Do you have a beater car & a weekend car?

[Kroze]

If so, let me see pic of your beater car and why did you buy it?

Was it worth it to get a beater car for the gas "benefit" it provide? Considering the fact that the cost of the car + monthly insurance? IE. trying to save $20 a month on gas by buying a $2k car + $50/month insurance?

I'm thinking about getting a beater car for work. something i don't really care if someone dent, damage, scratch, break into.

 

[Excelsior]

Kind of, but my daily isn't much of a 'beater'.

Do you already have a weekend car? What is it? (just curious)

Most have a beater+weekend because they don't want to put wear on the weekend car or it isn't comfortable enough for commuting.

 

[alkemyst]

I like those that have their daily driver and 'weekend warrior' and both are POS.

 

[mztykal]

I have a fixed up '03 mr-s and I've been looking for a civic for a daily driver. Too much wear and tear on my mr2.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i have a DD/fun car and a motorcycle.

car: 2010 hyundai genesis coupe R-spec 2.0T
bike: 2009 yamaha FZ6R

 

[ShawnD1]

Was it worth it to get a beater car for the gas "benefit" it provide? Considering the fact that the cost of the car + monthly insurance? IE. trying to save $20 a month on gas by buying a $2k car + $50/month insurance?

If the beater burns less gas, I'm assuming you're talking about driving a little shitbox econo car to work while you have a BMW M3 sitting at home. Why would anyone do this? I thought the whole point of having a nice car was so you didn't need to drive shitty cars


I've seen something like this before but it's usually reversed. The daily driver is a nice compact car while their utility vehicle is a beat up Ford F150 with no air conditioner. The one used more often should be more comfortable, IMO.

 

[Kroze]

If the beater burns less gas, I'm assuming you're talking about driving a little shitbox econo car to work while you have a BMW M3 sitting at home. Why would anyone do this? I thought the whole point of having a nice car was so you didn't need to drive shitty cars


I've seen something like this before but it's usually reversed. The daily driver is a nice compact car while their utility vehicle is a beat up Ford F150 with no air conditioner. The one used more often should be more comfortable, IMO.

Because if you're working in the most dangerous city in america (camden, nj), you need a beater car.

 

[ShawnD1]

Because if you're working in the most dangerous city in america (camden, nj), you need a beater car.

Yikes. The whole town should be nuked if the crime is so bad that you can't be safe driving a relatively ok car


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden,_New_Jersey#Crime

Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Camden was the third-most dangerous city in the U.S. during 2002, and has been ranked the nation's most dangerous city in 2004, 2005 and 2009.[53] "Most dangerous city" is based on crime statistics in six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft.
City Councilman Ali Sloan-El, responding to 2004 news about the 2003 statistics, cites Camden's poverty as an important contributing factor to its high crime rate. The demographic data from the Census indicates about a third of the city's residents live below the poverty line.

fuuuuuuuuck. I hope you carry a gun to work. And pepper spray. And a second gun.
Just make sure that beater is in tip top shape. Look like shit but never ever break down. Break down means you die!

 

[Kroze]

Yikes. The whole town should be nuked if the crime is so bad that you can't be safe driving a relatively ok car


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden,_New_Jersey#Crime

fuuuuuuuuck. I hope you carry a gun to work. And pepper spray. And a second gun.
Just make sure that beater is in tip top shape. Look like shit but never ever break down. Break down means you die!

Sheesh!!! lol.

Cars constantly getting broken in and i'm afraid my car is next. They smash the window and grab whatever.

 

[ShawnD1]

Sheesh!!! lol.

Cars constantly getting broken in and i'm afraid my car is next. They smash the window and grab whatever.

Depending on what kind of crime is going on, it might be best to keep your door unlocked.

I remember one of my class mates had his truck broken into and his radio stolen. The radio was worth like $50. Fixing the damage they did to the door and replacing the driver side window was a lot closer to $500.
Around that area, jacking stereos was very common but taking the vehicle was not, so leaving it unlocked would work a lot better. If people steal the whole car then god damn I don't know. Maybe disconnect the battery so it doesn't work then leave the door unlocked?

 

[jlee]

I have a winter car and a summer car...no beater, but I live in a pretty safe area.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My "beater" car or daily commuter anyway.

