Nah- there are still some affordable options out there if you know what your looking for. Facebook marketplace or offer up- I feel confident I could find a totally serviceable, around 80-130k miles car for 3k or under just about anywhere in the US. It’s not gonna be a new car or even a newer car- but something from the 90s or early 2000s that is in good shape.
The problem is that yes you can find a reliable beater, but they're really hard to find. Most of the people neglect basic maintenance and run til the car can run no more. I've had a few beaters, some that I bought and flipped and were reliable, and some that I sold at a loss because they were crap. It does save money when you do find a really good running one.
Personally, I don’t want a crazy expensive or flashy car but I do want a vehicle I actually enjoy driving and I feel getting a 100 hp beater car would make me feel so depressed. So for me something like the Volkswagen GTI seems to be a good fit, but I do agree buy every vehicle in cash. if you can’t do that, you can’t afford it.
I wish Honda/toyota can bring back their old models from 97-2005. Without the extras accessories, computers, etc. They would make a killing selling these basic cars
I got a volvo s80 from 2003 for 2500 euros. When it came out it was a luxury executive car, instaled a bluetooth system and its a very confortable car, feel like a boss from 2003
The safety and tech argument is BS People want a new car because they want to impress other people Maybe a car from like the 40s or 50s was dangerous, but any decent car from the 80s onwards is not going to unalive you if you're careful.
As long as it has side airbags and good tires/brakes im happy. My former 96 camry didnt have side airbags and it simply isnt safe, the driver side door also didn't function but thats another story lol.
I bought a 07 Sienna for $1,000 2 years ago with no problems with it just high miles. I converted it into a tiny home and have been living in it for more than a year
I used to drive a brand new 2021 civic hatch. While my rate on it was really good and my monthly payment was relatively low compared to the average american. (mine was 275). It was in really great valuation so I sold it and made about 12 grand profit on it after paying off the loan. Took half of that money and got myself a quality vehicle thats entirely paid off, nearly 1/3 of the insurance that my civic was. Having a paid off car with no car payments is infinitely better than having a newer car WITH payments
2018 ram diesel, 2015 subaru wrx, 98 hilux surf diesel and a 2k dollar 06 scion xb 5 speed. The scion is my go to daily and is a blast. Everyone hates on it until they sit in it or drive it. It is insanely spacious, gets 30 mpg and 5 years registration is 68 bucks.
My first car was a 1998 Saturn SL1 just like that one but green, my second car was a ‘96 Saturn lol. They’re great cars. Finding one for under a 100k for $900 is no easy task today. I paid $3k for a ‘98 in 2006 with under a 100k and $800 for a Saturn with over 200k in 2010 after months of looking and calling people on Craigslist to hear nothing back 90% of the time lol. Most people want $2k for a worn out crap box.
i own a 1989 toyota corolla dx (carbureted), 4 speed automatic with no rust. got it at 94K miles and still drive it to this day (at 124k now). this car has only costed me $700 out of my 2 years of owning it with basic maintenance and never left me stranded. 👍(replaced tires, brakes, rotors, cv axle, battery, and alternator)
I have a 5 speed manual 96' Corolla, base model. 339K miles. I have done repairs (large and small) on it as every vehicle fails eventually but has been a great reliable vehicle for a long time! I recently calculated the MPGs on it and it still gets 30/33 city/hwy.
I will never understand why people will happily shell out massive car payments for a 40000 EUR car, when you could buy a car that cost 40000 EUR 20-ish years ago for less than a grand. If you just want to get from A to B reliably and safely, a new car is a waste.
i am an american living in europe. the car markets are very different between these places. the used car market is not the best currently in the usa, and affordable used cars are more available in europe in my experience but i understand and agree with your point. but, new cars aren’t a waste in every situation
I think I could still find a Saturn similar to this one for around $1500-$2000. I bought this one for $900 in 2021 and it had like 96k on it at the time.
