I'm looking for a winter beater, suggestions?

CVD · 08-24-2005

I havent looked for cheap cars in just about forever, so I'm not sure what to look for, and I'm not even sure that the cars I want are reliable.
I have a grand to spend on an AWD winter beater or a really kick ass FWD/RWD one like a sentra, civic, or RX7.
I'm not really having any luck on auto trader, anyone have any ideas where to find said deals or any leads on those kinds of cars?

**JET** · 08-24-2005

Dude, get a sentra! We have beat the snot out of mine all the damn time. I have put 34k miles on it between me and Andy, changed the oil once and the damn thing still runs great! I am definately sold on them now. If I was in the market for something like that I would get one hands down.

cars.com is great too. They have classifieds in there from the local papers all over the place. You can find some good deals on there.

At-Least-It's-An-Evo · 08-24-2005

Didn't you just buy one?

ABV · 08-24-2005

Check out these sites.

http://www.charitycarauctions.com/ This is where cars go when people donate them. I think there's a $100 fee to sign up for it, but if you can save a couple hundred over what you might pay otherwise, it might be worth it.

Also check out http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/. There's a cars+trucks section, where you might find a good deal. It's all in the twin cities area too.

**JET** · 08-24-2005

Charity car auctions has gotten crazy with thier fees. You buy a car, but there ends up being $250 worth of fees on top of the price you pay. That is actually where the sentra and by blazer came from, but the fees were less back then. It's not a real good deal anymore.

**Goat Blower** · 08-24-2005

That's about what the dealer auctions charge as well. The buyer and seller both pay a fee based on car price, from $100-$300.

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

Charity car auctions has gotten crazy with thier fees. You buy a car, but there ends up being $250 worth of fees on top of the price you pay. That is actually where the sentra and by blazer came from, but the fees were less back then. It's not a real good deal anymore.

FORSFED · 08-24-2005

I'd sell you that old white one back if I didn't still need it!!

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 08-24-2005

Buy my monte for 1k and fix it. If I fixed whatever this stupid electrical issues was ( could just be a ground, dont know yet) and put a new thermo stat in, it could be worth 2500 easy.

Worst case - has a stupid oil leak
- might need a battery and / or alternator
- Gets a little warm at lights, probably the thermostat

Has 170k miles so the rear struts and shocks are pretty gay but they work. The car runs / drives great. Cold air, Hot heat, everything works. Dont really know what I'm going to do with it. I get my dsm back this weekend, and I will pimp that this winter. Fuck this car, I dont know shit about GMs.

EclipseGST · 08-24-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

I have put 34k miles on it between me and Andy, changed the oil once and the damn thing still runs great!

LMFAO!!! That is priceless. Gotta love winter beaters. I swear the shitty cars we have and beat the shit out of last longer than our nice cars that we have and try to take care of.

blageo23 · 08-24-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by EclipseGST

LMFAO!!! That is priceless. Gotta love winter beaters. I swear the shitty cars we have and beat the shit out of last longer than our nice cars that we have and try to take care of.

SOOOO true!!! My "nice car" still doesnt work right. And my beater hasnt fallen apart yet. But back to topic, You can buy my sweet grand prix! $1500
Mike

dsm95gsxer · 08-24-2005

I have access to a 92 1.8 eclipse 5spd if you are inerested $600 plus tax,title and license. The car is really solid only one rust spot on the front fender where they usually rust.

JustROLLIN · 08-24-2005

I gotta agree with Jet 100% on this one. Those Sentras will stand up to SERIOUS punishment and keep coming back. I would put them right there with the Civics as far as taking abuse and still working fine. I can think of 3 or 4 Sentras that were terribly abused and still ran fine. Would be my choice as well.

**JET** · 08-25-2005

Yeah, a few of you have seen how we treat the sentra on the way back from the bar. The E-brake on the thing is awesome! The passenger always gets to run the E-brake

CVD · 08-25-2005

I have zero interest in a DSM unless it is a bone stock AWD running like a top for a grand, which wont happen.
I would love to find something like a 323 GTX but I would deffinately go for a Sentra.
The Sentra would be great because it would probably fit my Miata snow tires.

DSMPARTSGURU · 08-25-2005

have a galant gs dohc....

for sale cheap was my winter beater, just need to get something for the wife to drive, brand new snow tires on it ...

cc

slowHonduh · 08-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by At-Least-It's-White

Didn't you just buy one?

Thinking the same thing

Steeltwo · 08-26-2005

OMG a BROUGHAM

worth every penny

those cars are DIRTY cheap. Probly worth it.

**Kracka** · 08-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeltwo

OMG a BROUGHAM

worth every penny

those cars are DIRTY cheap. Probly worth it.

That has manual transmission and good gas mileage written all over it

CVD · 08-26-2005

I've got a list of cars I will consider. If any of the listed cars are a shitty idea for a reliable winter beater let me know.

Nissan Sentra
Nissan Maxima
Volkswagon
Honda Civic
Honda CRX
Mazda Protege
Mazda 323
AWD Audi
BMW
Volvo
Saab
AWD Subaru

**JET** · 08-26-2005

Ditch the Saab for sure. Also the volvo, bmw, and audi's in that price range will probably be junk. The rest look good though. I'll keep my eye out for ya. I hear about a lot of cheap stuff.