2003 Subaru Impreza

Top 15 Fuel Efficient Used Cars under $5,000

For a lot of People in america some type of automobile is not only a luxury: it’s essential necessity. Based on the US Census Bureau, the typical American faces a nearly one-hour commute round trip to reach their workplace from home every single day, and can spend normally nearly 40 hrs stuck in traffic each year. Individuals in the Bay Area spent a reported 83 hrs sitting in traffic not relocating 2013. Mixing that point with outings towards the supermarket, entertainment, along with other obligations, also it becomes apparent that for many People in america their automobile is among the most significant products they own. This article will discuss the best fuel efficient used cars for sale under $5000.

We live currently in an uneasy economy. With around 15% in our nation living at or beneath the poverty line, automobile affordability is a very least a prudent move. Many people cannot afford a new automobile every four to five years. In addition to that, every automobile has a whole slew of connected lengthy-term costs, like fuel, maintenance, not to mention, insurance. These costs add considerably towards the cost of the vehicle, and regrettably for most of the trade-off is often better reliability and fuel mileage include greater prices.

205 Toyota Corolla

One Choice – 2005 Toyota Corolla

So, so what can a financial budget-conscious (or economically restricted) individual looking for a brand new automobile do? The reply is, clearly, to explore the used/pre-used vehicle market. Yet, even if searching at pre-used automobiles – or, possibly, even much more than when searching at brand new ones – locating a balance between cost and reliability is frequently frustrating. Automobiles which may look like bargains may actually be the next owners nightmares in terms of reliability and cost to operate, whether that be poor condition, poor performance, or simply general low attraction to secondhand purchasers.

Searching with the 1000’s of used cars available on the market and looking for one which both fits your budget for the short term and won’t break your bank account over time can be a huge hassle, but after some forethought and planning, locating a reliable, fuel-efficient affordable vehicle can be achieved.

Why Used Cars For Sale Under $5000?

The best reasons for searching for a pre-owned car for around 5000 dollars is frequently the spending budget. 5000 dollars provides you with enough ceiling to look at plenty of pre-owned automobiles for consideration, which may be important when thinking about gas mileage and reliability. [pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]At this price point you can still find reliable cars that have not seen the best part of their lives behind them.[/pullquote]

While trucks and Sports utility vehicles are frequently popular automobiles, the best reliability and gas mileage are often found in used car market. Not only are trucks and Sports utility vehicles generally less fuel efficient than compact cars and sedans, but motorists have an inclination to use them through more adventuresome driving than your average family vehicle might find. This will make used cars a good option for any shopper when looking for a solid purchase of their transportation future.

Top Fuel Efficient Used Cars Under $5000

2006 Toyota Prius

Most Efficient – 2006 Toyota Prius

While it’s true that you will find literally 100s otherwise 1000’s of cars to select from, even in the five grand cost limit, not all vehicles are built the same. You can go to a large number of sites searching for the best automobiles for sale in nearly any cost range, and each site can offer another listing of recommendations. Regardless of this, you will find a couple of standbys that just about every list includes because of their globally recognized excellence for their cost point.

The sources for this article are Kelly Blue Book, for car values using the ‘good’ to ‘very good’ condition criteria and ‘private’ selling pricing and car-specs.com for the cars specs. In no particular order, listed here are the top suggested fuel efficient used cars for sale under 5000 dollars:

1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm Sedan

Many of know this car as a Toyota Corolla with a Chevy badge, it is a great way to get A used Toyota at below Toyota typical resale. The Prizms are just as well built and as reliable as the toyotas are.

  • Base engine size: 1.8L
  • Torque: 125 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
  • Horsepower: 125 hp @ 5800 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 356.4/488.4 mi.
  • Epa mileage est. (cty/hwy): 27/37 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”227″]
[envira-gallery slug=”Prizm”]

2003 Subaru Impreza WRX 4Dr

This Subaru has an impressive fan base with their very loyal repeat customer base to the street tuners crowd, a favorite and capable car all round. You may of seen these cars at rallys as well, very popular car with tuners indeed.

