My Female Friend Needs a Beater

"Stang70Fastback" (Stang70Fastback) 05/01/2015 at 09:50 • Filed to: None

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Hey guys. I’ve got a friend who currently drives a manual FR-S (she’s pretty bad-ass.) She currently lives in Chicago, and drove it all through the winter without any issues, however she is moving to Orlando, Florida this week, and is looking to get a second beater car - mostly due to the fact that she has a giant dog that kinda-sorta-but-not-really fits in the back of the FR-S.

To give you an idea of what she wants, she was looking at an IS300, which she says she can get for around $7k. I suppose it might not be a bad car, but IMHO, if I already had a super-sporty car, I’d want my beater to be something on the other end of the spectrum, such as a small SUV, or at least just a wagon for the dog... (Outback?) Basically something with room to haul stuff, and that can go off the beaten bath a bit and basically cover a lot of the bases that the FR-S doesn’t. I feel like the IS300 overlaps a bit too much to be the most sensible option.

She challenged me to find her a better option, and said the only rule was that it couldn’t be American, lol. I’d personally look into an older Outback, as I think it is the perfect all-around vehicle, but she wants something “as reliable as a Toyota.” I HAD a 98 Outback for 8 years, which was incredibly reliable, so long as you replaced the head gaskets every 100k miles (so maybe that disqualifies it), but that doesn’t mean the all are. I’m a Subaru nut, so if I suggest a Subaru she’ll just think I’m being a fanboy (I am.)

Anyone have any suggestions that will make me look good?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:53

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Camry?

Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:54

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E39 Manual Wagon?

Stang70Fastback > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/01/2015 at 09:54

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You didn’t read my post, did you...

Katsumoto > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:55

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A Honda wagon?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:56

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$7K budget?

4Runner.

/thread

MLGCarGuy > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:56

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It might be a bit too large but maybe one of these?

jariten1781 > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:57

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She likes sporty cars...why do you care if it overlaps? All my cars overlap...

Tell her to get an IS300 Sportcross.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:58

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A old 240sx, preferably with a LSD and stick but with the uber rare option of unmolested by driftbros.

Stang70Fastback > Katsumoto 05/01/2015 at 09:58

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That’s not a terrible suggestion. So rare, though!

Mattbob > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 09:59

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my GFs 2005 forester is pretty damned reliable and practical. Slow, but reliable. Also I think that generation is the last generation of subaru being unique in its styling.

Stang70Fastback > jariten1781 05/01/2015 at 10:00

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Just offering alternatives since the dog is big, and would probably enjoy more room. Holy shit I forgot about the Sportcross. You might have just won the whole debate.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:01

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yes.

i’d say no to Subaru , as leaking head gaskets are a feature not a fault.

so my idea of Camry stands , tell her to drop the not USA requirement , how about Saturn then? or a Jeep?

Stang70Fastback > Mattbob 05/01/2015 at 10:01

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Also not a bad option. I was looking into buying an 05 FXT myself (though obviously that’s not the “most reliable” version, lol.)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:02

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Isuzu vehicross

Stang70Fastback > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/01/2015 at 10:03

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I think the problem is this is a big dog, and while I know big dogs are okay in sedans, since one of the main reasons for this car is to transport the dog, I figured it might make sense to get a wagon, or just anything with more space for the dog. They haven’t made those in a looonnngg time though, I think.

Mattbob > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:03

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yeah, but the extra power is really needed. Also, I have never driven an SUV that drives like that forester. You actually get a sensation of what is under the tires, and the body roll isn’t terrible. Of course, I am used to my Jeep for suv comparison.

Stang70Fastback > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/01/2015 at 10:04

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I love that car just because of how ugly it is, lol.

crowmolly > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/01/2015 at 10:04

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Yup. Pick a midsize SUV that has a good reputation and/or cheap cost of ownership.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:04

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How big is her dog? Barring it being a St. Benard or something like that, a Honda Fit would suffice. There’s a lot of space with the back seat down.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:05

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I have a certain part of my head reserved for how I will buy and drive a vehicross often.

Stang70Fastback > Where have all the lightweights gone? 05/01/2015 at 10:05

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I also hear they drive decently.

Stang70Fastback > Where have all the lightweights gone? 05/01/2015 at 10:06

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It’s a collie. 70 lbs I think? The Fit is a sensible suggestion.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:07

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They do. My fiancee had one, and she used it to take her husky for drives without any problems. They can be found with a manual, too!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:07

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i’m thinking 94-5-6-7 Camry wagon.

Stang70Fastback > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/01/2015 at 10:10

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Fair enough. It’s a sensible suggestion. I think she’ll probably throw something at me if I suggest that, though :P

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:12

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cover your head and duck?

8)

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:17

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They’re roughly the same size, so that’s perfect! The Fit also got 30MPG in mixed driving almost like clockwork. It’s a 10gal tank, so fuel stops are rather frugal.

Shift24 > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:19

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but it must be rare if its on the fast and furious....

all jokes aside, i had a 93 5sp wagon for my first car and it was the best, at one point it had 9 people in it. Still not sure how it held up but they are reliable as hell, the first gen i think is a bit more reliable because it was before vtec (still made 140 hp in 1992) and the autotragic problems plagued the 94s to 97s.

But my suggestion other than a honda would be a volvo wagon. decent fan base and because racing wagon

DrJohannVegas > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:22

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How about the Honda Element? Plenty of space, AWD, can get em in manual, cheap to maintain, American-but-not-American.

Lekker > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:22

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The FR-S sin’t a super sporty car. Even less so when compared to the 6-speed manuel straight-6 engine, RWD IS300. I had a friend back in the day who had one, she was quite the bad ass as well.

