Just because you want a cheap car that’ll last, doesn’t mean you should throw performance and style out the window! There are plenty of awesome cars you can buy for under 4 grand, and most of the cars on this list, are WAY cheaper than that!Â
These rides will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in maintenance costs without making you feel like you’re borrowing them from your mother. These automobiles are fun and economical, but they won’t break down on you if they’re hit by a nuclear weapon.
Read More: Cheap & Free Car Mods Anyone Can Do !!
Cheap Cars That Last Forever
So, if you’re looking for a vehicle that will last a lifetime, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight super-cheap cars that will never let you down:
1. 2000Â Lexua ES300
The first vehicle on this list is a rolling doomsday bunker with such a luxurious interior that you’ll be riding out the apocalypse in luxury and style!
The Lexus ES300 is the premium car that will outlast you. If you have a $2,000 budget and want a car that will last a lifetime, I’m sure you never imagined yourself sitting in Lexus leather. That’s correct, the Lexus ES300 is essentially a Camry with Lexus features. So why waste your money on a Toyota grade when you might be riding in luxury with Lexus?
Read More: Top 8 Cars We Wish Make A ComebackÂ
Going 0 to 60 in an unimpressive 7.6 seconds, you won’t be running anyone off the road, and the ES300 handles more like a Boston Whaler than a sport sedan. But if durability, comfort, and a quiet ride are on the top of your priority list, the ES300 is the car for YOU.
This car is so quiet, inside and OUT, that you won’t wake granny when you’re pulling out of the driveway, and you’ll hardly hear a thing when you’re cruising down the highway. Gas mileage on the ES300 is solid at around 20 MPG. However, like most other Lexus models, it does require premium fuel. The upside of this is that the 3.0-liter V6 engine won’t break down until the end of eternity, and you’ll save a fortune on replacement parts that you would’ve had to shell out for if you had bought a less reputable ride.
And this reliable luxury roller is CHEAP. Like CRAZY cheap. We found a clean-titled ES with only 100K on the clock for just 2 GRAND. Leather power and an L on the grill? Now, that’s an IDEAL deal!
Now, it is a Lexus, so keeping it running might cost a little more than you want, but this next car was built to run FOREVER, and do it on a government paycheck….
Read More: Cheap Awesome Luxury Cars That Look Expensive
2. 2008 Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor
Come to a halt! The cops are here!
We all know that replacing anything on a Ford costs around the same as the change in your pocket right now. And for good reason, the Crown Vic is a WORKHORSE utilised for patrol cars, taxis, and limos: these bad boys frequently run over 300,000 miles with very little maintenance. And, owing to rear-wheel drive and a powerful American V8, you can have a lot of fun while driving them.
Pro tip: if you do buy a Crown Vic, keep it a secret from your pals until you see their reactions when you pull them over in your lovely new cop car. Definitely helps if you buy a cop uniform too! Who doesn’t want to play cop for a day?
Read More: 10 New Rear-Wheel-Drive Sports CarsÂ
3. 2005 Honda Accord
There’s a reason why it seems like you can’t go anywhere without seeing three or four Honda Accords on the road. These are the durable automobiles’ peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It isn’t a fillet mignon, but it is tried and true, and it will always be there when you need it.
This is one of the more recent additions to our list, as well as one of the most sporty. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower and gets up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The Accord excels in almost every area!
Read More: Winter Road Trips Complete Guide
In 2005, Honda released a hybrid version of the Accord, but purchasers concluded that the extra price wasn’t justified by significant fuel economy gains. So, if you’re in the market for an Accord, stick with the base model.
These Japanese juggernauts should last you over 300,000 miles if you replace your oil on a regular basis and resist the impulse to drive like a lunatic. No one will believe you only paid $3,000 for the keys to this million-dollar-looking 2005 accord!
Your Accord may fit a lot of people, but if you need a little more utility and a car that can survive literally anything, the next ride is for you!
Read More: 25 Best Car for Drifting
4. 1993 Toyota Pickup
You NEED the Toyota Pickup if you need a pickup for your landscaping business, construction goods, or just drifting around the countryside.
That’s right, it’s just known as the “Pickup,” which is a fantastic name. It’s like if Tesla simply released an automobile called the “Tesla Car.” The Toyota Pickup is the Nokia telephone of trucks, meaning it is entirely unbreakable.
In fact, the Toyota HiLux is a mix of the words “high” and “luxury,” but I wouldn’t say luxury is this pickup’s strong suit. However, if you’re searching for a low-cost, dependable pickup that can be put to work, this model has a payload capacity of over 2,200 pounds and a long-lasting engine. Cockroaches, Chuck Norris, and the Toyota Pickup are said to be the only three items that will survive the apocalypse.
Read More: How to Rent a Car in Dubai at a Low Price ?
I wouldn’t recommend taking this hulk off-road, though, because the handling is poor, and the braking and steering aren’t really outstanding. But if you want an affordable truck with good bed space and an engine that will outlive your grandchildren, the Toyota Pickup is your best bet. Oh man, I just can’t get over that name.Â
Now, what I WOULD take down a windy dirt road… is a Subaru. Specifically, an Impreza Wagon.
