Just BEAT it!

[sykikchimp]

So, I'm looking into buying a beater. Something I've been long overdue for. Finally I should be able to really make the 240 into what I want.

Now, what do you guys use for beaters/daily drivers? What would you like to use? Maybe throw out some opinions on what would be good for me since we all obviously have similar tastes..

I need something MAX $12,000. Something comfortable with a back seat, good power and a 5-speed. Gotta be reliable. Something with good performance, so I won't want to mod it ( a lot). I was thinking E36 M3, but was also considering maybe a 98-2000 Mazda Millenia, or a late model G20t.. so pretty broad spectrum.

Let hear'em boys!

[Sil Beer S13]

I use a 91 Toyota cressida. Good car very comfortable.

[biggie]

Yo, Charles. Couple people around selling their used Spec V's under 12K. Check out CN.com (haven't seen you on there in a while).

lata

[sykikchimp]

Yo, Charles. Couple people around selling their used Spec V's under 12K. Check out CN.com (haven't seen you on there in a while).

lata


Since my w0man drives a spec-v, I'd prefer not to drive the same car. Although it has been pretty good to her.

[AKADriver]

'01-'03 Protege ES or Protege5.

You only get 130hp, but the steering and suspension will spoil you on all other economy cars.

My only gripes about the car are a relatively squishy brake pedal, a very long-throw shifter, and an oddball tire size. It's all cheaply fixable (the tire size just limits selection, but the selection is still good). I think the brake pedal is the fault of the optional ABS/EBD system my car has - I'd avoid it if you can.

My car has been completely trouble-free thus far, but it only has 29,000 miles on it. The only part I've had to replace was the rear seat, and that was my own stupid fault (an oil container I was taking to the dump leaked in the hatch, my car stank for a month... thank heavens it was the motor oil and not the gear lube).

An '03 is probably out of your price range, but my '02 was $13k out the door last spring from a dealer. Dealer value is about $11.5k now. ES sedans are cheaper, especially with a 5-speed if you can find one.

Impress the kiddies with your factory bright red strut tower brace!

[sykikchimp]

I was seriously contemplating the protege5. I always like the way they looked too. Much better imo than the new 3 hatch. they are hideous.

[pruto]

i'd get a SC300, you can find those at around 10-12k

[sciamop]

Chipped 2001 Jetta 1.8t

Todd
93 Coupe

[SlideStar]

SR20det powered 1990 NISSAN PULSAR GTi AWD :eek:
http://aaimg.autoserver.co.jp/Photos/5B/5B08301834F.jpg
For under 5k? thats one hot winter beater!!

[Jung918]

GC8. Pre 2002 wrx.

[AlligatorBling]

If your plans are for the 240 as far as your ultimate goal, and want a daily driver for to and fro, i say check out consumers report guide and get the best mpg car with the best rating for power and reliably, whatever that may be. As far as your 12,000 max, dude. you can find a daily beater that will last you prob 100500 or or more miles for A LOT, a WHOLE fuckin lot less than 12,000 bucks.... spend your money wisely. And also, remember what a to and fro car is for.

[sykikchimp]

As far as your 12,000 max, dude. you can find a daily beater that will last you prob 100500 or or more miles for A LOT, a WHOLE fuckin lot less than 12,000 bucks.... spend your money wisely. And also, remember what a to and fro car is for.


indeed, these are wise words.

[Var]

dubya are ex or are es

[nrcooled]

I just picked up an EG hatch for the daily duties. $1500 bucks, great gas milage, the hatch can suprisingly swallow just about anything you throw at it, and you get the "honda reliability". The thing is dirt slow but is still fun to drive non-the-less.

I am in the process of picking up a b16 and droping it in to get a bit more pick-up. I am going to slowly mod it to a conservative level

Pros:

small cheap tires
great gas mileage
tons of hauling space
87 octane
resonably confortable for me (6' tall)
very low entry price

Cons:

Small for anyone over 6'
Everyone wants to steal these things
no luxury (I have a CX)
91 HP :lol:
could possibly be a money pit (if I start modding)

[MakotoS13]

my ranger has been really good to me. at 103K the sucker runs smooth as silk and with 190ftlbs of tq she ain't too timid in traffic. mine's a 3.0 5spd

a 4.0 5spd ranger with limited slip is pretty nice to have :)

[sykikchimp]

I'm definately considering a small truck. High utility, and decent gas mileage. Maybe an S-10, sonoma, or a Frontier. I used to drive an 85' nissan truck, and I had a blast in that thing.

The EG chatch is something I thought about, but civics are small. I need to be comfortable. I really like the SC300 idea. A 95 or 96 5-spd sc300 would be cool I think.

[574-240sx]

My winter beater is a 97 maxima SE 5-speed. Its a fun car. Its also great realiability. Makes a great year round car. Fun to drive when the 240 is broke. You can pick them fairly cheap too.

[s13driver]

subaru legacy....

[kandyflip445]

Sc400. V8!

[sykikchimp]

SC400 v8 is awesome, but it comes in Auto only.. :(

I'm going to look at an SC300 this weekend.