I drive a 2005 camry. its been great so far. Unfortunately, after living its entire life in new england, the rust has finally gotten to it. Ive considered buying myself nicer cars, maybe in the 30000 dollar price range. But every time I ask myself, Is getting from point A to B a 30000 dollar problem? I always answer no to that question.
why make such a drastic jump from 2005 camry beater to 30,000 dollar car? why not buy a brand new mirage or versa for 16k (after dealer discount which you can get nowadays), maintain it well, and drive it for the next 15-20 years?
bruv prices are insane all over the world it seems. The US always seemed to have the cheapest and most interesting used cars (im from eastern europe). It's depressing to read your comment now
I used to own a beater. I kept having to sink money in it because something or the other would need to be fixed or replaced and this was a 1999 Camry so supposed to be reliable. I don't know how to fix cars so I would have to pay a shop every time. Finally, the transmission needed to be replaced and it was a 4k job with labor included and the car was only worth $400 so I sold it for scrap. I remember constantly being stressed & worried that something or the other would break down and I would be late for work and get fired. So I made a decision, never again. No more beaters. I bought a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage which I've maintained well and I've been driving without problems for the past decade. The peace of mind that comes with driving a brand new car under warranty is priceless. I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm right. I'm saying it depends on your situation. You seem to know how to fix cars and you have your brother to help so perhaps buying a beater is smart for you. For me and people like me, buying a brand new Mirage or brand new Nissan Versa (manual or CVT) for 16-18k brand new and driving it without worries for over 10 years is the way to go!!!
If you buy a Nissan with a CVT transmission you're going to get screwed over they make the worst CVTs going. Buying automatics in general is a big mistake much easier to spend a little on a clutch every 150k miles than a new transmission when the automatic inevitably bugs out.
The under $5k car market is under-rated. There are plenty of cars that are decent in this range that can last and have low ongoing operating costs/maintenance. And in some states there come with perks once its 20 or 25+ years old. Yes two states have registration discounts at 20 year old cars.
That’s the problem is if you live up in the northeast your fucked good luck finding a car that has been sitting in a garage for 15-20 years willing to sell for dirt cheap not going to happen
@@johnkonde1975 bought it in 2019 with 55k miles, paid about 13k for it back then. If you get them at or below 60k you have enough time to change the trans fluid on them so they last forever, but ive never changed mine (currently at 104k) since im past the point of no return for it and ive had 0 issues. Also ive seen on the corolla forums a guy with 300k miles on the same trans and fluid so should be ok with my CVT lol. Gonna drive her into the dirt, many models of this generation corolla and the year before are fantastic in terms of reliability. Its just not an exciting car if thats what youre looking for. Parts and mods are cheap. Gas on it is cheap (i average about 300 miles a week and pay like 35$ a week in gas)
@@javajav3004 Looks like you scored a fantastic deal! Unfortunately used 2016 Corollas are a lot more expensive now then they were in 2019! Makes more sense to buy a brand new Corolla for 25k than pay 20k for a 5 year old used Corolla!
I would never finance a car again. l remember when I was in my early 20's all the way to my early 30's I bought all my cars full cash. This was back then when you could pick up a $500-$700 car as is, and fix it up yourself before getting a safety inspection done for roadworthy condition. Car payments will take half of your income and leave you broke for months to years, until it's paid off. When you buy a used car full cash, it's paid off and you own it. Older cars are more reliable because they are made simple and parts are cheaper to replace. All you need is a tune up every Winter, and new brake pads and rotors every 2 years or so. And oil changes every 3,000kms, to avoid oil sledge build up in the head. Trust me that cheap used car with these maintenance, will last you a long time depending on the car Brand.
You can get a decent car for a few grand nowadays not a few hundred dollars those days have come and gone especially where I live up in New England the whole frame would be rusted off and it would be a safety hazard for 900$
so I have a 2008 impala LS with about 242k miles on it, It needs some work but runs and drives as is, It was my moms car so we kept up the preventative maintenance and replaced parts as needed. All glass is in good shape, some body imperfections such as paint on the front bumper is chipping away and the door as small spot of rust but the interior is clean. Still has the Chevy smell (I used to work at a chevy dealership in 2008). WHAT IS THIS OLD MF WORTH ON USED MARKET HOSS
You have to be mechanically inclined to drive an old car with over 100k miles wity confidence. If it starts giving you problems and you cant figure it out its going to be a money pit. You blow a head gasket or need to replace the timing belt or water pump and you have no mechanical knowledge good luck
If you blow a head gasket it's game over on an older car very few people can replace one and even many mechanics won't bother with it. Replacing a timing belt is easy depending on the car some make it a bastard by having it be an engine out job or worse yet like a Ford Ecoboost they use a wet belt. Water pump isn't that expensive to replace either. You just need to know a decent mechanic and actually look after your car and you'll be fine.