An older WRX might be a good option, bug-eye series. You can get one for around what she wants to spend and it can check all the fun boxes and utilitarian without being bland.

Moves-Like-Senna > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:28

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I’m going to go on a limb here and say Honda Element SC. It’s not the most fun but it’s an extremely practical beater beater, she can hose it out and it’s perfect for dogs and is reliable as can be. Oh and they’re cheap - the SC means that the panels are painted - better for Florida weather.

carcrasher88 > DrJohannVegas 05/01/2015 at 10:31

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Plus a reputation for being very dog friendly. They even offered a special Dog Friendly dealer installed package late in the production run.

Since it’s all dealer installed, you can probably add most, if not all of the content into any Element without having to take the vehicle apart, if you can find all the equipment included.

For anyone who’s looking for a great dog friendly car for a runabout beater with a manual transmission, you really can’t beat a Honda Element.

yamahog > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:31

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She could pull a me and have an offroader/dog hauler to complement the sporty car. 7k will get you a damn nice XJ or an ok Wrangler.

ETA but apparently she’s a communist who hates America so I’m sure she could find a Toyota 4x4 in that price range.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:37

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If she wants something to do the dirty work and not the Toyobaru, she needs the opposite end of the spectrum. My suggestion is either an Odyssey or a Sienna. Plenty of room for whatever she wants and still has the creature comforts and ride of a car.

aquila121 > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/01/2015 at 10:39

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Lol at “leaking headgaskets are a feature.”

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:41

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Quick search on Chicago CL in the price range. 2 B4 S4s

on yellow with, a rebuilt title and low miles, needs most of the interior.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/500260…

on blue, with 153k on it, but hey she’s looking for a beater right?

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/499230…

but the one I’d actually buy if I was in her position with that 7k price point in mind

manual 07 outback. not sporty but not an SUV either.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/497409…

or this 01Legacy wagon with just 73k. for a bit less cash.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/499498…

Racescort666 > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/01/2015 at 10:45

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Ford Focus also.

Toby F., Manager > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:46

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Mazda 6 wagon

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:47

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Honda Element, great dog car, beater car or whatever you want and doesn’t suck to drive.

Sam > Where have all the lightweights gone? 05/01/2015 at 10:50

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Just like Silicone Sally! (Mr. Regular’s Fit)

Racescort666 > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 10:51

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I would have suggested Subaru Legacy but since a requirement was non-American, it's a no go. :p

Margin Of Error > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:04

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Girl drives manual = badass person

Wacko > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:05

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Why is she a bad-ass for driving a manual FR-S.

To me that is so so far away from bad-ass, unless you call all the 50-60 year old women driving FR-S’s badasses also.

The FR-S is sorta the new Miata, as in chick car......

HammerheadFistpunch > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:08

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I had an 05 fxt 5 speed. perfectly reliable aside from the usual suspension bushing issues. The EJ255 is a better motor than the NA 2.5 by a country mile.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:10

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Why no American cars?

Considering an SUV but crossing off the list the people who made them a thing?

Textured Soy Protein > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:14

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45 replies and not one mentioning the easiest possible option?

Katsumoto > Where have all the lightweights gone? 05/01/2015 at 11:16

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I own a Fit, an 08 specifically. Its been a good car with 165k on it. Haven’t had any issues. 30 mpg with mixed driving and 20-25 dollar fill ups with gas at 2.50ish.

aneightballandtwohookers > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:17

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At first glance I thought the title said “My Female Friend Needs a Beating” and I pictured a man with a meat tenderizer pounding on a woman in an apron. And this picture in my head was on the cover of an imaginary issue of Time Magazine and the title read “Has Sexism Really Gotten Out of Hand?” Thanks you made my morning a little bit easier.

jjhats > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:21

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Honda fit crv or element. I hate Toyotas with a passion but the rav4 is alright I guess

MrDakka > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:29

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Screw SUV's, tell her to get a small pick up like a Taco

Sneaky Pete > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 11:45

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xB or Fit. Both have a large rear storage area for the doge, get great mileage, and will run for.ev.er.

Sneaky Pete > carcrasher88 05/01/2015 at 11:47

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I considered an element as a beater, but the low 20s freeway MPG pushed me into getting a 36mpg Fit.

Stang70Fastback > Textured Soy Protein 05/01/2015 at 12:24

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I completely forgot this was a thing. This might solve EVERYTHING.

Stang70Fastback > Wacko 05/01/2015 at 12:25

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It’s bad-ass because 99.99973% of 20-something women have no idea what a stick shift even is.

Stang70Fastback > Racescort666 05/01/2015 at 12:25

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What you did there. I see it.

E92M3 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/01/2015 at 12:26

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I’m going to 2nd this. If she buys a $7k 4 Runner and takes decent care of it, she could drive it for 5 years and sell it for what she paid for it.

RockRam > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 15:49

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3rd gen 4Runner

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Margin Of Error 05/01/2015 at 18:52

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Girl person drives manual = badass person

Fixed it for you

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Stang70Fastback 05/01/2015 at 18:54

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Not sure how it got missed, but the obvious choice is a Volvo wagon!

Margin Of Error > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua 05/01/2015 at 18:55

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Looks like there’s a majority of badass people on Earth then

pip bip - choose Corrour > aquila121 05/02/2015 at 07:05

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the sheer volume that come through work that have leaking head gaskets is just crazy , it would be on average one per week , every week.

(i work at a Subaru/Audi/Holden dealer)

DisplacementForDayz, ironically lusts after a Honda Grom > Stang70Fastback 05/19/2015 at 19:51

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I think a outback would be great, or like an old tercel for the toyotaness... Or an ls 400.