SC300 on Autotrader (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=170408916&dealer_id=&car_year=1996&make=LEXUS&distance=25&max_price=&model=SC300&advcd_on=n&end_year=1996&min_price=&address=28277&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1996&color=&cardist=12)

what do you guys think? only 57,000 miles. Guy uses it as his weekend toy, and he's selling cause he needs a truck. Says it's immaculate inside and out except for one small dent in the rear quarterpanel (no paint chip though). He says dent wizard quoted $90 to remove (which I think is their standard fee for 1st dent.)

I think he's asking a little much for it. If I like it, I plan on low balling him for like 11-11.5K and go from there.

[biggie]

That's a good find, but those things are just too expensive because of the lexus name.

Oh, there is a very good looking white 240 vert in Wilkesboro I saw. Looked in perfect condition. Although if you're like me you'd have to change some things on it and you'd have 2 project cars. But I'd love a vert as a daily.

[Rennen]

Finally I should be able to really make the 240 into what I want.


Tow Vehicle: Ford F250 or Dodge Ram + trailer


Keeping a track car streetable is no fun.

-Matt

[sykikchimp]

but daily driving an f250 isn't very fun either..

[thx247]

Tow vehicle....isn't it obvious?

Buy a cheap truck, trailer, park the 240 on the trailer, truck in the garage, honda-uber-wagon-beater in the street.

When you say beater- I see $2,000 4 door honda accord.

When you say less than $12,000 - I think anything thats QUIET inside. Doesn't matter what it is as long as I don't have to hear anything outside the car. (No rattley exhaust, balljoints, subframe spacers, hatch latch bullshit) Just peace and quiet.

[MakotoS13]

you can't beat a ranger 3.0 5spd for reliability and comfort

[sykikchimp]

Tow vehicle....isn't it obvious?

Buy a cheap truck, trailer, park the 240 on the trailer, truck in the garage, honda-uber-wagon-beater in the street.

When you say beater- I see $2,000 4 door honda accord.

When you say less than $12,000 - I think anything thats QUIET inside. Doesn't matter what it is as long as I don't have to hear anything outside the car. (No rattley exhaust, balljoints, subframe spacers, hatch latch bullshit) Just peace and quiet.


BAH.. I want my cake, and I wanna eat it too!!! Eventually, I plan to own a truck, a luxury dd, the 240 track monster w/matching trailer, and maybe a boat. Maybe 2 DD's like an M3, and corvette or something If I ever become rich. lol. :)

[019]

an sc300 would be sweet, but no performance there, hehe. i'd recommend a 1995 or so q45 and a 2000 s70 t5. if you want luxury, q45 is my pick. only drawback is shitty gas mileage from that v8. the s70 is a perfect blend of power and luxury. my roommate has one as a daily and it's pretty damn comfortable with good gas mileage. on top of that it's turbo ;)

[thx247]

Isn't it obvious?

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/52699206.html

Just live at the track.

What about a Subaru RS?

[Var]

How about an E30 M3?

Or a low mileage cressida if you can find one.

[Dream240]

My girl has a 2002 Protege 4-door. Good little car, looks cool, got some pretty good pep....pretty quiet and comfy. Great gas mileage. Probably find one for about 6000.

Just a suggestion.

[sykikchimp]

lol, "pep" is the word you give a car when it "suprisingly doesn't suck as bad as you think". lol

E30's are maintenance hogs, and if I got a 240, I would want to mod it.

The s70 is an excellent idea. Are Volvo's pretty reliable? It seems most german cars are heavy maintenance. And it's wrong wheel drive.. :(

6.2 sec - 60 is pretty nice though. :0)

[SlideStar]

Isn't it obvious?
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/52699206.html
Just live at the track.


:rawk: Thats an awesome idea! Not what he had in mind, but still awesome!

[PinkPanther]

[QUOTE=sykikchimp]The s70 is an excellent idea. Are Volvo's pretty reliable? It seems most german cars are heavy maintenance. And it's wrong wheel drive.. :( [QUOTE]

Volvos are from the land of Sweden. I recommend the Sc300; lexus luxury and Toyota reliability. Plus it's a more comfortable and lazy version of the Supra.

[PinkPanther]

you'd probably be tempted to mod the SC though :-/

[jsr20det]

Get a maxima. Its exactly what you described.

[019]

volvo's aren't as bad as ppl think. my roommate's is holding up really well, as well as a couple other friend's. the best part about the s70 is the fact that they can be made fast easily, heh. we put a chip in my roommate's and now it's a highway monster. but yea, fwd does suck... you could always get the awd turbo version, haha

[sykikchimp]

you'd probably be tempted to mod the SC though :-/

I haven't even gone to look at the sc yet, but I've been looking into mods..

..it's a disease...

