What cheap old beater car should I try to find?

[zuffazombee]

You can't go wrong with an older model Toyota Matrix.

I bought a used 2005 about 8 years ago for $2000. I only use it for traveling to & from work. It's currently got 300,000 km & still runs like a dream.

 

[lsa]

Built like a tank and about as fast.
But was at the time one of the safest car.

 

[fishbisquit]

I got a 2008 Honda civic just before covid for my beater car. Cost 1k. I drove it for 7 years, scrapped it 2 weeks ago, even though it was still 100% drivable. I had to do the brakes and the alternator in that time. So around $300. I got $350 for the car, $40 for the unused spare and jack, $80 for the battery, and I am guessing I can get near $200 for the winter tires that I never used. So around $600 for a reliable car that I drove for 7 years.

 

[Ibm]

Ford Crown Victoria. Defintely grab one if you can. Those things go a million miles literally, most reliable car.

 

[GSP_37]

I legit would love to have something like this. Probably a huge hassle to get one over here and registered though.

There's a JDM dealership here and I assume they're responsible for all these mini Japanese delivery vans/trucks I often see here.

Once in a while I'll see a Skyline with steering wheel on wrong side.

 

[Big Nasty Edison]

2005 toyota camry

 

[Jack Reacheround]

 

[evergreenrider]

3.8 Oldsmobile

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

There's a ton of those for sale in the market around here, they cheap as hell in Japan ($1500-2000), but once they get here the import cost and hassle raises the value to around $5-7k

You can't register them tho, at least not in California. I got one that I use for moving stuff around our property and making beer runs to 7-11. They're really fun to drive, right side steering wheel and fit everywhere. Cost me $7k and shipping from AZ.

 

[djacobox372]

You can't register them tho, at least not in California. I got one that I use for moving stuff around our property and making beer runs to 7-11. They're really fun to drive, right side steering wheel and fit everywhere. Cost me $7k and shipping from AZ.

If they're over 25yo you should be able to register them, not sure about CA.

 

[TXstriker]

A pos ford Taurus, those things seem to not want to die.

 

[lsa]

A pos ford Taurus, those things seem to not want to die.

sounds a lot like @Slobodan

 

[ThaiSexPills]

Spend more and get a civic or Corolla. They’re not cheap used for a reason and it’s because they’re good cars.

You’ll spend more up front but save in the end.

 

[I Am Legion]

Go to a police auction and get an old cop car Crown Vic. These cars are beast mode in reliablity, drive like a dream and have decent power.

 

[JonnyBonesPharmacist]

My son drives a 2001 Honda Accord....its bulletproof

 

[Jacket time]

Crown Vic
Buick regal or century 3.8


I'd find a low mileage a 15 yr old Subaru forester that needs head gaskets for 3k.
Then deck the heads. valve job, gaskets, all new timing components with waterpump and pulley- 1.5k-2k
labor 500$-1k

you're good for another 100-200k

 

[kimocomplex]

You are right about the Honda/Toyota being sought due to the reputation of reliability

That leaves the opportunity to sneak in for a Lexus RX330 like I did. You can get one cheaper than a Highlander, and they are basically the same vehicle

 

[Flower2dPeople]

86 Toyota Corolla.

 

[Cyrano200]

you're doing great buddeh

 

[DanSavage]

There’s some good bargains to be found with the late 90s-mid 2000s Buick/Olds/Pontiac geezermobiles like the Buick LeSabre.
Look for the ones with the 3800 series 2 V6 FWD, they’re reasonably quick and bulletproof. There’s old folks passing away everywhere leaving these vehicles behind with unusually low mileage, and usually impeccably maintained. Often they’re being sold off by descendants looking for a quick sale, and they’re not sought after cars, so the demand is low.

Too bad newspapers aren't a thing anymore. I could've checked the obituaries.


Thank you. The Pontiac vibe was not on my radar at all, but I just found one relatively cheap and it looks fun! Like a poor man's civic. It's a stick too! I might enjoy driving a stick before they completely go extinct.

I second the suggestion for a GM W-platform car.

I've owned a 99 Chevrolet Lumina LTZ, 99 Pontiac Bonneville and a 2003 Buick Regal. The Lumina and Bonneville are sportier than the Regal. Another good choice would be the Pontiac Grand Prix or Monte Carlo. The Grand Prix was offered in 2- and 4-door models. The Monte Carlo is a 2-door version of the Lumina.

All of these have the 3800 Series II (L36) and were all very reliable and cheap to operate. The L36 is basically a V6 version of the Chevy small block V8. Weirdly, the 3800 Series II was offered with a supercharger on the Bonneville, Grand Prix and Regal, but was never offered on the Lumina.

While you can get the LeSabre with the same powertrain, it's not going to get as good of mileage or performance as the mid-size cars I listed above due to it being larger and heavier.