Ever find yourself in a position where you needed a car in a clutch? Maybe your nice, pretty new model doesn’t fare well for a dirty task you find yourself needing to do, or maybe you don’t have a shiny new anything and just need something to buzz around in. Whether you’re a broke college student trying to balance transportation with an anorexic bank account, an independent contractor that needs a hard runner to get the big jobs done or just looking to see how cool you can look for the cheapest possible price, there’s something for everyone; you just have to know where to look.
Thanks to Craigslist we can find just about anything second-hand, and haggle for it – but is it really a good deal and should you be doing it? Craigslist posters always over-value their wares and it’s up to you to stand up for yourself or be had. The pricing listed here is based on averages from a variety of different sources from varying locations in. The goal was to price out units in "fair to good" condition; not showroom quality, but not garbage either. Your results may vary, but hopefully this inspires you to finally pull the trigger on that next project you’ve been putting aside. The hardware is out there; everything from Hummers and M35 heavy military trucks on surplus deals to budget race cars you can beat the heck out of and not feel bad about it – they are here, right at your fingertips.
20 1996 Mazda 323 ($1,200)
You may remember this model more prominently as the 323 or Protégé; the small family car has been on the market in various forms under different nameplates since the early ‘60s in markets all over the globe and is a proven get-arounder despite its lackluster looks and humble performance.
By humble, I’m talking 1.6L naturally aspirated piston-pounder, and it isn’t taking you on any stellar rides through canyon country.
It will struggle on hills but as a commuter its reliability is solid. Many of these little cars have been known to see the odometer roll over twice, putting it in the 200,000 mile range on well-maintained units.
19 1994 Acura Legend ($1,500)
This mid-size, luxury executive (if we can still even call it that) is built under the Honda nameplate and, like the 323, is nothing special – that’s what makes it so special though. The 3.2L V-6 and optional five-speed manual gearbox make the front-wheel drive sedan a little more thirsty than the 323, but gives you the little power boost some will greatly appreciate. The mid-‘90s, second-generation body styling is a tad refined from the clumsy design of its first rendition and finding one with a decent coat of paint and some life left in it is almost reasonable for under $2,000.
18 1985 Honda CRX ($2,500)
For those of you who don’t mind taking a blast into the disco-dancing past, the mid-‘80s can be a perfect showroom from which to find your next beater. No, it’s not going to be pretty, but what was that came from the ‘80s anyway?
The CRX was a very popular rice-rocket back in the day, and everyone who had one wanted to throw a glass pack on it and pretend it was faster than it was.
I would highly advise against this type of malarkey, but the CRX love is still there and conspicuously indicated by the inflated asking prices. Don’t let yourself pay more than $2,500 and be prepared to accept high-mileage.
17 1994 Mazda Miata ($2,100)
The MX-5 is a Hiroshima-built Japanese import that made its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and has been in production ever since. Its design focused on a light-weight, mechanically minimalistic roadster design that was both technologically modern and highly reliable. Inspired by the successful British sports cars of the late ‘50s and ‘60s such as the Triumphs and MGs, the Miata hit its mark and found a loving home in our arms as a great track car embodying the essence of speed on the cheap. You’re probably not buying an autocross car if you’re reading a beater-buying guide, but it’s still good to know the MX-5 is proven in performance circles far above your intended use. 1.8L four-cylinder will keep the costs down while sport-tuned suspension keeps fun up.
16 1999 Ford Super Duty Flatbed ($4,500)
If you thought I was going to sit here and write about bottom-feeding, four-banging, front-wheel drive beaters this whole time – think again! A beater can be just about anything, and some needs are far more demanding than a compact four-door can facilitate.
When you need to get-‘er-done good, cheap trucks are never in short supply.
This 6.0L, four-wheel drive, diesel-powered, flatbed dually has a gross weight of 12,500lbs, heavy duty suspension, a tow package and only 137,000 on the odometer. Whether you need an equipment hauler, dump runner or just a bit of heavy duty steel on the equipment roster, a good used truck doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
15 1999 Lexus LS 400 ($2,500)
If you want something that’s been battle proven in the duel against time, the LS 400 has weathered almost two decades of life to prove that old luxury isn’t outdated, it’s just not luxury anymore. The once prestigious 400 isn’t as flashy as she once was, but many fine examples exist on the road today and are in very good condition. Perhaps the original buyers, being new Lexus purchasers, set the tone right with what we’d hope to be good regular maintenance and general care but it is not uncommon to see these cars looking just about brand new still. Consistently high consumer ratings are a testament to the car’s continued worth on today’s roadways.
