We’ll admit; a used-car budget of $1,000 doesn’t go very far. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t drive something interesting on a low budget. We’ve found some of the quirkiest and most interesting used cars for sale on Autotrader that can be had for just $1,000.
1. 2001 Daewoo Leganza
The Daewoo Leganza was the Korean brand’s shot at a midsize sedan to compete with industry titans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It never got much love in the U.S. since the Daewoo brand never really took off here. This one is a good option if you’d like a practical sedan that doesn’t quite blend in with the crowd. Find a Daewoo Leganza for sale
2. 1994 Dodge Stealth
This one is in pretty rough shape, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Dodge Stealth. Based on the Mitsubishi 3000GT, the Stealth was a sporty compact coupe from an American brand, which has been a dying breed for a while now. This one is also in a great color, but its paint could use some restoration. Find a Dodge Stealth for sale
3. 2005 Hyundai Sonata Manual
I had no idea you could get a Hyundai Sonata with a manual transmission in the U.S. until I found this listing, and 2005 was the final model year for this generation of the Sonata in North America. If you need a cheap, practical sedan and still want to row your own gears, this manual Sonata could be for you. Find a Hyundai Sonata for sale
4. 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
The Mercury Mountaineer is nothing more than a warmed-over Ford Explorer. However, this one is interesting because it’s powered by a V8 engine and has a white-and-tan 2-tone paint job that would’ve been fashionable in its day. This is a solid SUV with some truck-like capability. Find a Mercury Mountaineer for sale
5. 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon
It’s no WRX, but this Subaru Impreza TS wagon is still pretty cool. It’s a second-generation, pre-facelift “bug-eye” Impreza which, of course, has all-wheel drive and a pretty spacious interior for a car this size. It has a lot of miles on it and it’s only $500, but the seller claims it’s a “good runner.” Find a Subaru Impreza for sale
6. 2001 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
This B5 Volkswagen Passat is in a desirable configuration with a wagon body and a 30-valve V6 engine. This one is being billed as a “mechanic’s special” without any specific details on what’s wrong with it, so you should probably ask the seller a few questions before buying it. Find a Volkswagen Passat for sale
7. 2003 Volvo V70
The second-generation Volvo V70 is one of the last of the traditional boxy Volvo wagons available in the U.S. This wagon is as practical as it is quirky with tons of cargo space and rear-facing third-row seats. This one has almost 350,000 miles on it and it’s a little rough around the edges, but it’s a cool car for the price. Find a Volvo V70 for sale
