"Beater" Car - Suggestions Needed

I've had beaters before, so I recognize that a 3rd vehicle probably won't cut back on the miles that my wife and I are putting on our toyotas (at least not by much) and definitely won't save us any money on fuel (after insurance and registration are factored in).

My main reason for picking up a 3rd vehicle is to have something that I'm not worried about parking in the city or leaving at the airport when we're traveling. Yeah, I know, first world problems....

I'd also like something a little fun to drive and need some suggestions.

Requirements are:
*Needs to be an automatic
*Needs to be something easy to get parts for and work on in the garage
*Needs to be relatively small and easy to parallel park
*Something reliable that won't leave me troubleshooting weird shit every weekend or constantly chasing the same gremlins over and over
* Needs to fit in our 5-6k budget
*Not nessesry, but I'd really prefer a convertible or t-tops

My first thoughts are an older Toyota solara, but I know nothing about them. I'd also thought about an MR2 or Miata, but I think a back seat makes sense seeing as the Taco is only an AC and passengers complain about that too much

 

Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.

 

Other that sun roof (so no open top) how bout a Honda prelude?

 

My wife's every day car is a corolla, and it's boring. Very, very boring. I'd even considered a Wrangler, but that'll just turn into a money pit.

 

When my Mom passed away 3 years ago, I drove her 2002 KIA Nothing with 20k miles on it for a couple years.
Ran great,cost nothing to run and insure,and a car nobody wanted to steal.

 

Civic. I think late 90's to early 2K Corolla's had some oil consumption issues due to pistons/rings.

 

Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, cheap to insure, with a back seat for cargo.. usually aren't that fun to drive.

Fun cars and cheap beaters are two different categories for me.

You want a fun beater more than a cheap beater, I guess.

 

chevy colorado

 

My mom and dad had a wranger and it was VERY unreliable, wouldnt buy another. Mainly ignition, electrical issues, and one CPU.

 

I was thinking civic the whole way

 

I wouldn't do a sporty vehicle as a beater, esp not the MR2 or Miata. There is a black market for them, albeit slimmer.

I would say a four door civic or something else cheap to insure. We had a 2000 Corrolla and it burned oil like a mofo bc of the piston/ring issue.

 

If you get a civic don't be surprised if it gets stolen.

 

Maybe "beater" is a bad word. And fun is a relative term, since the fastest thing I've ever owned has been a 4cly Tacoma...... How about inexpensive extra that I won't hate to drive to work? An older 2 door civic with a Sun roof wouldn't be hateful, if I didn't absolutely hate my 2002 Civic. The automatic had WAY too many transmission issues in the 5 years I owned it. I would have loved someone to have stolen that piece of crap.

 

my Matrix makes for a great beater vehicle and I know it's reliable. Hatchback is super practical and useful as well. Still amazed at the cargo space when I told the seats flat.

 

Honestly, Toyota or Honda for reliability. The only downside is that they're stolen frequently. Ford and Chevy have their own issues, but I would avoid Ford at all costs. Too many of their older pickups/cars have issues that I wouldn't want to mess with. But don't put money on a Jeep and expect to not sink double the money in maintainence/repairs. Kia is a relatively new car brand and I've heard mixed reviews about them. If you could find a used Subaru in that price point, I'm thinking you'd be happy. I loved my old STI hatchback...

 

My dad suggested a fox body mustang, but the "easy to fix" is negated by the reliability. A 1st gen STI could be fun....And my wife could use it when the roads are too nasty for the Corolla.

 

Win win with the subie. They're fun as hell to drive though. The trick is finding one in your budget that isn't too ragged out

 

1983 Rabbit

 

Toyota Yaris 2010 or earlier

nothing more reliable

has loads of room in engine bay to work on stuff if needed

tight turning circle

ultimate beater

 

He said he wanted something reliable