View Poll Results: Which Beater car would you pick
1999 Acura TL
13
37.14%
1997 Audi A4 1.8T Manual
2
5.71%
Look for something else/Ive posted a suggestion
20
57.14%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
Looking for a beater, help me pick.
08-06-2010, 04:54 PM
#1
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
Looking for a beater, help me pick.
So, Im looking for a beater car,and Ive found two really good choices. So its between a 1997 Audi A4 1.8T manual for 2500 or a 1999 3.2TL Black with OEM Lip Kit one owner looks really really clean for 3200.
I dont have a big budget mainly because this is just a beater to take to work everyday. I love driving my 4G but Ive put 7000 miles on her since May 31st when I bought her.
I value your guys opinion, so what would you do?
The audi has 180k miles and the Acura has 161k.
I dont have a big budget mainly because this is just a beater to take to work everyday. I love driving my 4G but Ive put 7000 miles on her since May 31st when I bought her.
I value your guys opinion, so what would you do?
The audi has 180k miles and the Acura has 161k.
Last edited by MurkyRiversTL; 08-06-2010 at 04:57 PM.
08-06-2010, 05:04 PM
#2
Evil Mazda Driver
Look at a late 90s Civic or Accord. 
The Audi will cost you an arm and a leg in parts and repairs and the TL is likely to shit another transmission fairly soon.
The Audi will cost you an arm and a leg in parts and repairs and the TL is likely to shit another transmission fairly soon.
08-06-2010, 05:42 PM
#3
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
I am not a big fan of the civic and accord. I had a 2000 accord and liked nothing about it other than the manual trans. Plus, every civic or accord has been cosmetically abused by previous owner/owners.
Im looking for something a little more rare than what you see on every street corner or pulled over by every other cop.
Im looking for something a little more rare than what you see on every street corner or pulled over by every other cop.
08-06-2010, 06:14 PM
#6
Rooting for Acura
iTrader: (1)
Between the two I would go for the TL for two reasons.
1. I think it will be a lot more reliable than the Audi.
2. I think it would be cool to have a TL weekender and a TL beater.
Ever think about an Accord? Circa 2001? Great car.
1. I think it will be a lot more reliable than the Audi.
2. I think it would be cool to have a TL weekender and a TL beater.
Ever think about an Accord? Circa 2001? Great car.
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08-06-2010, 06:52 PM
#8
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
ANC297 S2k?
You can find some nice ap1's for pretty cheap.
You can find some nice ap1's for pretty cheap.
knight rider Between the two I would go for the TL for two reasons.
1. I think it will be a lot more reliable than the Audi.
2. I think it would be cool to have a TL weekender and a TL beater.
Ever think about an Accord? Circa 2001? Great car.
1. I think it will be a lot more reliable than the Audi.
2. I think it would be cool to have a TL weekender and a TL beater.
Ever think about an Accord? Circa 2001? Great car.
onebadna1nsx Get a Miata?
PortlandRL Mid 2000s Hyundai Elantra?
08-06-2010, 07:27 PM
#10
CL in lawnmower status
neither, i'd go for lexus LS if you can find one in your price range
rock solid reliability apparently and should have the space you need
other than that i can't think of much, what exactly is your budget?
rock solid reliability apparently and should have the space you need
other than that i can't think of much, what exactly is your budget?
08-06-2010, 07:56 PM
#11
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
relatively low. Im looking at only spending 2500. Whatever I buy is not going to be a long term car. Im going to use it for a while until I buy my girlfriend her 2011 gti. Im also saving for other things so i set my budget at 2500 which isnt gonna hurt me financially.
I also found a contour svt...... I know, I know.....Ford.
I also found a contour svt...... I know, I know.....Ford.
08-06-2010, 07:57 PM
#12
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
08-06-2010, 08:01 PM
#13
Senior Moderator
I would get the TL. The 1999 TL had a four-speed tranny that was unlikely to go bad. It was the five-speed TL trannies from 2000 until the first run of 2004 that were awful.
08-06-2010, 08:12 PM
#14
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/no-more-tranny-yay-626002/
But I am leaning towards the TL since i wont be racing it around just driving to and from work and taking my kiddos to school.
