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are beater cars worth buying?

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Old 12-08-2008, 06:08 PM
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i drive about 250 miles a week and my truck is getting 16.5 mpg. if i was to buy a cheap car for 800-1000 would it be worth it? it would get at least 30 mpg and only use regular. 87 is $1.55 a gallon and 93 is $1.90. what i figured up is it would cost around $750 gas a year for the beater which wouldn't even pay for itself yet..
Old 12-08-2008, 06:12 PM
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I dont think so, BUT that is IMO. Gas for both car and truck, insurance, maint...... Get a bike that would be worth it, again IMO.
Old 12-08-2008, 06:19 PM
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Or just get both, bike and beater. Thats what I did, bike for when its nice and beater for the other times. Its nice I dont have to worry about getting the truck together to go to work or worry about its crappy gas mileage.
Old 12-08-2008, 06:45 PM
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right now no. gas over $3/gal, hell yes.

i tried the bike thing. only got 40mpg and it seemed like it was always too cold or too hot or might rain..... i guess i am to much of a wuss to use a bike for transportation.
Old 12-08-2008, 06:49 PM
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My beater paid for itself when gas was $4... But like everyone else said, right now it won't pay for itself... However it is really nice to have a spare car, and one that you don't care about anything happening to it... Depending on your insurance it may to cost that much to add it... I added my beater as my Primary vehicle,liability only.. I put my truck as a "fun" vehicle with full coverage + some extra... I think it only cost me like $10 more a month...
Old 12-08-2008, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by parish8
right now no. gas over $3/gal, hell yes.

i tried the bike thing. only got 40mpg and it seemed like it was always too cold or too hot or might rain..... i guess i am to much of a wuss to use a bike for transportation.
Too hot????? Just go faster, come on Jim we know you can do that.

A little rain never hurt, although storms SUCK and rain hurts at high speed.
Old 12-08-2008, 07:33 PM
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It all depends on your situation. I always have a spare car incase one is being worked on. I have a 98 Toyota Avalon I drive when ever my truck is being fixed or I need to go to downtown Chicago. Most lots and Valets won't take my Silverado SS since its "too big". Good thing I dont drive a F450.
Old 12-08-2008, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 03sierraslt
Too hot????? Just go faster, come on Jim we know you can do that.
When its 115, it doesnt matter how fast you go
Old 12-08-2008, 08:33 PM
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I always like having extra cars, so I can take my time with projects. I don't have to rush and cut corners to get something running half-assed just to do it over again. I haven't driven my Camaro since August between brake work and prepping it for paint. Combine that with gas and you typically get a multi-car discount on insurance I always think beaters are a good idea.

Just be careful, I bought the truck in my sig to be a beater/DD only vehicle.
Old 12-08-2008, 08:43 PM
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buy one so we can have "Battle of the Beater" night at the track!


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