3 Best Hondas Under $5k (+Maintenance Costs)
The Japanese automaker has offered some great vehicles over the decades, winning over customers as well as enthusiasts. Not only are the Honda cars highly durable, have top tech, and excellent engines, but they are affordable to purchase and maintain as well.
There have been some legendary cars produced by Honda, that are sportier as well as convenient. Let’s have a look at some of the best Hondas under $5k, the maintenance and running costs, and which one to choose for yourself.
1. Honda Civic
Honda Civic was born in the 1970s and has since been the top choice of buyers looking for a reliable car, and on the walls of motorsports enthusiasts. Civic transformed from a compact hatch into a versatile sedan, always staying at the top of the sales charts.
Honda Civic is offered as a compact sedan in the economy segment, powered by a VTEC engine and loads of tech features. It offers great ownership and driving experience with an engaging ride, responsive powertrain with added comfort and convenience.
Currently in its 11th generation, Civic directly rivals some other great sedans, such as Mazda 6 and Toyota Corolla. It is cheap to buy and economical to maintain, with spares and repairs available at affordable prices.
Which Year Honda Civic to Buy?
2008 Honda Civic is the best model year you can get, the 8th generation of the legendary car. It had a captivating interior that was ahead of its time, modern infotainment, and an array of safety features. It’s a fun-to-drive car with an engaging drive, powerful engine, and a comfortable cabin.
Which Engine is the Most Reliable?
The 2.0L i-VTEC R18 is the most reliable engine you can get with a Honda Civic. Launched in 2006, the R18 i-VTEC was offered in various models later on.
Maintenance and Running Costs
Honda Civic 2008 is an economical car to run and maintain, with not so expensive parts and cheap servicing. The routine maintenance would include oil and filter replacement, transmission oil change, timing belt adjustment, and other repairs if required.
| Maintenance cost | Running cost |
| $365 per year | $1,650 |
Insurance cost: The annual insurance cost of the 2008 Honda Civic is $1,200. This is the cost of the complete-coverage plan, whereas a partial cover would be substantially less costly.
How Often Does a 2008 Honda Civic Breaks Down/Requires Extensive Repair?
A Honda Civic 2008 can easily last 250,000 – 300,000 miles without any major problems. According to the data, a 2008 Civic breaks down at the rate of 0.61 per year, which speaks about its durability, and dependability.
Fuel Economy
Honda Civic offers 29 MPG of fuel economy.
Features
- A powerful 2.0L i-VTEC engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
- Cruise control, multimedia steering, infotainment, and sunroof.
- Reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, and parking sensors.
- Climate control, height adjustment in driver’s seat, ample cargo, and storage spaces.
Also read: 5 Legit Reasons Why Honda Civic is so Popular
2. Honda Accord
Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan that has been on sale in the US since 1977. Rivaling the very popular Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord had been toe-to-toe with its competitors.
Accord packs the very popular 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine, which gives an upgraded performance over the R18 2.0L powerhouse. Apart from its superb powertrain, Accord has such an engaging interior with plush seats and a spacious cabin, that provides a luxurious driving experience.
Accord is a very dependable car and can last hundreds of thousands of miles without requiring major repairs, and is not so expensive to maintain. It is one of the top choices among the buyers, and one of the best Hondas under 5000.
Which Year Honda Accord to Buy?
2006 Honda Accord is the ideal year model to have. It has a spacious cabin, an array of tech features, a comfortable drive, and tons of cargo space for utility. There is versatile driver convenience equipment as well, and it is not so costly to run or maintain over the years.
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Which Engine is the Most Reliable?
The 2.4L in-line 4-cylinder K24 DOHC i-VTEC is the most reliable engine. It has the easiest maintenance routine, moderate prices of parts, and top-rated endurance.