Read More: 10 Coolest Cars Going On Sale In 2022
5. Subaru Wagon
While the words “speed” and “Subaru” don’t usually go together, Subaru originally built a name for itself in the worldwide market by proving its mettle in rally racing.
The Impreza established that it was capable of sustaining heavy abuse offroad and handling on exceptionally challenging terrain, and the Impreza Wagon has continued this tradition (get it? Legacy?) today as the gold standard in dependable waggons. It would probably drive if you rolled it twice over the edge of a cliff.
Read More: Forza Horizon 5 Announcement Trailer: Featured Cars
The Subaru Impreza Outback is just as dependable, with the same drivetrain internals that make Subarus so long-lasting. The regular Outback is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower and can tow up to 2700 pounds, allowing you to handle even the most difficult terrain.
If you’re searching for a hatchback waggon that you can take off-road a million times before it breaks down, the Subaru Impreza or Impreza Outback are great options. You can’t go wrong for under $3,000.
Read More: JDM Car Legends Legal To Import In 2022
6. 1997 Geo Metro
The Geo Metro was created when General Motors set out to make the most fuel efficient car possible without doing any research and development.
The Mighty Tiny Metro is powered by one of the world’s smallest little engines, a 1.3-liter four-cylinder or a ridiculously little 1.0-liter three-cylinder with a whopping 70 horsepower. In addition, it has a cardboard body. Actually, it isn’t, but it could be!
Whatever you think of the Geo Metro, if you handle it right, it will last a lifetime with very little maintenance. With a fuel economy of roughly 40 mpg, this huge toy automobile will save you a lot of money during its lifetime. However, at such a low cost, you get what you pay for.
Read More: Tesla Delivered Almost a Million EVs Worldwide in 2021
The Metro is devoid of needless luxuries and has very basic safety features. The driver’s airbag is the only one, and its impact protection is comparable to that of a bicycle helmet. When it came to industry safety regulations, it’s evident that GM did the absolute bare least. If you’re a safety freak, this isn’t the automobile for you.
However, the Metro will almost certainly outlast you and the next owner! You might be the proud… or not so proud… owner of this formidable Metro for just $1,200!
Unlike the Geo Metro, VOLVO is now a brand that is connected with safety. Those Swedes are the pioneers of safety, and the 240 has to be the most iconic Volvo of all time.
Read More: 10 Coolest Swedish Concept Cars Ever Made
7. 1991 Volvo 240
Pulling up in a Volvo 240 is the way to go if you want to convey the idea that you have a degree from a prestigious university or that you enjoy reading old philosophical books. This classic car’s look has become connected with safety and responsibility, and it appears that the 1% are always driving them around.
The 240’s popularity stems from Volvo’s well-known safety features as well as its tenacious engine that refuses to die. And, because of the car’s popularity, if you do need a replacement part (which is unlikely), it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Read More: Cheap Cars With High Tuning PotentialÂ
The stylish exterior of the 240, on the other hand, can rapidly become filthy and rusty, which is a serious issue for owners. After 1988, variants of the 240 offer significantly better corrosion protection than those built before that year, but even later versions might look like they belong in a scrapyard after just a few years. If you’re going to buy a 240, consider investing in rust-proofing or installing an electronic anti-rusting module to maintain the outside as dependable as the drivetrain!
Good examples are becoming more expensive, such as this one for $4000, but consider how much money you’ll save by not needing to fix anything!
Now, the last car on the list has the style and handling of a professional dancer, if professional dancers were completely indestructible.
8. 1990 Miata
The Miata is without a doubt the most enjoyable vehicle on our list. When we’re asked about economical, dependable autos, we always say yes. Miata literally means “Miata Is Always The Answer,” and who can argue with that kind of branding?
Consider cruising down Miami Beach on a Saturday night with the top down and those pop-up lights glowing brightly. And for only $2,000, you get that type of swag?
Read More: 7 Mid-Engine Affordable Supercars
The Miata, on the other hand, isn’t just a lovely face; it’s an invincible little ball of energy with a dynamite transmission that’ll keep you zipping through traffic from the day you buy it until you’re old and grey.
The 1990 model’s 1.6-liter engine produces substantially less power than the 1.8-liter engine that replaced it in later versions, but the positive is that this underpowered engine will last indefinitely. The lightweight body also offers the drivetrain amazing lifespan, allowing you to cruise along any interstate stress-free for decades after you purchase your Miata.
You see, not all cheap cars last as long as a carton of milk. And not all dependable automobiles are as dull as math class.
Which car on this list was your personal favourite? Is it the Lexus Luxury? Or how about that NA Miata with the roof cut off? Was it the Subaru Impreza, the off-roading renegade wildebeest with terrible towing power?
Check out our video on these super-cheap, super-reliable driving machines!
Read More: Gremlins: The Unsung Car Christmas Movie
