Good Beater?

RRGOO7 · 06-04-2008, 08:42 PM

Im looking for something to drive to school everyday which is about 30 miles a day. I want something that is somewhat safe, pretty decent on gas, and has an A/C that blows cold. Looking around the 4-5k price range. What would you guys get?

epbrown · 06-04-2008, 08:58 PM

I'd get a Porsche 944, but then, I'm a rebel and I'll never ever be any good. I also kinda like the Ford Focus.

SpecC · 06-04-2008, 09:17 PM

used civic, corolla. you know, that bunch of cars

batchelorc · 06-04-2008, 09:29 PM

+1

chuck92103 · 06-04-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

used civic, corolla. you know, that bunch of cars

+1

sinnet112 · 06-04-2008, 10:24 PM

Just looked on eBay, Civics are going to be around the year 2000 and before for that price range. Still though, those cars last forever so you'll be fine.

RBP · 06-04-2008, 10:33 PM

Civic. Bullet proof.

neenjafus · 06-04-2008, 11:49 PM

Can't go wrong with a civic. I really liked mine.

Kinda depends what you are looking for and what type of "fun factor" you want.

a 240 in that price range will be quite enjoyable if you can keep up with the maintenance.

A focus for that price should be pretty new and decently reliable, they are also a fairly fun car.

A neon or Miata will be fun and inexpensive.

You can get a kia or something like that for super cheap, I would think.

It really depends on what you are looking for.

RRGOO7 · 06-05-2008, 12:31 AM

I was looking for something that i could have atleast a little fun in or a good laugh...something had me looking at caddys but they drink gas

howie · 06-05-2008, 12:33 AM

93 accord SE manual 2 door

IND-Distribution · 06-05-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epbrown

I'd get a Porsche 944, but then, I'm a rebel and I'll never ever be any good. I also kinda like the Ford Focus.

A 944 in his price range would be too expensive to maintain.

I would spend about 8-9k on a Lexus IS300 if I needed a cheap daily. They are reliable, decent looking, and cheap.

MrToad · 06-05-2008, 01:35 AM

An rsx-s. Just find one that hasn't been boosted or driven by a boy racer

rce90 · 06-05-2008, 02:50 AM

Rsx-S for $4k-$5k?? That would be hard to find. If you did it might have a ton of miles or a salvaged title. I'd say a DC2 Integra. LS, it might be hard to find one these days, a "clean" one at least. I still have my civic type-r as my daily driver. Yes i'm a Ricer...

SpecC · 06-05-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rce90

Rsx-S for $4k-$5k?? That would be hard to find. If you did it might have a ton of miles or a salvaged title. I'd say a DC2 Integra. LS, it might be hard to find one these days, a "clean" one at least. I still have my civic type-r as my daily driver. Yes i'm a Ricer...

no type R in the states

LOLrance · 06-05-2008, 04:00 AM

im not sure about where you live, but in california you can get a decent condition 240 for 1k or less. Then use the rest of the money to do a sr20 swap and you'll not only have a beater, but an extremely fast and fun beater at that.

As far as reliability goes...yea i dont think you'll care much because you'll be having so much fun.

rce90 · 06-05-2008, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

no type R in the states

yep...ended up with a swap. We have to settle for the Si or type-S, sigh . My brother just bought an 08' Si, not bad at all.

J.P. · 06-05-2008, 09:01 AM

integra GSR, Outstanding handling and the looks aren't bad either.

iatacs19 · 06-05-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBP

Civic. Bullet proof.

AMEN.

holson · 06-05-2008, 09:49 AM

Toyota Tercel or Jeep Wrangler (get an older 4 cyl TJ or something)

im in the process of looking for one - the best thing about the wrangler is 4wd so it'll be useful when there's a foot of snow on the ground (rarely) and it's great in summer.

The tercel is.. well economical and it's a Toyota - enough said.

I say. AVOID the Porsche 944. I had one, a Turbo, as a beater.

It was anything but reliable and it was expensive to fix anything. Well I loved it so much that my 'nicer' car got neglected.. until someone stole the 944..