@@gravemind6536 Chevy Trax is also a wet timing belt. I'd rather not do any mechanic work, I'd rather just drive a brand new Mirage, just my preference!
@@johnkonde1975 Anything with a wet belt is just a throw engine and by extension throw away car. In the UK we have Stellantis with their 1.2 puretech engines and Ford with their awful 1.0 Ecoboost engines and even their Diesel Transit vans coming with wet belts and they just keep blowing the engine up and replacing the belt before it blows the engine up costs arond £1000 because it's so complicated. The Mitsubishi Mirage is a very reliable car although obviously not a great thing to drive. I'll be sticking with my chain driven Toyota with a manual transmission.
@@gravemind6536 Not sure what you're on about with "game over". My 90' civic had a head gasket leak and I replaced it myself when I did the timing belt and have put another 24k trouble-free miles on it.
a 900$ beater is a 9000$ beater in 2024 lmo
i got mine for $800
@@jbsold9 in 24?
Nah- there are still some affordable options out there if you know what your looking for.
Facebook marketplace or offer up-
I feel confident I could find a totally serviceable, around 80-130k miles car for 3k or under just about anywhere in the US.
It’s not gonna be a new car or even a newer car- but something from the 90s or early 2000s that is in good shape.
A Saturn like this. Hell no.
fr bro lol Good luck finding something in California
The problem is that yes you can find a reliable beater, but they're really hard to find. Most of the people neglect basic maintenance and run til the car can run no more. I've had a few beaters, some that I bought and flipped and were reliable, and some that I sold at a loss because they were crap. It does save money when you do find a really good running one.
Personally, I don’t want a crazy expensive or flashy car but I do want a vehicle I actually enjoy driving and I feel getting a 100 hp beater car would make me feel so depressed. So for me something like the Volkswagen GTI seems to be a good fit, but I do agree buy every vehicle in cash. if you can’t do that, you can’t afford it.
I wish Honda/toyota can bring back their old models from 97-2005. Without the extras accessories, computers, etc. They would make a killing selling these basic cars
For fucking real
It is so easy man. And yet we all know it'll never happen.
They were basic but not gutted overpriced shitboxes like todays “basic” cars
I like no-nonsense transportation.
Same here, 04 Accord 5 speed manual for under 2k. Wanted to learn manual transmission too and i'm glad I did.
Shes a beauty. Cars like this are rusted to dust and sold for 2k minimum in canada. God bless the USA
I got a volvo s80 from 2003 for 2500 euros. When it came out it was a luxury executive car, instaled a bluetooth system and its a very confortable car, feel like a boss from 2003
The safety and tech argument is BS
People want a new car because they want to impress other people
Maybe a car from like the 40s or 50s was dangerous, but any decent car from the 80s onwards is not going to unalive you if you're careful.
As long as it has side airbags and good tires/brakes im happy. My former 96 camry didnt have side airbags and it simply isnt safe, the driver side door also didn't function but thats another story lol.
I bought a 07 Sienna for $1,000 2 years ago with no problems with it just high miles. I converted it into a tiny home and have been living in it for more than a year
Would love to see a tour one day if you're ever up for it
@@GPaulDiddy fr I drive one too
I used to drive a brand new 2021 civic hatch. While my rate on it was really good and my monthly payment was relatively low compared to the average american. (mine was 275). It was in really great valuation so I sold it and made about 12 grand profit on it after paying off the loan. Took half of that money and got myself a quality vehicle thats entirely paid off, nearly 1/3 of the insurance that my civic was. Having a paid off car with no car payments is infinitely better than having a newer car WITH payments
I approve of this comment. 2000 Subaru Outback with 215,000 miles. H4 and 5 Speed
That's a pretty nice car to be honest
You can’t get a running car under $1000 anymore, never mind one that’s road worthy.
This makes me miss my Saturn SL2. Not particularly interesting, but damn if it wasn't reliable
2018 ram diesel, 2015 subaru wrx, 98 hilux surf diesel and a 2k dollar 06 scion xb 5 speed. The scion is my go to daily and is a blast. Everyone hates on it until they sit in it or drive it. It is insanely spacious, gets 30 mpg and 5 years registration is 68 bucks.
