Used cars under $500 is a category of cars that has been quite popular lately. Vehicles in this price range are sometimes not as simple as they might seem at first glance. Of course, the factory condition of a car for such money is something unimaginable, however, here you can find copies that will remain on the move for more than one year and serve you faithfully. Quality used cars under $500 can serve you not only as a way to get from point to point, but as your daily means of transportation. What’s more, by looking at various auctions, you can find a really rare model that requires very little effort to bring it into good working condition.
In any case, if you are ready to purchase a cheap used vehicle under $500 for yourself, you should definitely be prepared for a long and diligent search. A car that is in proper condition for such money is a rarity. And it’s not just the technical component. Quite often there are situations when a car for that kind of money is on the move and is already ready for normal operation, but later it emerges that it has serious legal problems. For example, the fact of theft or the imposition of a registration ban on it. Therefore, one must be very responsible when inspecting a vehicle in the $500 price range. Every detail should be inspected: body, engine, transmission, gearbox. After that, conduct a thorough test drive and carefully monitor the behavior of the car on the road. In addition, you need to check the chosen instance with the help of a VIN decoder to make sure that you can make a good deal.
Do not pay attention to minor malfunctions – in such cars they will be in any case. The main thing is to make sure that the body geometry is not damaged in the car and that it does not require an overhaul of the engine or gearbox, unless, of course, you plan to do it yourself. Also, do not allow the purchase of an instance with serious legal restrictions, otherwise you simply will not be able to use it safely.
In general, get a used car under $500 if it’s in acceptable condition – a good enough investment. For such a vehicle, you most likely will not have to pay a bunch of taxes, and most of the depreciation will already pass you by. In addition, such machines are great for restoring them over time, especially if they are rare specimens. By spending just $500, you will give yourself the opportunity to build a dream car that, with proper care, will serve you for the rest of your life.
However, this price range is characterized by the presence of a huge selection. And if you are a beginner and do not know the desired brand and model in advance, your eyes will run wide and it will be difficult for you to decide what you want. Let’s take a look at the cars today that you should definitely pay attention to if you are ready to spend only $ 500 on a purchase:
Best used cars under $500:
- Mitsubishi Galant 8th generation
This generation of the car was produced from 1996 to 2005. The new Galant did not have a hatchback body, but after a long break, the station wagon reappeared. There is a VR4 version of this vehicle with two turbochargers and 280 hp. Since 1998, Galant began to be equipped with engines with a GDI gasoline direct injection system. Production in the United States began in July 1998, and only there was a modification of the GTZ offered with a three-liter V6 engine with a capacity of 195 hp. with. This is a great option for buying a car for everyday use, given that the GTZ engine is reliable and has a good resource.
- Honda Prelude 4 generations
The Honda Prelude is a two-door, four-seat coupe manufactured by Honda. Produced since 1978. Discontinued in 2000 due to high cost and low demand. All models were produced with front-wheel drive and only with four-cylinder in-line engines. The 4th generation appeared in 1992 and had engines of 133 hp, 160 hp, and 200 hp. All units were reliable and technologically advanced, so even now some copies that can be bought for $ 500 have not yet exhausted their operational life. The car is perfect for everyday use, especially considering that the most powerful option also accelerates to 60 in 7.2 seconds.
- Honda Civic 5 generation
In 1991, the fifth generation of the model was introduced. The station wagon was now sold only in the Japanese market, but a version with a coupe body appeared in the range. The sedan for Japan was called the Civic Ferio. The choice of powertrains was also wide: for example, a base 1.3-liter carburetor engine or a 1.6-liter engine with a VTEC system with a capacity of 125 or 160 hp. with. Until now, you can find copies of this car with a clean history and a decent state of the technical component. Considering that many vehicles of this model run more than 200,000 miles, still some of them have a resource in order to serve you without problems for several more years.
- Lexus ES 3 generations
In 1996, the production of machines of the third generation began. The new Lexus ES 300 received an engine increased to 200 hp. with. power, optional adaptive suspension and lost the version with a manual transmission. In 1998, the sedan began to be equipped with a modernized engine with variable valve timing, the power increase was 10 liters. with. There are very few such cars in good condition for $500, but you can still find a suitable copy for yourself that is on the go. Given the comfort and reliability of this model, it is perfect for you for everyday use, at least for several more years. Unless, of course, the history of the car is clean and it does not have serious problems.
- Toyota Corolla 8th generation
The eighth generation of cars debuted in Japan in 1995, in 1997 the model appeared in Europe. Structurally, the car completely repeated its predecessor, but the design has changed radically, the choice of options has become wider. The set of engines remained the same: volume from 1.3 to 2.2 liters, power 70–165 hp. with. The station wagon was offered in an all-wheel drive version with a 1.8-liter engine. In 1999, Corolla was restyled, gasoline engines got a valve timing adjustment system. This car has incredibly reliable engines with a huge resource. With proper maintenance, they can go over 500,000 miles, so even if you buy such a used vehicle under $500, you have a huge chance of finding one on the go that will get the job done every day.
Each of the above models will be able to meet your needs when looking for a cheap car under $500. If you responsibly inspect a vehicle before buying, you can find one that is in acceptable condition and capable of taking you every day to where you need or want to go. Therefore, if you yourself have not yet decided on the make and model, then be sure to pay attention to the mentioned cars.
