Best sedans under 5k with 3 pedals please give me your opinions

"Matthewgentle" (matthewgentle) 10/27/2014 at 19:14 • Filed to: None

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Hey everyone I've been looking into getting a new car and I have a budget under 5k (I'm 16 so Im broke) and I've been looking to a 1999 passat with the 2.8l v6 and of course 3 pedals, I think it's pretty nice but I was wondering what everyone's experience has been good or bad and if you have any other recommendations for good sedans under 5k. Thanks, and this is also my first post so please give me feedback regarding the post itself thanks

bob and john > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:15

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regarding post: run on sentances much? break them up.

as far as car: for 5 grand, just buy something american. A passat of that era will either run for another 20 years or run you into the ground. its a 50/50 chance. at least with a cheap american car its cheap to get parts

DanZman > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:17

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I think if you do some looking you can find a g35 sedan in that range

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:22

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Why only sedans?

You can find far more good choices if you open your options to include Hatchbacks.

$5k will get you a decent Ford Focus hatch with a stick. You can bolt the SVT suspension right onto the regular models and it makes them quite fun to drive.

If you can find one with the 2.3L Duratec engine its super reliable with basic maintenance, gets great gas mileage, and isn't so slow you get in the way of anyone else.

I would avoid the SVT Focus unless you plan on doing your own repairs. It's not a car you can neglect.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:23

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Regarding the post, run on sentences, man. It makes it look like Speed Racer is typing, no offense. As far as cars, a mid-late 90s, early 00s Maxima can be had for that price, or well under it. They're super reliable, and can be had with a 5-speed.

Matthewgentle > bob and john 10/27/2014 at 19:25

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alright thanks I'll keep that in mind next time and alright do you have any recommendations for a good American sedan? I've looked at the Focuses but if pep refer something with a v6

Matthewgentle > DanZman 10/27/2014 at 19:26

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Alright I'll look around for one thanks!

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:28

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Taurus SHO! I can vouch that they can be had dirt cheap with the greatest 6 cylinder to get into a Ford. Quite a lot of them had the manual MTX transaxle too. Mines a green SHO+ with black leather, automatic climate control and 16 inch wheels. Admittedly, it needs brakes and some trim, but for a car I payed $400 for intendi g to use it for parts, not bad. A mint gen one or two can be had for less than 2 grand. Some times much less. A driver, Etested and safetied just sold around here for $1200.

Theres my car behind my father's '92 Sable.

bob and john > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:29

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As your first car, you really shouldnt care. that car is going to get beat (clutch espesically) so just get a focus or something for dirt cheap, dick aorund in it for a year or two then move on.

FocusedMark > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:31

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Focuses are great, I have had one and have no problems (with an automatic) . even with only 4 cylinders its still a fun car to hoon around town and insurance is cheap. there are plenty if you look and they're in your budget. here are a few from my area: http://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/4727747695… & http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4722888346…

Matthewgentle > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 10/27/2014 at 19:31

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wow that's amazing ill look into it 2k would be great so I'd have more to put into parts

Btw yours looks great!

Matthewgentle > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/27/2014 at 19:33

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A hatch would be fine the only concern is insurance is absolutely terrible

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:33

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My little old article finally has a purpose! http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/a-2005-07-v6-c…

Matthewgentle > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 10/27/2014 at 19:35

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Alright thanks for the feedback I'll try and fix that next time. I'll take a look at maxima's I've seen a few around for pretty cheap

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:36

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Lol thanks, it needs work, but looks got from twenty feet away doing twenty miles an hour. Cant go wrong with a SHO. They are getting a bit old, but they are silly cheap.

Matthewgentle > FocusedMark 10/27/2014 at 19:39

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Thanks I've been considering one because of how cheap they are and the availability of parts is fantastic. But i really need to go drive one around to get a feel for the 4 cylinder before I bash it too much.

FocusedMark > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:43

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I drive it the same way as I drove my first car (6 cyl Dodge Caravan). I get 29mpg combined(mostly Hwy commuting). Mine is an 03 SE and I have put 30k on it in 2 years. Only replaced the tie rods and the brakes. Have a weird vibration that I need my dad to check out, might need wheel bearings. Anywho, If you like saving money on gas and whatnot, try a focus.

RallyWrench > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:44

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E36 325 or 328i. Reliable, easy to work on, reasonably efficient and hoon-tastic. Under $5k all day.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:44

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Not going to make much difference. Your age and gender are much, much larger factors in high insurance premiums.

You can get a 5-door hatch in the Focus if you want the extra doors.

Matthewgentle > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 10/27/2014 at 19:45

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What could be better than a fun car that's cheap

Matthewgentle > bob and john 10/27/2014 at 19:49

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alright I gotcha this is actually gonna be my third car I restored a 92 tbi s10, and I'm in the process of getting rid of my current 99' f150 which is why I'm a little pickier if you get what I'm saying

promoted by the color red > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 19:50

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Unless you know your way around a wrench, go American or Japanese.

