I'm looking for a beater around $2000, I've been looking at civics, accords, camrys, etc... a lot of them seem to be overpriced for the HIGH mileage.
Anyone have any ideas for a beater in that price range that's still decent at relatively reliable?

Thanks!!!
Luke

 

Volvo 240/740! ftw ^_^

I'd also take a really good look at early 90's Maximas. those are gangsta classics

 

I don't see you getting into any of those cars in that price range, try more like $6000.

for 2k, ur gona hav to go domestic, cavaliers and escorts, they'll be newer and have less mileage, hopefully reliable.

don't rule out the koreans, kia and hyundai are not bad the looks will grown on you as a beater.

 

Mazda Protege. Corolla/Civic reliability without the Civic prices. Same is true to the Protege's Ford and Mercury badged sibs.

Unfortunately at your price point any car is a gamble. That new Hon-yota Malibu-Grand Prix may have a reputation for lasting for ever but the one YOU are looking has problems. The transmission was abused and the oil wasn't changed for 50,000 miles. Really at that point you should pay LOTS of attention to the condition of the car and how much it costs to repair. It really is a bit of a crap shoot.

 

I too went through a similar thought of getting a cheap beater (maybe to track as well) and the cars I was thinking about considering had to have good mileage, be cheap, have no rust, and be reliable. I ended up not gettting one due to money troubles and parking woes but here's the list.

MR2 Mark I
Miata
CRX
240Z
RX-7 FC (just sold mine for $1000 and it ran great as a commuter, just bad mpg)

Any of those would be lots of fun if the alignment is okay and it doesn't have a rendency to self-destruct. Happy hunting!

 

1995 - 1999 VQ30 Maxima. One of the best more reliablity engines out there. The 5spds are pretty quick. Very reliability and looks great. I have one as a beater [185,000 miles] and these things are built to last. Throw in a VQ35 [$1000] like I did and you have yourself a beast.

 

WOW Tell us some more! How hard is that swap?

 

How about an Eagle Talon?
They can be had for about $2500 (I want to say that's my limit)

 

honda's are to high priced

did a search for a nisson sentra 92-99 on autotrader.com and it came up with this.

the above is a 4example, you can search between years under a limited cost w/o specifying a make model just to get some initial ideas.

i went the honda last year thinking the iraq war would raise gas prices and got a 92 honda civic-vx with ~135K miles for $4.2 its a hatchy and i really like the looks and it gets respect. the engine, body and interror are in great shape. i get 40mpg.

 

If you buy a DSM (Talon/Eclipse/Laser) for $2500 it WILL need at least a few thousand dollars in repairs/maintenance in order for it to become a semi-reliable beater/DD. I played with the DSM's for many years and they can be very fun and fast cars if you know what you're doing and know exactly how to maintain them (helps if you can work on them too).

I'm in the same boat as you looking for a new beater and the prices of these used Civics are nuts! Even with high(er) mileage they are selling for a premium. I want something that is manual, 4-cyl, fairly reliable, and easy enough to work on. I've thought about getting another Talon b/c when (I didn't say "if") something breaks I know exactly how to fix it.