What car/truck would you look for as a cheap beater?

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 12/19/2013 at 11:15 • Filed to: None

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Situation: You are nearly broke. You need a car ASAP for basic transportation, and you have around $1500 to spend on a car. Assume for this scenario that you are unable to finance a car, that you'll be paying cash for it. What do you look for?

There are lots of things you can say about the Chevy Cavalier, and most of them aren't positive. They were never the most desirable or competitive cars, but that didn't keep them from selling like hotcakes. However, there is one positive thing about the Cavalier: it's nearly unkillable. There's an old saying that most GM cars will run bad longer than most cars will run period. That's been my experience across the board (except for that POS Pontiac Phoenix I had). But my Celebrity ran for nine years with a broken speedometer, bad motor mounts, a drivers' side door that broke (twice), a front clip held on to the rest of the car with wire hangers, a bad power steering pump, and a cooling system that failed to keep the engine cool. A friend of mine had an '86 Cavalier with similar problems, and its 3-speed automatic didn't have a working 3rd gear. It still ran pretty well for the couple of years she had it.

I'm only aware of one problem thing to watch out for with them; the Cavalier from 1995 to 1999 came with a 5-speed manual transmission made by Isuzu; avoid those as they are, well, shit.

An interesting note, the first generation Cavalier did have a V6 option with the wagon. These are really hard to find anymore, though I did find one for sale near me: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

If I desperately needed a car that I knew would get me from A to B without too many issues, a cheap Cavalier is probably what I'd look for. How about you?

For Sweden > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:18

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Panther Anything.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:19

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Volvo 240... Safe and reliable.. Plus I love the looks.. They are bulletproof and can easily go 300,000 miles

davedave1111 > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:20

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$1500 isn't a 'cheap beater' price, as far as I'm concerned. $500 is cheap for beaters, $1k is about the top end of beater territory for most cars, but $1500 is enough to get something a bit better than a beater.

Leadbull > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:20

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Ford Ranger

Just wear your damn mask... > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:20

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GM's J-cars and the like were never precision instruments, even when new. That being said, they were and are sturdy vehicles that can handle their share of ham-fisted driving and maintenance.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:20

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Any kind of Saturn would probably be fine. Cheap as hell to run, cheap as hell to buy.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/417034…

puddler > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:22

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kinda the boat i was in, bought an '80 f-150. insurance, inspections and parts are dumb cheap. had it for 2 years and doubt i've thrown a grand at it.

thebigbossyboss > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:22

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1995-1999 Nissan Maxima. Bullet proof cars, many put on 200k miles.

fhrblig > For Sweden 12/19/2013 at 11:22

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I think that'd be a close second for me.

EL_ULY > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:23

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Panther and small trucks (Ranger, S10, Tacoma, etc.)

thebigbossyboss > Just wear your damn mask... 12/19/2013 at 11:23

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This exactly. They aren't much to look at, they are also slow, but they are extremely good at basic transport.

CalzoneGolem > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:24

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I'd need 4 doors otherwise I'd go for a Ranger. I'd probably go for a Malibu or Taurus. Seeing as I bought a Taurus for my current beater.

dinobot666 > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:24

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Toyota Echo. Same drivetrain from that vehicle is still being used in the Yaris and the first gen xB. Super cheap, no frills transportation that'll run forever.

fhrblig > puddler 12/19/2013 at 11:24

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I don't know how it is in other states, but anything pre-'81 here in Colorado has somewhat relaxed emissions rules. That'd be a plus.

Casper > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:25

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I don't know, around $1500 is getting into some decent vehicles. I bought an SW20 MR2 for $2000 that was quite good.

I bought a 300ZX for $800 that was a dependable rig but a little bit of a beater. Also bought a nice 80's Sentra as a temporary car that was straight and mechanically perfect for $200.

Jagvar > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:25

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An old Lexus LS400.

fhrblig > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 12/19/2013 at 11:25

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I've thought about those, but I've heard some horror stories about Saturns. I think that might put me off a bit.

For Sweden > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 12/19/2013 at 11:25

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Sure about that?

http://jalopnik.com/5578590/my-cra…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

dogisbadob > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:26

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My $700 Lexus (like a Camry but with some extra luxury and prestige)

fhrblig > Jagvar 12/19/2013 at 11:27

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I might be a little scared of the ones that would fall into this range.

An Infiniti Q45 might be interesting, though...

vdub_nut: scooter snob > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:27

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There are two or three well know issues with them. One comes from beating the transmission into submission. The other is a $7 sensor that takes under a minute to replace. The third is... well, it's an econobox.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:28

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I have found a few older Volvo's for $500-$1000 bucks, would make a real good winter beater.

Stupidru > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:28

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I'd just get a Stupidru, but I'm not biased at all ;)

fhrblig > CalzoneGolem 12/19/2013 at 11:29

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Malibus are good, but that 3100 V6 scares me a bit. The fours are probably just as reliable as the Cavalier, though. Pretty sure it's the same four as my Alero had, and that car didn't have one single engine related issue.

thebigbossyboss > dinobot666 12/19/2013 at 11:30

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I think a cavalier is a nicer car than an echo.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:31

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If I were broke and desperate I'd take what I could get. I wouldn't be bothering to go out of my way to search for something specific.

puddler > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:31

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yea, in texas it's anything older than 25 years only has safety inspection.

cazzyodo > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:32

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I'm feeling the Ranger today.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:32

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I'd probably go with an S10 blazer, I've gone through a couple of them so I know them inside and out, what to look for and how to fix most of them.

4.3L is as solid as you get with a v6. Older the better becuase less crap hooked up to the 4.3L, It was always sensors and stuff going on those trucks, never the motor.

