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used car reliability ratings, consumer reports used car buying guide 2016,Just because you want something that won’t leave you in an oily stupor on the side of the road doesn’t mean that you’ll have to empty your bank account to do it. Last week I asked you to find the most dependable cheap cars on eBay, and you delivered on time, and most importantly, under budget. You can’t afford not to have one of these things in your garage.
10. 1994 Acura Legend
This Acura Legend is built on an almost perfect platform. It’s a car that was made by Honda in the early-to-mid 1990s, has a V6 engine that sounds better at full throttle than most anything made by a major manufacturer today, it’s fairly well-appointed, even by today’s standards, and it’s a rolling time capsule.
It also has the reliability of a tank if its reasonable maintenance items are taken care of, even if it’s performed in a slightly less than reasonable time frame. It is front wheel drive, but that’s why I said almost perfect. (Suggested by Snowball)
9. 1985 Honda CRX Si
This Honda CRX Si marked the start of the hot hatch wars in America. Sure, the Golf GTI was available earlier, but it only got its first formidable mass market competitor with Honda’s little hatchback that could.
The car’s four cylinder with primitive fuel injection system made enough horsepower to get out of its own way, but it also allowed the car to run so well that more than 30 years later, it’s still being traded as a running example of a car that Honda probably should start making again. The CR-Z does NOT count. (Suggested by Shift24)
8. 2000 Buick Century
This Buick Century is the car your grandma drove when you were in elementary school, and it’s the one she still had when you went to high school. It’s also the one that she tried to give to you as a graduation gift while you desperately tried to convince your parents to get something that didn’t cement your virginity for the next decade.
Just like grandma, the Buick Century wasn’t the most stylish thing on the block but it could outlast anything in the neighborhood. That was mainly due to its 3.1-liter V6 that, save for some badly-designed coolant hoses, was more bulletproof than 50 Cent. It’s aptly named, because a century is the average length of ownership. Hi-yo! (Suggested by Phil)
7. 1986 Toyota Tercel
This Toyota Tercel is an awesome car, and I write that without a hint of irony. Although I may have poked fun at the impossibly cheap econobox in my youth, it has taken age and maturity to realize that any car made 30 years ago with the same reliability it had when it left the factory is something to be admired.
The looks aren’t exactly setting the world ablaze, but as a shining example of a car from the best era for Japanese compact cars, it’s damn good and for the slightly-above-budget price, no one should pass one by if they’re in a pinch and they need a car to tide them over until the next presidential election. (Suggested by Kidneys... or F-Type. F-Type.)
6. 2003 Toyota Corolla
This Toyota Corolla needs no introduction because if you took a gander outside, you’d see at least five parked down your block. It’s the tastes-like-chicken car that at least one person in your family has owned and likely passed down to an arguably less-deserving member of your family. It will never die because it was never programmed to fail.
It could have three flat tires and a fuel tank full of sugar and it would still deliver 30 mpg and get your ass to work in a snowstorm. (Suggested by Unbearable Pain)
5. 1997 Lexus LX450
This Lexus LX450 was the SUV to have before the term “SUV” meant anything. It was just as rugged as any Land Rover, more luxurious and better built than any Jeep, and had iconic looks that still fare well against any boxy ‘90s gem you can name. It’s probably not the most miserly car in the world, but if you can keep its sizable tank filled, it will get you to wherever you need to go until the sun explodes. (Suggested by GuPu)
4. 1996 Lexus LS400
This Lexus LS400 is similar enough to the 900,000 mile example that I drove across the country that it could be listed in the dictionary as a synonym to the term “dependability.” Drive it ‘til the wheels fall off, reattach wheels, and then keep driving. (Suggested by Delusion77)
3. 1983 Volvo 240
This Volvo 240, like a Nokia brick phone and perhaps several cockroaches, will be the only things that withstand an extinction-level event. Its thick metal body and build quality derived from the happy side of Europe coupled with its unkillable engine made it the go-to choice for parents that needed Junior to drive something that he could walk away from in the very likely event in which a tree comes out of nowhere. (Suggested by relaxingrain1)
2. 2003 Pontiac Vibe
This Pontiac Vibe isn’t exactly as American as its apple pie name would have you believe. In fact, it’s a Toyota Matrix underneath, so that means parts are just as cheap as any Corolla you’d find on Craigslist.
