To buy a car, money is saved for years. But there are situations when a car is needed urgently, but the necessary cash is not available. Is it possible to buy something worth 200 thousand rubles? The question is by no means rhetorical, since on the secondary market there are offers for every taste and budget, and if you wish, you can even find a decent car. Another thing is what condition it is in. In any case, you will have to solve the dilemma: take something fresher, but it will be a frankly budget car or a more or less well-known brand, but with high mileage. We will try to help you with your choice, without claiming absolute objectivity: it is, in principle, unattainable for the used car market, because everything here is individual.
Buying tips
If you are planning to purchase a used car from someone other than an authorized dealer, be prepared for potential risks, which the following tips will help you avoid:
- Having looked at the model you like, do not rush to bid. Return home and carefully study all the available information about this car. This may change your plans;
- in any case, you should go to the “bride” with an intelligent specialist who understands the topic. Even if you liked the car, your companion may discover hidden defects that will force you to abandon the purchase;
- You should not limit yourself to a visual inspection of the car. There are many resources on the Internet that allow you to “punch” a car in many respects, including participation in an accident. Such a check does not guarantee anything, but if the car is listed as problematic, you can rest assured that it is so.
Now let’s move on directly to the rating, which takes into account the reputation of the brand, a specific model, and reviews from experts and car owners.
Nissan Maxima V
Technical characteristics: sedan, engine 3.0 l/200 l. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 210 km/h.
Among used cars under 200,000 rubles, this Japanese sedan is very popular. The reason is the high reliability and safety of the fifth-generation car with the A33 index, which was originally conceived as a luxury sports sedan. Owning such a car in itself can tell about your ambitions, and it is really good. You can, for example, note the presence of four airbags, a spacious 520-liter trunk, and a special multi-link suspension design that increases the stability of the sedan. The presence of power steering will give the driver the necessary responsiveness, which is important when the car performs high-speed maneuvers.
Why do we advise taking a copy with a three-liter rather than a 3.5-liter or two-liter engine? Because this particular power unit has many victories to its credit, including in the Ward rating.
If you are lucky, and the previous owner treated his car with an automatic transmission and a powerful engine with due respect, then a Nissan Maxima even from 2001-2004 with a mileage of 200-250 thousand kilometers can “work” for you for more than one year.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Excellent dynamics | Poor sound insulation |
| Stability at high speeds | Poor maneuverability |
| Spacious salon | The quality of paintwork raises questions |
| Comfortable front seats | No steering wheel adjustments |
| Relatively low fuel consumption |
Skoda Fabia I
The first Fabia makes me want to copy the description of the Hyundai Getz. It is also simple, friendly, ideal for a novice driver, and inexpensive to maintain.
But Getz, of course, is more durable. “Fabia” is still more of a German car, a thoroughbred. This is its strength and this is also its weakness. Spare parts are more expensive than for a “Korean”, and the need for them may arise more often. Just look at the steering racks, which rarely last 60,000 without leaks or knocks. True, they have long been able to repair them without replacement, but this is not always possible.
The clear advantages are the workmanship of the best German colleagues: the front console with hints of soft plastic, strict forms, the absence of tasteless tacky leatherette inserts. Plus, a record-breaking interior by class standards: even a tall driver can sit comfortably in the back. The Fabia is also quiet and fun to drive.
If it were not for the relative high cost of maintenance, it would be called the best choice. But no, because Fabia I is full of problems.
After analyzing the reports, we found that only 5 cars out of 20 had no problems. 11 were sold with a duplicate title, 4 - after an accident, and three each - with incorrect mileage, calculation of repair work and unpaid fines. One copy each had traffic police restrictions and design changes.
Also read: Which Skoda Rapid to choose
Audi A4 II
Technical characteristics: sedan, 1.8 l/170 l engine. s., transmission – variator, maximum speed – 225 km/h.
