New Beater-Car ideas with Possible Good Deal

MCA · 05-29-05, 08:15

Hey folks,

I just wanted to get some input from you guys about purchasing a beater car. Currently, my wife and I drive a 2001 red Ford Focus and a 2003 Black Mazda 6. Unfortunately, the Focus has not been passing the "reliability" department - multiple recalls, failed electronics, defective fuel pumps, brake issues, etc. We have spent quite a bit of money on this car just to keep it running. For granted my wife has driven it over 90K miles but 80% of them are "easy" freeway commute miles. Anyways, we are in the market for a reliable, compact sedan. This car would get heavy mileage so fuel-efficiency is a must (considering the cost of gas these days). We would like to stay under $15k, (sorry if that sounds cheap). Since I had the Mazda 6 already, I have been doing some research on a new Mazda 3. I would at least qualify for their loyalty discount.

On a side note, I stumbled upon this link from another car forum regarding an upcoming GM fire sale.

GM Fire Sale

Sounds pretty good, but I am kind of leery of GM's fit and finish reputation (I think I might have to put on my flame-suit for that comment

)

Anyways, tell me what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

MCA

MongooseGA · 05-29-05, 09:07

I personally wouldn't buy a new GM right now, but that's just me.

Have you thought about a Nissan Sentra? I don't know what the Spec-V runs compared to a base model, but that'd definitely be a fun car to drive around.

Scion? Any kind of Toyota compact.

Shiny Lil Detlr · 05-29-05, 09:34

GM Fit and Finish aren't bad anymore, at least on the NEW models they have recently been comming out with. I'd say go check out a Chevy Cobalt LS; those can probably be had in the $14-15K range.

Lost Pup · 05-30-05, 06:53

Mazda, Honda, and Toyota do well over the long haul. I like the Camry and the Accord myself.

pigeonbus · 05-30-05, 07:00

Pre-owned Prius!

DontGetBit · 05-30-05, 08:03

How about a Saturn? They are very reliable and are not very expensive. I am looking for a beater to give my Cobra some relief and I may get a Saturn SC2 or SL2, but it will be used.

Accumulator · 05-30-05, 09:17

This isn't really my area of expertise to say the least

Heh heh, I buy a used cop cars for beaters. For that money you could get a nice '03 Crown Vic Police Interceptor.

But as inexpensive new cars go, IMO the Mazdas have a lot to offer. They are actually pleasant to operate, more than I can say for most inexpensive cars. Most of the inexpensive models I drive are rentals/loaners, but some of those have me all

after five minutes.

Buying new might give your wife some peace of mind reliability-wise compared to buying something that is, for whatever reason, up for sale. People often have a good reason, that you don't know about, for selling their cars

Just think about the Focus you'd like to get rid of...somebody is gonna buy *that* after you trade it in.

Lowejackson · 05-30-05, 09:31

Conversely, there are a lot of great cars for sale which have been loved and cared for - money no object. Great savings can also be made with high mileage, young cars. If a car has 70,000 miles and is a year or so old, it has had a very easy life. Many buyers are put off by high mileage cars but they are worth considering.

As for high petrol costs, we (UK) are paying over $5 per gallon

CarsFreak · 05-30-05, 10:20

I just paid about $27 for about 13 Gallons of Regular 87-Octane.
$2.09 was what I paid for per gallon.

For a beater, a used Corolla or Civic will do you good for many years.

beck27 · 05-30-05, 11:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiny Lil Detlr
GM Fit and Finish aren't bad anymore, at least on the NEW models they have recently been comming out with. I'd say go check out a Chevy Cobalt LS; those can probably be had in the $14-15K range.

Another vote for the Cobalt. Also look at the Saturn. That fire sale discount plus maybe some more cash rebate $$$ could get you a good deal.

Slackmeister · 05-30-05, 08:32

Quote:

Originally posted by MCA
We would like to stay under $15k, (sorry if that sounds cheap).

Anywhere near $15K for a 'beater' doesn't sound cheap to me.

92MX83 · 06-01-05, 12:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Slackmeister
Anywhere near $15K for a 'beater' doesn't sound cheap to me.

Yeah, no kidding!

Seriously, if reliability is your top priority, you need to take a serious look at a Certified Pre-Owned 2003-and-up Toyota Corolla. The driving experience may be a little bland, but if you want a bulletproof ownership experience, the Corolla may be the car for you. It is the first Toyota-badged Toyota built to Lexus specifications with respect to fit and finish, and is quite likely the highest-quality compact car sold in America. If you need more practicality, the Toyota Matrix (essentially a tall Corolla wagon) is an amazing little vehicle. The cars are well-engineered, solidly built, frugal with the gas, and basically won't do anything wrong.

Ours is a Toyota family; we've taken several (older) Corollas well past the 150,000-mile mark without any major problems (save for normal wear items), always ending up trading them in on another Corolla. If you need the car purely for utility, a Corolla/Matrix will suit your needs well, though again, when one thinks of a beater Corolla, usually what comes to mind is a 1980's or ealry 90's model.

Good luck to you!