2011 focus daily and a 95 g20 here. Even if I could pay cash for a 2018 Silverado...I'd be tempted to daily it instead of just Home Depot runs 😆
yes the box shape gives so much headroom
My first car was a 1998 Saturn SL1 just like that one but green, my second car was a ‘96 Saturn lol. They’re great cars. Finding one for under a 100k for $900 is no easy task today. I paid $3k for a ‘98 in 2006 with under a 100k and $800 for a Saturn with over 200k in 2010 after months of looking and calling people on Craigslist to hear nothing back 90% of the time lol. Most people want $2k for a worn out crap box.
I own a 1994 Toyota Corolla LE 5-speed with 180k miles. I will keep driving it as long as parts are available or it doesn't get totaled.
i own a 1989 toyota corolla dx (carbureted), 4 speed automatic with no rust. got it at 94K miles and still drive it to this day (at 124k now). this car has only costed me $700 out of my 2 years of owning it with basic maintenance and never left me stranded. 👍(replaced tires, brakes, rotors, cv axle, battery, and alternator)
I have a 5 speed manual 96' Corolla, base model. 339K miles. I have done repairs (large and small) on it as every vehicle fails eventually but has been a great reliable vehicle for a long time! I recently calculated the MPGs on it and it still gets 30/33 city/hwy.
I will never understand why people will happily shell out massive car payments for a 40000 EUR car, when you could buy a car that cost 40000 EUR 20-ish years ago for less than a grand. If you just want to get from A to B reliably and safely, a new car is a waste.
i am an american living in europe. the car markets are very different between these places. the used car market is not the best currently in the usa, and affordable used cars are more available in europe in my experience but i understand and agree with your point. but, new cars aren’t a waste in every situation
did you grease the pins on the brakes?
Yes!
heard $900 than heard he put 40k miles on it which means hes probably had it a couple years. definitely cant get a deal like that in 2024.
I think I could still find a Saturn similar to this one for around $1500-$2000.
I bought this one for $900 in 2021 and it had like 96k on it at the time.
I own a beater, it's also my main car 😅
I drive a 2005 camry. its been great so far. Unfortunately, after living its entire life in new england, the rust has finally gotten to it. Ive considered buying myself nicer cars, maybe in the 30000 dollar price range. But every time I ask myself, Is getting from point A to B a 30000 dollar problem? I always answer no to that question.
why make such a drastic jump from 2005 camry beater to 30,000 dollar car? why not buy a brand new mirage or versa for 16k (after dealer discount which you can get nowadays), maintain it well, and drive it for the next 15-20 years?
@@johnkonde1975 Yea aye, used early 2010 generation lexus cars are really nice packed with features and reliability still being toyota.
Used cars here in the northern midwest are $3k minimum and rusted out.
bruv prices are insane all over the world it seems. The US always seemed to have the cheapest and most interesting used cars (im from eastern europe). It's depressing to read your comment now
From Michigan, can confirm.
GGs!!!
probably going to buy a beater as my second car just for fun to mess around with but overall prefer having a newer car as a daily
I used to own a beater. I kept having to sink money in it because something or the other would need to be fixed or replaced and this was a 1999 Camry so supposed to be reliable. I don't know how to fix cars so I would have to pay a shop every time. Finally, the transmission needed to be replaced and it was a 4k job with labor included and the car was only worth $400 so I sold it for scrap. I remember constantly being stressed & worried that something or the other would break down and I would be late for work and get fired.
So I made a decision, never again. No more beaters. I bought a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage which I've maintained well and I've been driving without problems for the past decade. The peace of mind that comes with driving a brand new car under warranty is priceless.
I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm right. I'm saying it depends on your situation. You seem to know how to fix cars and you have your brother to help so perhaps buying a beater is smart for you. For me and people like me, buying a brand new Mirage or brand new Nissan Versa (manual or CVT) for 16-18k brand new and driving it without worries for over 10 years is the way to go!!!
you could've fixed it for 4k and it last you another 100k easily..
@@manasseh7 i'm not so sure....
@@johnkonde1975 trannies were the weak points in those cars but the motors were super reliable
I completely understand, reliability is priceless
If you buy a Nissan with a CVT transmission you're going to get screwed over they make the worst CVTs going. Buying automatics in general is a big mistake much easier to spend a little on a clutch every 150k miles than a new transmission when the automatic inevitably bugs out.
The under $5k car market is under-rated. There are plenty of cars that are decent in this range that can last and have low ongoing operating costs/maintenance. And in some states there come with perks once its 20 or 25+ years old. Yes two states have registration discounts at 20 year old cars.