The premium German D-class sedan according to the European classification was produced from 2000 to 2006 - despite the fact that production of the third generation started in 2004. This is direct evidence of the popularity of the model, which has sold over 12 million cars in total.
Although the size of the “four” never approached the more status-conscious A6, it became very similar to it, largely thanks to the efforts of the famous auto designer Peter Schreyer, who later accepted an offer to work at Kia. But if we are talking about size, it is worth noting that the car’s interior has become much more spacious and, of course, more comfortable.
But things didn’t work out with the suspension. The multi-link, which migrated to the B6 from the “five”, did not always stand the test of time even on ideal European autobahns, and even more so on domestic roads. So you will have to constantly change and repair something, and this, even for such an old model, is not a cheap pleasure. The car's electronics are also considered problematic, as they often malfunction or do not work entirely correctly.
However, the 2001-2004 Audi A4 is considered one of the most reliable used cars, especially for just 200 thousand rubles.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Powerful responsive engine | Weak suspension |
| Spacious salon | Unreliable electronics |
| Good sound insulation | Quite a “crude” variator |
| Good level of equipment | Expensive spare parts |
| High quality build |
Opel Vectra B
Technical characteristics: sedan/station wagon/hatchback, 2.2 l/147 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 208 km/h.
Opel has always been considered a “people's” German brand, and this meant that, other things being equal, the models of this automaker were cheaper than BMW, Mercedes or Audi. The restyled Vectra B model 1999-2001 is no exception. And if the Audi A4 for our budget was available only in a sedan body (although there was also a station wagon and even a roadster), then in relation to the Vectra, for 200 thousand rubles you can choose a car in any of three bodies.
Of course, the mileage will be long, and the figure of 300 thousand or more kilometers should not be surprising, and the appearance of the car, especially the sedan, will be outdated, but in general the Vectra B stands the test of time “excellently.”
Note that the 2.2-liter engine is not the most powerful, and in total the model has a fairly wide range of engines - five gasoline and one diesel. By the way, for its time the car was equipped at the level of its more expensive counterparts.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Excellent handling | The suspension is not suitable for Russian roads |
| Most engines are economical | Older engines develop oil burns |
| Spacious interior | Body quality raises questions |
| Large trunk, especially in a station wagon | |
| Comfortable front seats |
Mitsubishi Lancer IX
Technical characteristics: sedan, 2.0 l/135 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 188 km/h.
Even by today's standards, the appearance of this Japanese sedan does not evoke any negative emotions. Although sales of the model started in 2000, it reached Europe only in 2003, and two years later the ninth Lancer underwent restyling, and this particular version of a used car can be bought for 200,000 rubles.
If the top three are represented by models twenty years old, then here we may have at our disposal a sedan five years younger, which, of course, is a big plus.
True, the Mitsubishi Lancer is a car of a lower class (segment B according to the European classification), but Japanese quality and reliability make such an acquisition a profitable investment. The range of engines includes three power units (1.3/82, 1.6/98, 2.0/135), and the last option looks preferable, although most proposals are modifications with less powerful engines.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Excellent handling | Poor sound insulation |
| Most engines are economical | Not the best quality paintwork |
| Energy-intensive suspension | High cost of maintenance |
| Inexpensive spare parts | |
| Good road holding |
Rating of the best cars for 200,000 rubles
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |
| #1 | Nissan Maxima V 3.0 AT | ⭐ 100 / 100 1 - voice | Find out the price | |
| #2 | Audi A4 II B6 1.8 CVT | ⭐ 99 / 100 2 - votes | Find out the price | |
| #3 | Opel Vectra B Restyling 2.2 AT | ⭐ 99 / 100 1 - voice | Find out the price | |
| #4 | Mitsubishi Lancer IX Restyling 2.0 AT | ⭐ 97 / 100 5 — votes | Find out the price | |
| #5 | Volkswagen Passat B5 Restyling 2.0 MT | ⭐ 96 / 100 3 - votes | Find out the price | |
| #6 | Mazda 323 BJ 2.0 AT | ⭐ 94 / 100 2 - votes | Find out the price | |
| #7 | Ford Focus II Comfort 1.8 MT | ⭐ 94 / 100 1 - voice | Find out the price | |
| #8 | Honda Civic VI 1.4 AT | ⭐ 93 / 100 | Find out the price | |
| #9 | Nissan Almera II N16 Restyling 1.8 AT | ⭐ 93 / 100 3 - votes | Find out the price | |
| #10 | Hyundai Accent II | ⭐ 91 / 100 1 - voice | Find out the price | |
| #11 | Renault Logan I Prestige | ⭐ 91 / 100 2 - votes | Find out the price | |
| #12 | Volkswagen Golf V 1.4 MT | ⭐ 90 / 100 3 - votes | Find out the price |
What car for 200,000 rubles. Would you recommend or choose?
