GTA Online buying guide

Rockstar Games offers a plethora of purchasable items in the multiplayer version of Grand Theft Auto 5, and this GTA Online buying guide will help you decide what to buy and what to avoid. The game has over 700 vehicles, more than 200 properties and 100+ weapons that you can buy. There are also a slew of minor items that not only improve the quality of life in the game but also help you survive in the State of San Andreas.

It goes without saying that you don’t need everything offered by the game. Moreover, acquiring all those things will require a huge amount of money. Therefore, this GTA Online buying guide will walk you through some of the most important items that you should buy to play the game moving forward.

Note: Some parts of this GTA Online buying guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions. The items are not in any ranking order.

GTA Online buying guide: Deciding which things to buy

Planning before buying anything is one of the most important survival skills in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online (Image via Rockstar Games)

The in-game economy in the multiplayer version of Grand Theft Auto 5 is pretty wild. As of 2024, inflation in the game is so high that you can go bankrupt just after buying one or two essential items. Therefore, if you are a new player, you must stick to this GTA Online buying guide so that you can manage your expenses properly.

It is worth noting that Rockstar Games created two different types of economies for Grand Theft Auto 5 and its multiplayer variant. While a few things are cheaper in the latter, most items are unbelievably expensive. To give you an idea, the GTA Online buying guide would like to list the prices of an item from both games:

The Pistol’s cost in Grand Theft Auto 5 Story Mode: $350
The Pistol’s cost in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online: $2,500

The multiplayer game charges you nearly eight times more than its original price in 2013. Therefore, every player should follow a GTA Online buying guide so that they can plan their expenses.

To shop freely in GTA Online, you have to earn money as well (Image via Rockstar Games)

In this article, we will mainly discuss what vehicles, properties, and weapons you should buy in the game. But, before that, if you are on the PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One version of the game, you are most likely to be eligible for some free items in GTA Online from Rockstar Games. If you own the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack, then you can claim these things at any time:

$1,000,000 in-game cash (Most probably already in the bank account or utilized)
Maze Bank West Executive Office
Paleto Forest Gunrunning Bunker
Senora Desert Counterfeit Cash Factory
Great Chaparral Biker Clubhouse
1561 San Vitas Street Apartment
1337 Exceptionalists Way 10 Car Garage
BF Dune FAV
Maibatsu Frogger
Enus Windsor
Obey Omnis
Coquette Classic
Grotti Turismo R
Pegassi Vortex
Huntley S
Western Zombie Chopper
Bravado Banshee
Compact Grenade Launcher
Marksman Rifle
Compact Rifle
Stunt Race and Import/Export Outfits
Biker Tattoos

Readers should note that the cash reward is one-time only but other items can be acquired multiple times. The GTA Online buying guide advises eligible players to claim these free items ASAP.

Best vehicles to buy in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online

Vehicles are your closest partner in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online (Image via Rockstar Games)

As mentioned before in the GTA Online buying guide, Rockstar Games offers 755 vehicles in multiplayer. However, a significant portion of them cannot be acquired as they are NPC-only vehicles or were removed from the buying list in June 2023. Nonetheless, this article lists the best cars in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online that you should acquire. If a particular listed vehicle is unavailable at the moment, then you should wait as Rockstar Games occasionally brings removed vehicles back to the game.

Some of the best free-roam cars in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online are as follows:

Karin Kuruma (Armored) - $698,250/$525,000 (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Canis Terminus - $1,877,500 (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Bravado Police Gauntlet Interceptor - $5,420,000/$4,065,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Grotti Turismo Omaggio - $2,845,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Maibatsu MonstroCiti - $1,485,000 (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT - $2,380,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Ocelot Virtue - $2,980,000/Can be acquired for free (Legendary Motorsport)
MTL Brickade 6x6 - $1,450,000/Can be acquired for free (Warstock Cache & Carry)
BF Weevil Custom - $980,000 (Benny's Original Motor Works)
Declasse Vigero ZX - $1,947,000 (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Pegassi Torero XO - $2,890,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Gallivanter Baller ST - $890,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Grotti Itali RSX - $3,465,000/$2,598,750 (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Toreador - $4,250,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Invetero Coquette D10 - $1,510,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Obey 8F Drafter - $718,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Toros - $498,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Oppressor Mk II - $8,000,000/$6,000,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
HVY Nightshark - $1,245,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
HVY Insurgent Pick-up - $1,795,500/$1,350,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
HVY Insurgent Pick-up Custom - $1,795,500+$202,500 (MOC / Avenger Workshop)
Grotti Turismo R - $500,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Zentorno - $725,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Bravado Banshee - $105,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack (Legendary Motorsport)
Bravado Buffalo - $35,000 (Removed, Southern San Andreas Super Autos)

However, if you are looking for fast vehicles, then the GTA Online buying guide advises you to get the following cars. Keep in mind that some cars are likely to get repeated in other lists moving forward.

