What are best "beater" cars?

[basketsbears]

To add my 2 cents, I am a diesel lover. Had 7 VW's . I'm at 220K now and still getting an overall 40 mpg. We have a farm and off road diesel runs well. Anything after 2003 is a very nice engine of a completely different design.

I am off subject I know, but if you can find a cheap Jetta diesel, they are relatively trustworthy forever. One caveat with ALL cars: Find out when or if the timing belt has been changed. 100K is the absolutely critical to have it changed. If it breaks on most engines, you will blow the engine. NO valve clearance with TDC.

Beaters are all over our neighborhood as people are hurting to sell off extra stuff. Buy from an individual and never pay the top price. Cash is king. 'Hub

Thanks for the information on the timing belt. I had seen on CL where people had mentioned when the belt was changed, did not know it was such a big deal.

Thanks!

[basketsbears]

Hey Lynne, no prob but I can't quite answer as we don't have the car yet. Just bought it, hoping to pick it up in a day or two. Our mechanic said don't get anything before 90. But my friend with the 82 has hers for sale, can barely stand to part with it - it got all her kids thru school, has 270K and still going strong. They are asking 1800 and I was seriously considering it. Then I found this one, 10 years newer for 3500, guy promises it will go another 100k and he has a good rep. I hope it works out. Would LOVE to have something newer but it just isn't in the cards right now. Maybe some day.

I was offered an '01 Accord for a little less cash- but they are notorious for transmission probs, and I really like the idea of all the metal around my kid. So we went with this instead.

As far as I know it takes regular gas. We weren't told it doesn't.

I'm so excited for you!!! Keep me posted.

[keepsmiling]

So for Volvo - is it better for newer ones, like 1992's and after?

If I'm being too personal please excuse question, but how much was your Volvo? Is the 240/brick the most reliable, without the electrical problems? Can it use regular unleaded?

I am also maybe considering some type of mini-van as I have 3 grandsons that I take around from time to time.

Thanks!

Lynn

Hey Lynne, no prob but I can't quite answer as we don't have the car yet. Just bought it, hoping to pick it up in a day or two. Our mechanic said don't get anything before 90. But my friend with the 82 has hers for sale, can barely stand to part with it - it got all her kids thru school, has 270K and still going strong. They are asking 1800 and I was seriously considering it. Then I found this one, 10 years newer for 3500, guy promises it will go another 100k and he has a good rep. I hope it works out. Would LOVE to have something newer but it just isn't in the cards right now. Maybe some day.

I was offered an '01 Accord for a little less cash- but they are notorious for transmission probs, and I really like the idea of all the metal around my kid. So we went with this instead.

As far as I know it takes regular gas. We weren't told it doesn't.

[AngelinaCatHub]

To add my 2 cents, I am a diesel lover. Had 7 VW's . I'm at 220K now and still getting an overall 40 mpg. We have a farm and off road diesel runs well. Anything after 2003 is a very nice engine of a completely different design.

I am off subject I know, but if you can find a cheap Jetta diesel, they are relatively trustworthy forever. One caveat with ALL cars: Find out when or if the timing belt has been changed. 100K is the absolutely critical to have it changed. If it breaks on most engines, you will blow the engine. NO valve clearance with TDC.

Beaters are all over our neighborhood as people are hurting to sell off extra stuff. Buy from an individual and never pay the top price. Cash is king. 'Hub

[AngelinaCat]

Ours used regular unleaded gas. There was no problem with that. The fuel pump went out; it had been changed about two years before we got it. I can't say how well it did on gas mileage. The trip odometer was broken.

Some of the 'pros' of this car was that it was very attractive looking. It was also very sturdy and safe. It drove well and did have cup holders. It also had seat warmers. The 'cons' were the wiring, fuses, and the fact that the interior plastic was very brittle (time and the ultra-violet light from the sun) and cracked and broke with the slightest little tap.

ETA: This car had belonged to 'Hub's daughter, and to a doctor before that. She was selling it because they had gotten a newer car and this one was extra. She was originally going to sell it for 3K or best offer. When 'Hub expressed interest, they agreed on $1,500. She said she had never had any trouble with the car. But we certainly did.

[basketsbears]

Thanks AC. Apparently Volvo went thru a period of using biodegradable materials in their wiring for a while and they were notorious for igniting. Ours is a 92; by then they had come to their senses or so I have been told.

I don't have a quote for the insurance yet but now I am worried. I really hope ours won't be higher than my old van. KBB says one of the pros is that they are cheap to insure. Con? No cupholders. LOL.....

There are entire websites devoted to "brick" enthusiasts. These people just adore these cars. I'm hoping we'll be new converts. The seller is a local guy who specializes in fixing them up and reselling . He's supposed to be very fair and knowledgeable. I like the safety factor for my ds. Bloody thing weighs a couple of tons, really built like a tank.

