Beater Suggestions

Jason C · 03-28-2006, 11:01 PM

No, not for myself. A very car-shy relative has *enlisted* my aid in a car search.

General criteria: Must be a slushie, preferably sedan or coupe, no convertibles, trucks, SUVs or the like - basically the anti-carmudgeon attributes. In other words, putting reliability, comfort, ease of use, and low costs to own above performance, styling, and so forth. Price is capped at $1,500. Would be more comfortable with Asian models over American/Euro makes.

I've already perused craigslist a few times and have found some of the usual suspects - namely, mid-80's to mid 90's Honda Accords, Civics, Preludes, Toyota Celicas, Corollas, Camrys, Tercels, and various Nissan and Mazda models.

As this is not exactly an automotive area that I spend a lot of time researching, can any of you contribute some beater suggestions? Thanks.

FC · 03-29-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Tech

I've already perused craigslist a few times and have found some of the usual suspects - namely, mid-80's to mid 90's Honda Accords, Civics, Preludes, Toyota Celicas, Corollas, Camrys, Tercels, and various Nissan and Mazda models.

As this is not exactly an automotive area that I spend a lot of time researching, can any of you contribute some beater suggestions? Thanks.

Used buicks would seem to be great sleeper beater cars. Depreciation must be brutal, it holds near-zero appeal of any kind, it's american, and parts must be cheap. Also keeps getting rave reliability reviews year after year.

This is all assuming, of course, that one really wants a true anti-carmudgeon car.

But I've never ran the numbers. Still worth a look, IMO.

blee · 03-29-2006, 08:26 AM

Used domestics, if purchased carefully, are great deals. If foreign is a must, no one can go wrong with an Accord.

zach · 03-29-2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernando

Used buicks would seem to be great sleeper beater cars. Depreciation must be brutal, it holds near-zero appeal of any kind, it's american, and parts must be cheap. Also keeps getting rave reliability reviews year after year.

This is all assuming, of course, that one really wants a true anti-carmudgeon car.

But I've never ran the numbers. Still worth a look, IMO.

I usually recommend Hondas to people who ask me what to get. Hondas appear to be a bit more fun that Toyotas, while being super reliable. People sometimes come to me asking about jettas. I tell them to do their research before buying any vws.

TD · 03-29-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

I usually recommend Hondas to people who ask me what to get. Hondas appear to be a bit more fun that Toyotas, while being super reliable. People sometimes come to me asking about jettas. I tell them to do their research before buying any vws.

Re: Hondas

It's pretty much Hondas and Toyotas. And if they have any signs of life, they will prefer a Honda over a Toyota (I honestly can't comprehend living with a Toyota - is there anything more boring? - at least cheap American cars break, just to keep it interesting).

Jon · 03-29-2006, 11:22 AM

I bought this car 3 years ago for $1,200 when I left Cutter for my kids
who were 12 at the time. It's been my beater/surfmobile during the
interim, and has run like an absolute champ. I just updated a bunch of
stuff (new radiator, battery, alternator, and brakes), and I full expect that
it will go another 150k miles. The Celica was traded in by a local MD
who had just finished his residency. He bought it brand-new while he
was an undergrad. I drive this one quite a bit (even my 9'2" longboard
fits inside with the back-seat folded down (no need for roof-rack).
The big h/b offers awesome utility. Bland maybe in comparo to my M3,
I still enjoy beating on this one as I motor down the highway to Rincon.
I will lose driving privilges in less than 2 months when my kids turn 16...

I will not put a rack on my BMW if I can avoid it...

*Plaz* · 03-29-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

I bought this car 3 years ago for $1,200 when I left Cutter for my kids who were 12 at the time.

Good for you for teaching them to drive with a three-pedal car.

Jon · 03-29-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

Good for you for teaching them to drive with a three-pedal car.

Reason #1 why I bought this particular car. My wife is European (although her 525iT is a step); we both felt that our kids should be able to operate a manual gearbox. They currently have their learner's permits, and both have a clear preference for the auto. I have even offered to let my boy try the M3, but he declined. I would like to give it to him for a HS graduation present. My daughter would like a BMW now. No surprise!

Rob · 03-29-2006, 11:45 AM

Civics run forever and require oil changes, timing belt changes, and an occasional replacement of the oil pan gasket. Maybe plugs once in awhile. Everything else pretty much just keeps on running. I am sure there are similar Toyotas, but I don't have personal experience with them.

TD · 03-29-2006, 11:55 AM

Our kids will have no choice but to learn on a stick.

And I kind of forgot about the Celica. My wife had a Celica similar to that one when we got married. Other than the fact I could never get comfortable in it, it was a pretty decent car. My wife loved it.

03-29-2006, 11:22 AM	#6
Jon Getting Old Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 2013 e92 M3 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 258	I bought this car 3 years ago for $1,200 when I left Cutter for my kids who were 12 at the time. It's been my beater/surfmobile during the interim, and has run like an absolute champ. I just updated a bunch of stuff (new radiator, battery, alternator, and brakes), and I full expect that it will go another 150k miles. The Celica was traded in by a local MD who had just finished his residency. He bought it brand-new while he was an undergrad. I drive this one quite a bit (even my 9'2" longboard fits inside with the back-seat folded down (no need for roof-rack). The big h/b offers awesome utility. Bland maybe in comparo to my M3, I still enjoy beating on this one as I motor down the highway to Rincon. I will lose driving privilges in less than 2 months when my kids turn 16... I will not put a rack on my BMW if I can avoid it... Attached Thumbnails

03-28-2006, 11:01 PM	#1
Jason C Carmudgeon Join Date: Jul 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: Invalid Carriage Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,932	Beater Suggestions No, not for myself. A very car-shy relative has enlisted my aid in a car search. General criteria: Must be a slushie, preferably sedan or coupe, no convertibles, trucks, SUVs or the like - basically the anti-carmudgeon attributes. In other words, putting reliability, comfort, ease of use, and low costs to own above performance, styling, and so forth. Price is capped at $1,500. Would be more comfortable with Asian models over American/Euro makes. I've already perused craigslist a few times and have found some of the usual suspects - namely, mid-80's to mid 90's Honda Accords, Civics, Preludes, Toyota Celicas, Corollas, Camrys, Tercels, and various Nissan and Mazda models. As this is not exactly an automotive area that I spend a lot of time researching, can any of you contribute some beater suggestions? Thanks.

03-29-2006, 08:26 AM	#3
blee Doctor Mudgeon Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 6,433	Used domestics, if purchased carefully, are great deals. If foreign is a must, no one can go wrong with an Accord.

03-29-2006, 11:45 AM	#9
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Civics run forever and require oil changes, timing belt changes, and an occasional replacement of the oil pan gasket. Maybe plugs once in awhile. Everything else pretty much just keeps on running. I am sure there are similar Toyotas, but I don't have personal experience with them.

03-29-2006, 11:55 AM	#10
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	Our kids will have no choice but to learn on a stick. And I kind of forgot about the Celica. My wife had a Celica similar to that one when we got married. Other than the fact I could never get comfortable in it, it was a pretty decent car. My wife loved it.