Grotti Vigilante - 147.00 mph (236.57 km/h)
Annis ZR380 (Arena) - 140.50 mph (226.11 km/h)
BF Weevil Custom - 137.50 mph (221.28 km/h)
Declasse Scramjet - 137.00 mph (220.48 km/h)
Ocelot Pariah - 136.00 mph (218.87 km/h)
Grotti Itali RSX - 135.30 mph (217.74 km/h)
Pegassi Toreador - 135.25 mph (217.66 km/h)
Vapid Imperator (Arena) - 132.75 mph (213.64 km/h)
Pfister 811 - 132.50 mph (213.24 km/h) (Removed Car)
Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT - 132.00 mph (212.43 km/h)

GTA Online buying guide readers should note that the BF Weevil Custom is the fastest race-compatible car in the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. However, if you consider the HSW (Hao’s Special Works) upgradable cars, then the list changes drastically.

Here are some of the best HSW cars in GTA 5 Online based on their top speeds:

Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT - 168.50 mph (271.17 km/h)
Übermacht Niobe - 159.50 mph (256.69 km/h)
Declasse Vigero ZX Convertible - 158.00 mph (254.28 km/h)
Declasse Vigero ZX - 157.50 mph (253.47 km/h)
Principe Deveste Eight - 151.75 mph (244.22 km/h)
Overflod Entity MT - 150.50 mph (242.21 km/h)
Grotti Turismo Classic - 150.50 mph (242.21 km/h)
Pegassi Weaponized Ignus - 146.25 mph (235.37 km/h)
Coil Cyclone II - 141.00 mph (226.92 km/h)
Pfister Astron Custom - 137.00 mph (220.48 km/h)

GTA Online buying guide readers should keep in mind that, as of now, these cars are only available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S version of the game.

The Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online (Image via Rockstar Games)

If you prefer tactical vehicles, then here are some of the best weaponized and armored cars in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online. The list also contains Imani Tech vehicles:

Weaponized vehicles:

Declasse Scramjet
Pegassi Oppressor Mk II
Pegassi Toreador
Grotti Vigilante
TM-02 Khanjali Tank

Imani Tech vehicles:

Ocelot Virtue
Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT
Canis Terminus
Bravado Buffalo STX
Grotti Turismo Omaggio

Armored vehicles:

HVY Nightshark
HVY Insurgent Pick-up Custom
HVY Insurgent Pick-up
MTL Brickade 6x6
HVY APC Tank

If you are a two-wheeler enthusiast, then the GTA Online buying guide would like to suggest you buy these motorcycles:

Shitzu Hakuchou Drag Bike - $976,000+$1,450,000 (HSW)
Western Reever - $1,900,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Vortex - $356,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack (Southern San Andreas Super Autos)
Western Powersurge - $1,605,000 (Legendary Motorsport)
Pegassi Bati 801 RR - $15,000 (Removed, Southern San Andreas Super Autos)

And lastly, for the aircraft enthusiasts, the GTA Online buying guide suggests the following planes and helicopters:

Akula - $4,500,000/$3,375,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Nagasaki Buzzard Attack Chopper - $1,750,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Sea Sparrow - $1,815,000 (Elitás Travel)
Mammoth F-160 Raiju - $6,855,000/$5,141,250 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Western Company Cargobob - $1,790,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)
Mammoth Avenger - $3,450,000 (Warstock Cache & Carry)

Best properties to buy in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online

Properties are essential to establish your foothold in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online (Image via Rockstar Games)

Acquiring properties is a little complex compared to acquiring vehicles. GTA Online buying guide readers should note that while vehicles can be purchased in multiple units, Rockstar Games only allows owning one property per person (except for Apartments, garages, and Cargo Warehouses).

