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Our best recommendation for cars that cost less than $90 per month.

Buying a used car shouldn't feel like pulling a tooth. If you know what to look for, it should be easy for you to master good things at the right price. Unless it's a cash sale, spending $5,000 (or less) is equivalent to about $88 a month, based on a 60-month auto loan with a 5% interest rate and no down payment. This is more affordable than the cheapest new car this year, but affordability is sometimes risky.

At this price, the car is likely to have driven many miles, or it was old enough before it was advertised on YouTube, but this is the standard of the course. One of our options here starts with a starting price of $70,000. Come embrace the warm glow of depreciation and look for something that is both good quality and affordable-even if it takes an hour to vacuum after it reaches your driveway.

Like a delicious grilled cheese sandwich, Acura TSX is an ordinary luxury. It shares most of its bits and pieces with its cousin Honda Accord, but the first-generation TSX has more meaning. Look for the 2006 six-speed manual transmission, because the high-revving VTEC inline four-cylinder engine has as little as 205 horsepower. TSX was a lively entry-level sports car at the time. It was equipped with standard features not found in other cars in this segment, including 17-inch wheels and Bluetooth stereo. --Austin Irving

Real BMW enthusiasts will stick to the E39 station wagon. It was first introduced in the United States in 2000 and can be equipped with one of two grease engines, namely a 2.8-liter (later 3.0-liter) inline six-cylinder engine or a 4.4-liter V-8. For less than five vehicles, you need to find one with a mileage close to 200,000. All these cars, including the bracelet-style E61 Touring with all-wheel drive and only six cars, are not common in countries where we hate station wagons. BMW did not import any station wagons for the 2004 or 2005 model years, and we have never received an M5 Touring. In the best year, 2005, the 5 series station wagon sold 2,351 units. It left our coast forever in 2009. If you find a dilapidated gem, please know that it may be cared for, loved and driven like hell as BMW hoped. —— Clifford Atiyah

In 1991, Buick Park Avenue began to restore the glory of the Three Shields badge. The first generation model has almost disappeared, but this is good. We prefer the second generation launched in 1997, with top-of-the-line Ultra decoration. In the front is GM's bulletproof 3800 series II 3.8-liter V-6 supercharger, which we call "one of the most convincing putter power systems on earth." The spacious leather-wrapped living room is pampered during urban errands and long-legged interstate runs, and provides surprisingly dynamic treatment through the B-road sweeper. Standard luxury items include climate control, 10-way power seats and pollen filters. The top shelf option adds a 12-disc CD changer and a head-up display to the trunk. --Jonathan Ramsey

Although the desire to drive a sports car every day may be high, for many ordinary people, owning a pickup truck is a more sensible choice. Although the used car market has now expanded, it is still possible to find affordable full-size trucks. In 1997, Ford launched the 10th generation F series, getting rid of the square shape. If the budget is $5,000, this is a good starting point. With some effort, it is not difficult to find a decent truck equipped with V-8 and four-wheel drive. Stick to southern classified ads to avoid body panels that look like Swiss cheese, but don't go too far south, as 4x4 models are less common in areas where they are not needed. Be sure to check whether the two-piece spark plugs have been replaced, as they can easily break during disassembly. But if they do, don’t worry; every job has a tool. --David Beard

No one makes compact pickup trucks anymore. For cheap workhorse cars that can be parked in the city, the previous generation Ford Ranger is a good choice. (Other small pickup trucks of this era, such as the Toyota Tacoma, are more prone to rust.) The Ranger is basic and thrifty. It does not require treads or tailgate steps because it is not seven feet tall. It offers single cab or extended cab, equipped with in-line four-cylinder or large-diameter V-6, automatic or manual transmission. Pickup trucks existed for almost a century before everyone had to drive Bigfoot. Be careful with the brakes of the early Ranger models; they are either rear-mounted ABS or none at all. If you can find the Yellow Ranger Splash with a complete decal, you will be rewarded. —— Clifford Atiyah

