Whats a good sports/fast car I can buy for around 5k ?
Posted by Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 65 comments
What’s a good sporty/fast car I can buy for around 5k? I got 5k saved up finally and I’m looking to buy my first sports car I bought a 06 mustang a couple months ago for 4k and it drove for like a week and it has been sitting ever since (won’t shift into gear multiple mechanics have told me different things are wrong with it idk kinda want to just get rid of it) I tried to fix it myself but I was using Al and YouTube since I don’t have a dad to show me these things haha. But it has really been a bad experience it was my second car ever. I’m just looking for something fun and reliable. Please help.
DarkMatter-Forever@reddit
Nonw
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
I ended up getting a 2016 mustang gt for 5800 94k miles
DarkMatter-Forever@reddit
How many accidents lol, average price is 4 times what you paid, is it a salvage?
rac1283@reddit
OP either got an auction crash special or is full of shit. I’m leaning toward the latter.
DarkMatter-Forever@reddit
Yeah, most likely the latter
DJScaryTerry@reddit
Do you already have the 5k or do you think you're going to get to for your broken car?
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
Already had
DJScaryTerry@reddit
Fix your car. Anything you get will be a side-grade no joke
rac1283@reddit
So you’re wanting to buy a good, reliable, fast, sporty car for $5k after sinking $4k into your last car and driving it for a week before it died.
Are you seeing the problem here?
To answer the question you posed to start your post: none. Recalibrate your expectations.
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
I ended up getting a 2016 mustang gt for 5800 🤷🏽♂️
rac1283@reddit
Congrats! You drive a much harder bargain than most of us can since they’re typically $20k plus or minus.
PBandJaldi@reddit
You aren't getting anything fats for that price point, but try looking into something fun and somewhat reliable. Scion tCs or older Miatas are a good start.
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
Thanks for an actual answer but I ended up getting a 2016 mustang gt for 5800 94k miles I think I did good brought a scanner this time and checked everything seems good
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Old TC arent reliable, avoid them, bad motors
YouShitMyPants@reddit
Honestly, probably American. Maybe like a mustang gt with a 4.6. Go for like an 06 in a manual if possible. Everything cheap with a manual suffers from the drift tax
HakunaMatataFC@reddit
What’s the drift tax
YouShitMyPants@reddit
Beater cars people use for drifting end up being worth more since they get destroyed. Look at the Miata or 240sx, same now with f bodies.
supremesweater@reddit
a fun reliable sports car for 5k. yeah good luck
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
I ended up getting a 2016 mustang gt for 5800 94k miles on it
caterham09@reddit
For 5k you're just looking for something that runs and drives without concern. Everything else is irrelevant
Emergency-Cattle1505@reddit (OP)
I ended up getting a 2016 mustang gt for 5800
WinterSheepherder887@reddit
Fun, reliable, and cheap. Pick two.
PeachMangoGarage@reddit
Miata?
WinterSheepherder887@reddit
For $5k? Come on.
PeachMangoGarage@reddit
It's possible, but I get your point
fluteofski-@reddit
M. I. A. T. A.
Minivan. Is. Always. The. Answer. /s
Realistic_Quality494@reddit
For around 5k I’d look at a Civic Si, Acura RSX, G35, or maybe a clean Miata. Fast enough to have fun, way more reliable than gambling on another cheap Mustang lol.
NotAPlasticSurgeon@reddit
350z.
sundaygolfer269@reddit
The best answer 287 to 326 HP
PK808370@reddit
Sounds like your Mustang is an auto. Maybe just get the transmission fixed. What does it take to ditch that slush box and put a real transmission (stick) in it?
Interesting-Swim-162@reddit
Hyundai tiburon. Not fast, but generally reliable, cute and sporty, usually sells for 3K
Ok-Lavishness-7904@reddit
V6 Solara is a nice semi luxurious coupe
tk8398@reddit
Sky/Solstice? Not necessarily a good idea, but it does answer the question.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
You cant get one for 5k, thats like 7-10k for a normal one, low or high mile they all just kinda end up in that range.
