If you buy a brand new car you’ll probably get a relatively refined drive, penny-saving economy and unshakeable reliability, but these are all things that come at a cost. Literally. The entry price to new car ownership - however reasonable a particular model may seem - can be off-putting for those with a limited budget, even once a good finance deal has lowered the initial outlay. That, of course, is where the second-hand car market can come in as a sensible option when searching for a fresh set of wheels.
We searched far and wide with a budget of £5,000, and found that each of the following use cars could be bought for less than that five grand figure. Quite extraordinary when you think that a factory-ordered, Dacia Sandero will cost you at least £5,995.
At the exciting end of the spectrum, we found a Porsche Boxster from 2002 for just £4,975. Alright, so that price comes with the caveat of 90,000 miles on the odometer, but high mileage doesn’t always mean high maintenance.
• Buying a used car: all you need to know
There was also a 2010 Vauxhall Insignia with 86,000 miles on the clock, the original asking price for which was £18,295. Today? Just £3,000, less than a sixth of what it was when it was new.
Naturally we’d recommend a test drive and a full inspection, as even at this price bracket there’s no guarantee that a car has been properly looked after over the course of its life. But should it have roadworthy components and a clean service history, there’s no reason why a second-hand car can’t be in rude health.
If you’re willing to bide your time and keep a keen eye on the classifieds, you’ll be driving your own half-price hero before you know it. And for less than it costs to buy a bog standard Sandero, you’ll be laughing all the way into the sunset...
Scroll down to read more about our half-price heroes, which can all be bought for less than £5,000…
Best cars for under £5,000
Honda CR-Z
Honda CR-Z S (2010/60 reg, 54k miles)
Car makers love to embrace new technology, but alternative fuels are still viewed with suspicion on the used market – just look at the freefall depreciation that electric cars suffer from. Hybrids aren’t hit as badly, though, and tech-savvy buyers can still bag a bargain.
The Honda CR-Z was a false dawn for the hybrid performance coupe. It wasn’t that sporty, and it wasn’t as efficient as some other hybrids. Still, it’s now a great-value technological showcase, and Honda’s reliability means it should be a safe bet for economical motoring.
Price new: £16,999
Now: £4,900
Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl hybrid, 113bhp
Economy: 56.5mpg
Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2010)
Porsche Boxster
Porsche Boxster 2.7 (2002/02 reg, 90k miles)
Classic Porsches – even bad ones – are going for silly money these days, so a Boxster is the sensible choice. First-generation cars are the cheapest, but spend a little more and you can get a later Mk1 model that should, thanks to the company’s greater experience, be better built.
The basic model is nearly as much fun to drive as the more powerful S. Whichever you choose, you’ll get a sweet-handling mid-engined sports car – although do make sure you budget for high maintenance costs.
Price new: £31,450
Now: £4,975
Engine: 2.7-litre flat-six, 225bhp
Economy: 29.1mpg
Euro NCAP: N/A
Skoda Yeti
Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI S (2010/10 reg, 100k miles)
The original Yeti was crowned Car of the Year at the Auto Express New Car Awards back in 2010, and it’s a great used buy, too. There’s plenty of space, while the range of petrol and diesel engines delivers decent running costs and performance. Combine this with sharp handling that belies its boxy exterior, and the Skoda is a convincing SUV.
Uncertainty over the emissions of VW Group diesels means you might want to take a look at a petrol version, and we would highly recommend the 1.2 TSI turbo option, which has plenty of power and a slick six-speed gearbox.
Price new: £14,570
Now: £4,450
Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 104bhp
Economy: 44.1mpg
Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2009)
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi GS (2006/06 reg, 90k miles)
The Santa Fe has consistently been the model to showcase Hyundai’s next stage of development. The original marked the company’s debut in the SUV class, while the latest Mk3 takes the manufacturer further upmarket than ever. But arguably it’s the Mk2 Santa Fe that really shifted perceptions.
This second incarnation ditched the original’s ungainly looks in favour of a rounded profile that was stylish to the point of desirable. Even better was the raft of standard kit, while the option of a third row of seats added a new level of practicality. Today, the seven-seater is the one to go for. Avoid the thirsty V6 petrol; the 2.2 diesel has as much pulling power and far better running costs. The GS is reasonably well equipped, although the higher-spec CDX can be had for a similar price, albeit with more miles.
Price new: £20,995
Now: £3,899
Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 148bhp
Economy: 34.9mpg
Euro NCAP: 4 stars (2006)
Vauxhall Insignia
Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 Exclusiv (2010/60 reg, 86k miles)
The Insignia is a hero of the used car market. With vast numbers on dealer forecourts, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the sheer variety of cars on sale. As well as five-door hatch or Sport Tourer estate bodystyles, Vauxhall offered a bewildering array of trims and engine options in showrooms when new, so second-hand buyers should find a car to suit their family’s needs.
Pick an Exclusiv model and you get climate control, a comprehensive trip computer and cruise control, while the 1.8 VVT petrol engine delivers a decent mix of performance and economy.
Price new: £18,295
Now: £3,000
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 138bhp
Economy: 37.2mpg
Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2009)
SEAT Leon
SEAT Leon 1.9 TDI S Emocion (2010, 36k miles)
As hatchbacks go, the SEAT Leon has long been up there with the class leaders. As one of the more stylish looking models on the market, it represents value for money and isn’t bad to drive either, even if some have complained of an overly firm ride. You can’t please everyone, after all.
In 2010 a 1.9-litre TDI S Emocion cost just shy of £16,000, but today they can be found for less than a third of that price. The economy figure of 56.5mpg will likely have come down by a notch or two since it rolled out of the factory, but not by enough to turn it into a gas guzzler. Far from it.
Price new: £15,985
Now: £4,950
Engine: 1.9-litre 4-cyl, 103bhp
Economy: 56.5mpg
Euro NCAP: Four stars (2005)
BMW 3 Series
BMW 320d SE (2008/08 reg, 98k miles)
In the endless one-upmanship of the company car park, a BMW badge instantly gains you kudos over other repmobiles. The 3 Series is a great second-hand choice because it looks the part and, if you go for the right model, you’ll be saving the pennies while still having plenty of fun behind the wheel.
The 320d is the bread and butter of the 3 Series range, and we found a prime example that will impress your colleagues. While it was a nine-year-old SE model, it had a full service history covering its 98,000 miles, and the kit list featured all the essentials to keep you amused while pounding the motorway. There’ll be plenty more like it out there too.
Price new: £26,680
Now: £4,950
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 177bhp
Economy: 58.9mpg
Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2005)
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