It won’t get stolen as it’s not actually desirable to anyone that has elected to make crime their occupation, and it will deliver fuel mileage and longevity that you can literally pass down to your offspring. Not that you’d necessarily want to, but still. If you can get over the Pontiac stigma, it’s one of the smartest buys you can have with a meager amount of dollars in your account. (Suggested by j250ex)
1. 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
This Ford Crown Victoria is the car that was used by police officers for years, passed on to taxi drivers for years, then passed on to taxi drivers abroad for years, after which it’ll be placed in a demolition derby and win because it’ll be the last car running.
There can be only one Crown Vic. And you should own one. (Suggested by Grim99CV)
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Showing posts with label certified used cars for sale under 5000. Show all posts
Showing posts with label certified used cars for sale under 5000. Show all posts
Monday, April 17, 2017
Certified Used Cars For Sale Under 5000 Brilliant used estate cars for 5,000

Definitive: Volvo 240
When aliens land on Planet Earth and demand to see an example of the definitive estate car, this is what they’ll be shown. The Volvo 240 is the archetypal wagon – big on space, big on practicality, big on safety. You won’t even need to spend the entire £5k budget, because prices start from a few hundred notes. Our pick: the 240 GLT.
Style: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Estate cars have no right to look this good. The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon is the antithesis of the Volvo 240 – achingly beautiful to look at and just as great to drive. On the flip side, it’s not the most spacious estate car in the world, so your dog and rear seat passengers may prefer the big Swede to the pert Italian.
Rural life: Subaru Outback
Some folk will tell you, with some justification, that the Subaru Outback is hamstrung by a naff interior and high running costs. But don’t let that put you off, because when it comes to off-roading and withstanding a lifetime of abuse, these things are peerless. Quite simply, if you live in the country, the Subaru Outback has to be on your shortlist.
Space: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
The W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate is not without its problems, so you’re advised to do your homework before parting with £5,000. But if you’re after a cavernous load area, sumptuous interior and rock-solid image, this makes a great deal of sense. Also available as a seven-seater.
Compact: Skoda Fabia Estate
Not everybody needs to carry a grandfather clock or ferry half a dozen labradors, which is why cars like the Skoda Fabia Estate are so appealing. What it gives up in terms of load capacity, it makes up for in terms of convenience, value for money and low running costs. It’s like a Volkswagen Polo wagon and you’ll be able to afford anything up to a 2010 model. Also available as the rugged-looking Scout.
No frills: Dacia Logan MCV
If you fancy something nearly-new, your best bet is the Dacia Logan MCV. Buy new and you can drive away in a base-spec Logan for £6,995, but we’d suggest opting for a used example with a few bells and whistles. It’s hardly plush, but the Logan MCV offers a huge 573 litres of boot space, extending to 1,518 with the seats folded flat. Quick confession: the cheapest we can find are just over the £5,000 mark. Time to start haggling…
Lifestyle: Lexus IS300 SportCross
Once upon a time, we all knew where we stood. A spade was a spade and an estate car was an estate car. But then the carmakers started being all fancy dan with their Sport Wagons, Sport Tourers and Tourings. Lexus got in on the act with its IS300 SportCross, which added a touch more practicality over the saloon. It might have a mere 340 litres of luggage space below the parcel shelf, but with the seats folded it can carry up to 2.6m in length. The IS300 SportCross looks superb and drives as well as the saloon.
Performance: Volvo 850 T-5R
The Volvo 850 T-5R sticks two fingers up at convention. Who says you can’t have a boot the size of Watford yet still have the potential to keep up with a sports car? Volvo turned to Porsche to show a new racier side, with the Stuttgart wizards assisting with the engine tuning, transmission and interior. Top speed was limited to 155mph and 60mph was polished off in under six seconds. A modern classic? We think so.
Rallying: Subaru Impreza WRX Estate

Classic: Mercedes-Benz W123 T
It says something about the enduring appeal of the Mercedes-Benz W123 T that you might struggle to find a good one for less than £5,000. They do exist and your search will be rewarded with a cavernous boot, potential for seven seats and what is one of the best-engineered cars of the 20th century. Alternatively, it’s worth considering its successor – the W124.
Budget: Citroen ZX Estate
On a strict budget? Not keen to spend the entire £5,000 on a car? You need something utterly unfashionable, cheap to run and highly practical. The Citroen ZX Estate should fit the bill, especially in super-frugal diesel guise. Spend a few hundred notes buying one and if it dies, simply buy another one. Simple.
Wildcard: Chrysler 300C Touring
You know us, we love to throw a couple of wildcards into the mix and the Chrysler 300C Touring is about as wild as you can get for this money. A Mercedes-sourced 3.0-litre V6 diesel should provide some reassurance and acceptable fuel economy, while the 630 litres of boot space means it’s surprisingly practical. You’ll also find the 300C to be well-equipped.
