Beater Time (again)

blee · 07-19-2006, 03:56 PM

Alright guys, name some old cars that would be:

-cheap, as in $1000 for a well-negotiated deal on a solid car that is NOT an infected bird's nest
-reliable
-not too big, as in E30-ish in length
-fun

The E30 is already on the list. A friend of mine recently went in person to see a 325 offered on eBay. The starting bid was $1 because the car would not shift out of 5th. My friend offered $200, then crept under the car and reattached the linkage, drove it onto his trailer, then took it home and did doughnuts on his driveway.

Any other suggestions? Nicer E28s, cheaper E34s, 190Es....

ZBB · 07-19-2006, 04:03 PM

An FJ40 Landcruiser? Probably not for one that's drivable for $1000 though...

rumatt · 07-19-2006, 04:07 PM

I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money.

If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing.

If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it.

I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.

ff · 07-19-2006, 04:09 PM

Something from the 80's with a simple GM V8 in it.

blee · 07-19-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money.

If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing.

If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it.

I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.

Actually, I've been eyewitness to a large number of E30s bought cheap that have run without problems. I'm not talking about "problems" such as sloppy shifting or peeling clearcoat; for the most part, the M20 and M10 are sturdy engines that will last just about forever with a little forethought in maintenance (eg timing belt). The bodies hold up well, too, and even the paint will do a respectable job of putting up with the elements.

There's a local police auction coming up this Saturday. Perhaps I'll find something worth buying. (Probably not.)

IndyMike · 07-19-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blee

There's a local police auction coming up this Saturday. Perhaps I'll find something worth buying. (Probably not.)

1974 Dodge Monaco police cruiser

"It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas,"

blee · 07-19-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gov'ment mule

1974 Dodge Monaco police cruiser

"It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas,"

Well, I am, after all, on a mission from God.

Seriously, though, that thing would make the garage space I've rented look like OJ's glove.

bren · 07-20-2006, 08:52 AM

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=567435

blee · 07-20-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=567435

Not bad, if it's only fender damage. otherwise not so great, especially because the M10 in those '84-'85 318s was...um, sad.

lupinsea · 07-25-2006, 06:32 PM

Um . . . Suzuki Samurai. They offer:

- cheapness
- manual trannies
- top down convertible fun
- 4WD
- smallness
- ok fuel economy

And with slight modifications to the door hinges the doors can be slipped on and off.

.

Beyond that maybe some older Miatas, manual Toyota P/U trucks?

07-19-2006, 03:56 PM	#1
blee Doctor Mudgeon Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 6,433	Beater Time (again) Alright guys, name some old cars that would be: -cheap, as in $1000 for a well-negotiated deal on a solid car that is NOT an infected bird's nest -reliable -not too big, as in E30-ish in length -fun The E30 is already on the list. A friend of mine recently went in person to see a 325 offered on eBay. The starting bid was $1 because the car would not shift out of 5th. My friend offered $200, then crept under the car and reattached the linkage, drove it onto his trailer, then took it home and did doughnuts on his driveway. Any other suggestions? Nicer E28s, cheaper E34s, 190Es....

07-19-2006, 04:03 PM	#2
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	An FJ40 Landcruiser? Probably not for one that's drivable for $1000 though... __________________ ZBB

07-19-2006, 04:07 PM	#3
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money. If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing. If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it. I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.

07-19-2006, 04:09 PM	#4
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	Something from the 80's with a simple GM V8 in it.

07-20-2006, 08:52 AM	#8
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=567435

07-25-2006, 06:32 PM	#10
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Um . . . Suzuki Samurai. They offer: - cheapness - manual trannies - top down convertible fun - 4WD - smallness - ok fuel economy And with slight modifications to the door hinges the doors can be slipped on and off. . Beyond that maybe some older Miatas, manual Toyota P/U trucks?