What is the threshold for "beater"?

[jwslam]

See poll options.

Under what price point do you consider a car a "beater"?

Also what is your definition of "beater"?

Personal definition:
-Under $7500
-Over 150k km
-Use it as my daily driver
-I'm ok with liability-only insurance on it.
-8+ years old

I'm asking this because I'm currently considering upgrading my daily beater to a $15k vehicle with liability only insurance :nut: :nut:

[88CRX]

Originally posted by jwslam
See poll options.

Under what price point do you consider a car a "beater"?

Also what is your definition of "beater"?

Personal definition:
-Under $7500
-Over 150k km
-Use it as my daily driver
-I'm ok with liability-only insurance on it.

I'm asking this because I'm currently considering upgrading my daily beater to a $15k vehicle with liability only insurance :nut: :nut:

Isn't a beater something you drive every day?

Based on the net worth thread this will end up 95% >$10k haha

[NoPulp]

The definition of beater is relative to your non-beater.

Mine have typically been around the 6k mark. Get pretty good value at price point.

[jwslam]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Isn't a beater something you drive every day?

Based on the net worth thread this will end up 95% >$10k haha
Well obviously my poll wasn't intended for MB and rage2 :rofl:

I think my main purpose for this thread is to justify to myself if $15k is within my risk tolerance to put liability only insurance on it.

[RickDaTuner]

I'd say the criteria is a car that you wouldn't think twice about only putting PLPD on, and wouldn't even flinch if it was stolen,

But I chose $5K and under. :thumbsup:

[88CRX]

Originally posted by jwslam

Well obviously my poll wasn't intended for MB and rage2 :rofl:

I think my main purpose for this thread is to justify to myself if $15k is within my risk tolerance to put liability only insurance on it.

What is cost of liability vs full coverage? Can't be much difference.

$15k is a decent car, should have full coverage.

[ercchry]

If you don't keep it garaged, only drive it during sunny warm days, and wipe it down with a diaper daily... it's a beater...

And how horrendous is your record that you're only getting liability?! I'm no angel, and once I turned 25 comprehensive is like $100/yr extra

[ExtraSlow]

If you are an old guy, cost of collision and comprehensive is very low. Getting your beater written off from hail is a pure win. As me how I know . . .

[roll_over]

Originally posted by ercchry

And how horrendous is your record that you're only getting liability?! I'm no angel, and once I turned 25 comprehensive is like $100/yr extra

Depends on the car, comprehensive on my truck is like $100/year more. E63 and Aston was 5-10x more when I was shopping.

Over 25 here with clean driving record, no at fault accidents.

Back on topic though, I agree with ercchry. Anything you don’t give a fuck about is a beater.

[nismodrifter]

Beater =Lemons 24hr worthy, more a vehicle to have fun with rather than give a shit about.

[ercchry]

Originally posted by roll_over


Depends on the car, comprehensive on my truck is like $100/year more. E63 and Aston was 5-10x more when I was shopping.

Over 25 here with clean driving record, no at fault accidents.

Back on topic though, I agree with ercchry. Anything you don’t give a fuck about is a beater.

Yeah it's all over the place... 330xi, $157... LS430, $205... and M3, $297

Collision is even more random... 330xi is $692 but M3 is only $287, both are e90's :nut:

[roll_over]

Originally posted by ercchry


Yeah it's all over the place... 330xi, $157... LS430, $205... and M3, $297

Collision is even more random... 330xi is $692 but M3 is only $287, both are e90's :nut:

whoops, maybe I used the wrong terminology, I mean the one where if I crash and am at fault they fix my car. That’s the one that’s fucking insane with some vehicles.

[ercchry]

Originally posted by roll_over


whoops, maybe I used the wrong terminology, I mean the one where if I crash and am at fault they fix my car. That’s the one that’s fucking insane with some vehicles.

Yeah that's collision, comprehensive is well worth it... for the hail/vandalism, etc kind of claims

[beyond_ban]

I thought this has been the long established beater threshold vehicle...

http://www.autoguide.com/images/content/2009-Mercedes-C63-home_rdax_646x258.jpg

[roll_over]

Originally posted by ercchry


Yeah that's collision, comprehensive is well worth it... for the hail/vandalism, etc kind of claims

Yeah, you’re an idiot not to get that. It’s like $120/year for a 200k vehicle.