Take the survey
Volkswagen Passat B5
Technical characteristics: sedan/station wagon, 2.0 l/130 l engine. s., transmission – mechanical, maximum speed – 211 km/h.
The fifth generation underwent restyling in 2000, which turned out to be so significant that the car was given a hotel index - B5.5 (sometimes the designation B5+ is found).
The model closes the top 5 best used cars for 200 thousand rubles, but if this figure bothers you, then in vain: at one time, the Passat B5, together with the restyled version, sold more than 4 million cars.
Despite its venerable age, the car is still very popular. Much of the credit for this goes to the galvanized body, thanks to which the insides of the car are more likely to rot than the car itself. Let’s not forget about the build quality – twenty years ago it deserved the epithet “German”. Not like now...
A two-liter engine, in our opinion, is optimal, the 101-horsepower 1.6-liter unit is rather weak, especially for a station wagon, and the power of a four-liter engine will clearly be excessive given its gluttony.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High quality build | High cost of maintenance |
| Galvanized body | Very low ground clearance |
| Economical engines | Poor visibility |
| Comfortable spacious interior | Increased oil consumption |
| Good handling |
What criteria to look at
The first and most important thing for me is liquidity. Most people don’t buy a car for life - one day they will have to sell it, so I don’t see the point in taking a “monument”.
The second criterion is comfort and safety; hardly anyone wants to ride on a stool.
The third category is the mileage and age of the car. We choose a car no older than 2000 and with a mileage of no more than 150 thousand km. The car is not a Benjamin Button, and over the years it will become worse and more demanding.
And, looking ahead, I will say that I would not consider the “Chinese” and the domestic auto industry. There are enough reasons for refusal. The most basic one is crash testing. You can watch the latest on YouTube, and I guarantee you will be horrified!
Also read: Why is it important to know where the car was stored before sale?
Mazda 323 BJ
Technical characteristics: hatchback/sedan, 2.0 l/130 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 184 km/h.
All cars of this model were produced in Japan, so you don’t have to worry about the build quality of the model. As for the choice of which car to take, a sedan or a hatchback, they are externally identical in everything except the rear, and such a decision is not common.
Despite its age (most of the offers are from 2001-2003), the car is very decent, with a spacious interior and a front passenger seat that reclines forward, which can be used as a table. The range of engines starts with a frankly weak 1.3-liter engine, which is very rare; 1.5/1.6-liter power units are more common, but preference should be given to the most powerful.
Traditionally, there are no complaints about the “Japanese” suspension, and even long-term use in Russia is unlikely to affect its service life. So if you come across a Mazda 323 in good condition, take it, you won’t regret it.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Good dynamics | Poor sound insulation |
| Excellent handling | Small ground clearance |
| Indestructible chassis | Worthless standard car radio |
| Acceptable fuel consumption | Low body quality |
| Spacious salon |
Ford Focus II
Technical characteristics: hatchback/sedan/station wagon, 1.8 l/125 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 194 km/h.