  • Base engine size: 2.5L flat4
  • Torque: 250 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm
  • Horsepower: 250 hp @ 6600 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed shiftable automatic
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 287.3/388.7 mi.
  • Epa mileage est. (cty/hwy): 17/23 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”235″]
[envira-gallery slug=”Subaru Impreza 2003″]

2001-2006 Subaru Outback Wagon

THe Outback to me is the best version of station wagon and SUV in one. THe Subaru stands taller than an sedan and just under a small SUVs height which ends up giving it a rather pleasing not too aggressive good looks. THe interior finishes are solid, you’ll find many on the road today well taken care of and running well.

  • Base engine size: 3.0L
  • Torque: 210 ft-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
  • Horsepower: 212 hp @ 6000 rpm
  • Transmission: 4-speed automatic
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 287.3/388.7 mi.
  • Epa mileage est. (cty/hwy): 17/23 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”254″]
[envira-gallery slug=”Subaru Outback 2003″]

2005-2007 Honda Civic LX 4-dr Sedan

What can I say, the obvious are Hondas, they have a rock solid reputation for reliability and economy and have gained many of loyal fans as a result.

  • Base engine size: 1.8L
  • Cam type: Single overhead cam (SOHC)
  • Torque: 109 ft-lbs. @ 4300 rpm
  • Horsepower: 113 hp @ 6300 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed automatic
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 192.0/288.0 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 24/36 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”223″]
[envira-gallery slug=”honda civic”]

2005-2007 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback

THe Civic hatchback is a favorite among the young crowd or fist time buyers looking to get into an reliable economical car which had ‘cute’ to aggressive looks depending if you left it alone or tuned the Civic.

  • 1.6L i4 sohc 16v fi engine
  • Torque: 103 ft-lbs. @ 4600 rpm
  • Horsepower: 106 hp @ 6200 rpm
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 321.3/392.7 mi.
  • Epa mileage est. (cty/hwy): 27/33 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”267″]
[envira-gallery slug=”Civic HB”]

2004-2007 Toyota Camry XLE Sedan

One of Toyota’s most popular car ever is the Camry Sedan. It just fits many people needs perfectly from the simple commute to the mass transit of the typical sized family, it does everything well.

  • Base engine size: 2.4L
  • Torque: 160 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
  • Horsepower: 154 hp @ 5700 rpm
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 388.5/573.5 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 21/31 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”263″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2007 Toyota Camry”]

1990-2005 Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible

The MX5 started life with great sales, over the years they have steadily declined. The amount of Miatas you will find for sale are a bit limited, so they are a good find when you can get one in good shape.

  • Base engine size: 1.8L
  • Torque: 125 ft-lbs. @ 5000 rpm
  • Horsepower: 142 hp @ 7000 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 254.0/330.2 mi.
  • Epa mileage est. (cty/hwy): 20/26 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”230″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2003 mazda miata”]

2004-2005 Toyota Corolla 4Dr

The Corolla is the sister car to the Prizm, but with Toyota’s good name attached. Definitely a great car to have as a first car or as an extra car, economical to run, repair and easy to drive. Easy to get into and easy to sell.

  • Base engine size: 1.8L
  • Torque: 125 ft-lbs. @ 4200 rpm
  • Horsepower: 130 hp @ 6000 rpm
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 343.2/462.0 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 26/35 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”250″]
[envira-gallery slug=”Toyota Corolla 2007″]

2001-2005 Ford Mustang Coupe

Red, White and Blue, Baseball, Apple Pie and the Mustang – this is America in a visual flash. Everybody knows someone who’s had one or you had a Mustang coupe yourself. Although they come in many flavors, we find the modern V6 has plenty of power and ok mileage that can be easily increased.

  • Base engine size: 4.0L V6
  • Torque: 240 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm
  • Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5300 rpm
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 272.0/416.0 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 17/26 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”240″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2005 mustang”]

2004-2006 Toyota Prius 4Dr

The Prius is the best selling hybrid in America. The second generation is the version that worked its way into America’s hearts. It boosts the best fuel economy in the group and makes use of a CVT (Continually Variable Transmission) to give its its smooth pull/drive while accelerating making for a pleasant driving experience.