True story is this. Im finally getting full custody of my kids after 2 years of fighting with the ex. I cant get anything small because Im gonna have to drive them around in whatever I buy. The other car we have is an 03 accord coupe which isnt practical when you have a 3 and 5 year old.
Last edited by MurkyRiversTL; 08-06-2010 at 08:15 PM.
08-06-2010, 10:01 PM
#15
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
2 kids, three dogs? Um, a older wagon would fit the bill....
My sister-in-law lives in Hesperia. Your neck of the desert..um, woods.
But, the TL sounds OK if you can source a 6MT for it...My 99 Saber (TL) had issues. And here in Japan, no recall.
My sister-in-law lives in Hesperia. Your neck of the desert..um, woods.
But, the TL sounds OK if you can source a 6MT for it...My 99 Saber (TL) had issues. And here in Japan, no recall.
08-06-2010, 10:09 PM
#16
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
Yes, Hesperia is very close to me... next town over.
Sourcing a 6mt these days is proving to be more difficult especially for the price that I paid for my first swap.
Im expanding my searches and have come across 00-04 Maximas.... thought?
08-06-2010, 10:26 PM
#17
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TL sounds like a good deal but
a midsize sedan wont fit them unless those are some small ass dogs/kids.
I would get a 4runner, 3rd Gen's are more comfy.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1868887378.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ctd/1875405661.html
Otherwise you could rock a minivan.
a midsize sedan wont fit them unless those are some small ass dogs/kids.I would get a 4runner, 3rd Gen's are more comfy.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1868887378.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ctd/1875405661.html
Otherwise you could rock a minivan.
08-06-2010, 10:33 PM
#18
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
TL sounds like a good deal but
a midsize sedan wont fit them unless those are some small ass dogs/kids.
I would get a 4runner, 3rd Gen's are more comfy.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1868887378.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ctd/1875405661.html
Otherwise you could rock a minivan.
a midsize sedan wont fit them unless those are some small ass dogs/kids.I would get a 4runner, 3rd Gen's are more comfy.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1868887378.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ctd/1875405661.html
Otherwise you could rock a minivan.
08-07-2010, 12:28 AM
#21
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Good thread...
Following up with mrmako's suggestion, how about a Subaru WRX/Forester/Outback wagon? They can be had in a manual, and have decent utility for your dogs...er, kids.
However... as much as you want to avoid it, a SUV might be your calling the future
I personally like the MDX, Pilot, and used 4Runners and Rav4s (Toyota doesn't make like them they use to )
Following up with mrmako's suggestion, how about a Subaru WRX/Forester/Outback wagon? They can be had in a manual, and have decent utility for your dogs...er, kids.
However... as much as you want to avoid it, a SUV might be your calling the future
I personally like the MDX, Pilot, and used 4Runners and Rav4s (Toyota doesn't make like them they use to )
08-07-2010, 12:39 AM
#22
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
Good thread...
Following up with mrmako's suggestion, how about a Subaru WRX/Forester/Outback wagon? They can be had in a manual, and have decent utility for your dogs...er, kids.
However... as much as you want to avoid it, a SUV might be your calling the future I personally like the MDX, Pilot, and used 4Runners and Rav4s (Toyota doesn't make like them they use to )
Following up with mrmako's suggestion, how about a Subaru WRX/Forester/Outback wagon? They can be had in a manual, and have decent utility for your dogs...er, kids.
However... as much as you want to avoid it, a SUV might be your calling the future
I personally like the MDX, Pilot, and used 4Runners and Rav4s (Toyota doesn't make like them they use to )I know that some type of large vehicle is in my future, we have decided on a full size quad cab truck, but that will have to wait until after the gti (since the gti will be her commuter car) We will have the TL paid off in 3 years (at least thats the goal with making double payments) So Im thinking in about 4-5 years we will get our full size truck.
I appreciate your guys input. It has made me look beyond what I already know.