[J-hop]

Beater is under 3k for me and over 250,000.

My coworkers laugh and won't ride in my car, but their shit is financed/leased and every year they buy at least two of my dailies, so who's laughing now.... yea still them :rofl:

[TomcoPDR]

Realized I was rocking a beater during a trip to the junk yard open to public consumers to walk-in; and there was a dilemma whether to continue pulling parts of the junkyard car... or just to remove the wheels of my current car and slap it on the junkyard car, buy it and drive off.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/016377f5432e29365eed4f72c43d3e8a1e195f0097_zpskygjtkrp.jpg~original http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/013eb80459931297b834036d676269759751636245_zpsfribxuhd.jpg~original




$4,500 285,000km

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/01600d2aebe41c18816b65f9561f40d3ef4f3d6abe_zpsc2unacy9.jpg~original http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/0110f6505709c0cdc310212999b2a52dc3a479ebd5_zpsyjvnwgfj.jpg~original

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/01249d244915ed6cf034eca27e1c6b0e09dfaf0f9d_zps9vpmdcnc.jpg~original http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Random/0107fcfd7c05128a61b8b576ab52cad8bace0a715e_zpsrzaqklwr.jpg~original

[Sugarphreak]

...

[nismodrifter]

Originally posted by beyond_ban
I thought this has been the long established beater threshold vehicle...

http://www.autoguide.com/images/content/2009-Mercedes-C63-home_rdax_646x258.jpg

:rofl:

Thanks for the LULZ

[max_boost]

Under $5k imo

[Team_Mclaren]

what do you consider a beater tho? have another "nice" car that you only take out once a while? while having a dd, would that DD be considered beater?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Anything you aren't afraid to park near the front of the parking lot at the mall.

[speedog]

Beaters, probably both of our daily drivers would qualify as beaters to most beyonders - mine a 1999 GMC Sierra with just over 497,000km, the wife's a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada with 107,000km on it. Hers is pretty much mint but old, mine's older but just keeps going. Rusty, but still on all original major mechanical pieces and doesn't use oil - most of the subcontractors I know have less than 5 year old trucks used as write-offs but mine really isn't costing me much other than gas money and allows me to bank most of that payment other shave. Besides, the old beast starts in any weather and has a certain charm about it. I guess new vehicles really aren't a need or want for my wife and I and as such, beaters as dailies are just fine - been quite lucky in that anything we've owned has been very, very reliable and amazingly, they've all been GM's.

[killramos]

I consider my mustang to be a beater? I don't bother with collision on it. So I put under 10k.

Currently sitting in a giant pile of snow in front of my house :rofl:

[Hallowed_point]

I must be poor. I always thought a beater was in the $500 to $1000 category.

[schocker]

I said under $5k as my volvo was $4k and it was a POS. Would buy again A++

[lilmira]

It's a beater if it can't make a pass in 2 seconds on the highway.

[killramos]

^ so my mustang definitely counts then :rofl:

[Sentry]

Just a car that's cheaper, uglier, etc. than your pride and joy and you put the most miles on it.

My wagon is pretty fucking cool and fun and quick and so great to drive, but it's my beater. Nicest beater I've ever owned, and most costly at $5k, but still kinda a hooptie that I only fix the bare minimum on and flog the shit out of. :rofl:

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by TomcoPDR
Realized I was rocking a beater during a trip to the junk yard open to public consumers to walk-in; and there was a dilemma whether to continue pulling parts of the junkyard car... or just to remove the wheels of my current car and slap it on the junkyard car, buy it and drive off.
$4,500 285,000km



I LOL'd.
Been there before. A big FML moment.


You're also driving a beater when you start going to junk yard and suddenly there's no vehicles of your vintage there anymore because they're too old and cheap.

[DTTB_36]

I put under 5g. My last car was 2003 Crown Vic, bought in 2011 for 2.5g at 198 km, drove it for 5 years to 250 kms. That cars was the ultimate beater, never gave me any issues but ugly as can be. Now I sold it and only have the wife's 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, I guess that would qualify as a beater too.

[mzdspd]

I would say pretty much anything with rust.. Once it gets rust, full coverage is removed or I sell it.

I have a car worth 7K and I treat that like my baby. But I have spent lots of time to make that car to be in good mechanical and physical condition.