14 1991 Honda Civic ($1,000)
Nothing impressive, but when a good owner happens to connect with a good car and regular maintenance is religiously performed, it’s not unheard of roll miles well over into the hundred thousands and still have a reliable beater you wouldn’t sell for double what you paid for it.
The key to spotting a meticulous owner is in the fine details.
How oxidized the paint? Is the interior well-cared for and clean for its age? The fine details are where an owner’s habits become clear. A look under the car and in the engine compartment should tell you a good deal about the car itself; are there leaks and grime everywhere? Is the engine dry and tidy? Is there homemade wire shooting across the engine bay to the other side willy-nilly?
13 2000 Subaru Outback ($1,750)
The Outback came at a time when the Legacy line was in need of a recharge, and the Outback rejuvenated the line to blow popularity through the roof; the Outback was converting non-wagon folks into wagon-lovers with its versatility and compact size – it’s an avid camper and competent commuter that feels just as at home in the woods with its four-wheel drive as it does in rush hour gridlock. Many loyal owners of the wagon refuse to part with their trusty Outbacks; if you do happen to find one it’ll likely make a wagon-lover out of you too. The biggest inspection point for a higher-mileage Outback is going to be the engine condition – peek under the chassis and ensure your heads, valve covers and cam carriers are not leaking as they are prone to do so.
12 2001 Honda Accord ($2,600)
The Accord is arguably one of the most popular vehicles on the road today as proven by strong sales numbers throughout the line’s production run. The model has built a reputation of solid reliability and dependable operation that has raised a generation.
Smooth-running engines are comparatively underpowered, but you’re not getting an Accord to drag race; you’re getting an Accord to get you where you need to go – every time.
Despite any performance deficiencies, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many negative reviews of the little sedan but will have no problem finding an overwhelmingly positive response to ownership in all of its different walks of life.
11 2002 AM General M1043A2 HMMWV ($7,500)
Wasn’t expecting to see a military Humvee in a beater buying guide? Well, I could just write about little hatchbacks from the early ‘90s that’ll get your broke self to and from community college for under $900 but nobody wants to read about that many crappy cars. The truth is that military surplus is a great way to pick up retired equipment for great prices. Does anybody really need a Hummer? Of course not. Would it be cool? Gosh darn right it would be cool! This slant-back is a newer model but since they all look the same, older ones can be had for much cheaper that have a few more hours on the meter and will keep a few more bucks in your pocket – like a few thousands more. If you’ve ever dreamt of having a Hummer, the time could be now.
10 M35A2 Deuce and a Half ($5,000)
If you have a predisposition to military equipment and like six-wheelers, the M35 is pretty rad from all angles, inside and out. You can’t beat the utility offered by one of the most proven military designs in history.
Affectionately nicknamed "deuce and a half," the M35 is battle-proven in a wide range of applications – all of which supersede any level of intensity that civilian life can throw at it.
The bare-bones styling and flat dashboard with rows of switches may be too complicated and ugly for some while others will find it refreshing and minimalistic. These trucks come in many configurations and are very versatile. Military equipment varies greatly in price; look long enough a deal will likely come your way you cannot pass up.
9 1995 Dodge Ram ($1,830)
Having 7% of the pickup market under its thumb in 1993, Dodge tripled that in a few short years with the release of this then-cutting edge design of their 1994 Ram truck body. It had one of the roomiest and up to date interiors and offered the highest chassis load and tow ratings off all its competitors; it was said of the Ram by many owners of the day, “you’re not buying a Ram, you’re buying a Cummins with a Ram wrapped around it.” Truer words have rarely been spoken, the Cummins diesel is, by far, the sturdiest and beefy engine of the Big Three’s offerings. Probably the best cheap-diesel pickup route you could go at the moment. And don’t worry about the mileage; they’re built to see well into the hundred-thousands before needing a teardown.
8 1986 Ford F-150 ($1,500)
Here’s an ambassador of the ‘80s that embodies about everything of the era; thin sheet metal, dated styling, cheap interior plastics and a boxy design knew not the definition of a curve. The engines were straddled with smog pumps and performance-sucking evaporative systems and this is about the cleanest paint job you’re ever going to see on one nowadays. Now that we’ve bagged on it a bit, here’s what else you should know; I’ve put over 50,000 hard miles on one as a 17-year old and couldn’t destroy it. The military-style front I-beam suspension is absolutely bulletproof. The 4.9L six-cylinder is a beast of an engine that never quit despite my propensity to drive the four-speed with my foot in the mashed into the floorboard. It’s overall a solid workhorse that was painlessly easy to work on – spark plugs took less than six minutes to swap out.