C/D included Accord on our 10Best list for 34 years for a reason. In fact, there are many: a smooth engine, dexterous handling, accurate steering, spacious interior and firm reliability. The Accord has always been a high-performance driver's car, sold to commuters who may never explore its interesting side. The seventh-generation Accord won the 2003 comparative test in its first model year. Unlike the Saturn L200 and Dodge Stratus, many are still on the road. The EX coupe is equipped with a new 240-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission, while the conventional in-line four-cylinder models have introduced i-VTEC with cam phase. Honda also tested the V-6 hybrid vehicle from 2005 to 2007. Although it was fast, it was not popular. —— Clifford Atiyah

Understandably, this suggestion may contradict everything we said in the previous slide, but please listen to us. Honda Insight is designed for voyages, and part of this fight is weight reduction. So 600% of it is made of aluminum. You won't see the insight of rust, because this is not the role of aluminum. Ask science. The original American hybrid is still one of the most efficient hybrids today, with an EPA highway rating of 61 mpg. Although it provided more than 400 miles of range on a tank, Insight did not provide cruise control. This is a good choice for people who don't want to spend a lot of money at dealers, gas stations or parts stores. --Austin Irving

Nissan has never sold a four-door 300ZX, but the Infiniti J30 is very close. It uses the same 205-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 as the non-turbo sports car, but it also shares the same fantastic multi-link suspension that enables luxury sedan sports cars to be controlled. We recommend that you buy Infiniti J30T. Touring models are equipped with exquisite luggage spoilers and aluminum BBS mesh wheels. Its Bose stereo has excellent OE sound, and heated leather front seats add luxurious comfort to its comfortable interior. Make sure to test every power window switch and door handle, as these are the more common problems in the J model. --Austin Irving

Owning an M car is my dream. However, I have a higher chance of winning the lottery compared to finding a BMW with an M-mark in good working condition for less than $5,000. Therefore, I will choose a different type of M, this clean and fully loaded 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport. Note its sleek 19-inch 10-spoke wheels and leather-lined interior, with heated and cooled seats. I will look at its hopelessly outdated infotainment system. Looking back at the November 2006 issue of "Cars and Drivers", the V-8-powered M45 Sport defeated sports cars such as the BMW 550i and Mercedes-Benz E550 with its "excellent chassis" and "playful spirit" . Although compared with the M45, this rear-wheel drive example has a drop in power, but the rest of the formula for success is there. It is worth commending Infiniti's ability to transform from calm to "Wow! Calm down". Its 275-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 may have 145,000 miles in this price range, so it may not be as fast as we tested that day. It reached zero to 60 mph in less than 6.1 seconds—only It is 0.2 slower than the 325 horsepower M45. --Eric Stafford

For a four-wheel drive vehicle to withstand inclement weather or hard entertainment, you need the "one-off hero" XJ series Jeep Cherokee made from 1984 to 2001. For $5,000 you can buy any type of Cherokee, such as the cyclist, aggregate, and never off-road model we found in Orlando, Florida, to a model that was soiled, lifted, and a roof tent. The legendary 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine was launched in 1991 and was very popular among Cherokee connoisseurs, especially the models from the late 1990s.

Cherokee is a hero, because with proper maintenance—especially preventive measures to solve potential oil spills and cooling problems and rust—it will be more durable than your child and can go anywhere while it is done. The huge aftermarket means that you can turn any Cherokee you buy into the Cherokee you dream of. --Jonathan Ramsey

Although the Acura Legend is the first Japanese luxury car to enter space, the Lexus LS400 is planned for the moon. LS400 directly targets the Germans and changed the world of luxury cars. Toyota has built a V-8 specifically for this car, equipped it with luxurious interiors and features required by high-end customers, and then priced it at $35,000. That was the era when the six-cylinder S-Class started at more than $50,000. Although the style is extracted from European scripts, it is outdated. However, in today's SUV world, Lexus looks low and small. As long as the timing belt is replaced and the starter is not malfunctioning-it is buried in the heart of the engine-the LS400 should be able to be used for many years without any worries. The LS400 and Lexus brands are precisely this kind of reliability, every start-up, worry-free, and easy-to-maintain reliability. -Tony Quiroga

Maybe the Mazda Miata is too small for your needs, but if not, it's perfect. The NB2 chassis manufactured from 2001 to 2005 is the most popular because it is equipped with an improved projector headlight, additional chassis support, and an engine with a higher compression ratio and variable valve timing. It is light and fun to drive, the parts are cheap, and it has many aluminum drill bits to prevent rust. This may be the cheapest way to maximize entertaining track days. --Austin Irving