Oddly enough, the main advantage of this model, which can be purchased for 200,000 rubles, is reliability. In this indicator, “Focus” surpassed both the older “Germans” and “Japanese”. As for the appearance, the sedan and station wagon are discreet and unimpressive, but the hatchback looks stylish. Most of the offers are models produced in 2006-2007, among which there are also cars with relatively low mileage, around 150-200 thousand kilometers.
The range of power units is the same for the second Ford Focus, regardless of body type. These are gasoline engines ranging from 1.4-liter to two-liter with power ranging from 80-146 horsepower, as well as a 1.8-liter 115-horsepower turbodiesel. Most often you can find cars with 1.6- and 1.8-liter gasoline engines. All units are famous for their reliability, all are quite economical.
The quality of the chassis deserves respect, the suspension is energy-intensive, with a smooth ride and excellent handling.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Reliable and economical motors | Paintwork is not of the best quality |
| Boxes with a large resource | Poor sound insulation |
| Excellent handling | Low ground clearance |
| Spacious interior | Small trunk with a narrow opening |
| Good dynamics | |
| Great suspension |
Why is it profitable to purchase used cars up to 200 thousand rubles?
Some people are reluctant to buy used items. And this, of course, can be traced in relation to cars.
Of course, everyone always wants to have only new, fresh and better. But it’s worth noting that there are also several clear advantages to purchasing a used car. And we will now talk about them below.
- Price . Yes, it’s good, fresh, but most importantly, a new car is expensive, and some people don’t want to get into debt and loans. That’s why it’s worth looking at the secondary market, where you can find equally interesting options for up to 200 thousand rubles. Don’t think that there aren’t decent options in this market – there are a lot of them out there.
- Availability of bargaining . At a car dealership, a potential buyer will not be able to “lower the price” to the same two hundred thousand. But on the secondary market this is quite possible. By skillfully bargaining, the price tag can be reduced even below two hundred thousand rubles, getting a good car for less.
- Wide variety of choice . It's not a lot of money, yes, but the used car market will help you realize your dream of owning a car on a limited budget. And if you need a rarity, this is the only market where you can find it.
Buying a used car has its advantages.
Now the question is – what should a potential buyer look for when buying such a car?
You need to look at two main aspects that determine the decision.
- Technical condition of the car. As a rule, a car purchased on the used car market will not be in perfect condition. The maximum is good. Therefore, without a twinge of conscience, you need to look at everything: the engine and its condition, what shock absorbers are installed and what they look like, check all the hoses and valves. Having finished looking under the hood of the car, you need to go into the interior and carefully “examine” it. It is important to visually inspect the entire body for damage. Then take a micrometer and check the thickness of the paint - what if the car is after an accident? In general, even with minor violations, you need to think about buying, but if you like the car and are drawn to it, then you need to “knock out” a discount.
Important! As practice shows, it’s not always worth taking the sellers’ word for it. It’s better to have a smart person nearby who can confirm the good condition of the car.
- History of the car . One cannot ignore such a moment as the history of the car, since the model of interest may have a very “turbulent” past life. Punch the numbers, find out all the ins and outs of the car. The period of use, whether the car was in an accident or involved in something else - everything needs to be clarified in detail.
The data obtained will help you make a decision regarding the purchase of a used car up to 200,000 rubles. Although
a certain price is good, because it is immediately clear what to expect from the used car market, but you definitely don’t need to take junk. Therefore, experts offer a number of criteria that a good used car must meet:
- relatively recent years of release;
- spacious comfortable interior;
- good equipment;
- availability of a passed technical inspection (it should be as “recent” as possible by date);
- good technical condition;
- reliable body.
Buying a car for 200,000 rubles without a technical inspection is strictly not recommended
Important! You should find out in advance about the suitability for repair, so that you don’t have to spend a lot of money later.
Honda Civic VI
Technical characteristics: hatchback/sedan/liftback, 1.6 l/125 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 195 km/h.