EGGWURST@reddit
I've seen a few for 5-6k all with salvage titles but in good condition, or so the description says. I'm not really sure about what kind of people usually drive those cars but I'm guessing it's midlife crisis divorced dads with a lead foot, so I'd expect heavy wear and tear on any of them
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Opposite actually, the only people that bought Solstice were older guys, now theyre all old guys, i wouldnt expect an average Solstice to get beat on
EGGWURST@reddit
That makes sense too. But the Saturn Skys, especially the red line edition, seem like a car that a suburban mid 40s male that wants something fast and sporty but doesn't know much about cars would get
tk8398@reddit
I have seen several running ones for $4-5k within the last year.
KLAM3R0N@reddit
Not really fast but fun and reliable 2.0 5 speed manual mk3 focus or Mazda 3. Base. The R's awd turbo ones are pretty quick but pricy. Fiestas are fun too in m/t
Aroundthemiddle@reddit
Buy something fun to drive, reliable and feels fast but isn't. Honda Civic...
GloweyBacon@reddit
Miata
Lower_Kick268@reddit
For 5k? Not anymore.
EGGWURST@reddit
Sounds like you learned your lesson the first time and decided to come back for seconds. Either save up more or learn to do your own repairs. You can get a 2000s Camaro for that price, maybe a 350z with a lot of miles on it
Smitty-TBR2430@reddit
Your expectations are not congruent with reality.
My eldest son is a professional mechanic. In 2010 he bought a 5-year-old (2005) Corvette for $36k. He put another $10k into it (parts from Summit Racing) and 80 hours labor; that got dyno tested at 635 hp and radar speed gun certified as a 200 mph car. (Don’t ask.)
Adjust prices for inflation and your tolerance for speed. (And speeding tickets.)
TinCanSailor987@reddit
Buy something reliable for now and when you finally have your midlife crisis, get a vette.
vjbigtv@reddit
Sentra
Lower_Kick268@reddit
I second this, SER-Spec V
shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit
did you even check the prices on those before posting that comment?
Pope_Urban_the_2nd@reddit
Police Interceptor
Infamous_Tonight4271@reddit
R53 Mini Cooper S
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Reliable?
Tigon1991@reddit
Chrysler crossfire
U2LN@reddit
Taurus SHO V6 Camry Clapped out Z
Lower_Kick268@reddit
SHO V8 are an option too, just fine a lower mile one and take care of the car.
U2LN@reddit
My bad let me punctuate
Familymanjoe@reddit
A VW Jetta or Golf with the O7K 5 cylinder engine. You may even have funds leftover to sort your mustang.
The O7K engine is bulletproof, overbuilt, sounds amazing, common enough to have parts available cheaply everywhere, and anyone including you can work on it with a few tools. Good luck with you cars.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Issue with a Jetta or Golf is finding one without electrical issues, the ones from the 2000s are pretty notorious for that. And they all smell like crayons, that too.
skudbeast@reddit
A new transmission for your mustang. Or a v6 catfish era Camaro, maybe a clapped out aw11 mr2, or 90s era 4 cylinder 5 speed fwd couple like a Celica or prelude.
kmora94@reddit
C4 corvette. Really good condition ones go for like 7-9k but shittier ones for 5.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
For 5k its gonna have heavy fiberglass damage or be a Crossfire V8, neither of which is something id want to own, and the Crossfire ones are the furthest thing from reliable
Desperate_Set_7708@reddit
The Ceasefire
Lower_Kick268@reddit
That is correct, I know a guy whos dad has one and he called it that. His 84 C4 now has a 383 Stroker in it and burns rubber while hauling ass, it was easier to do the swap than attempt to deal with sorting the Crossfire V8
Tmcrabtree@reddit
You could maybe get an 8th gen civic si for 5k, but it will likely be a bit of a beater. The paint on those cars was not good, and if its bad can bring the price down, especially when approaching 200k miles. Its a lot of miles, and very car dependent, but they are reliable, you get around 200 hp and a great platform, a mor that redlines over 8k rpm, and a ton of fun. I own one, but not s 5k one. Id look into them, just know that a 5k one will likely be high mileage or more modified, be careful.
BigG808@reddit
Is your Mustang an auto or manual? V6 or V8? It’ll probably be cheaper to get that sorted out versus buying another cheap car that’ll probably need work too.
Depending where you life, you can maybe find a rough, early Miata for 5k. Maybe an older WRX. But anything that cheap and sporty will likely be a protect.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Sentra SER Spec V, Supercharged Buick 3800, Tauras SHO, theres not many to choose from.