If you need a car and you’re on a tight budget, a used midsize sedan is a safe bet. Long the go-to option for families before SUVs took over, midsize sedans offer efficiency, comfort and space. Beyond that, they generally come with few surprises, but to get from point A to point B with little fuss, it’s hard to beat a midsize sedan. Here are six of our favorite used family sedans under $5,000 for 2020.
2008 Toyota Camry
Any list of affordable used midsize sedans should start with the Toyota Camry. The segment leader for years now, the Camry offers efficiency, safety and above all, reliability. It won’t blow you away with its styling or performance, but you can rest assured that a used Camry will run and run without fanfare for years to come, provided it’s been maintained properly by its previous owner or owners. There are currently close to 400 2007–2011 Camry models listed for sale on Autotrader. Most come with the Camry’s basic 4-cylinder engine, although a few higher-mileage examples use the V6. Find a Toyota Camry for sale
2008 Honda Accord
Another segment stalwart, the Accord, like the Camry, has long been one of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. While the Camry is more conservative, the Accord is a little sportier, a little edgier and a little less mainstream. Like the Camry, it offers good reliability but ups the ante with enhanced driving dynamics and a nicer interior. There are currently around 150 2008–2012 Accords listed for sale on Autotrader for around $5,000. If you want more options, look to the previous-generation Accord, sold from 2003 to 2007. A sportier coupe version of the Accord has long been offered as well. Find a Honda Accord for sale
2008 Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima can generally be thought of as the third most popular midsize sedan, behind the Camry and Accord. Like those two, it offers good reliability and overall comfort. On top of that, the Altima is generally thought of as the value choice next to the offerings of Toyota and Honda. The fourth-generation Altima was sold from 2007 through 2012, and it’s pretty easy to find one for around $5,000. Right now there are over 400 fourth-generation Nissan Altimas listed for sale on Autotrader for around $5,000. Sixty of them are even the rare coupe body style. Find a Nissan Altima for sale
2008 Ford Fusion
Ford’s midsize offering, the Fusion, was sold from 2006 to 2019. The first-generation model, offered from 2006 through 2009, shared its platform with the Mazda6 and offered both 4 and 6-cylinder engine options. If you’re looking for a $5,000 Fusion, one of these earlier models is your safest bet, and there are currently around 300 examples listed on Autotrader that would fit the bill. Find a Ford Fusion for sale
2008 Mazda6
The Mazda6 was the successor to the 626. The Mazda6 came with a slightly nicer interior than the competition, employing smart design and higher-quality interior materials. For $5,000, buyers should look for a first-generation Mazda6, which was sold from the 2003–2008 model years. The original Mazda6 was unique in that it was available in both hatchback and wagon body styles, in addition to a traditional sedan. Right now on Autotrader, there are around 150 $5,000 Mazda6s from the vehicle’s first generation. About 20 are hatchbacks, while 11 are wagons. Find a Mazda6 for sale
2008 Subaru Legacy
The Legacy stands out on our list of used family sedans under $5,000 for one main reason — standard all-wheel drive. While virtually every other midsize sedan is powered by the front wheels alone, every Legacy comes with 4-wheel traction, making it a great choice for buyers in colder climates who see a lot of snow. Given its added utility, expect to pay a little more for a used Legacy than you would a used 2-wheel-drive midsize sedan. While the Legacy was offered with a few different powertrains over its fourth generation, expect to find only basic 4-cylinder models at the $5,000 price point. Right now there are about 100 fourth-gen Legacy models listed for sale for around $5k. Find a Subaru Legacy for sale