Those are good cars. They will pass 200k
Just got a 2005 accord for 2000 euro runs good
What state do you live in? Very beautiful
That’s the problem is if you live up in the northeast your fucked good luck finding a car that has been sitting in a garage for 15-20 years willing to sell for dirt cheap not going to happen
2016 Corolla. Enough said
did you buy it new? how much did you pay for it?
@@johnkonde1975 bought it in 2019 with 55k miles, paid about 13k for it back then. If you get them at or below 60k you have enough time to change the trans fluid on them so they last forever, but ive never changed mine (currently at 104k) since im past the point of no return for it and ive had 0 issues. Also ive seen on the corolla forums a guy with 300k miles on the same trans and fluid so should be ok with my CVT lol. Gonna drive her into the dirt, many models of this generation corolla and the year before are fantastic in terms of reliability. Its just not an exciting car if thats what youre looking for. Parts and mods are cheap. Gas on it is cheap (i average about 300 miles a week and pay like 35$ a week in gas)
@@javajav3004 Looks like you scored a fantastic deal! Unfortunately used 2016 Corollas are a lot more expensive now then they were in 2019! Makes more sense to buy a brand new Corolla for 25k than pay 20k for a 5 year old used Corolla!
@@johnkonde1975 Honestly with the market as crazy as it is I would do exactly that, or go to a private seller but that comes with a lot
I would never finance a car again. l remember when I was in my early 20's all the way to my early 30's I bought all my cars full cash. This was back then when you could pick up a $500-$700 car as is, and fix it up yourself before getting a safety inspection done for roadworthy condition. Car payments will take half of your income and leave you broke for months to years, until it's paid off. When you buy a used car full cash, it's paid off and you own it. Older cars are more reliable because they are made simple and parts are cheaper to replace. All you need is a tune up every Winter, and new brake pads and rotors every 2 years or so. And oil changes every 3,000kms, to avoid oil sledge build up in the head. Trust me that cheap used car with these maintenance, will last you a long time depending on the car Brand.
Most people in my area charge way too much for a beater car
You can get a decent car for a few grand nowadays not a few hundred dollars those days have come and gone especially where I live up in New England the whole frame would be rusted off and it would be a safety hazard for 900$
so I have a 2008 impala LS with about 242k miles on it, It needs some work but runs and drives as is, It was my moms car so we kept up the preventative maintenance and replaced parts as needed. All glass is in good shape, some body imperfections such as paint on the front bumper is chipping away and the door as small spot of rust but the interior is clean. Still has the Chevy smell (I used to work at a chevy dealership in 2008). WHAT IS THIS OLD MF WORTH ON USED MARKET HOSS
Saturn SL2
No Toyota or Honda around 3k are in good condition in my area
I have this car in roblox
How many miles on it?
@dougfisher1813 133,000
You have to be mechanically inclined to drive an old car with over 100k miles wity confidence. If it starts giving you problems and you cant figure it out its going to be a money pit. You blow a head gasket or need to replace the timing belt or water pump and you have no mechanical knowledge good luck
If you blow a head gasket it's game over on an older car very few people can replace one and even many mechanics won't bother with it. Replacing a timing belt is easy depending on the car some make it a bastard by having it be an engine out job or worse yet like a Ford Ecoboost they use a wet belt. Water pump isn't that expensive to replace either. You just need to know a decent mechanic and actually look after your car and you'll be fine.
@@gravemind6536 Chevy Trax is also a wet timing belt. I'd rather not do any mechanic work, I'd rather just drive a brand new Mirage, just my preference!
@@johnkonde1975 Anything with a wet belt is just a throw engine and by extension throw away car. In the UK we have Stellantis with their 1.2 puretech engines and Ford with their awful 1.0 Ecoboost engines and even their Diesel Transit vans coming with wet belts and they just keep blowing the engine up and replacing the belt before it blows the engine up costs arond £1000 because it's so complicated. The Mitsubishi Mirage is a very reliable car although obviously not a great thing to drive. I'll be sticking with my chain driven Toyota with a manual transmission.
@@gravemind6536
Not sure what you're on about with "game over".
My 90' civic had a head gasket leak and I replaced it myself when I did the timing belt and have put another 24k trouble-free miles on it.
Instead of safer car people should move to a safer city