Maintenance and Running Costs
Honda Accord 2006 is an exceptional car to run and easier to maintain, as its servicing is easier and pocket-friendly. The routine maintenance covers oil change and filters replacement, gear oil change, calibration of ECU, and other repairs if diagnosed via OBD-II scanner.
| Maintenance cost | Running cost |
| $400 per year | $1,800 |
Insurance cost: To get complete coverage for a 2006 Honda Accord annually, you’d have to pay $1,350.
How Often Does a 2006 Honda Accord Breaks Down/Requires Major repairs?
Honda Accord is known for its excellent build quality, long-term endurance, and reliability. A well-kept 2006 Honda Accord would serve you well over 250,000 miles without any rebuilds. Data shows that an Accord breaks down on average 0.71 times a year, which is a respectable figure for such an old vehicle.
Fuel Economy
Despite a big and powerful engine, Accord offers a dependable 25 MPG overall fuel economy. This figure includes both city and highway driving.
Features
- A 6-way adjustable heated driver seat.
- In-car infotainment with mobile connectivity, and auto climate control.
- Driver assistance features, cruise control, rear guide camera, and parking sensors.
- A powerful 2.4L K24 engine with a 5-speed auto transmission.
- 6 Airbags. ABS, and traction control for added safety.
Also read: Do Hondas Last Longer than Toyotas (Comparison)
3. Honda Fit
Another contender on the list of best Honda is the Honda Fit, a compact hatchback/MPV. It has been on sale for almost 2 decades now and offers a fun driving experience for young buyers and consumers looking for a smart city car.
Powered by a 1.5L engine and a CVT gearbox, it is a 5-door hatch with ample space, the latest technology, and driver assistance features. Sitting below the Civic and Accord in the Honda’s lineup, the Fit can be the best Honda under 5000.
It is cheap to buy, and economical to run as a daily driver. Comparatively, easier to maintain, and offering everything that the expensive vehicles have, Honda Fit should be the first choice of people looking for a reliable and durable first Honda.
Which Year Honda Fit to Buy?
The 2009 Honda Fit with a 1.5L i-VTEC engine and a CVT gearbox is the best option. It is not so expensive, has great technology, and is a compact car to drive around in tight spaces.
Which Engine is the Most Reliable?
The 1.5l i-VTEC L15A engine is the most reliable engine in the 2009 Honda Fit. It is frugal to run, economical to maintain, and cheap to repair. There is no doubt about the durability of this solid powerhouse.
Also read: 3 Best Toyotas for a First Car (with Cost Calculation)
Maintenance and Running Costs?
Honda Civic 2009 is a cheap car to buy, run and maintain, as it has an economical maintenance routine and not so expensive parts. Fit’s maintenance routine would include oil and filter changing, gear oil replacement, and catalytic converter cleaning.
| Maintenance cost | Running cost |
| $325 per year | $1,300 |
Insurance Cost: Annual insurance cost of a 2009 Honda Fit would be $1,050 for the full-coverage plan.
How Often Does a 2009 Honda Fit Break Down/Requires Rebuild?
Like the other members of the Honda family, the 2009 Honda Fit is quite a reliable vehicle and would easily last 200,000 miles, or more if maintained properly. Based on the consumer data, a 2009 Honda Fit breaks down on average 0.74 times in a year, which is a very reliable figure.
Fuel Economy
The refined 1.5L L15A engine is capable of offering 34 MPG of mileage, thanks to the CVT gearbox and lightweight construction of the car.
Features
- A powerful i-VTEC engine with a CVT transmission.
- Cruise control, automatic climate control, and heated front seats.
- Multimedia steering, and in-car infotainment system.
- Rear-view Camera, parking sensors, and an array of other safety features.
Hondas are great cars with superb reliability and endurance, that offer a refined driving experience and memorable ownership. If you’re looking for a used Honda, the above-mentioned vehicles are the best Honda under $5k. Remember to get the proper maintenance history with a CARFAX report. To make sure that you’re buying a trouble-free vehicle.