It happens that the appearance of a car is deceiving: it looks attractive, but inside everything is dull. With the sixth generation Honda Civic, the opposite is true - the car is unprepossessing in appearance, but decent. Yes, this is a fairly old model, the maximum you can count on is a 2000 model. But in all other respects, this foreign car for 200 thousand rubles deserves your attention. She is one of the old-timers of the domestic market, and thanks to many advantages she remains quite in demand.
Affordable price with excellent build quality - a combination that is rare. Add to this a galvanized body and you can be sure that a rotten car means only one thing - it has been in a serious accident.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Economical engines | Poor sound insulation |
| Good dynamics and handling | Insufficient clearance |
| Spacious salon | Not the best suspension |
| Reliable boxes | High cost of maintenance |
| Spacious trunk |
Nissan Almera II
Technical characteristics: sedan/hatchback, 1.8 l/116 l engine. s., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 181 km/h.
“People's” Japanese - this is how Almera is often called, the second generation of which was produced from 1999 to 2006, having undergone a restyling in 2003.
The 1.8-liter engine is top-end, there is also an 86-horsepower 1.5-liter engine, but it is rather weak for a golf-class car. Both the sedan and the hatchback (there are three-door and five-door modifications) look fresh, despite their advanced age. A feature of the second Nissan Almera can be called tolerance to negative temperatures, although the car also tolerates heat well, as well as acceptable ground clearance.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Economical and responsive engines | Poor sound insulation |
| Pleasant exterior | Suspension is not of the best quality |
| Starts well in cold weather | The quality of finishing is “C” |
| Good handling | Increased oil consumption |
| Relatively low maintenance costs |
User voting
What car for 200,000 rubles. Would you recommend or choose?
Nissan Maxima V 3.0 AT
4.17 % ( 1 )
Audi A4 II B6 1.8 CVT
8.33 % ( 2 )
Opel Vectra B Restyling 2.2 AT
4.17 % ( 1 )
Mitsubishi Lancer IX Restyling 2.0 AT
20.83 % ( 5 )
Volkswagen Passat B5 Restyling 2.0 MT
12.50 % ( 3 )
Mazda 323 BJ 2.0 AT
8.33 % ( 2 )
Ford Focus II Comfort 1.8 MT
4.17 % ( 1 )
Honda Civic VI 1.4 AT
0.00 % ( 0 )
Nissan Almera II N16 Restyling 1.8 AT
12.50 % ( 3 )
Hyundai Accent II
4.17 % ( 1 )
Renault Logan I Prestige
8.33 % ( 2 )
Hyundai Accent II
Technical characteristics: sedan, 1.6 l/105 l engine. p., transmission – automatic, maximum speed – 180 km/h.
In Korea, the model was produced from 1999 to 2005, but in Russia and India, the Accent turned out to be a long-liver, leaving the assembly line until 2012/2013, respectively. It is believed that the Korean assembly is of higher quality, but it is very difficult to find such a car. However, the car assembled at Tagaz is famous for its reliability. He closes our ranking of the best used cars under 200,000 rubles.
If you want, you can easily find a car made in 2011, and this is the youngest model in our top 10. At the same time, you will receive a well-equipped sedan, with air conditioning, power steering and full power accessories.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Good dynamics | Small ground clearance |
| Low fuel consumption | Poor sound insulation |
| Affordable cost of service | The stock audio system sucks |
| Good handling | The quality of finishing is clearly poor |
Content
- What criteria to look at
- Daewoo Matiz
- Chevrolet Lanos
- Chevrolet Spark
- Hyundai Getz
- Peugeot 206
- Renault Logan
- Hyundai Accent
Our desires do not always coincide with our capabilities. There are situations when you need a car, but you only have 200 thousand rubles in your pocket. But even for this amount on the used market you can find yourself a faithful horse! I went through the offers from the secondary market and selected the 7 best cars in the specified price range.