CalzoneGolem > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:33

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My inlaws put almost 300k on their 3100. They are not maintenance people so it saw no love. The only reason they got rid of it was rust.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:35

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Volvo 240... Safe and reliable.. Plus I love the looks.. They are bulletproof and can easily go 300,000 miles

fhrblig > CalzoneGolem 12/19/2013 at 11:36

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Wow, that's impressive. I've heard they're prone to head gasket failure, that's the only thing that gives me pause.

CalzoneGolem > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:37

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Yeah, that's what killed my Lumina.

Milky > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:38

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Not 'would' but did buy a $1500 beater a few years ago, and it was glorious.

Who needs sway bars anyway > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:38

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This is basically my situation and there are a ton of good stuff to choose from if you know what you want and know what to look for. It also helps if you can perform your own repairs and maintenance. These are the one that I focus on, They tend to blend my style, with decent reliability, Good DDability and overall cheapness.

Ford falcon
Classic Dodge Dart
Ford Escort
Ford Ranger
Jeep Cherokee
Volvo 240
Mercedes 300TD
E30 BMW
Merc 190e
Subaru Impreza
Crown Vic

Wacko > dinobot666 12/19/2013 at 11:39

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yeah but, no frills, no thrills. Very bad seating, a wooden box is more comfortable than the echo's seats.

My ex had an echo and I hated that thing(the car) all 5 years we were together,

And that fucken center dash... hey it was a manual, but still nope...

hell she didn't change her car so had to get rid of the girlfriend to get that fucken echo out of my life...

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > For Sweden 12/19/2013 at 11:40

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Okay, so there are some outliers with Saturn's.

Agrajag > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:41

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80's through early 90's 1/2 ton pickups or full size SUV(Ramcharger ftw), from the big three. Basic and easy to work on, nigh unkillable.

Wacko > EL_ULY 12/19/2013 at 11:43

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good luck finding a Taco in 1500$ price range, by the way I saw the predigree jumbone commercial last night and thought of you!

dinobot666 > thebigbossyboss 12/19/2013 at 11:44

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I think so too, but the Echo's drivetrain is bulletproof. They're weaselly, ugly little cars that are completely unstoppable.

dinobot666 > Wacko 12/19/2013 at 11:45

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Totally agree with you there. It's crazy that Echo lasted longer than your relationship did. It's probably still out there making somebodies life miserable. It will never die. :)

Wacko > dinobot666 12/19/2013 at 11:47

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great reply, lol

thebigbossyboss > dinobot666 12/19/2013 at 11:49

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They are ugly. At least 3rd gen cavaliers are just "boring" lol. Echo's look like demented insects.

That being said, if my 1980's Toyota Corolla was anything to by, it will run, till YOU die.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 11:50

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My dad bought a base '97 Cavalier, and a base '02 Cavalier, both two door, both 5 speed. One brother owns one, I own the '02. I bought the '02 off of my other brother, who bought it off of my dad. Still runs great, original clutch, still shifts fine. With proper maintenance, they are sturdy. Mine has about 155k right now, separated between multiple drives from NW Ohio to Ohio University/South Carolina/Cincinnati/Evansville and back, depending on who had it and where we are in life.

Nothing > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 12:37

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Classic Saab 900 Turbo. I picked up this one with service records for $1100. It even came with the Thule rack. If there's one car I've sold that I really want back, it's this one.

At one point, I had an '85 Ramcharger, original Colorado vehicle, completely rust free, that I picked up for $900. Another one I should've kept, as it was in great shape. White with glorious red interior.

This one, I still have. Great runner, and it's my winter project. But in its "as bought" condition, I wouldn't have hesitated to drive it anywhere. It's not my DD, however. Picked up for $900 in April.

NaturallyAspirated > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 14:35

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My go-to recommendation for a cheap DD is the Geo/Chevy Prizm. They are literally rebadged Toyota Corollas, but with the Chevy/Geo badge, they don't have the absurd markup that most Toyotas seem to have. A friend of mine had a Prizm and it was 100% identical to my sister's Corolla. Good gas mileage and bulletproof reliability, and at least in my area, you can find dozens of them on Craigslist for under $1500.

The downside is that they are completely soulless to drive, but if I only have $1500 to spend, I'll take a soulless car that gets me to work reliably over a fun car that keeps breaking down.

OtherBarry > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 14:35

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First gen focus or an S-10.

911e46z06 > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 20:28

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Everyone knows a proper beater should be a truck. So I'm goin early 90s GM.

SCR - The Soup Of The Day is Bread > fhrblig 12/19/2013 at 20:58

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Geo Metro. They are cheap to buy and STOOPID easy and cheap to fix if they actually break. Also, even if you drive like an asshole it's damn near impossible to get less than 35mpg or so. Fast? Not in the slightest with that 55hp G10, but they only weigh 1600-1800lbs which makes them surprisingly fun to drive. I love mine dearly.

EDIT: Should mention I bought mine for $800 and have put like, $20 into it since I got it in June. ALSO, never ever ever ever buy the automatic. It's a 3spd that adds like 3 seconds to its 0-60 and saps about 10mpg to boot.

strokeofgenius > fhrblig 12/28/2013 at 15:29

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For a car I would look to the K-Car. You can buy one for the cost of groceries. You don't need anything more than a paperclip and tape to keep it on the road. If something really serious comes up, then it may cost you max $30 at your nearest junkyard to get it back on the road. It obviously won't be anything to write home about but it will get your from A to B.

For a truck I would get an S10. They last forever and parts are cheap and plentiful if something should break. It is like the K-Car of the mini truck world. You also don't have to be embarrassed to drive one either.