3 of the Best Beater Cars
A beater car is inexpensive, reliable, and a bit unappealing to look at on the roads. Here’s a look at some of the best beater cars.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
It’s no secret that today’s car prices are rising at a rapid pace. While the newest models come with impressive engines and advanced technology, they also come with bigger price tags, and
used models aren’t always inexpensive
. For drivers who are shopping on a budget, or simply just want a no-frills car, a beater car is a great option.Beater cars are inexpensive and reliable used rides, although, admittedly, can be a bit of an eye sore on the road. But, if you don’t value appearance in your
car buying
process, a beater car is sure to get you a great bang for your buck. Jerry
, the car ownership super app
, looks at three of the best beater cars available, plus some tips and tricks for purchasing. Honda Civic
Honda Civics are known for being one of the best beater cars on the market. Civics have been long regarded as reliable cars, from when they first hit the roads in 1972 all the way to today. Ideally, drivers interested in a Honda Civic as a beater car would want to look for an early 2000s model to find the most reliable and best priced.
The Family Handyman
reports that there are a range of Honda Civics available, and drivers can get models as recent as 2010 for under $5,000. Whether you’re looking for a coupe, sedan, or hatchback, a beater Honda Civic has got you covered.MORE: 7 Things to Look For When Buying a Used Car
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Volvo S80 or 850
Both the Volvo S80 and the Volvo 850 are some of the best beater cars.
MotorBiscuit
reports that interested purchasers should look for late ‘90s and early 2000s models of these cars, because they’re not old enough to be classics like the Volvo 200 series, but not new enough to face the recent electrical problems Volvo has reported. If maintained properly, Volvo sedans can run efficiently for hundreds of thousands of miles, but like any beater car, there will most likely be a few issues. You can likely find a Volvo sedan for around $1,000, but splurging a bit more might lead to less issues in the future.
Subaru Outback
Subarus are known for being reliable, safe, and adventurous family cars, and that reputation carries over to beater cars, too.
Some of the best model years for a Subaru Outback beater car are 2004-2010, as they likely won’t have ridiculously high odometer readings, and will still have a reliable engine. The Subaru Outback has four-wheel drive, and is perfect for those with an adventurous lifestyle looking for a beater car.
How to find the best beater cars
When looking for the best beater cars, the key is to find a reliable and functioning car, that’s had a significant price drop due to high mileage, aesthetic appearance, or both.
Once you have your eyes set on a potential beater car,
iSeeCars
suggests running a free VIN check on the car. VIN stands for vehicle identification number, and running a check on a car before you purchase will allow you to see if it suffered any significant damage. You’ll also want to look at the vehicle’s maintenance history, to ensure it has been maintained properly over the years. After all, the point of a beater car is to find something reliable, and cars that haven’t been maintained are rarely reliable.
Lastly, be sure to take your potential car for a test drive before you purchase, to make sure the reports you’ve read are correct.
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