Question of the day: What's the most you would spend on a Winter beater, that will probably be worth nothing but scrap value at the end of the winter, but may be good enough to keep around as a general beater?

 

< $1k

 

Out of your options, most I would spend is $3500.

Of course the bottom line is that I would look to get the best bang for the buck... so if it's an extra/third/winter car I would try to find something that was relatively inexpensive but could hang around a while and be more or less trouble free.

Spending less seems like more of a waste b/c it may lead to a real POS that is gone very quickly... but if I could find a good deal, I'd spend as little as possible.

 

Last winter got a 89 Acura Legend for $350. And we beat the hell out of it. Definitely worth the money.

 

cars don't tend to exist around here under 1k, anything less than that and your paying more in repairs to legally put the thing on the road, as it has to pass safety and emissions, so it's a little different market.

 

What's a Winter beater?

 

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/907751112.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/mss/cto/908095786.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/drh/cto/907823632.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/907325083.html

 

ok so I'll eat my words, but I'm looking for a little "nicer" beater, I actually used to drive a civic like that white one, and man it was a pile.

 

Probably nothing.

I'd just buy a vehicle that I could use all the time...It's not like the one I drive around in now is an exotic or anything. So, I'd just keep on goin'.

 

2500ish

 

It's kind of a hard question to answer Dougler. There are plenty of cheap cars around, but you often get what you pay for. If you target yourself to a specific price point, you could easily still end up with a car that perhaps won't even last the winter. I would much rather pay $2000 or even more for a $1000 car that has some remaining serviceability. An older car that has decent tires, brakes, and serviceable items replaced such as a water pump and battery is often cheaper than buying a less expensive car that needs, or has the potential to need, a fair amount of work.

If I were you I would focus on an older car that has had at least some basic repairs performed to it than a less expensive car requiring future repairs.


Terry

 

$500 or less, but I dont need a winter beater because I'm in FL.

 

I put $1500 because that seems reasonable for a car that is at least road worthy.

Personally I don't think anyone needs a winter beater unless they have an S2K, or an NSX. TL, CL, TSX are all decent in the snow and they arent exotic cars that shouldn't see the snow. They will last a long time and look good if maintained. Instead spend money on an extra set of rims and put snow tires.

I'd rather be safe in my TL in bad weather than endanger myself in a 92 Civic just to save the TL from getting dirty.

 

I agree, I'm actually trying to sell my TL now, and was thinking about just getting a beater for the winter, then deciding on a new vehicle when the weather gets nice, but because it may be hard to sell in the summer time, I figured it would be best to get something that may not kill the bank if it goes to the scrap yard, or gets parked.

 

In that case, you should probably spend a little more money if it's going to be a car thats primary transportion. The only issue is what needs to be done to it (maintence and repairs). People are sneaky bastards when selling a car. Just be sure to check it over completly. Decent cars now a days are at least $2,500 to $3,000

If you pick up a car for $2500, but it needs brakes, tires, tune up, you are in $3200 range. Never know if the alternator, battery, starter goes, then it gets expensive for a POS that you didn't really plan on keeping but you have to because it's your only transportation.

It might be better to keep your TL, and try to sell it on your own when you have decided on what new car to buy. It's a buyers market right now and I don't think you will get what your TL is worth, and then you will be stuck with someone elses headache. If you HAVE to get rid of the TL, at least buy a $6-8k Accord that you know will be reliable and last.

 

My Prelude is my new "winter" beater. I paid nothing for it..

 

still planning on the swap?

 

Its in progress as we speak

 

i got an 87 ACURA legend coupe. lol i put the majority of my miles on that car. but on the real though that is a good winter beater and it cost me nuthin but gas lol...

 

My co-worker got a Miata for $200 and it's been faithful without any need for repairs other than basic maintenance. He's had it for over 2 years now.

















oh I forgot to mention, he got it from his friend.

When you say "worth nothing more than scrap metal after winter" then I'm taking you literally.... so it would be less than $1000.

 

I would spend $0 but then I'm poor relatively speaking. My lowered CL and 9yrs experience driving my best and only cars around all season cuts it...so far. It's hard to fathom my "nice" car would be considered a beater by many.

 

so your requirement is for the car to last 3-4 months??

if you are willing to throw the damn thing away at the end of THIS winter, ask yourself how much you want to spend per month on the car. this answer will bring you to <$1000. If you cannt find a car in your area under $1000, then just get the cheapest one you could find.

from the sound of it, you are in a transition phase that you pretty much need a "rental" car to get through the winter before purchasing a new car.

are there rental companies out there that cater to temp. residents, and provide "rental cars" for months time???? that could be the way to go.