So for Volvo - is it better for newer ones, like 1992's and after?

If I'm being too personal please excuse question, but how much was your Volvo? Is the 240/brick the most reliable, without the electrical problems? Can it use regular unleaded?

I am also maybe considering some type of mini-van as I have 3 grandsons that I take around from time to time.

Thanks!

Lynn

[keepsmiling]

Thanks AC. Apparently Volvo went thru a period of using biodegradable materials in their wiring for a while and they were notorious for igniting. Ours is a 92; by then they had come to their senses or so I have been told.

I don't have a quote for the insurance yet but now I am worried. I really hope ours won't be higher than my old van. KBB says one of the pros is that they are cheap to insure. Con? No cupholders. LOL.....

There are entire websites devoted to "brick" enthusiasts. These people just adore these cars. I'm hoping we'll be new converts. The seller is a local guy who specializes in fixing them up and reselling . He's supposed to be very fair and knowledgeable. I like the safety factor for my ds. Bloody thing weighs a couple of tons, really built like a tank.

[AngelinaCat]

I will be interested how you like your Volvo. I have seen some of them and old Mercedes on CL. They look nice, and I thought they were to be like a tank. I have been concerned that they may have to take premium gas though. Does yours?

Keep me posted!

When the so-called friend blew up my Pontiac, 'Hub bought me a 1990 4 door sedan Volvo 740. It had been well maintained and the service records came with it. It was 'loaded' and drove nice. But to us, it was a nightmare. For one thing, the insurance on a 1990 Volvo was far more than what it had been for a 1993 Pontiac.

Volvos are notorious for wiring problems and this one was no exception. It blew Fuse #5 right off, and Fuse #5 controls almost everything. But not everything. There is something like 28 different fuses in it.

'Hub is very 'handy' and can work on cars, but he became very stymied and frustrated by this beast. Then the fuel pump went out and stranded me in the middle of a busy highway. With that, we had had enough, and sold it as 'a collection of parts' for $500.00, to be towed away. The guy who bought it, apparently 'clicked' with it, because it has been repaired, and we have seen it on the road a couple of times...

Good luck with yours....

[basketsbears]

We just bought a Volvo 240 "brick". They are supposed to last virtually forever. A friend is still driving an 82. Wish me luck!

I will be interested how you like your Volvo. I have seen some of them and old Mercedes on CL. They look nice, and I thought they were to be like a tank. I have been concerned that they may have to take premium gas though. Does yours?

Keep me posted!

[basketsbears]

Toyotas & Hondas have good, solid reputations - and that tends to mean they demand a higher price. One tip: The Pontiac Vibe is a Toyota Matrix. Same body, made in the Toyota plant, just minor differences in the trim package. And the Vibe is well rated, gets good gas mileage. I believe around 2000-2004 they also made a Chevy that was the same body/plant as the Toyota Corolla.

This is kind of common these days. Such as the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse/Buick Enclave are all the same vehicle. (There was a Saturn of it too but its no longer made and I can't recall the model.) But different price levels depending on the make. Wouldn't recommend these, as they're huge SUVs but its an example.

I have heard that about the Honda's and Toyotas. I have been looking at them on CL. Thanks!

[keepsmiling]

We just bought a Volvo 240 "brick". They are supposed to last virtually forever. A friend is still driving an 82. Wish me luck!

[SMinGA2]

Toyotas & Hondas have good, solid reputations - and that tends to mean they demand a higher price. One tip: The Pontiac Vibe is a Toyota Matrix. Same body, made in the Toyota plant, just minor differences in the trim package. And the Vibe is well rated, gets good gas mileage. I believe around 2000-2004 they also made a Chevy that was the same body/plant as the Toyota Corolla.

This is kind of common these days. Such as the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse/Buick Enclave are all the same vehicle. (There was a Saturn of it too but its no longer made and I can't recall the model.) But different price levels depending on the make. Wouldn't recommend these, as they're huge SUVs but its an example.

[AngelinaCat]

We picked up a honey of a 1989 Chrysler New Yorker that was a one owner car with about 90,000 miles on it, for $1,500. The owner had died, and the relatives didn't want it. It worked great, and had cold A/C. Unfortunately, the person we loaned it to, didn't appreciate it, and wrecked it.

Another time I bought a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE at an auction for $800.00. It also had only about 95,000, ran well, and had cold A/C. I drove it for four years. Then we lent that car to another friend, that didn't appreciate it and wrecked it. Which also wrecked our so-called friendship.

We are officially out of the car-lending business....

[ValleYum]

How do you look up a carfax?

Just go to carfax.com . You can buy packages to check 1 vin # up to unlimited (within a time period). It will tell you about accidents, title changes, etc. Good stuff to know.

[HHM]

Only the 2002 year?

The Protege 5 was made for only 2 years, I couldn't remember the other, I believe it was 2003. In any event. it is the one you can typically get for $5k or under.