When the W140 S-class came out at the end of 1991 as a 1992 model, it was a bit shocked. First, this car is larger, heavier, and more complex than its predecessor. It is not cheap either. The price of the six-cylinder 300SE in 1992 was less than US$70,000, while the price of the 389-horsepower V-12 was more than US$120,000. You can roughly double these numbers to explain inflation. An example of the top quality of this car is the two guide antennas that pop up from the rear fender. In the days before the reversing camera shows us the road, antenna-like poles will appear to help you see the back of this giant car. It also has double side glass, adaptive dampers, and is almost silent at high speeds. All this complexity and complexity (not to mention the cost of parts) has reduced the value of these incredible cars to a fraction of their original cost. -Tony Quiroga

It is not easy to find the original Nissan Pathfinder with reasonable mileage in the late game, but it is possible. It is the combination of four-wheel drive, five-speed manual transmission, and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds that makes this machine so popular. It is also a prime candidate for land-based installations. Although every Pathfinder of this year is equipped with a seemingly bulletproof 168-horsepower 3.3-liter V-6 engine and a multi-link rear suspension. The mid-level SE is decorated with a driver's seat with lumbar support and height adjustment, remote keyless entry, a roof rack and tubular steel step rails. An 186,000-mile example we found in California had an optional Bose sound system-with cassette tape and CD player-and a skylight. The seller also stated that it is equipped with a new set of 31-inch all-terrain tires. The only question left is when is the next flight to San Diego? --Eric Stafford

If you can find a second-generation Dodge Ram (1994-2002) that has not been fully oxidized, you are lucky. These trucks have a sturdy appearance and are much older than their contemporaries. Vacuum-driven four-wheel drive may be finicky, but the engine is relatively simple, with ready-made parts or replacement parts. It can be said that the coolest representative of the second-generation Ram is the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models equipped with Cummins 6BT inline six-cylinder engines, also known as 12 valves. This turbocharged diesel engine is known for its rugged durability and serious strength. However, for less than $5,000, you will most likely find 5.2 or 5.9 liters of V-8 gasoline. — KC Colewell

If found in the wild, Subaru Baja is worth pointing out and admiring. The truck modified by the inland station wagon has only stayed for three years, but it has always been a quirky favorite here. Baja Turbo uses a detuned 2.5-liter turbocharged version of Impreza WRX STI. It also offers a five-speed manual transmission. Don't get too excited, because the used car market has not yet listed our favorites for less than $5,000. Even in a non-turbocharged form, Baja is a modern interpretation of mullet: it does the job, but it is mainly for our entertainment. --Austin Irving

The average gasoline price has risen to a national average of $3.15 per gallon. It hurts, but not enough to stop me from buying an old Toyota Sequoia. The first-generation Sequoia, built in Indiana since 2005, is the best of its kind, thanks to its greatly improved drivetrain. Although its towing capacity is similar to its Tahoe and Expedition competitors (6500 pounds in two-wheel drive form), Sequoia offers 10.6 inches of ground clearance. To find the 2005 or newer Sequoia at a price of less than $5,000, it may not have the full leather interior in the limited edition model, and its mileage may exceed 200,000 miles, but Sequoia does not seem to obey the laws of aging. Think of it as a new car with 15 years and 200,000 miles of experience. --Austin Irving

There is no safer, better-built car on this list-this is my guarantee. I own the classic blue box you are staring at now. In terms of mechanics, the S70 is the same as the 850 in 1993, but the changes in appearance softened the edge of the car in the 1980s, making it feel fresh after 20 years. Continue to feel the lower instrument panel and door trim of the new Toyota. Now feel the same surface in S70. They are all soft and padded, even on the glove box. Remember, in 1998, this was the first car equipped with side impact airbags and whiplash mitigation seats. This is an older Swedish car, and the cabin heater of the S70 is its strongest and fastest moving part. Of course, some things do not work in my car, such as one of the electric windows and door locks. But for reliability and resale value—especially in New England, where old Volvos like me sell for thousands of dollars in 24 hours—I promise you can’t do better. —— Clifford Atiyah

We like to buy cars online. Watch the video of the C/D editor browsing the list of used cars to find the best (and worst) deals.