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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Mid 2000s Hyundai Elantra?

 

Get a Miata?

 

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.

 

S2k?
You can find some nice ap1's for pretty cheap.

 

A little out of my price range and I have two kids and 3 dogs none of which will be able to fit.

Thanks for the vote, I had a 2000 accord (check my garage) and I didnt like it at all. Which is why I got rid of it.

Same reason as the AP1

 

My buddy had an '03 Elantra GT. Great car for what you're looking for.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Actually, the son of the owner of the company I work for is looking to sell his LS.... I wonder if he will let it go for 2500

 

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.

 

I had a 99, this is why I did the 6 speed swap on my 99.
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.

 

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.

 

Lol, not all of the kids (I call my boys and my dogs kids) would need to ride at the same time. But if i want to take my dogs hiking I want to be able to fit them in.

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?

 

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.

 

Kids are small, dogs range in weight from 65 to 105 pounds..... not small. But like I said before they will not be all in the car together. I really dont want an SUV...... or a minivan lol.

 

Look for something else.

 

suggestions????

 

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 )

 

Funny you mention the Subarus, cause Im actually looking at one right now lol. A legacy gt though, 2002 for 3k, not bad IMO.

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.

 

What are your thoughts on a Saab 9-5 SE Turbo??

 

Mk IV GTI.

 

Kind of a long shot but when I think of beater DD, I think of E30 3 series.

 

thats on the list as well. found 2 for 3500

 

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

 

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...

 

go for audi!

 

I would never buy a used audi, esp one with that many miles. Get the tl.

 

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

 

lol, considering my ability and passion for modifying cars, that might happen with any car I get.

 

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?

 

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.

 

I dot think either are a good choice. I don't think another car is a good choice but don't sleep on the Hyundai tiburon MT

 

'05 Altima w/ an M/T or a used CR-V

 

Not a lease, we purchased. Dont want a lot of miles just in case I ever want to sell it. Plus, i dont want this car to get damaged from the dogs/kids. i want a beater so I can not be concerned with dog drool or kids spilling food/drinks. Plus, I dont want to be an asshole dad and tell them they cant eat or drink in the car if were going somewhere.

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.

 

Nissan Maxima would do nicely IMO.

 

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

 

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.