In search of a Winter Beater

Kinja'd!!! "POD" (podimus)
10/03/2014 at 16:06 • Filed to: None

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So the morning temps are now dipping into the negatives, I've seen a few flakes, and now that I have a garage, I really don't want to drive my nice car for the fast approaching 6 months of winter. Like any super frugal person of Eastern European decent, I don't want to spend much.

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To this end I turned to Kijiji (the Craigslist of Canada) to try to find something. I was even clever with the ad (well I thought I was clever).

"Got an old Jalop that's been taking up space? Need some extra cash for thanksgiving? Well you're in luck! I'm looking for a winter beater. You know the type of vehicle, Ol'rusty, Chitty-Chitty cheap-cheap, The salty one, things like that.

So let's go over the ground rules of what I'm looking for:

-12 years old or newer, model years 2003-2005 preferred

-Front wheel drive or all-wheel drive, front wheel drive preferred

-Small wheels size, 15 inch diameter preferred

-Is the car holier than the Vatican?! No problem! I'm good with rust, as long as it's not going to flake apart around me, rust is A-OK!

-High mileage? Sure, just makes the car more experienced. I will need to know when the timing belt/chain was last replaced, if the master cylinder has been replaced, and when the brakes were last serviced.

-Manual transmission. Yes, this is a sticking (pun intended) point for me, sorry autoboxes, I've got no room in my heart for you.

-Price? The cheaper the better; $1000 or less is what I'm looking for, but if you think your beater is extra special (gold star even) and deserving of a little more, then I'm open to taking a look at it.

So send me your rusty, your neglected, your oil burning masses and lets find me a good winter beater!"

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So Oppo, what do you think is out there that ticks all those boxes? Of the 5 replys I've gotten so far, only 1 has been even close to what I'm looking for. I think maybe my budget is too tight fisted.


DISCUSSION (16)


Kinja'd!!! Goshen, formerly Darkcode > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:08

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Why do you prefer front wheel drive?


Kinja'd!!! ColoradoTaco > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:15

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If FWD Honda, if AWD Subie. done and done


Kinja'd!!! POD > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
10/03/2014 at 16:15

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Cheaper (usually) and (also usually) less to go wrong. It's also what I'm used to so I have greater confidence in recovering from slides and poor road conditions. I'll happily take AWD, but finding a AWD beater for under a grand that is less than 12 years old is a tall order.


Kinja'd!!! Aaron James > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:16

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A car that actually runs, drives, and stops for a thousand bucks is getting harder and harder to find.


Kinja'd!!! POD > ColoradoTaco
10/03/2014 at 16:17

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Those are on my list for sure. None available for under a grand in my area that are under 12 years old. Only response I've gotten so far that is even close to what I'm looking for is a 2004 Toyota Echo RS with a 5 speed and 295,000km on her. Clutch was replaced at 245K. It reportedly has a dented roof and a cracked windshield and "NEEDS TO BE CLEANED". I should be getting pictures sent to me tonight.


Kinja'd!!! POD > Aaron James
10/03/2014 at 16:19

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Agreed. I know it's a tall order. I'm hoping to get lucky. If not I've got a full set of winters for my nice car, but I'd like to spare her the harshness of yet another Canadian winter if I can.


Kinja'd!!! ColoradoTaco > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:30

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Sorry to say, you're not gonna find anything for a grand or less that isn't dented, dirty, and mechanically questionable unless you go older than 2000. Even then they'll all likely be "mechanic special"

Best i could find with minimal searching my area:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4697730037…

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4696719720…

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4696662194…


Kinja'd!!! Aaron James > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:32

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I know exactly where you are coming from. 10 - 15 years ago you could get a nice 10 year old honda with 100k miles for 1500-2000 and have a nice reliable piece of equipment. Today that same thing is 5-7 grand or more. It's crazy. Good luck with it.


Kinja'd!!! My citroen won't start > POD
10/03/2014 at 16:38

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Rally Lights!

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Olds Silhouette + winter tires= 1k


Kinja'd!!! POD > My citroen won't start
10/03/2014 at 16:49

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Not going to lie, the rally lights are pretty sweet.


Kinja'd!!! POD > ColoradoTaco
10/03/2014 at 16:52

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I'm good with it being cosmetically damaged, actually I'd prefer that as it's the only chance I'll have to find something for a grand. The reason I've got to stick with 12 years or newer is if it's any older than that I've got to get a full insurance inspection. I'm hopeful that this little Echo will fit the bill. If it's just dirty and dented but it's running strong I may have found a winner. It even has winter wheels and tires on it.

That Saturn wagon you found would be a front runner if it'd pass inspection. Nice find!


Kinja'd!!! sellphones2493 > POD
10/03/2014 at 17:36

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Good luck finding anything 2003-newer under 1K thats half decent.

If I were you, I'd get a 1995-1997 Volvo 850.


Kinja'd!!! ColoradoTaco > POD
10/03/2014 at 17:43

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Someone else felt the same about that Saturn, posting is already deleted


Kinja'd!!! POD > sellphones2493
10/03/2014 at 17:50

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As much as I'd like an old volvo, I'd have to get a full inspection to insure anything older than 12 years.


Kinja'd!!! POD > Aaron James
10/03/2014 at 21:41

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I think I may just have gotten lucky. Got a message from a guy with a high mileage toyota echo that he is currently daily driving, all the service he's done to it are on the mark for the mileage. Comes with a set of winters that have 1 season left on them, 5 door hatch with a manual 5 speed, $1000. He just sent photos, car is dented but rust free. Dirty and needs a really good cleaning, but other than that, it looks surprisingly good. Going to take a look at it this weekend. If I end up getting it I'll be sure to post photos.


Kinja'd!!! Aaron James > POD
10/03/2014 at 22:28

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Sounds great, hopefully it works out for you.