I've had the following 'beater' cars:
1) 95 Jeep Cherokee: GOOD
2) 95 Ford Escort: EXCELLENT, 45mpg on the highway
3) 95 Toyota Celica: GOOD, a bit expensive and the 'sporty' driving position got old really fast on a slow car..

gadget · 06-05-2008, 02:40 PM

Get a vespa- cheap, new and crazy mpg

Boost Gomez · 06-05-2008, 07:17 PM

^To drive on the freeways/highways? I don't think so..

n3985 · 06-05-2008, 08:19 PM

4th gen Nissan Maxima 95-99, comfy, safe, good power

06-04-2008, 08:42 PM	#1
RRGOO7 Colonel 386 Rep 2,451 Posts Drives: GTR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami FL iTrader: (13)	Good Beater? Im looking for something to drive to school everyday which is about 30 miles a day. I want something that is somewhat safe, pretty decent on gas, and has an A/C that blows cold. Looking around the 4-5k price range. What would you guys get?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-04-2008, 08:58 PM	#2
epbrown Colonel 64 Rep 2,128 Posts Drives: BMW M Coupe, Porsche Boxster S Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I'd get a Porsche 944, but then, I'm a rebel and I'll never ever be any good. I also kinda like the Ford Focus.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 09:17 PM	#3
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 305 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	used civic, corolla. you know, that bunch of cars
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 09:29 PM	#4
batchelorc Captain 55 Rep 607 Posts Drives: Deez nuts Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	+1
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 10:24 PM	#6
sinnet112 Major 31 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	Just looked on eBay, Civics are going to be around the year 2000 and before for that price range. Still though, those cars last forever so you'll be fine. __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 10:33 PM	#7
RBP Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Convertible M sport Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Civic. Bullet proof.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 11:49 PM	#8
neenjafus Private First Class 10 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe ordered 3/14/08! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	Can't go wrong with a civic. I really liked mine. Kinda depends what you are looking for and what type of "fun factor" you want. a 240 in that price range will be quite enjoyable if you can keep up with the maintenance. A focus for that price should be pretty new and decently reliable, they are also a fairly fun car. A neon or Miata will be fun and inexpensive. You can get a kia or something like that for super cheap, I would think. It really depends on what you are looking for.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 12:31 AM	#9
RRGOO7 Colonel 386 Rep 2,451 Posts Drives: GTR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami FL iTrader: (13)	I was looking for something that i could have atleast a little fun in or a good laugh...something had me looking at caddys but they drink gas
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 12:33 AM	#10
howie There's no repalcement 4 displacement except Boost 6 Rep 133 Posts Drives: E90 335i, Lexus SC300 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plantation, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2001 CLK 55 AMG [0.00]	93 accord SE manual 2 door
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 01:35 AM	#12
MrToad I rike bee em dub u 64 Rep 747 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: City of Angels/Sunny SoCal iTrader: (4)	An rsx-s. Just find one that hasn't been boosted or driven by a boy racer
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 02:50 AM	#13
rce90 Private 5 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga iTrader: (0)	Rsx-S for $4k-$5k?? That would be hard to find. If you did it might have a ton of miles or a salvaged title. I'd say a DC2 Integra. LS, it might be hard to find one these days, a "clean" one at least. I still have my civic type-r as my daily driver. Yes i'm a Ricer...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 04:00 AM	#15
LOLrance The Law. 313 Rep 14,282 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SF / OC iTrader: (17)	im not sure about where you live, but in california you can get a decent condition 240 for 1k or less. Then use the rest of the money to do a sr20 swap and you'll not only have a beater, but an extremely fast and fun beater at that. As far as reliability goes...yea i dont think you'll care much because you'll be having so much fun. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 09:49 AM	#19
holson First Lieutenant 10 Rep 348 Posts Drives: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Watertown, MA iTrader: (0)	Toyota Tercel or Jeep Wrangler (get an older 4 cyl TJ or something) im in the process of looking for one - the best thing about the wrangler is 4wd so it'll be useful when there's a foot of snow on the ground (rarely) and it's great in summer. The tercel is.. well economical and it's a Toyota - enough said. I say. AVOID the Porsche 944. I had one, a Turbo, as a beater. It was anything but reliable and it was expensive to fix anything. Well I loved it so much that my 'nicer' car got neglected.. until someone stole the 944.. I've had the following 'beater' cars: 1) 95 Jeep Cherokee: GOOD 2) 95 Ford Escort: EXCELLENT, 45mpg on the highway 3) 95 Toyota Celica: GOOD, a bit expensive and the 'sporty' driving position got old really fast on a slow car..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 02:40 PM	#20
gadget Major 113 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 09 e92///M SSII DCT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Get a vespa- cheap, new and crazy mpg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 07:17 PM	#21
Boost Gomez Colonel 54 Rep 2,359 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	^To drive on the freeways/highways? I don't think so..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2008, 08:19 PM	#22
n3985 Captain 151 Rep 601 Posts Drives: a car Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North NJ iTrader: (3)	4th gen Nissan Maxima 95-99, comfy, safe, good power
	Appreciate 0 Quote