,000-mile mark.
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Solid cars outside the rogue. I’m surprised CR missed the Vibe/Matrix twins. Those are some awesome little cars that can be found cheap and are basically indestructible. You might be able to get a 2011-2012 ford fusion or an early Scion IM and some other nice cars I’d prefer over the rogue.
As a CR member and fan of Talking Cars, this is the first time I have seen content addressing the needs of Millions of consumers like me who have never spent more then 5k on any of the 10+ cars I have owned. The best $10k-$20k car for your teenager content was clearly not for people of my class and I wondered if anyone there had any connection with lower income Americans. Thank you. A well maintained Toyota Yaris, Scion Xa or Xb (check for rust) are light, reliable, fun and cheep to run. Always get a pre-purchase inspection before you buy.
It’s tricky because of how inflation changes the economy. $5,000 in 2025 was only $3,000 in 2005 dollars.
Thank you ~
Thank you for doing this video
It’s nice that they are reliable after 100K miles, but how about after 260K miles because that’s what a 2006 and older car would have given average annual mileage. I appreciate CR addressing this issue, but the video only shows how messed up used car prices are today.
Thank you
Get a rebuilt 2018 Mazda 3 with 100k miles and thank me later
Big miss here that CR didn’t point out the most important aspect of an older used car. That is the ownership/repair history.
A well cared for Chevy Cavalier can be a much better car than a neglected Camry, at this price point.
i just purchased a 2015 mazda cx5 from my neighbor for 2k. she needs a tlc but thought it was worth it.
A relative has the ’06 Pilot and it’s still kicking after 20 years.
Roomiest light SUV ever.
As the owner of a 2012 rogue anyone with $5k can have it.