At first glance your quest seems like a lost cause, finding a roadworthy, safe towed for 5 grand that you would put your family in thousands of miles from home. But then I think back a couple years to a 10 year old VW cabriolet I picked up with about 80,000 miles for $1000 from a lady I worked with, after a few repairs I really felt it was a safe reliable car and I trusted it. Used it to teach my daughter to drive a stick, It didn’t fit my needs for off roading so I sold it, (currently tow a Wrangler) point is there out there. You’re results may vary, just my .02$.