[upSLIDEdown]

When I think of a beater, I think of something very inexpensive...spending 12k on a beater is absurd...you could spend 5k MAX and have a very nice DD and another 7k to put into the 240...also depends on where you live...here, we have snow in the winter and the 240 doesn't go anywhere but sideways...lol. So if you have snowy winters at all, I'd recommend something 4 wheel drive...at the very least, (God help me for saying this...) Wrong wheel drive. I just bought a winter beater...93 Geo Tracker 4x4 with a removeable hardtop, 3 inch body lift and 31x10.50 tires. It was originally "Magenta Metallic" (nicer way to say pink), but the previous owner was going to paint it blue, but only got to the front end. I picked the multicolored monster up for $800!!! It's almost ready for battle. It's all sanded and ready for..........


HERCULINER!!

Yep, tomorrow, I'm going to be putting roll on bedliner over the entire truck, it will be my indestructable snowmobile. I wanted something that will go anywhere and be maintinence free. All it will need is a good hosing off with a pressure washer at a car wash...

Anyway, sorry for the long post, got carried away...

Buy something cheap (not necessarily $800, that was just a good deal) but at least under 5k...spend the rest on the 240!

Bryan

[carnal_c30]

1997-1999 Nissan Maxima anywhere from 6-10k or so awesome reliable car (I have one)
Lexus SC300- 2jz-g(t)e.... nuff said... :bowdown:
Lexus SC400- 1uz-fe.... nuff said... I own one, time for me to sell her because I dont have a garage anymore... the best car I've ever owned

[019]

When I think of a beater, I think of something very inexpensive...spending 12k on a beater is absurd...you could spend 5k MAX and have a very nice DD and another 7k to put into the 240...also depends on where you live...here, we have snow in the winter and the 240 doesn't go anywhere but sideways...lol. So if you have snowy winters at all, I'd recommend something 4 wheel drive...at the very least, (God help me for saying this...) Wrong wheel drive.

i don't think it's absurb to spend 12k on a beater. at least you get to drive a nice comfortable car rather than a beat up car. but yes, a beater can be either something cheap that runs, allowing you to spend more money on the car. charles said that he watned something nice and comfortable. just depends on your budget. personally, i haven't had problems with my 240 in the snow. snow tires make all the difference.

[sciamop]

I haven't even gone to look at the sc yet, but I've been looking into mods..

..it's a disease...

SC300 + JDM Soarer VVT-i 1JZ-GTE + 5spd conversion would make a fantastic daily driver. The VVT-i JZ engines are supposed to have an incredibly sweet torque curve.

It kinda looks like an S13 coupe from the back too.

Todd
93 Coupe

[docrice]

When i saw beater, i thought of my 1987 plymouth voyager minivan.....the 193k miles baby blue box on wheels that makes me love my car so much more. But how can i complain, it seats 7 and lets me get around in the snow without a worry....plus it holds lots of cool stuff, like engines :) or 4 wheelers....

[PinkPanther]

:keke: so how many transmissions has your "beater" gone through, eh?

[019]

SC300 + JDM Soarer VVT-i 1JZ-GTE + 5spd conversion would make a fantastic daily driver. The VVT-i JZ engines are supposed to have an incredibly sweet torque curve.

It kinda looks like an S13 coupe from the back too.

Todd
93 Coupe

hehe, how about sc300 + turbo? my friend makes 2jz manifold and he himself has an sc300 with a 62-1. dynoe'd at around 340 rwhp. too bad it's an automatic.... 5 spd is a must!

did all soarers come with vvt-i 1jz's? my friend has an actual soarer and it's pretty damn quick with just an exhaust and automatic

[JtWo]

Not all soarers came with vvt-i, only 96+(correct me if I'm wrong)

Why don't you get an SUV for your dd? If not my best suggestion is a benz...190E...300E or something, they sound nice stock, and they can last foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevar.

[G_Fish240]

I'd get a SUV so I could tow my car as well

[sykikchimp]

well, I have a serious aversion to suv's. I'd get a truck long before an SUV. I think I might go look at a frontier today.

I went and looked at the SC, and it was glorious. Interior was damn near perfect. a slightly discolored shifter knob was the only blemish. on the exterior, it appeared that the car had never, EVER sat under the sun. Paint is b-e-a-utiful. Only 2 very small (nickel sized) dents in the car blemish it's appearance. Engine is butter smooth, and very linear. extremely nice. Summed up in one word: "Smoooth" Very cool car. I walked away wanting very bad. We'll see if he's negotiable.

I also found one on clublexus.com that already had nice paint, volks, and a JIC body kit, but he was asking an exorbatant amount of money for it. He had a almost complete turbo kit he was going to sell with it for 2 g's. very tempting. :-P

I could, and might spend less than 12K only if I find a car that suits my needs for under that money. I'm financing 10g of that if necessary. I say your only young, un-married, and without children once. I should take advantage.

Also, I love german cars, but maintenance seems to be a big issue with them, and if I want anyone besides me to work on them, it always seems very expensive. I will likely only look into Japanese cars.

p.s. I got the loan through E-loan. amazingly hassle free. apply online, and I knew within 5-minutes. The send a blank check, and when you use it, whatever you spend is what the loan is for. I got a 6.89% rate b/c it's a used non-dealer purchase. I plan to pay it off early.