What makes a car a beater?

Beater car definition: an old or high-mileage – or both old and high-mileage – car that is still fully functional and legal to drive on the road, and that is so darn cheap to purchase, you can pay for it in cash.

Is it wise to buy a brand new car?

Peace of mind: A new car will likely be more reliable than a used one, even though pre-owned cars are much more dependable than in the past. If a new car breaks down, you can have it fixed for free under the included factory warranty, at least for the first 36,000 miles or three years that most carmakers offer.

How much is a beater car worth?

What is a Beater Car? Beater cars are older, high-mileage vehicles that still run well. They typically cost between $500 and $2,000.

Is it smart to have a beater car?

A beater car has little intrinsic value and while not “easy on the eyes,” a beater car is usually a smart choice for high-mileage commutes and general, everyday driving. Beater cars are seldom pretty, but they get “the job” done when it comes to transporting you and yours from here to there.

Should you buy a beater or a new car?

Insurance and gas are going to be your main expenses. A good beater car has likely hit that depreciation point already, so you’re not buying this as an investment or probably not as something you’re looking to turn over down the road. Driving is meant to be fun, it really is.

Is the Mazda Miata a better beater?

Better beaters are few and far between. Of course, there are plenty of people out there who want a beater they can actually enjoy driving into the ground, rather than plodding the car gently to the grave. The perfect combination of reliability, low entry price, and fun driving dynamics is the Mazda Miata.

Are Mini Cooper’s good beaters?

Mini Coopers are another car that could seem fun to own as a beater at the end of its life, but that are actually far from ideal. These cars combined parts from Germany and the US, all squeezed within a tiny engine bay, making maintenance and parts a nightmare during extended ownership—even with a roof rack that can hold lumber.

Are all beaters made equal?

But not all beaters are made equal. Keep scrolling for 8 perfect beaters to buy cheap and 8 that aren’t worth it at any price. There are very few cars that can make the perfect kind of beater that a used Honda Civic hatchback can. Just look at the simple, utilitarian design of the perfectly destroyed specimen above.