Beater car? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Everyday Chit Chat

Beater car?

[52 posts] [17 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 3 years ago by ches08
Latest reply from blammo

Tags:

No tags yet. Add them below.

12 3 Next »

ches08
Columbus
Login to Send PM

Hi, I currently have a Nissan 350z and after the experience last winter . . . I have realized that I need to park it and get a beater car for the winter. So I was wondering if anyone has or knows anyone who is looking to get rid of a clunker. The following are neccessary:
1)defroster
2)runs
3)windshield wipers
3)locks...of any type
it would be cool to have a heater, but not neccessary lol
I dont care about radios, a/c, electric windows, nothing.
it just has to run and get the windows defrosted.
I have looked on craigslist and found some around 400-700. So i dont want to spend more than that.
let me know!

Posted 3 years ago #
Motorist
The Trots
Login to Send PM

You might try getting a set of winter wheels for your Z. That will cover you for just about everything but a really heavy snow. Get a set of steel wheels with winter tires and swap them out in the late fall and early spring. A bit of a pain but it'll cost you less in the long run.
I don't know that any $500 car is going to be any safer for you or other people on the road.

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
Login to Send PM

get an old 4x4 with at leats 31" tires for your winter needs. Craigslist has tons of vehicles. but nothing under $1000 is going to be 100% reliable without putting more $ into it.
typically anything under $1000 is selling that low because the sellar doesn't want to put any more money into it. the exception is that once in a while if you pay attention a great deal will come up.
a 4x4 beater is great for winter, having the heater work in winter in a truck is a huge plus. went a couple winter months without a heater, will never do that again, my feet were freezing! heaters, hoses, and fans are cheap fixes anyways.
but in addition you will pay for your beater not only in purchase/title/tax costs, but in insurance and gas mileage costs.(beaters don't get good mpg)

Posted 3 years ago #
Hael

Login to Send PM

something to consider is that a "beater" car that cost under a grand could be more trouble than its worth in terms of stuff breaking or failing on it. How bad would it suck to have your car die on ya in the winter? Of course you could get lucky and spend $500 bucks on a car that runs great for a long time.
Its a crap shoot.
I'd go with the winter tire idea for that sweet 350 Z.

Posted 3 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
Login to Send PM

I'll second the notion on getting a good set of winter tires. They make an incredible difference and even though you are rear-wheel driven you should be able to drive confidently.
Look at the Bridgestone Blizzak or Dunlop Winter Sport M3. These will cost you around $800 but you will be in much better shape than having spent that money on a clunker. You are going to need tires for the clunker anyway.
Tires are the most important component of winter driving. And driving smart of course.

Posted 3 years ago #
drew

Login to Send PM

I'll add to the chorus in the 'winter tires' camp. My car came with serious performance tires and it was completely unusable in snow. Put on snow tires, and it outperformed my roommate's 4x4 (with all seasons) in the snow.

Posted 3 years ago #
Ndcent
OTE
Login to Send PM

I wish I had winter tires for my truck.
The 255/50-20 sport performance tires are like hover skis on top of snow.

Posted 3 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
Login to Send PM

Of course the downside to kickass tires on your 350z in the winter is that your awesome car is still vulnerable to the jerk in the Monte Carlo that couldn't be bothered to get snow tires, and thus slides through the intersection into you.
Having two cars is a commitment for sure, and you want to make sure that you don't just get a money pit. But it is liberating as hell to drive something in the winter that you really don't care if it gets dinged up.

Posted 3 years ago #
drew

Login to Send PM

blammo wrote Of course the downside to kickass tires on your 350z in the winter is that your awesome car is still vulnerable to the jerk in the Monte Carlo that couldn't be bothered to get snow tires, and thus slides through the intersection into you.
I agree. It's just that with a $400-$700 range for a beater, there's a good chance she's going to be buying a boatload of problems.
$1500-$2K, now that's a different story (maybe!).

Posted 3 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
Login to Send PM

Drew wrote
blammo wrote Of course the downside to kickass tires on your 350z in the winter is that your awesome car is still vulnerable to the jerk in the Monte Carlo that couldn't be bothered to get snow tires, and thus slides through the intersection into you.
I agree. It's just that with a $400-$700 range for a beater, there's a good chance she's going to be buying a boatload of problems.
$1500-$2K, now that's a different story (maybe!).
oh come on, I'm sure there's some great deals for under $700.
check this one out, nothing like arriving in style!
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/859158479.html

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
Login to Send PM

blammo wrote But it is liberating as hell to drive something in the winter that you really don't care if it gets dinged up.
:lol: the look on peoples' faces as their cars are sliding down the road into your (metal not fiberglass) car is priceless.
it's worth having a beater for me, it's fun to drive something you don't care (or are trying) to break.

Posted 3 years ago #
drew

Login to Send PM

blammo wrote check this one out, nothing like arriving in style!
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/859158479.html
Touche!

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
Login to Send PM

the black flames are HAWT!!
but nothing a can of primer couldn't fix. body work looks good (rear fenders) , and that is what normally is rotted out on an 82 ford.

Posted 3 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
Login to Send PM

lifeliberty wrote the black flames are HAWT!!
but nothing a can of primer couldn't fix.
Why would you cover up it's essence of awesome with primer??? :)

Posted 3 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
Login to Send PM

lifeliberty wrote the black flames are HAWT!!
but nothing a can of primer couldn't fix. body work looks good (rear fenders) , and that is what normally is rotted out on an 82 ford.
seriously, if that thing starts and stops reliably, you would own the winter. who wouldnt get the hell out of your way if you came barreling down a narrow icy street in that?
plus it's freaking hilarious. just paint AUDI QUATTRO on the side & you have one classy ride!

Posted 3 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
Login to Send PM

Also don't forget if you do get a second car both still have to be insured even if the other is just sitting .

Posted 3 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
Login to Send PM

blammo wrote plus it's freaking hilarious. just paint AUDI QUATTRO on the side & you have one classy ride!
Hey! Thats what I did to my car! :lol:

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
Login to Send PM

misskitty wrote Also don't forget if you do get a second car both still have to be insured even if the other is just sitting .
you can get a discounted rate if the sitting car doesn't get driven much in a year. I dont' drive the 4x4 much (gas prices) so the insurance on it is much cheaper than it normally would be. this is good for when you drive it intermittently.
or you can get different seasonal rate. e.g., Ted drives his corvette during the summer and fall, but stores it in his garage Nov 1-March 31 at which time only he only pays for comprehensive, not the collision and liability insurance he normally pays. but he can't drive the corvette during this time.
(true story, names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM

Does winter really get that bad here that we are talking beater cars for Columbus?
Maybe I just have a really warped sense of "winter".

Posted 3 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
Login to Send PM

lifeontwowheels wrote Does winter really get that bad here that we are talking beater cars for Columbus?
Maybe I just have a really warped sense of "winter".
Were you in town last March? It was awesome for the beater brigade!

Posted 3 years ago #