brillo

Just like it says, willing to spend $3K on a econ beater, purely as a backup car that I don't care what happens too. Thinking Mazda Protege or Ford Focus, Civics are too expensive and are too much to insure due to all the Honda kids stealing/tuning/crashing them.

Thoughts / ideas?

alfy28

miata are really fun. i prefer those over s13's and s14's. but i think that is more th of the fanboy in me. i never was nissan fan. i guess due to okinawa , so many ppl have those cars.. oh miata also good on gas, but if you need space then s13 would be nice .

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

Miata, Mazida, 240sx, Accord, old lude, just any old car

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

99-00 3rd gen Protege LX's can be easily had for that money now, a bit more if you want the ES

they are very well built cars for that generation, a great value compared to a similarly priced focus

Ike

Ad old Corolla wouldn't be a bad idea. My sister bought one as an extra car that had 190k miles on it for $200, she kept it til it had 260k miles with no problems. She ended up giving up on it due to rust, but a slighty newer one (hers was an "84 I think) shouldn't have the rust issues.

Renesis_8

I'd go with old Volvo or VW (they look okay, while not as boring as toyotas) with good reliability record. my neighbour and friend has a Volvo and VW that just dont quit.

Would be better if u know someone that can let go a beater, that way you know it had been reliable or not, going with toyota is always a good choice too.
________
apartments Pattaya

CarAndDriver

Nothing that will require a lot of maintenance or insurance. Hondas are out--the theft is outrageous.

I agree with the mentions of a Mazda Protege. How about an older Sentra SE-R or Infiniti G20?

Smoke Honda

iTrader: (1)

Dude, get a scooter!

Hightshoe

I like the Protege idea as well. I wouldn't mind picking up an old jeep wrangler, not exactly an economy car like you said, but would be fun to have.

Smoke Honda

iTrader: (1)

I bought a 99 Ford Contour last year for 850 bucks with only 70K on the odometer. I put about 150 in it to fix the brakes and replaced the battery for another 40 bucks. The thing drove like a piece of sh*t but it was really reliable and was really good on gas plus the insurance was like 43 bucks a month. I always thought that the 8 could've beaten that car while in reverse but I sold it before I got a chance to try.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

When I read your request the thing that came to my mind immediately was:
PROTEGE, surprise surprise. I drive an 02 5 door and love it but you won't find my model and that price category.

Paul.

TrboLvr

I'm always big on searching around as much as possible and getting the most for the money. I would say six speed Acura Legend if you can find a good deal on one. Personally I wanted something huge so I hunted around like crazy and finally found a decked out 97 Expedition in far less than perfect shape for only 2600. It depends on what you like to drive.

CarAndDriver

An early-mid 90's Infiniti G20! That car was such an under sold gem. Loved by the car mags/journalists. Those are in your price range, I looked on www.cars.com. Also the Sentra SE-R from the same period too, but those have probably been driven harder.

WaitingforFI

iTrader: (1)

something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...em330109191287
I'm looking for a beater too, so I understand

shaunv74

If you really want cheap reliability that's cheap to fix...Ford Crown Vic. 5.0 or 4.6L V8 will never quit and it's $10.00 each for new calipers. I think the most you can spend on any OEM replacement part for the car is $50.00 and they run smooooth forever. Of course the gas mileage isn't great but you can haul alot and it runs great. The resale is crappy on them due to being unpopular so you can get them for a steal.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Pontiac Fiero...those little guys were fun.

CarAndDriver

I wouldn't recommend them as a reliable, beater, daily driver, but they were pretty good by the time GM made them competitive then axed them.

cquinn

+1 to crown vic, parts everywhere. If you need better gas mileage, corolla is a good deal

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

2001 Ford Taurus ftw.

CarAndDriver

Get a white Crown Vic and its like the seas part on the freeway. Everyone thinks you're a cop.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

How about a Honda Prelude? Not sure if you can find one for that price though...

playdoh43

1995 lexus LS nice and comfy

CarAndDriver

For 3K that doesnt have 200K+ miles?

Show me!

dmp

+1 for Miata. Course, you may find a NB Miata isn't a beater, but could be more-fun to drive than your 8 :D

CarAndDriver

A Miata would be fun, but not sure how practical the beater has to be.