Car shopping can be a challenge when you’re on a tight budget. That’s what makes buying used an attractive option. However, it doesn’t come without risks. When buying used, you want to make sure you pick a reliable vehicle. Used Toyota cars are excellent choices.

Though no used vehicle is perfect, some inexpensive models hold up better than others. Here are three Toyota sedans you can buy on a $5,000 budget and their pros and cons. 

2008 Toyota Avalon

Shopping around, you can find a 2008 Toyota Avalon for $5,000. According to Edmunds, it’s a relatively refined sedan. The interior is spacious, seating five adults comfortably. The cabin design is also attractive, made with quality materials and nice trims. 

And the ride is quiet yet powerful thanks to its V6 engine. Plus, the mpg isn’t bad for an older used car. You’re looking at about 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Avalon is also an elevated choice, so you might have difficulty finding one for under $5,000. Also, Edmunds says this large sedan doesn’t have much personality.

2007 Toyota Corolla

The 2007 Toyota Corolla is a good option if you have only $5,000 to spend. According to Edmunds, its price hovers around $4,627 to $5,195. This model year boasts a roomy interior and a fuel-efficient engine, plus a fantastic reliability record. Though it might not be the most aesthetically pleasing vehicle, you can’t argue with the 2007 Corolla’s dependability.

It doesn’t have a ton of personality and lacks many features the Avalon provides, but you’ll get your money’s worth with this compact sedan. According to Forbes, the Corolla is “the default cheap wheels choice for decades.” Plus, Consumer Reports has always had positive things to say about the Corolla. 

2006 Camry

The Toyota Camry has been America’s best-selling car for nearly two decades. You can find a 2006 model for about $5,000 to $5,500, Edmunds reports. This midsize sedan’s interior is comfortable and spacious and also makes for a quiet ride. It also has impressive safety features, especially given the year it was created. Because of this, you’ll likely get a great deal if you try to resell it. And because it’s a Toyota, it’ll likely be reliable.

However, for its class and year, the price is a bit high. The engine also isn’t the most powerful, but we’re willing to cut it some slack. We think people have more fun driving the Camry than they’d like to admit. 

Why these 3 sedans are excellent used cars on a tight budget

Overall, if you’ve budgeted $5,000 for your next car and want one that’ll get you from point A to point B consistently, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota.

Though older models are certainly not the most attractive, you likely won’t find a more reliable brand. You also won’t find tons of features and upgrades when it comes to these model years, but you can be relatively confident they’ll be worth the money you spent on them. And when you’re buying a used car at a low price point, that’s exactly what you’re looking for.