Contents
Almost everyone is buying new vehicles with an SUV body style. These have managed to almost completely displace sedans. Many brands have stopped manufacturing their benchmark models to increase their supply of crossovers. However, being the most fashionable cars, we will hardly find a cheap second-hand unit that has no problems.
The used car market is in one of its worst moments. Inflation, coupled with the absurd rise in new car prices, has made the used market more expensive than ever. In today’s article, we are going to ignore trends and analyze what sedans we can buy used for less than 5,000 euros. We will stick exclusively to C-segment and D-segment models, while also discussing models that have proven to have a proper reliability record over the years. After all, we are talking about cars that are reaching the end of their useful life.
Why buy a second-hand sedan?
Until the 2008 crisis, sedans were the most desired body styles by Spaniards and Europeans. However, with the lack of liquidity, many families ended up surrendering to hatchbacks.
Sedans are comfortable, generally safe vehicles with great interior space. Their trunk is usually their strong point, so they are perfect if we have to move around with our children’s stroller.
In addition, vehicles with this body style are much cheaper in the used market than other alternatives. Supply and demand. Since not as many people are interested in them, prices tend to be low, even in such bad times as the current one. As if that weren’t enough, we will also find a large supply of powerful cars. However, here we are going to filter, as we don’t want you to go broke maintaining it. We will stick only to vehicles with reasonable fuel consumption and moderately affordable maintenance.
The best used sedans for under €5000
If you want a car to get around with your family and you don’t want to go broke, here are what we consider the best options in the current second-hand market:
Toyota Avensis 1.8 VVTi (2003 – 2008)
It might not appeal to you aesthetically, but the 2000s Avensis 1.8 VVTi is one of the most absurdly reliable machines the Japanese manufacturer has ever made. This model mounts a 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter engine that develops about 129 hp. Its only drawback is that it can be a bit of an oil drinker, but by keeping a jug in the trunk and keeping an eye on it from time to time, you’ll have a car to last many miles.
It is quite easy to find a unit of this Toyota below 5,000 euros, even around 3,500. Look for a unit that has been reasonably well maintained and, preferably, with less than 200,000 kilometers.
This model was also sold with an estate body style, which is usually even cheaper. The Avensis of this era does not require much maintenance, especially because it features an engine with a timing chain.
Mazda 3 Sedan (2003 – 2009)
The first-generation Mazda 3 sedan still looks quite good even today. This compact sedan-bodied car bases its success on simple mechanics. The market is full of units with diesel engines. However, the ones worth getting are the gasoline ones.
The most basic engine is the 1.6 with 105 hp, which is not bad at all if we are going to make short trips or drive it a bit more around the city. On the other hand, if you are going to drive a lot on the highway, go straight for the 2.0, which had 141 and 150 hp versions. If possible, get a post-facelift unit, as they are better polished. They are easily recognized because they have clear taillights instead of red ones.
With 5,000 euros, you have enough to buy the car and even have money left over to give it a good tune-up or repair any little things. With this budget, you can also aspire to buy the second-generation model, although we would stick with a first-generation 2.0 with around 150,000 kilometers.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI (2006 – 2010)
The Jetta Mk5 (also known as Jetta III in some countries) had a great history of engines, both diesel and gasoline. This time, we are going to opt for a unit with a TDI engine, and we can tell you in advance that there is plenty to choose from.
We will stick exclusively to the 1.9 and 2.0 TDI engines, ruling out the 1.6s, which were not as good. The 1.9 TDI is known for being tougher than Captain America’s shield, although it is quite likely that the second-hand units you find have driven too many miles.
On the other hand, the last units manufactured carried 2.0 TDI engines. The ideal is to acquire a 2.0 TDI Common Rail unit, preferably with 140 instead of 170 hp. Avoid units with DSG gearboxes and stick with one with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Finding these cars below the price we have marked is easy. They don’t have as much of a market. Being turbocharged diesel mechanics, we are going to have to allocate some money for the tune-up. In any case, look for well-maintained units that do not exceed 200,000 kilometers (watch out so they don’t sell you a rolled-back one) and closer to 2008 than 2006. As always, newer units have many endemic flaws resolved.
Toyota Corolla Sedan (2006 – 2014)
It is not easy to find a tenth-generation Corolla sedan. Few were sold in Spain because people opted for the Auris. In any case, the 1.6 and 1.8 gasoline engines of this car have very good records.
The car itself is quite simple, but if what you want is a machine to get you from A to B, one of these is more than enough. Its trunk is quite generous and its mechanics won’t give you too many headaches. Its weak point is the infotainment system, but you can always play Spotify in an old car cheaply.
The generation prior to this one was also very good in its gasoline versions. We haven’t included it in this top list because it is already starting to feel its age.
Honda Accord 2.2 iCTDi (2004 – 2008)
The 2.2 iCTDi is the best diesel engine Honda has ever made. It was mounted in several models, making this Accord a gorgeous car that by no means received the attention it deserved in our country.
With 5,000 euros you have plenty of budget left for this car. A unit with about 200,000 kilometers should still have plenty of life ahead of it.
We are talking about a comfortable car with good performance (same horsepower and more torque than the Jetta we talked about earlier, but with a less aggressive response), and fantastic fuel consumption. All this with equipment levels that weren’t bad at all either.
Lexus IS (2005 – 2013)
Within this price range, we can also fit the Lexus IS, both the first and second generation. The former is getting quite old, but it has a couple of gasoline engines renowned for their reliability.
However, the ideal is to go for the second-generation model, a comfortable and magnificent vehicle for racking up highway miles with any of its engines, both the gasoline V6s and the 2.2-liter diesel, which was the best-seller in Spain.
In general, the Lexus IS has a reputation for being a sluggish car. This is because they deliver power very progressively. Let’s say it’s not a car for thrills. However, if what you are looking for is a sedan for long family trips, it is a fantastic vehicle.