Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests whats a good beater car?

not sure if you are allowed to buy european, but as someone mentioned volvo 240's last forever.

I will have to second the votes for the escort/tracer of early 90's. I had a 95 escort lx in HS that I beat on all the time and it ran like a champ until my dumb a$$ totalled it.

-Pete

Just gotta say Tempo. Especially the pre 88's I took my 87 hunting, snow plowing, and bob sledding (down the hills of duluth) Never had a major problem, except the WP going at 110k. Unfortunately the winters of duluth ended up eating a good size hole through the floor pan. THe engine was still going strong though and last I heard it was still running. I had that car when I was 16 and it lasted through my 21 bday.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that be like putting an LT1 in a Camaro? BTW, SHO=mechanical trouble! If you want a semi-reliable beater, SHO isn't the one.

PS: My '87 Mercedes 190E has 257K on the odometer, which stopped running three months ago. The car has all power and is loaded. Everything works and it pulls willingly, no smoke. Never a rebuild, only regular maintenance. Just thought I'd toss that in for you to think about.

95 Corsica 4 banger.
Best car I've ever had as far as reliability.
116,000 miles, needed new valve cover gasket.

Love my SVT, but I could never take it mudding like I did the Corsica.

Why, look at the car in my signature

early 90's Cutlass. 159,000 miles. Can still squeel the tires.

honda civic baybeeeee
run forever.

Ford Contour. :p

If you get in an accident, instead of repairing the vehicle, you can just part it out and buy another one.