Frankly, I think V6s are mostly unnecessary and most $5k V6s come from an era before engineers realized you needed to give people enough room to service the beast.

I'd suggest getting a nice Accord or Integra sedan. Cheap to run and insure with tuning potential - just get a good alarm system. Fantastic manual gearboxes, too. Not into Hondas? Get a nice '90s Camry or Corolla - they come in manual and they're from an era where Toyota when above and beyond in quality. Super dirt cheap to run for that matter.

But if you must have that V6 power, the Ford Taurus SHO gets my vote. That Yamaha V6 is pure sex.

Matthewgentle > RallyWrench 10/27/2014 at 19:51

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I really want an E36 I've been looking long and hard for a solid E36 with under 120k miles

Matthewgentle > promoted by the color red 10/27/2014 at 19:58

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alright thanks, I like to think I'm pretty good with a wrench I've restored an S10 but I'm certainly no master mechanic. I've looked into integras but I've had a hard time finding one with lower miles, but I haven't looked into the toyotas aside from the TE-72 wagons which are few and rare in my area. (Raleigh)

bob and john > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:01

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your 16, you have no budget, but youve already rebuilt 2 cars?

hm. Then what are you asking us for?

Matthewgentle > bob and john 10/27/2014 at 20:13

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Maybe I shouldn't have used the word restore, I bought the s10 for like 300 it needed a complete new front end and a good amount of engine work. I flipped it for about 1200 and bought an f150 for my neighbor for 1500 and now I'm selling it for around 5k to buy a new car. I just wanted everyone's opinion on what cars I should look to for a fun sedan with a manual.

Matthewgentle > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/27/2014 at 20:15

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oh alright thanks I misunderstood how the premiums worked thanks

Matthewgentle > FocusedMark 10/27/2014 at 20:17

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Alright I might have to give one a try I definitely need to save money on gas! That my main reason for selling my current car (99 f150, gets 14 to the gallon) I heard it only costs $30 to fill a focus. That's basically a godsend

RallyWrench > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:19

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The "under 120k" part is what makes that search difficult. Don't necessarily be afraid of higher mileages, they'll easily do 200k+ with regular maintenance & proactive cooling system repairs.

FocusedMark > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:22

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I just filled mine up today. usually 35-40 fills it, and gets you 300+ miles per tank. My next car is going to be the 2 door hatchback focus once mine kicks the bucket or I get sick of it.

Matthewgentle > RallyWrench 10/27/2014 at 20:22

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Oh I get what you're saying, I've always been steered away from high mile cars. But I'd be willing to do a ton of repairs to get to drive an E36

bob and john > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:24

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everyone here is going to tell you slow car fast is better then fast car slow.

more or less anything with a stick will be fun. if you want something that will last until the world end, try finding a honda accord with a stick.

Matthewgentle > bob and john 10/27/2014 at 20:31

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Alright thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it!

Matthewgentle > FocusedMark 10/27/2014 at 20:34

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wow that's fantastic my truck is about 85 to fill and I only about 340 out of a tank, have you done any performance mods?

FocusedMark > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:44

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Nothing at all. It's just a car to beat up until I graduate college. I would like to put a K&N intake but I don't have time or money for that.

Matthewgentle > FocusedMark 10/27/2014 at 20:47

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oh alright that's awesome that's what I would like to do, I'd love to rebuild an engine for the performance but ain't nobody got time that

Seb C > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 20:59

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Get a Saab 9-3, maybe even a 2006+ Aero with the 2.8T V6. Maybe even a wagon?

Matthewgentle > Seb C 10/27/2014 at 21:25

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I've seen some saabs and they sound good but how is their long term reliability?

Seb C > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 21:41

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Reliability is ok for a Euro car. It's FWD so if you live where it snows like I do it's great, also since the company's bankrupt you can get excellent deals. Might not be quite as good as a Bimmer but for the same money as a Mazda3 with similar age and mileage it's hard to beat (it's better than a Mazda3).

Matthewgentle > Seb C 10/27/2014 at 21:48

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alright thanks I've always liked their styling and the 9-3 turbo has always seemed like a fun car I've just always questioned reliability aha

Travis, Senna of The High Seas > Matthewgentle 10/27/2014 at 23:15

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Mazda Protege, can be had in wagon form and in a turbo variant as well, though not at the same time. Do a bit of research, they're great driver's cars.

Matthewgentle > Travis, Senna of The High Seas 10/28/2014 at 09:12

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Alright I've looked at the mazda 3's aren't the protégés just the earlier form of the 3

Travis, Senna of The High Seas > Matthewgentle 10/28/2014 at 09:19

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Umm, I don't think they're really directly related, but I could be wrong. I'm not sure if a 3 is in your budget though. They're both great cars though, and have great gearboxes.

Matthewgentle > Travis, Senna of The High Seas 10/28/2014 at 09:23

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Yeah no doubt they're good cars Haha and the reason I thought they might have relation is that they look very similar but I have no idea. I think a 3 would be great but like you said there really aren't any good examples in my price range unfortunately.