The properties in the multiplayer game are divided into 21 categories. However, not all of them are useful in the true sense. Therefore, the GTA Online buying guide suggests you only acquire the following properties at the initial stage:

Apartment(s)
Agency
Auto Shop
Bail Enforcement Office
Bunker
Executive Office
Special Cargo Warehouses
Vehicle Warehouse
Garage(s)
Hangar
MC Clubhouse
MC Businesses
Nightclub
Salvage Yard

These properties will not only give you accommodation and storage but will also unlock some of the best money-making methods in the multiplayer game. However, choosing the best location(s) to establish these properties is also important. The GTA Online buying guide suggests the following locations for them:

Apartment(s) (Dynasty 8 Real Estate)

Eclipse Towers Penthouse: $905,000 - $1,100,000
Eclipse Towers, Apt 3: $500,000
3 Alta Street Tower Apartment: $217,000 - $223,000

Agency (Dynasty 8 Executive)

Little Seoul Agency: $2,010,000

Auto Shop (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Mission Row Auto Shop: $1,670,000

Bail Enforcement Office (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Mission Row Bail Office: $2,390,000

Bunker (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Chumash Bunker: $1,650,000 or
Farmhouse Bunker: $2,375,000

Executive Office (Dynasty 8 Executive)

Maze Bank West Office & Garage: $1,000,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack

Special Cargo Warehouses (Executive Office Computer)

Darnell Bros Warehouse: $3,500,000
Cypress Warehouses: $3,265,000
West Vinewood Backlot: $2,135,000
Wholesale Furniture: $1,900,000
Xero Gas Factory: $2,365,000

Vehicle Warehouse (Executive Office Computer)

Murrieta Heights Vehicle Warehouse: $2,850,000 or
La Mesa Vehicle Warehouse: $1,500,000

Garage (Dynasty 8 Real Estate)

Eclipse Blvd Garage: $2,740,000

Hangar (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Fort Zancudo Hangar 3497: $2,085,000 or
Fort Zancudo Hangar 3499: $2,650,000 or
Fort Zancudo Hangar A2: $3,250,000

MC Clubhouse (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Great Chaparral Clubhouse: $200,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack

MC Businesses (MC Clubhouse Laptop)

Counterfeit Cash Factory Grand Senora Desert: $845,000/Free with the Criminal Enterprises Starter Pack
Methamphetamine Lab Grand Senora Desert: $910,000
Cocaine Lockup Alamo Sea: $975,000
Weed Farm San Chianski Mountain Range: $715,000
Document Forgery Office Grapeseed: $650,000

Nightclub (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

Downtown Vinewood Nightclub: $1,670,000

Salvage Yard (Maze Bank Foreclosures)

La Puerta Salvage Yard: $2,690,000

Also read: GTA Online CEO guide

Best weapons to buy in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online

Having a good range of weapons is very important in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online (Image via Rockstar Games)

GTA Online buying guide readers should also acquire the best weapons possible to tackle the enemies. They are as essential as vehicles and properties. The following are some of the best weapons that you should acquire ASAP:

Tactical SMG - $325,000
Military Rifle - $397,500
Up-n-Atomizer - $399,000
Flashlight - $5,750
Homing Launcher - $75,000
Bullpup Rifle - $14,500
Special Carbine - $14,750
Sticky Bomb(s) - $600 per unit
Minigun - $47,000
RPG - $26,250
Grenade Launcher - $32,400
Heavy Sniper - $38,150
Carbine Rifle - $13,000
Combat MG - $14,800
Pistol - $2,500
AP Pistol - $5,000
Assault Shotgun - $10,000
Micro SMG - $3,750

Having these weapons in your inventory should improve your gameplay experience. While most of the weapons can be purchased from the Ammu-Nation Store, the Tactical SMG is only available through the Gun Van. GTA Online buying guide readers are also advised to upgrade the eligible weapons to their Mk II variants.

Additional items to buy in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online

Along with the aforementioned, the GTA Online buying guide readers are also advised to acquire snacks, Super Heavy Armor, Rebreathers, Night Vision Goggles, and the Scubawear Scuba Suit. These tools and gadgets come in handy while diving underwater or while searching in dark areas.

Also read: GTA Online beginner's guide

Edited by Ripunjay Gaba