My stepdaughter's poor old Honda Accord with 300k miles finally died and I want to help her out. We are modest folks and if all my cars are payed for then her's will have to be as well. I would be willing to donate a couple grands maybe $3k to go buy something sensible.
So I would like to hear from my GRM peeps on what your favorite beater cars are. Just looking for some outside inspiration. Hears a good way of thinking about it... What car would you look for if you had $3000 and had to dive across the country without repairing it?
mtn
MegaDork
7/24/19 2:34 p.m.
Yep, used Bloated Mosquito is becoming the go to answer for this application. They’re really the perfect appliance for 90% of people.
Ok. See, my brain would never in a million year have gone to Prius. How about something a little bigger maybe...?
Prius might be an answer for 5k, but at 3k you're getting the bottom of the barrel.
Florida is home to the lowest mile cars. Older lexus or toyota midsize would be my recommendation.
https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/d/boca-raton-east-boca-raton-2000-lexus/6937818994.html
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d/orlando-2003-lexus-es300-auto-only-102k/6922101336.html
car39
HalfDork
7/24/19 2:42 p.m.
Subaru Impeza, Forester, Legacy. Have to beat them with a hammer to kill them.
Duke
MegaDork
7/24/19 2:44 p.m.
For $3000, buy the cleanest Toyota Avalon you can find.
It's a slightly larger, slightly nicer Camry, but without the instant name recognition the Camry has. They are mechanically identical, but Avalons can usually be found at or below the price of a Camry of similar age and condition. Since they are essentially the same automotive niche as a big Buick, they tend to have been owned by older folks who took care of them.
Ha! that's funny. I have a WRX and a Legacy GT wagon. I love them but would not wish them on anybody. There good once you fix them.
Duke
MegaDork
7/24/19 2:45 p.m.
car39 said:
Subaru Impeza, Forester, Legacy. Have to beat them with a hammer to kill them.
Having owned a couple, I would say that only applies to pre-2001 cars. And those are all either almost dead or rusted to swiss cheese by this point.
I'm thinking more minivan as the depreciation is so fast, and you could find a one owner prety easily. But... she has to not care what other people think, which is why I would be fine with it lol.
Duke
MegaDork
7/24/19 2:49 p.m.
Mid-2000s Impalas were made by the million; they are cheap and plentiful appliances that don't suck too terribly to drive for a commuter. They are fundamentally pretty reliable but do tend to have more small annoying issues than the Avalon.
In my case, I went with a GM W body (Impala / Regal / Grand Prix and a couple others); the main thing to watch out for are certain years with lower intake manifold gaskets, and they're available with different powertrains from "boring basic transportation" to ones that ran 14's off the showroom floor. Most of them have stone axe crude, iron headed pushrod V6s. $3000 will get a pretty good example, thanks to typical GM depreciation.
Honda Odyssey was one that I was thinking. like a mid 2000's generation.
Dodge Ram 1500 2wd. Bought mine for $3k in the rust belt. 30,000 trouble free miles on it before selling it. Drove it to my mom's place twice a year, 700 miles one way. Probably not the answer you're looking for and it wasn't what I was looking for either, but it worked.
I've also driven my Miata cross country and it cost less than $3k. But you knew that answer was coming.
I bought a 2005 ford focus 4 door with a 5 speed that had 215,000 miles. It was rust free and i paid $500. I put brakes , one wheel bearing and tires on it. My lady drove it for 2 years then i drove it for 1 year. When a guy turned left in front of me and it was wrecked it had 265,000 miles. I want another one and recommend them.
NGTD
UberDork
7/24/19 3:14 p.m.
badfrogg said:
Honda Odyssey was one that I was thinking. like a mid 2000's generation.
Not unless you like replacing transmissions.
After the hit. I walked away relatively unscathed. I was stiff and sore for about 10 days. I am impressed with the way it protected me
NGTD said:
badfrogg said:
Honda Odyssey was one that I was thinking. like a mid 2000's generation.
Not unless you like replacing transmissions.
Any running Odyssey from the 2000's should have had it's transmission already replaced. At least that's what I'm counting on. LOL
I agree, Toyota Avalon.
Second, Pontiac Vibe which is the same as Toyota Matrix making it basically a Toyota Corolla wagon wearing a Pontiac badge. All years are good.
Pontiac Vibe wiki
Real sample Vibe
Real Avalon
Snrub
HalfDork
7/24/19 5:27 p.m.
I'd argue you want cheap running costs, which means small; mazda2, Nissan Versa, maybe manual Fiesta. If she will do manual, it can save a lot of money and open up newer, lower millage examples.
Id say any of the v6 front wheel GM cars for a decent sized cheap and reliable car. Or an early Focus
Ford focus, any of the midsized GM's from the early 2000s for practical answers.