  •  Base engine size: 1.5 L
  • Base engine type: hybrid
  • Transmission: continuously variable-speed automatic
  • Torque: 82 ft-lbs. @ 4200 rpm
  • Horsepower: 110 hp @ 5000 rpm
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 571.2/535.5 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 48/45 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”259″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2006 Toyota Prius”]

2005 Honda CR-V Compact 4Dr SUV

Honda splashed its way onto the Sport Utility field with the CR-V. It was a success off the bat, I remember when they first arrived they flew off the lot, that happens a lot with new vehicles sometimes. Sales eventually leveled out in an ever increasing marketplace and real hard selling is what it took to sell one, but wait it has a built in table in the back! To this day I doubt anyone has ever used that feature ever. But they were a good competitor with voluminous room and good fuel economy for such a large vehicle.

  • Base engine size: 2.4 L i4
  • Torque: 162 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm
  • Horsepower: 160 hp @ 6000 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed automatic
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 306.0/382.5 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 20/25 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”245″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2005 Honda CR-V”]

2004-2006 Honda Accord LX Sedan

The Honda Accord has reigned as best selling midsize sedan in America, almost unchallenged, for the past 25 years. It is a testament to the value and quality that Honda has developed over the years in its main selling powerhouse. Accords feel solid, I sold many of them in my time (I sold new cars in my past, Honda, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Toyota) and you could always point out the Accords strong points…best selling, car of the year, best resale, best reliability. Okay, we took some liberties of the facts but it was mostly spot on and you could not go wrong with a Honda anyways.

  • Base engine size: 2.4 L
  • Torque: 161 ft-lbs. @ 4500 rpm
  • Horsepower: 160 hp @ 5500 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed automatic
  • Range in miles (cty/hwy): 359.1/530.1 mi.
  • EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 21/31 mpg

[envira-gallery id=”271″]
[envira-gallery slug=”2005 Honda Accord”]

What do you think of our list of top fuel efficient cars for $5000 and under? Please comment below if you think we left out your favorite.

10 comments

  • Pingback: Hybrid Cars - Positive Effect on the Environment -

    • Your critic

      Hybrid cars do just as much damage to the environment as fossil fuel vehicles.

      • MrMiles

        Any means of transportation is bound to create some pollution , but hybrid and electric have the best positive effect on our environment (air quality). See http://www.thegreenmarketoracle.com/2011/06/assessing-environmental-impact-of_13.html. Some electricity that powers electric vehicles come from coal burning electric plants, however states like California derives most of its electricity from clean energy plants like hydro-electric, making it still cleaner to use than gas or diesel autos.

        • While hybrid cars are operating they are very environmentally friendly, but when the battery needs to be replaced that isn’t the case. I have been told the mining of the materials causes problems too, but I don’t remember specifics. The exhaust of gasoline burning vehicles disperses and causes no significant damage. Areas with constricted air flow due to mountains, etc. have localized problems, but the newer cars sold in the U.S. don’t emit problem gases like much older cars used to (1950s, 1960s). The localized problems, especially in third world countries and China don’t damage to the earth. Carbon dioxide is good for plants and reduces the amount of water they need. That is because the pores on the bottom of the leaves constrict when there is more carbon dioxide available. That is the same reason we breathe slower when there is more oxygen available. We get more oxygen with each brearh. They get more carbon dioxide if there is more in the atmosphere. That makes dryer land available for farming than would be the case otherwise. Volcanoes put out HUGE amounts of carbon dioxide and many other gases some of which are poisonous unlike carbon dioxide. The earth’s resilience gets rid of them. The amount of any and all air pollutants produced by man is tiny (insignificant) by comparison. Carbon dioxide doesn’t cause temperatures to go up anyway. Vikings were farming in Greenland in the year 1000. It is way to cold now. It was way warmer back then when there was little, if any, industry.

        • Liam Neumann

          well actually they create as much pollution making the batteries as driving 400,000 miles in the average gas car

        • look up cost of charging the things and, if you have a conscience, look at child slave labor in cobalt mines.

  • Max

    Superb blog … really informative for that people who can need to buy a used cars for sale in california, USA.. Great post thanks for sharing good post.. please keep it up with a new blog post again like this …

  • Michelle

    Why not mention the Yaris? If you’re going to go back to 1990, you can definitely find a good used Toyota Yaris for under $5,000.

    • John

      I second the Yaris 180,000 miles on my 2007 and I still average 35-36 MPG driving an average of 70MPH and I have done nothing to car but oil changes and replaced brakes. It has been a great low cost car to own

    • In 2021 the cost of all used Toyotas and Hondas have gone out of affordable range.

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