What's the perfect beater car?
#23
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Originally posted by flipman
Can anyone suggest the perfect beater car to use as a daily driver? To be used 100 miles a day, something that is fairly safe (395 drivers suck), has good mileage (I commute to dc), and i guess that's about it.
Can anyone suggest the perfect beater car to use as a daily driver? To be used 100 miles a day, something that is fairly safe (395 drivers suck), has good mileage (I commute to dc), and i guess that's about it.
If you want something similar to the S (RWD, good handling, similar weight balance, etc), an 1991-1994 Toyota MR2 non-turbo is nearly identical, infinately reliable (same engine as the aforementioned 4-cyl Toyota Forerunners) and mid-20 mpg mileage.
Performs very like an S w/o VTEC. (I'd avoid the Turbo's from the reliability perspective.)
They tend to run around $6000 for a low-mileage variety.
If you want top-down options and good mileage, a Miata would be an option.
If you REALLY want amazing mileage and lower ownership costs, the Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, Honda Hybrid Civic or Honda Civic HX all get around 60 mpg. They obviously cost much more considering used ones are only a couple years old at this point and not too many were sold (my local Honda dealer has sold more S's than Hybrids).
Of course, they're all front-wheel drive, but that's less of a liability in highway driving/commuting.
Hope this helps,
Randy
#30
For the daily humdrum I drive an absolutely stock 89 Prelude 2.0 si. Oxidized red paint & steel wheels, plastic hubcaps. Inside, a very clean interior & a great sound system cleverly concealed. Everything is in good working condition, even the AC. Runs great w/155K. This is the car I drive in the rain, or leave in the airport parking lot without separation anxiety.