Help me decide on a beater

My other vote is a VW TDI. I’ve had 3. 50 mpg and torquey. Snappy little buggers. And I think the resale went to shit on them after diesel gate

 

I got a miata as a beater. No regrets. Genuinely fun to drive. Economical. Cheap consumables and insurance. Super easy to work on.

If I need more space or and doing a long road trip - take the truck. Zipping around town? Miata!

 

If you have a second vehicle as a D.D. the novelty of getting into your good vehicle never wears off !

 

Ten grand???? For a beater? Get a 500 dollar civic

 

Oh I feel this...

 

My new 2021 DCSB Mt6 Army Green has been in the garage since newl, drove it home, 168 miles. Safe from the salt because my son gave me back his 2006 Scion Xb that I got him when he turned 16. Winter beater!

 

First gen CRV, fresh timing belt and drive it 'til the cows come home.

 

Picked up 2010 Toyota Yaris for my daughter. Yes I’m a fanboy! $2400 OTD clear coat is shot since it’s in AZ. But it’s nice for what it is.

 

It will always fit the parking garage. Removable HTs are available if you aren't a droptop fan.

But on the 6 good days you have in the PNW, topless would be a ball.

And if you have the berries, you can autocross for the cheapest organized motorsport experience you'll ever find.

 

Nissan Sentra or Kia Forte both are fairly cheap and great on gas milage .

 

1.5 miles? Get a bike. Cheap, healthy, and the bike ride is about the only thing I miss about the office since I was directed to work from home due to COVID.

 

Another vote for Miata beater here.....I got sick of shifting gears in the Tacoma, so I bought an automatic Miata. NOBODY wants the automatics, so you can get them for next to nothing. It's sloooooow and shifts like a 1-ton pickup, but it's easy to parallel park and gets 25/30 mpg.

 

^^^if you're only 1.5 miles from work I don't think a beater is worth it.

I've been into VWs so I just got another VW Golf as my DD. Neither of which were a diesel, or had a turbo and both easily get 30+mpg. But I also drive over 20 miles one way to work and my 2nd gen is a fat pig at 13-14mpg. Besides, if I decide to sell the truck later, it'll only help truck resale value('07 currently around 130K miles)

 

+1 to the Prius suggestion, I had one before the truck and they're great cars. Mine had 130k miles with nothing but normal maintenance, kind of wish I still had it.

-1 to the Chevy Cruze suggestion, my coworker has one with only 80k miles and has already had a failed turbo and a blown head gasket. She had an extended warranty (good call with GM) so it wasn't a big deal but I wouldn't want one.

 

Unfortunate fact

 

Get a beater taco

 

Thats what im looking at gettimg back into. So damn comfy and good on gas. I shouldnt have sold my old one. See below.

Selling my lowered 08 civic and getting a crv again. Wifes lexus is300 is also going up for sale and shes getting a 2010 4runner. Making moves! Lol

I get what the guy that posted the math breakdown (smartypants) but I'll tell you, it is nice having a back up for when the truck is down. Take me for example. My truck has been down for some time now waiting on an ARB part. Glad i have a backup vehicle. But i agree, a 2nd vehicle wont save you money

 

I know this is a Nissan hate group here (only kidding) but my first car was a 5 speed manual 05 Nissan Sentra, base model (optioned with power windows, a subwoofer, and a/c) that was handed down to me from my much older brother. 300000km and not a singular issue with it. Legitmately, never had a single one. My mother still owns it, as her beater, and tows it behind her RV. Still going strong, without an issue. Starts every time in -40c. They can be had extremely cheap, due to not being as desirable as something like a civic. Also, 06-10 Manual Civic coupes can be had for cheap and are generally pretty reliable, but the b18s are prone to cracking engine blocks at about 300k km.

 

Auto miatas are so cheap I frequently consider them as a beater for my beater.

Not hard or expensive to manual swap if you want a project later either. And you double the value afterwards..

 

When I was single and living in an apartment, I had my truck in the garage, my dd (09 mitsibishi endevor, ex wifes old SUV) under a carport and my harley I would park in my living room when needed. Thank goodness for first floor.