Same here! I've had my 06 TL since new, and she still runs like a dream. I'm only at 105k since I haven't been driving much lately. At this rate, the TL may out last me.

 

Some of you have very different notions of what the word 'beater' means than most I know.

Also, an AWD Civic? Am I that unfamiliar with the range of options on those cars through the years?

My beater is an 175k mile '09 Infiniti G37xS sedan. AWD, 330hp (but a couple more due to freer flowing exhaust, hfc's and catback off a coupe spliced in). Nice yet grown up exhaust note. Did a conversion to the Akebono brake setup. Pieced together from stuff available on Amazon. Spent under $600 for the whole setup front and rear. Lowered slightly. Sport seats. Wheel mounted paddle shifters with rev match.

The drivetrain is a combo of 370Z and the AWD from the GTR. They didn't give you the sport suspension of the rwd G37S, and no manual available. But still fun and quite a car. Cheap and easy to find. Enjoys the snow.

 

This cars arent winter beaters. These are new cars.

I have a 1995 VW golf MK III, 1.6, 75 Hp, 2 valve engine. Extras: 5-Speed manual transmission, servo steering, driver seat hight adjustable. Thats it.
No airbags, no air conditon, no anti lock brakes, no power windows, no central loock. Gas cap with key.

That is a winter beater!

 

Winter? What is this winter you talk about? Here in S. Florida, I have a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee for Home Depot runs and my 2004 S2000 is happy to get out and about year-round!

 

 

If I beat it in winter and don’t wash it and frozen dog puke is easier to get off the leather after it freezes, do I have a winter beater?

 

I mean - "beater" car is a bit subjective. I do love my focus but it's an outdoor car. Lives a hard life on the street with salt, potential hit and run, etc. In contrast to the S which lives in the safety of my garage. If my focus gets wrecked or needs body work I don't sweat it - insurance will put it back to what it is now. They would have a harder time doing that with the S.

 

Like your style
2000 MY=1.0L 6n2 Polo 136k miles wax oiled from new,no rust,family owned from new<50 HP>

 

I had to look up what a Polo was - I don't think I've ever seen one in the U.S. That seems like the ideal winter beater.

 

I also question how people are defining "beaters". In my case, I bought my Subaru for $1700 with a blown turbo and nursed her back to health so I think she qualifies as a beater even though she still looks good.

As for civics, late 80's the civics had an AWD, wagon variant. You've probably seen them without realizing they were AWD. Apparently, they enjoy a somewhat cult following amongst Honda fanboys since they were the only civics to get AWD. A B, K-series can be swapped in but requires modifications...I don't get it. Mine was like the one below but much rustier, lol.