[Swank]

Originally posted by NoPulp
The definition of beater is relative to your non-beater. I know I'm probably the minority here but the thought of owning 2 cars seems so weird for me. It would be like owning 2 houses, living in one on weekdays and the other on weekends. I'll never earn my 'Beyond Baller AF' tatt :cry:

[Sugarphreak]

...

[NoPulp]

Originally posted by Swank
I know I'm probably the minority here but the thought of owning 2 cars seems so weird for me. It would be like owning 2 houses, living in one on weekdays and the other on weekends. I'll never earn my 'Beyond Baller AF' tatt :cry:

Why?
And how is it anything like owning 2 houses? lol

Owning a project vehicle, highly modified vehicle, collector vehicle, racecar, poor winter vehicle, non practical daily etc all pretty much require you to own a second vehicle.



Even with my beater I don't park anywhere near other people :rofl:

[killramos]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak

I have to ask because this is bothering me and I need to know the backstory... WHY? Why do you have a Mustang?


My wife likes convertibles, and new convertibles of pretty much any kind are hella expensive. It's honestly the worst car ever, but its got that drop top :rolleyes: . Basically its the lesser of many evils.

[revelations]

Originally posted by RickDaTuner
I'd say the criteria is a car that you wouldn't think twice about only putting PLPD on, and wouldn't even flinch if it was stolen,



Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Anything you aren't afraid to park near the front of the parking lot at the mall.



Originally posted by mzdspd
I would say pretty much anything with rust.. Once it gets rust, full coverage is removed or I sell it.



These are my categories of "beaters". Essentially a beater is any car that you dont really care too much about - and it will show it.

You can have a 10,000$ beater if a car you care about is 100,000$ and a 1000$ beater if you have a 10,000$ nice car - so the monetary question is moot.

My Ep3 (winter DD) is worth around 3k, but I try to park away from others still.

[NoPulp]

Originally posted by killramos


My wife likes convertibles, and new convertibles of pretty much any kind are hella expensive. It's honestly the worst car ever, but its got that drop top :rolleyes: . Basically its the lesser of many evils.
You bought a CONVERTIBLE Mustang? Why... please don't tell me its auto. and a v6. and tan interior...

[Mitsu3000gt]

I voted under $2500, OR anything with rust is automatically a beater. Most under $5K is probably also a beater but there are more exceptions.

Really though it's all relative. If you have millions of dollars, a $20K car is probably your winter beater, but then again they probably have some sort of luxury SUV for winter driving haha.

[Swank]

Originally posted by NoPulp


Why?
And how is it anything like owning 2 houses? lol

Owning a project vehicle, highly modified vehicle, collector vehicle, racecar, poor winter vehicle, non practical daily etc all pretty much require you to own a second vehicle.



Even with my beater I don't park anywhere near other people :rofl: It's probably cuz it's so foreign to me, I have no interest in any of the vehicle types you listed. Just seems that there are so many options for really nice vehicles that you can drive year round, then no headaches about extra parking or insurance, and you wouldn't need to drive in one vehicle while wishing you were in your nicer one.

[killramos]

Originally posted by NoPulp

You bought a CONVERTIBLE Mustang? Why... please don't tell me its auto. and a v6. and tan interior...

Well... the interior is black? :rofl:

And I sure as fuck didn't buy it lol

[ercchry]

Originally posted by killramos


Well... the interior is black? :rofl:

And I sure as fuck didn't buy it lol

Is it at least a 2011+ model?

And hey, things could be worse... mine wanted a convertible too... a vw beetle :rofl:

Thank god she is content with the 330xi :nut:

[NoPulp]

Yeah what gen?
If it's a 94-09 I feel bad for you. If its a 2010, then you missed out on a much much better engine. If its +11 then it's an acceptable car.

[blownz]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Anything you aren't afraid to park near the front of the parking lot at the mall.

I have never been worried about this in my wife and in the last 15 years I have only had to pull one door ding for about $125. It is a gamble parking anywhere so I just don't worry about it. So I personally won't consider this otherwise my wife drives a $65K beater :nut:

I personally think $5K for the beater rule. But it definitely has to be a dollar value as they are some old classics or high mileage cars worth a lot of money and definitely not beaters.

[killramos]

Lol it's an 07. Definitely could be worse. But that engine is such a waste of space.