7 1980 Datsun 720 ($3,000)
Here’s a solid $1,000 beater no matter what condition it’s in; if it runs, you’re likely going to pay for it. This 720 King Cab is the successor to the 620 line and was newly-redesigned for the 1980 year with straighter body lines, square headlights and beefy suspension (for its size), it was a metal recyclers dream come true.
Many of these trucks in metropolitan environments have been converted for landscaping and other contract work.
Stake beds and dually conversions are popular and you can regularly see these high-mileage beaters grossly overloaded and still pulling true – never mind that white smoke pouring out from the exhaust. Expect to pay higher than average pricing as the demand for these little trucks never seems to go away.
6 1980 Toyota Hilux ($5,000)
It’s a global superstar and has been since the late-‘60s with almost 20 million units sold. It’s the subject of the Top Gear episode How to Kill a Toyota. If you haven’t seen it, it’s an episode that’s pretty much about ways that you can’t kill a Toyota; the abuse is impressive. You’ll see it smashed, crashed, sunk and submerged; even ride the roof of a building to the ground in a demolition – unbeaten each time. These trucks are just about as popular, if not more so, than their Datsun competitor and you won’t find an underpriced unit for sale – ever. I say that, because if you ever do find a good deal on one, buy it fast or buyer beware! You’ll not have to look hard to find listings for these trucks in excess of a ridiculously outrageous $35,000!
5 1997 Nissan Sentra ($500)
The Kelly Blue Book asininely asserts that private party value of this pile is up to $1,700 but I’m here to tell you otherwise. Although, depending on your area, there may be a decent demand for the cheap economics of such a car, this is no more than a $500 burner car any way you look at it (not unless it was locked in a vacuum-sealed vault underground since the day it was new). “That’s a nice looking car,” said no one ever. This car, rather than blend in, attracts attention for being so bad. Still, if 34mpg combined from a 1.6L four-cylinder is what you’re after, you’ve found it.
4 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee ($2,500)
The legendary Jeep has distant roots in military design and has been delivering extremely capable off-road machines for decades.
Years later, they still maintain a stable place in the market thanks to off-road enthusiasts and the thriving aftermarket industry that serves them.
The Cherokee, a derivative of the truck responsible for coining the term Sport Utility Vehicle, has a bullet-proof engine and makes up for whatever deficiencies in looks with more than adequate performance. The older they get, the more of them eventually get converted to off-road toys to live out the last of their days in frame-twisting style. If you want a great trailblazer that can drive itself home afterward, look no further.
3 Third Gen Camaro ($1,400)
In an era where high-output, rear-wheel drive thunder was being pushed aside by front-wheel, four cylinders with emission control devices bulging from the seams, the Camaro stubbornly adhered to its legacy – one of the few cars models that did not back down.
Despite having a production pause from 2002 to 2009, the Camaro refuses to be put in the ground for good and if you like what the Camaro is doing today, you can thank the 3rd generation for sticking to its muscular roots during such a controversial time.
Not only a piece of muscle history; what you’re actually owning is a testament to the resistance of the movement that gave us the Prius and Smart cars. Which side are you on?
2 1986 BMW E30 Coupe ($5,000)
The legendary E30 is not only a great racecar, it’s a potentially devastating rally car platform when placed in the right hands. Many people are realizing this glorious second life that could be had with the old Beemers while a well-stocked aftermarket will surely serve you and your ambitions well, whatever those may be. I shouldn’t need to say this but this car is a beater racecar only, you should have no reason to consider it as a commuter so you can say you drive a Beemer unless it’s super clean, but for the price you’ll have to pony up you could have something nice that’s actually reliable and cheap to maintain.
1 2002 Lexus IS Series ($4,200)
If ratings are an important factor in your car-buying venture, consider this good-looking, Kelly Blue Book 9.5/10 rated recipient.
The 2002 Lexus IS200 was a great looking car when it was released and this body style remains one of the most timeless designs we’ve seen in a while from Lexus.
Even as some of their newer designs fade by the wayside and become aesthetically obsolete, the first-generation IS200 from 1998-2005 struck a design chord within and as far as I’m concerned, is far more preferential to its second-generation successor despite the added age. Although seemingly pricy for a 20 year old model, they look great and when well-maintained can be a solid all-around runner. Just don’t settle for one that wasn’t well cared for; that’s asking for trouble.
Sources: edmunds.com, cargurus.com, kbb.com, westauction.com, motortrend.com, consumerreports.com.