Fun, beater car for under $5k

[jh2586]

What's a fun car for under 5k? I'm looking at a couple models:

99-00 Civic SI
late 90s Wrangler
Early 00s WRX
Miata
MR2
Early 00s Audis
late 90s 4Runners
late 90s tacomas

Not really looking for something in particular. Just something fun, whether it's fast, handles well, sporty, off-road capable, etc

EDIT: Got this instead

Bought the bike, not the wife. That was a bigger purchase

 

[jh2586]

Oh forgot the E36 3 series, that should be a fun car

 

[mrzuzzo]

Miata or 4runner, both are also fairly cheap to service.

 

[mikev]

motorcycle

 

[auntiebling]

Do not get a German car. You can spend 5k just catching up on maintenance the guy looking for a fun 6k$ car didn't bother doing because he knew the next guy would be too excited to get a cheap German car to notice

 

[Kurosaki]

MR2 but I'm biased. Not sure which year you're looking at but I might my 89 with the intention of being a cheap car to get me through college and get something 'nice' again after I get out.. 5 years later, I still have it.

It's fun to drive like an oversized go cart.


Surprising amount of space to pack things too with the frunk and the trunk behind the engine.

 

[Sharky]

I would go for a miata or high mileage 350z. Both motors are bullet proof.

 

[SFSV650]

Do not get a German car. You can spend 5k just catching up on maintenance the guy looking for a fun 6k$ car didn't bother doing because he knew the next guy would be too excited to get a cheap German car to notice

Yeah, but then you've got a really sweet German car (that's worth $5.5k)!

 

[byke]

If you're interested in offroad, pick up a crawler. For something with grunt, tough to beat Mustangs for the price. I like the MR2 idea also, little rippers they are.

 

[boney]

The automatic transmissions in VW's and Audis from late 90's and early 2000's are notoriously unreliable after 100,000 miles. They have lifetime oil don'tchaknow. Stay away from those for sure.

 

[Yakoo752]

I would go for a miata or high mileage 350z. Both motors are bullet proof.

this

you said FUN

4runner and fun don't equate imho

 

[larry kahn]

Bought my 97 Miata 3 yrs ago, 90k miles, 125k now, $3500, big fun no issues daily driver. Sorta kinda close as you get to a MC.

 

[Reli]

99-00 Civic SI

played out

late 90s Wrangler

high schooler

Early 00s WRX

good luck finding one for that amount

Miata
MR2

now you're talking
Also CRX

Early 00s Audis

please no......heavy, dour, not tossable, $$$

late 90s 4Runners

I thought you said fun

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Rob's F150 in the auto section looks pretty solid

 

[JesasaurusRex]

fox mustang/3rd gen camaro

 

[auntiebling]

The automatic transmissions every major system in VW's and Audis from late 90's and early 2000's are notoriously unreliable after 100,000 miles. They have lifetime oil don'tchaknow. Stay away from those for sure.

Fixt

 

[Reli]

Yep. Fuck German cars out of warranty, unless you enjoy working on cars and have a hookup for cheap parts.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

fast, handles well, sporty, off-road capable

that together, is funnnyyy given the price and year requirement

 

[channelcat]

I'd roll with the wrx someones granma bought by mistake cause they thought the salesman was saying camry.

 

[Critter]

I had an e30 325is with a s52 swap that I cried about when I sold it. I still think about that bitch whenever I see a clean maroon one.

I'm currently looking to purchase an Impreza OBS and drop a wrx motor into it.

I'd say Fox body Notch back but you'll never find one unmolested...