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Best Used Cars and SUVs for Less Than $5,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports

The used car market is tight and so are budgets. However, if you are looking for a good used car or SUV model that has proven its worth with a good track record over the past 23 years, here are some model’s analysts at Consumer Reports rate as the best deals that can be found under $5,000.
Consumer Reports OK's These Older Models

Best Used Cars and SUVs

According to a recent Consumer Reports release of the best used cars and SUVs that can be had for under $5,000, there is no reason why a low price has to equate with low quality or a compromise in safety with a used vehicle that can be close to two decades old.

In fact, several models on the road today with well over 150,000 miles on them are a testament that some car models are actually both well-designed and well-built to make them the true road warriors that they are today.

“…even used cars under $5,000 can offer high quality and reliable transportation. They were good when we recommended them as new and now years later—more than a decade in most cases—they’ve held up,” stated CR analysts.

Related article: Learn to Inspect That Used Car Like a Car Care Nut

That said, here is a summary of their listing of sedans, minivans and SUVs that can be found for $5,000 or less, some of which come with electronic stability control (ESC)---a safety system that saves lives and is now required on all new cars.

Related article: The Most Important Used Car Test You Should Do Before Deciding to Buy a Used Car

BEST USED CARS AND SUVS FOR LESS THAN $5,000

SMALL CARS

Toyota Corolla 2001, 2004 to 2005
CR Selected Model: 2005 Toyota Corolla
Price Range: $4,375 - $4,800
Owner Reported MPG: 30 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

Toyota Prius 2004 to 2005
CR Selected Model: 2005 Toyota Prius
Price Range: $4,775
Owner Reported MPG: 43 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 5/5

MIDSIZED AND LARGE SEDANS

Acura TL, 2004
CR Selected Model: 2004 Acura TL
Price Range: $3,950
Owner Reported MPG: 22 mpg
Reliability: 5/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

Honda Accord 2004 to 2005
CR Selected Model: 2004 Honda Accord
Price Range: $3,550 - $4,650
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

Lexus ES 2003
CR Selected Model: 2003 Lexus ES
Price Range: $4,650
Owner Reported MPG: 23 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

Toyota Avalon 2000 to 2004
CR Selected Model: 2004 Toyota Avalon
Price Range: $4,550 - $4,800
Owner Reported MPG: 24 mpg
Reliability: 5/5
Owner Satisfaction: 5/5

Toyota Camry 2000 to 2004
CR Selected Model: 2004 Toyota Camry
Price Range: $4,575 - $5,075
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 5/5

MINIVANS

Toyota Sienna 2000, 2004
CR Selected Model: 2004 Toyota Sienna
Price Range: $4,300 - $5,125
Owner Reported MPG: 20 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

SUVs

Honda CR-V 2000
CR Selected Model: 2000 Honda CR-V
Price Range: $3,075 - $3,325
Owner Reported MPG: 25 mpg
Reliability: 5/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

Honda Pilot 2005
CR Selected Model: 2005 Honda Pilot
Price Range: $4,550 - $5,225
Owner Reported MPG: 18 mpg
Reliability: 4/5
Owner Satisfaction: 4/5

And finally…

Be sure to check out our other used car articles that covers selling your used car, performing your own car repairs, automotive things to avoid.

COMING UP NEXT: When Ford Exploded into Compact Car History

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily news and topics related to cars and trucks.

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