My weekend "car"

 

[CRXican]

Yes I do. It's a bit silly. Taking care of two cars can be a pain.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have an 89 dodge caravan turbo I bought for $800 10 years ago as a beater and a 95 mazda miata as my autox/fun car. I usually drive the miata though since it gets better mileage but damn the van is handy to have around. The van is completely worthless and cost me around $400 a year in insurance and taxes so it really isn't a big deal to keep it.

 

[CurseTheSky]

My DD is a 2008 Fusion SE V6. My weekend car (well, not on the road yet) is a 1966 Mustang V8.

The DD isn't a beater, but the weekend car won't be comfortable enough, reliable enough, good enough in weather, or cheap enough (fuel) to drive everywhere. The rumble when I start it up from time to time makes it all worth it, though.

 

[MovingTarget]

1997 Cavalier (220k mi)
1987 Caprice (15k +x*100k mi. x=?)

Which is which? Both are in decent condition. The Caprice is undergoing a slow restoration as all the mechanical stuff has been fixed or rebuilt (paint/body is next). The Cavalier is pretty heavily used but everything still works. Unless the engine seizes, it should last me until 300k.

 

[jme5343]

Just beaters here, an '02 Chevy Venture w/ 150k and a 91 Chevy 1500 4x4 w/ 150k.

Could I afford new? Yes. But why? These are reliable, can do anything I need, and I don't care if they get scratched, dirty, hit, etc. I've driven new, but driving crap is so much easier. And if it breaks down? AAA.

 

[zoiks]

Daily -- 1990 240sx.
Weekender -- 2008 G37 Coupe. Black with all options.

 

[Harrod]

I have 2 beaters, a 2000 saab 9-5 aero wagon, and a 1994 integra. I like the saab better, but I like the fact that the integra is a relatively cheap car to fix.

 

[RichieZ]

beater: 1999 Camry LE w/ 125K miles, my sister gave me her old car. took this to college out in chicago and brought it back. I used to commute 76mi/day round trip in this thing from SF down to Mountain View.

weekend/fun/track car: 2008 Boxster

 

[goobernoodles]

I currently drive an '02 accord - which was notorious for their exploding slushboxes.

I'm strongly considering trading it in for a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 as a DD. The thing offers more utility for what I want to do (get a dog, mountain biking), as well as more durability.

I'm looking into getting a sports car in addition - just trying to find something that isn't going to totally break the bank on insurance alone. I was looking at 350z's however the insurance is astronomical.

The main benefit for me is that the neighborhood I work in is fairly industrial, and the streets are full of potholes. Between that, and the day-to-day grind of commuting to and from work; I'd just rather have a vehicle I don't mind "beating" on. I really miss the piece of mind of driving a relative piece of crap vehicle. Only downside is the 4.0 would get crappy gas mileage and is an obvious step down in comfort.

 

[lavaheadache]

2001 Gti VR6 with a stage 2 supercharger kit --- fun car

2002 A4 1.8t quattro--- daily

2007 suzuki hayabusa --- Nut bag ride

 

[Spicedaddy]

2007 GTI, only car.

I almost kept my 1994 GTI with 1.8T swap as a beater, but just sold it. I know I'll probably regret it down the line, but I got a decent amount of money for it.

Ideal setup would be an AWD wagon or SUV for winter and carrying stuff around, and a Porsche 911 for summer. Some day...

 

[goobernoodles]

Ideal setup would be an AWD wagon or SUV for winter and carrying stuff around, and a Porsche 911 for summer. Some day...

Word.

 

[simonizor]

Depending on what kind of crime is going on, it might be best to keep your door unlocked.

I remember one of my class mates had his truck broken into and his radio stolen. The radio was worth like $50. Fixing the damage they did to the door and replacing the driver side window was a lot closer to $500.
Around that area, jacking stereos was very common but taking the vehicle was not, so leaving it unlocked would work a lot better. If people steal the whole car then god damn I don't know. Maybe disconnect the battery so it doesn't work then leave the door unlocked?

Design some sort of quick disconnect cable system for your battery so you can take the cables off and take them with you. Simply disconnecting the cables wouldn't necessarily stop the crook, although I doubt that they're going to take the time to pop the hood and check the battery cables if they're trying to steal your car quickly.. lol

Back on topic, there are plenty of reasons for having a beater car and a nice car to show off. Around here, we pretty much refer to them as "winter beaters," not "weekday beaters" because the counties use a lot of salt on the roads that will eat your car's body like nothing unless you're taking it in for a wash 2-3 times a week. A lot of people have crappy looking 4x4 trucks to drive around in the winter.