by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a car is exciting––even if it’s used. In fact, sometimes buying a used car is especially exciting. That’s because when we are shopping at this price point it’s often for our first car. While most won’t necessarily end up in their dream car for $5 grand, it’s certainly possible to find a good used car to buy for under $5,000. 

One way to start researching when buyers are shopping for a used car is to take a peek at some YouTube videos. We found a particularly informative video done by Ryan Scribner that gives up some helpful hints for used car buyers. He advises looking in various places (to learn about different used car models––here are some used car models that he recommends 

Toyota Camry

There is hardly a “good used car” list out there that’s missing the Toyota Camry. This is one of the most reliable cars with one of the most solid reputations. Toyota has done things right with the Camry over and over. Plus, there are tons of them out there so parts are easily sourced and mechanics who work on them are easy to find. 

Scribner says an older used Toyota Camry gets about 34 MPG. It’s inexpensive to maintain and should see the odometer tick past 200,000 miles––at least. In fact, Scribner and virtually every other auto critic or information source out there agree that used car buyers pretty much can’t go wrong with a used Toyota Camry.

Toyota Corolla

A used Toyota Corolla is not hard to find. There are plenty of them out there, and many older models on the road are still going strong. In fact, the Toyota Corolla is the most sold car on earth. 

In his YouTube video, Ryan Scribner suggests the Camry. However, he says that the only reason he chose to put the Camry in the video instead of a used Toyota Corolla is that the Toyota Corolla is so much smaller. For those who don’t mind a little less cabin and cargo room, a used Toyota Corolla is a good used car to buy under $5,000 and gets up to 41 MPG. 

Subaru Outback 

If you find a good used Subaru Outback, it’s almost like finding a new best friend. There’s just something about the character of a reliable wagon, isn’t there? Not every used Subaru Outback is going to prove itself in terms of longevity, but the ones that do outlast many other models on the road. 

Scribner suggest taking extra care combing forums for information about any used Subaru Outback buyers might be considering. That said, these are great little wagons with all-wheel drive and a little more personality than the average used car under $5 grand. An older Outback generally gets up to 28 MPG and can last over 300,000 miles if it’s maintained properly. 

Good used cars under $5,000

Scribner says that it’s a good idea to dive into some forums or other places like Reddit. These are places where actual consumers share their experiences with certain makes and models. There’s no way of knowing for sure that a used car purchase is going to end with a good reliable car. 

However, doing diligent research can mitigate some of the risks. For this kind of budget, buyers can expect any model they buy to generally be about 10 years old, or older. So be sure to test drive and thoroughly inspect any used car you are considering for purchase.

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The post Finding a Good Used Car to Buy Under $5,000 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying an expensive, high-end sports car or even supercar is a great way to stand out on the roads while driving a car that’s enjoyable. But, you don’t have to spend big bucks to have a vehicle that you won’t often see on the road. In fact, there are several reasonably priced sports cars that are enjoyable to drive, handle well, and still stand out on the road. While these cars might not be as exciting or attention-grabbing as a brand new McLaren or even C8 Corvette, they are still great, modestly priced options that you can find on average for under $10,000.

The Pontiac Solstice

If you saw the word ‘Pontiac’ and rolled your eyes, you should think twice because the Pontiac Solstice is still a fun sports car that’s more than affordable. It is most common to find the two-door roadster as a convertible, but they were offered with a hardtop option. Because the car was designed to be primarily a convertible, the body lines suit the car well, with the top both up and down.

The Pontiac Solstice was also offered with an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with a rather friendly clutch. While you can oftentimes find them in the $10,000 price range, there aren’t many others on the road, making it a relatively uncommon sports car for the price.

The Saturn Sky

If you don’t fancy the front and rear fascia of the Pontiac Solstice, you may like its just as affordable sister car, the Saturn Sky. The Sky has, debatably, more modern and aggressive styling and features while still sticking to the same platform that makes the Solstice so enjoyable to drive.

Just like the Solstice, you won’t see many other Saturn Sky owners around, which isn’t always a great thing, because there isn’t a wide range of aftermarket support for either vehicle, and customization options are limited. Regardless, even in completely stock condition the Sky is a striking car with smooth body lines, and you’ll be happy that the car isn’t all that common on the roads.

RELATED: Is the Pontiac Solstice a Good Car?

The Toyota MR2 Spyder

The Toyota MR2 Spyder is one of the most underrated affordable sports cars on the used car market. It’s often referred to as the ‘poor man’s Lotus Elise,’ and that comparison couldn’t be any more true. The lightweight nature of the vehicle means that even though it doesn’t boast an incredibly powerful engine, the handling, and power-to-weight ratio give the car a truly unique driving experience — and it’s worth mentioning that it’s one of the cheapest mid-engine sports cars you can buy.

Of course, like other options on this list, you can often find the Toyota MR2 Spyder on the used car market for that $10,000 price point in good, running condition, and, although some people think that car looks rather awkward, you won’t find many other ones out on the road, giving you a rather unique car for such an affordable price.

RELATED: Is The Toyota MR2 The Inexpensive Sports Car You Can Daily?

None of these cars might be as exciting as higher end, rare exotics, but they each offer an enjoyable driving and handling experience, and definitely stand out for the price.

The post Buying These Cheap Sports Cars Still Make You Stand Out From the Crowd appeared first on MotorBiscuit.