10 Dependable Cars Under $4,000
There are times when you just need a reliable car on the cheap, and you don't care what brand it is as long as it can get you from point A to B without breaking down constantly.
If you're in this situation, take a look at Jalopnik's article from this past week, in which they asked readers to rank the top 10 most dependable cars under $4,000.
The number one pick was the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. Others on the list include vehicles as far back as 1983 (I don't particularly agree that a car from the 80s will still be very dependable). Some of the later model vehicles such as the 2003 Toyota Corolla, and 2003 Pontiac Vibe may be better choices. See the full ranking below.
Rank | Vehicle |
---|---|
1 | 2004 Ford Crown Victoria |
2 | 2003 Pontiac Vibe |
3 | 1983 Volvo 240 |
4 | 1996 Lexus LS400 |
5 | 1997 Lexus LX450 |
6 | 2003 Toyota Corolla |
7 | 1986 Toyota Tercel |
8 | 2000 Buick Century |
9 | 1985 Honda CRX Si |
10 | 1994 Acura Legend |

Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author

Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
August 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Aug 14, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars August 2025 Aug 14, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Aug 14, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Aug 14, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals August 2025 Aug 07, 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Aug 07, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Aug 07, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars Aug 07, 2025
July 2025
- Best Car Deals Around the Country Jul 31, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Jul 31, 2025
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy Jul 31, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates Jul 31, 2025
- Best Car Deals by Category Jul 24, 2025
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now Jul 24, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Jul 24, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Jul 24, 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared July 2025 Jul 17, 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Jul 17, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Jul 17, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals Jul 17, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks Jul 10, 2025
- Best Car Deals for 4th of July 2025 Jul 03, 2025