08-07-2010, 01:32 AM
#27
So to summarize:
1. you don't want to spend more than $2,500
2. it's going to be used as a beater
3. it's "not going to be a long term car"
4. car has to be somewhat "rare" and from the sounds of it, cool as well, since you at the mention of a Hyundai
5. needs to have enough room for 2 kids or 3 dogs
6. probably looking for something with 4 doors too because of kids and dogs
7. can't be an SUV or minivan
8. can't be a Civic or Accord
Subaru Legacy or Outback
1. you don't want to spend more than $2,500
2. it's going to be used as a beater
3. it's "not going to be a long term car"
4. car has to be somewhat "rare" and from the sounds of it, cool as well, since you
at the mention of a Hyundai5. needs to have enough room for 2 kids or 3 dogs
6. probably looking for something with 4 doors too because of kids and dogs
7. can't be an SUV or minivan
8. can't be a Civic or Accord
Subaru Legacy or Outback
08-07-2010, 04:52 AM
#28
between your choices i would go acura...
my friends own audi's and well, they are looking for other cars right now...
if i were you i would look for a 92-95 Honda civic VX hatchback
nearly 60mpg... cheap on insurance...
did i mention nearly 60mpg?
or you could go with a 99-01 CRV, great little wannabe utility cars...
with that kind of budget here in the bay area california you are really limited but im not sure about your neck of the woods...
my friends own audi's and well, they are looking for other cars right now...
if i were you i would look for a 92-95 Honda civic VX hatchback
nearly 60mpg... cheap on insurance...
did i mention nearly 60mpg?
or you could go with a 99-01 CRV, great little wannabe utility cars...
with that kind of budget here in the bay area california you are really limited but im not sure about your neck of the woods...
Last edited by pmendoza502; 08-07-2010 at 04:57 AM.
08-07-2010, 02:20 PM
#31
The Dumb One
iTrader: (1)
stick with the familiar, you know the nature of the beast and know how to work on/maintain the 2ng Gen TL.
just dont let that beater turn into a flashback and start modding the hell out of it
just dont let that beater turn into a flashback and start modding the hell out of it
08-07-2010, 06:40 PM
#32
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
lol, considering my ability and passion for modifying cars, that might happen with any car I get.
08-10-2010, 11:21 AM
#33
Is your current car a lease? Otherwise, why not just continue driving the car you already have? Why does it matter how many miles you're putting on if everything else fits your needs?
08-10-2010, 12:51 PM
#34
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Personally I would just keep the one car. You're considering spending about $3000 plus extra in insurance for a car that is likely to need considerable amounts of maintaining because of the high miles. All this to avoid putting miles on a car that is perfectly able to take the miles without needing work.
If you absolutely have to get a beater, then I recommend an Civic, Accord, Altima or a Maxima. All 4 of those will be able to handle the miles.
Keep in mind that you're talking about 30000 miles or so a year, so be sure that you get something really reliable. I would maybe look to get something closer to 100K miles and keep my fingers crossed.
Good luck.
If you absolutely have to get a beater, then I recommend an Civic, Accord, Altima or a Maxima. All 4 of those will be able to handle the miles.
Keep in mind that you're talking about 30000 miles or so a year, so be sure that you get something really reliable. I would maybe look to get something closer to 100K miles and keep my fingers crossed.
Good luck.
08-10-2010, 08:35 PM
#37
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
I appreciate your guys comments on not to get another car. But it is ultimately my choice to get another car for the reason described above.
Now I have a bit more time to look for the beater that I want. My pops just gave me his 2004 Mustang, which isnt going to do what Im looking for, but will suffice until I can get what I need/want.
08-11-2010, 01:05 AM
#39
COTM Coordinator
Thread Starter
Yeah I was looking at the 2003.5 I think? It comes with a 6 speed. Very nice but out of my current budget, which may have to get a bump
08-11-2010, 01:52 PM
#40
Senior Moderator
You have a safe and reliable car for your kids to be driven in but you rather buy a 7 year old car so your TL doesnt get dirty?!
Im baffled and this is coming from a guy who tried to convince himself that he needed a beater car as well. Its a waste of space, unless of course you looking into a FUN 2nd car.
Get a S2k.
Im baffled and this is coming from a guy who tried to convince himself that he needed a beater car as well. Its a waste of space, unless of course you looking into a FUN 2nd car.
Get a S2k.