I hope she will let me swap it for a 2012ish shelby vert eventually so it can at least be an interesting car haha

She kindof wants a convertible 2 series actually but i nixed that pretty fast... She can entertain herself with the lexus and shitty mustang lol. I consider it all baby steps after getting rid of the fj cruiser :barf:

[88CRX]

Originally posted by Swank
It's probably cuz it's so foreign to me, I have no interest in any of the vehicle types you listed. Just seems that there are so many options for really nice vehicles that you can drive year round, then no headaches about extra parking or insurance, and you wouldn't need to drive in one vehicle while wishing you were in your nicer one.

Sure there are tons of perfectly suitable cars for year round enjoyment in our winter climate. However there are arguable just as many other vehicles that are super fun in the summer months that are not remotely suitable for winter driving. Using your logic you would have to daily drive a 2 seaters convertible or never own one. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Not to mention anything you drive in the winter here gets trashed with rock chips and salt damage.

[ercchry]

Vehicles are like shoes... you need one for every occasion! Some shoes and cars serve a few needs... but neither can fill every void

[artieg30]

Interesting thread here, would you guys classify a 2002 E39 540i w/ 137K a beater??I picked it up at a decent deal though the car has some rust forming on the rear wheel wells. In the last 4 months of ownership i've put close to $3500 on repairs/maintenance (previous owner didn't take care of the car) and now it drives perfectly with no issues. In fact, Vitek auto said it was quite mint internally.

I'm at a crossroad now where I want to fix the paint/rust issue by doing a full respray/restoration but just not too sure about spending 8-10K on a paint job (I want to have the work done at a reputable shop like Maranello). In terms of the car itself it's only got 137k so i'm definitely planning on keeping it until it dies, also at some point i plan on getting into something newer and more summer-y so this would eventually end up as a winter "beater". Thoughts?

[killramos]

It's only a beater if you consider it a beater lol

Though if you are paying good money to fix cosmetic stuff, probably not a beater...

[Tik-Tok]

If someone door dings your car, and you really don't care, it's a beater. If someone hits you, and you get them to give you cash to "repair it", it's a beater.

[Sentry]

Right now it's your only car? Then it's not your beater, it's just your car.

Mine takes a shit kicking and is a good sport about it. Usually I change beaters yearly but I think I'll go at least one more year with the wagon.
N_b32BVUTG0
_gyolBvsUSE
jtAtHcnwztI

[Team_Mclaren]

Originally posted by 88CRX



YOU ARE A BALLAR, YOUR beater cost more than your non-beater:poosie: :poosie:

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I put <$1000, that's definitely "beater" territory in my mind. The kind of cars that if you get 6 months use out of them, you call it a financial win.

$1000-$10,000 is the "Sensible motoring" category - it's used, it's probably a boring newish car or an older sporty model. It's in decent shape, but it's seen use. The warranty is long gone, but it's far less likely to leave you stranded than the Beater.

[88CRX]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren


YOU ARE A BALLAR, YOUR beater cost more than your non-beater:poosie: :poosie:

Beater worth more then both other cars! Don't think I'm doing that right.

[sneek]

I can't buy beaters. I am stupid so I end up falling in love and fixing the car to as mint as possible. It is a far more expensive endeavor than just buying something in reasonable shape and babying it.

[Redlined_8000]

My current "beater" is a 2011 Silverado which classifies me as Beyond baller AF. lol.

But in reality I think anything under 5k is be a true beater. If you have to go to Pick and Pull for parts, its a beater.

[firebane]

I have never owned a vehicle I would not call a beater. Every vehicle I have owned has cost less than $1500 and generally has plpd on it.

Beyond is just a bunch of ballers with expensive taste.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
I put &lt;$1000, that's definitely &quot;beater&quot; territory in my mind. The kind of cars that if you get 6 months use out of them, you call it a financial win.

$1000-$10,000 is the &quot;Sensible motoring&quot; category - it's used, it's probably a boring newish car or an older sporty model. It's in decent shape, but it's seen use. The warranty is long gone, but it's far less likely to leave you stranded than the Beater.

I pretty much agree with this.

Spend $1000 on it, and if I got a year out of it, I was pretty happy. Any more than that, and I start thinking that there is a lot better things I could be spending money on to consider it a beater.