Volvo V70
Weirdly, the Volvo V70 isn’t as spacious as its German rivals, so if space is your final frontier, you’d be better off with the A6 Avant, E-Class Estate or 5 Series Touring. But nobody does estate cars quite like Volvo and the V70 is one of the most comfortable cars in its class. For a dash of performance, the V70R is worth hunting down. That’s if you can keep up.
Veyron wagon: Volkswagen Passat W8
Could this be the world’s greatest Q-car? Underneath that Colin-from-accounts exterior lies the beating heart of a W8 engine, which makes this a Bugatti Veyron for the family (of sorts). With a mere 275hp on tap and a heavy four-wheel drive system, the performance is best described as brisk, but we can’t help but adore the W8. We just haven’t got the guts to take the plunge. Have you?
If it’s good enough for the Queen: Jaguar X-Type Estate
If it’s good enough for Her Majesty, it’s good enough for you. For some reason, the X-Type Estate has a far better image than that of the saloon version and we happen to think it is ageing rather well. Opt for the all-wheel drive version and you’ll be equipped for all weathers.
Golf GTI estate: Skoda Octavia vRS
Fancy a Volkswagen Golf GTI estate? Sadly, this budget won’t stretch to a Golf R Estate, which means the Skoda Octavia vRS is the next best thing. Opt for the Mk1 Octavia vRS with its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine and your budget will ensure you have the pick of the crop. The Mk2 is arguably a better all-rounder, whilst benefiting from the option of a diesel version.
All-rounder: Ford Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo is so good, it’s a wonder why people consider buying anything else. Cliche alert: this thing ticks all of the boxes. The boot is huge, the cabin is spacious, it’s dynamically sorted and it’s also, depending on spec, very well-equipped. A candidate for all the estate car you could ever need? Sorry, that’s two cliches in quick succession.
Reliability: Honda Accord
But we do accept that not everybody wants to drive a Ford Mondeo, which is why cars like the Honda Accord exist. Why should you be interested? Well, for a start, the Accord is regarded as being one of the most reliable cars in the world. Secondly, it’s packed full of gadgets. Thirdly, the not-so-small matter of 626 litres of boot space.
Not a crossover: Audi Allroad
The Audi Allroad wasn’t the first off-road estate car, but it helped to define the sector. Today, the A4 and A6 Allroad are welcome antidotes to the march of the crossover. Along with the Volvo V70 XC, this is where the whole premium off-road estate car thing began. Good ones aren’t cheap, but the image is rock-solid.
Still not a crossover: Skoda Octavia Scout
Here’s another car that retains its value surprisingly well. Or is it a surprise, given the Octavia Scout’s reputation for reliability, practicality and off-road capability? Owners love these things.
Not German: Citroen C5 Tourer
Remember the television ads for the Citroen C5? ‘Unmistakably German, made in France’, or words to that effect. We’re not quite sure what Citroen was hoping to achieve with this approach, but the C5 Tourer remains one of the best looking estate cars you can buy. What’s more, the diesel engines are excellent, contributing to what is a terrific long-distance cruiser. They also depreciate like a stone, which is good news if you’re buying used.
Club door: MINI Clubman
The all-new MINI Clubman might be a better car than its predecessor, but we’ll always have a soft spot for the original. There’s something rather British about the styling, although that ‘club door’ is a nuisance over here. If you’re looking for something more distinctive than the regular MINI and aren’t too fussed about a massive load area, the Clubman holds strong appeal.
Swede dreams: Saab 9-5
Saab’s unfortunate demise has led to plummeting secondhand values, which is good news if you’re looking to buy a 9-5 Estate. There’s a network of Saab specialists to call upon, while original parts are in plentiful supply. The 9-5 is spacious, comfortable, well-equipped and, in Aero guise, properly quick.
Space and image: Audi A6 Avant
We conclude with three estate cars that will probably account for the majority of shortlists up and down the land. Take the Audi A6 Avant, which benefits from a massive load area, an extremely good interior and the kind of image many rivals can only dream of.
The home banker: BMW 3 Series Touring
If, on the other hand, you’re not prepared to sacrifice driving dynamics in favour of practicality, the BMW 3 Series Touring is hard to beat, especially in 330d guise.
Home banker, but larger: BMW 5 Series Touring
Or, if you’re after a little more space, the BMW 5 Series Touring is great to drive, well screwed together and, if equipped with EfficientDynamics gubbins, super-frugal.
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