Well, aren't you a practical person? A car purchase is in your future, but you don't need something big or flashy; maybe you drive some longer distances, maybe you're not on public transit lines, so you need something reliable. But you don't want to spend a lot, and who can blame you? You also want something cheap to run, fun to drive and with a roomy trunk; you're not interested in a hatchback or wagon, you want a small sedan. No problem: There are plenty of those for less than $6,000. In fact, there are almost too many out there. Let's look at a few, and remember to try to find one with low kilometres.
Sensible
Nissan's Sentra offers a plush ride with roomy seats inside – this is a comfortable commuter. But those are all the highlights. Its interior is on the cheap side and performance is tedious. Passengers in the back won't like the tight quarters, either. Found up to about 2008, the Sentra has been a fairly reliable car, with recalls concerning the air bags, a leaking master cylinder and an overheating navigation system; make sure to find one with stability control, which was just an option then.
The Toyota Corolla has long been a stalwart of the small-car segment for its solid reliability. You'll find one up to about 2007 in this price range, and no matter the mileage, it should run forever; it's also a "good bet" with Consumer Reports. But it's more on the beige side of driving; while fuel efficient, the 1.8-litre engine doesn't exactly fire your excitement for the daily commute. Recalls are just for the air bags on this model; look for the optional ABS.
Leaning more on the sportier side would be the Mazda3 sedan. Again, a "good bet" with Consumer Reports, this compact has a comfortable yet firm ride, and its responsive handling will raise your eyebrows – and the corners of your mouth – in the twisties. Either the 2.0-litre or optional 2.3-litre engine give the car sprightly performance, too. Inside is spacious, and a nice place to spend some time, too, with a dimpled leather-covered steering wheel, red-lit accents and good quality materials. If safety is a concern, look for the side-curtain air bags; the Mazda3 was scored as poor in side-impact tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) without them. You'll find these up to about 2008 in these prices; recalls for these models include faulty air bags and windshield wipers that may not work.
Indispensable
Normally, the Honda Civic would be the top choice here; it has a perfect combination of reliability, good fuel economy and a sporty, fun drive. But why shortchange yourself? Go for the Acura EL, which is based on the Civic platform and has the Si's more powerful 1.7-litre engine. It also has a more luxurious interior, with leather seats and better materials and is kitted out with power everything and even a sunroof; ABS and two-stage air bags are also standard, unlike some Civics in this range up to about 2005. Despite a stellar record of dependability, there were recalls for air bags and a defective ignition switch. Regardless, in the world of cheap, cheerful sedans, the EL puts the emphasis on the latter.
Questionable
The Chevrolet Cobalt was a huge leap forward for General Motors when it replaced the ancient Cavalier in 2005. The compact offered more comfort, more power and better handling – to be fair, the bar was set low. It was generally well received when it hit the roads, despite its cheap interior. The problem, however, is its reliability; in its six-year history (it was replaced by the Cruze in 2011), the Cobalt has accrued a laundry list of recalls that look at air bags, fuel leaks, the gear shifter, a loss of power steering and, of course, that infamous ignition lock; Consumer Reports rates its overall reliability as poor. And, again, without the optional side air bags the car scored a poor rating with the IIHS side-impact test. It's not a terrible choice, but there are better ones out there.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Add us to your circles
Sign up for our weekly newsletter