A beater to me is anything I expect catastrophic failure to occur within a year and 15,000kms.

[EF9 Sedan]

My personal definition of a beater is anything less than $5k. Its a car that is in pretty bad shape cosmetically but mechanically sound. It'll be a car that you're not afraid of getting scratches, swirls from using the brush at the car wash, or getting door dings/dents from inconsiderate ppl in parking lots.

As a car enthusiast, I personally wouldn't buy a beater unless if I was in financial distress.

[Darell_n]

My beater is the '08 WRX that my wife drives. Rebuilt status with a $400 badly chipped paint job, windshield all cracked up as well as both bumper covers. Looks nice from 50 ft or more and is rock solid mechanically (now). Subaru parts are typical overpriced Japanese so it will stay beater status for the next 20 years.

[90_Shelby]

I think a beater would be a car that you only put PLPD on it.

[austic]

I would say beater for me would be my wife's car which is a kia we use to haul the dogs around in.

:dunno:

[Swank]

At least have some fun with your beater

http://i.imgur.com/iHAxi.jpg

[dirtsniffer]

I think any vehicle in which you don't value and 'beat' on would be a beater.

I know people with old, high mileage cars that are clean and well maintained that I wouldn't consider a beater.

I also know people with brand new vehicles with damage and filthy interiors, might as well consider it a beater to them as they just beat on it.

[Kloubek]

Definition of beater to me:
- Under 5k

But in addition:
- No collision insurance
- If a fix can be band-aided, it will be instead of fixed properly
- Rarely gets washed
- Not concerned about chips, my dog being in it, my son making a mess in it, or any minor cosmetic damage

I remember I was driving an old 99 Grand Cherokee, and someone ran out of gas in the parking lot - about 100 meters from the gas station. They had a beater themselves, and I just nudged them all the way to the station. Ended up scuffing up the front of my suv, but I just didn't care.

Sometimes, having a beater is a lot more practical.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by TomcoPDR
Realized I was rocking a beater during a trip to the junk yard open to public consumers to walk-in; and there was a dilemma whether to continue pulling parts of the junkyard car... or just to remove the wheels of my current car and slap it on the junkyard car, buy it and drive off.
Originally posted by mr2mike

I LOL'd.
Been there before. A big FML moment.

You're also driving a beater when you start going to junk yard and suddenly there's no vehicles of your vintage there anymore because they're too old and cheap.
It was a few years ago, but I went to buy a parts truck for my 1977 F250, fully expecting to have to trailer it home and when the guy said it was fully roadworthy, I went for it. Was halfway home before I realized it was nicer than the truck I was thinking o fixing up.

Drove that truck for a couple years with minimal outlay. Did buy some tires for it.

Fucking miss it. Nothing ever since has put a smile on my face every time it fired up quite so reliably. I need to buy me something with a carburated 460 again.

[roll_over]

Originally posted by Kloubek

I remember I was driving an old 99 Grand Cherokee, and someone ran out of gas in the parking lot - about 100 meters from the gas station. They had a beater themselves, and I just nudged them all the way to the station. Ended up scuffing up the front of my suv, but I just didn't care.

Sometimes, having a beater is a lot more practical.

Definitely a sure sign of a beater. I park underground at the gym on work days with my truck and while backing in I just slowly creep until my bumper smashes the wall while when driving one of my cars i parallel park on the street to avoid door dings and spend the $9 to park.

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by roll_over


I park underground at the gym on work days with my truck and while backing in I just slowly creep until my bumper smashes the wall..

I lol'd. Perfect treatment under the circumstances.

[EF9 Sedan]

Originally posted by roll_over


Definitely a sure sign of a beater. I park underground at the gym on work days with my truck and while backing in I just slowly creep until my bumper smashes the wall while when driving one of my cars i parallel park on the street to avoid door dings and spend the $9 to park.

lol but now your front and rear bumper become exposed to potential hit and runs.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

Fucking miss it. Nothing ever since has put a smile on my face every time it fired up quite so reliably. I need to buy me something with a carburated 460 again.

You probably don't miss the 10mpg though :rofl: It is nice to have one as a side vehicle though.

[ExtraSlow]

10 mpg? I wish! I only calculated it once, and it was getting about 6. I decided not to calculate it again after that.

Of course, that was 100% city stop and go driving, in a supercab long box.

[Sugarphreak]

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