10 great cars under 5 grand

Before it was the Chevy Sonic, this subcompact — available as a sedan or hatchback — was the Aveo, a nimble little people-mover with a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 32 mpg highway. It makes our list based on reliability. By the 2005 model year, Detroit had closed the quality gap with Honda and Toyota, and this model was actually rated more reliable than the 2006 version.The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo starts at $4,300.

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Fine, so it's not as sleek and doesn't perform as well as the current-generation Focus, which has won worldwide acclaim from journalists and consumers alike. But this model's distinctive look, centered on those arched, borderline-villainous headlights, helped lay the foundation for Ford's comeback. All trims come with a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, which delivers up to 32 mpg highway for the sedan. Avoid the ZX3 hatchback; it got a one-star safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a rear side-impact crash test. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2003 Ford Focus starts at $4,925.

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The Saturn Ion is an undeniably strange car, from its middle-dashboard instrument panel to the coupe's two small rear-access doors. If paying rolling tribute to an extinct but once-ambitious brand known for its no-haggle pricing and dent-resistant plastic body panels isn't enough of a draw, consider the Ion's ahead-of-its-time styling, 30 mpg highway fuel economy and reputation for long-term reliability. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2003 Saturn Ion starts at $4,825.

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A decade ago, Hyundai was still a punch line in the auto world. It wasn't fair then, and it certainly isn't now. The Elantra has become one of the most recommended used cars on the market, mainly for its stellar quality. What sets this sedan apart from similar vintage Toyotas and Hondas are its relatively timeless design and the standard 10-year powertrain warranty, increasing the likelihood of regular maintenance in its previous life. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra starts at $4,900.

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The 2002 Eclipse never quite lived up to its looks; the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine in the base model didn't have the pep to match its racy exterior. But as low-cost transportation goes, this model is a beauty. Its ribbed doors and Porschelike front end still draw attention. The GT, which has a 3-liter 200-horsepower V6 engine and 17-inch wheels, will provide the occasional burst of hard-driving excitement. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse starts at $3,975.

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There are other SUVs in this price range — the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee come to mind — but few that are designed to spend their golden years going on off-road excursions. The Disco's adaptive automatic transmission, enhanced braking by way of hill-descent control, and permanent 4-wheel drive give it genuine wilderness skills. This luxury truck's only downside is a reputation for frequent repairs, making it a better fit for the mechanically inclined. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2002 Land Rover Discover starts at $4,675.

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Along with capable handling and performance, particularly in the GLS trim with the 2.8-liter V6 engine and all-wheel-drive, the Passat featured side curtain airbags. Those are common today but were relatively unheard of back in the day — and extremely difficult to find at this price level. As for its styling, what might seem anonymously old-school to one driver looks plenty classy to us, an example of Volkswagen's penchant for lines that are unassuming without being underwhelming. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat starts at $4,100.

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Volkswagen's 1998 reboot of its most iconic car was a home run. The 2001 edition offered a standard 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 1.8-liter and a diesel that's now just north of our $5,000 price range. The turbo is the version worth considering; it develops 150 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. The result is a tiny hallmark of design excellence that feels as good as it looks. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle starts at $4,450.

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The 2001 S40 won't turn heads, but it might just save yours. It was Volvo's first model to include an early version of today's relatively universal side curtain airbags. But in keeping with the Swedish automaker's emphasis on safety, the S40 also came standard with seat-belt pre-tensioners, side airbags, two-stage front airbags, and front seats designed to mitigate whiplash (they reclined upon rear impact, limiting the amount of head bounce). The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2001 Volvo S40 starts at $4,600.

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Finally, a true beast of burden, the bygone model of choice for cab drivers and police departments across the country. Despite its regal name, there's nothing flashy about the Crown Vic, a big, old full-size boat of a rear-drive American sedan, with a roaring 4.6-liter V8 engine and a field-tested talent for workhorse endurance on the road. It's the kind of car that filmmakers crash prettier cars into during chase scenes. The Kelley Blue Book retail price for the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria starts at $4,750.

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For listings showing any of the vehicles in this slideshow, click the links below:

• Chevrolet Aveo
• Ford Focus
• Saturn Ion
• Hyundai Elantra
• Mitsubishi Eclipse
• Land Rovery Discovery
• Volkswagen Passat
• Volkswagen Beetle
• Volvo S40
• Crown Victoria

Based out of the Boston area, Erik Sofge is frequent contributor to Popular Mechanics and Slate.com. He specializes in everything scientific and technical.

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