If you have one, name your beater!

carogers86 · 12-04-2011, 11:08 PM

About two months ago, my mom gifted the family "spare" over to me. That car is a 1999 Toyota Sienna XLE. It has 206,000 miles on the chassis, 176K on the engine, and 76K on the transmission. To keep the door dings to a minimum, I keep the 335 in the garage.

The relief I feel cramming that van into a "compact" spot on campus or the mall is liberating. I don't think twice about the effects of a door ding on this tank. If I can't open the doors wide enough, I just walk out the side sliding door.

I took all the back passenger seats out of the back, so its like a covered truck. I throw all kinds of stuff back there (groceries, home depot runs, sports equipment, etc.) Filling up with $3.39 a gallon regular unleaded at some run down gas station, boy, I'm happy as a clam.

The beater does have its drawbacks. I get bullied on the freeway (when new v6 engine produced 176 hp) because I can't speed up enough or muscle around other cars. I have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right because the suspension has sagged so much alignments are useless (I tried 3 times on hunter machine). Blown gasket leaks oil from engine almost like the van is crying, so I can't park it on virgin driveway.

Toyota seats are so plush and so worn. The arm rests make me feel like a captain when driving (did I just type that?). Its handling is not one iota different than a medium sized fishing boat.

When I get back behind the wheel of the 3, its like I am in a rocket ship.

Anyway, if you have a beater, what is it, its condition, and what do you like about it?

apc3libras · 12-04-2011, 11:13 PM

Haha. That is awesome. Unfortunately, I don't have a beater. I drive the E90 and my wife drives a RX 350. If I had a beater, it would prolly be a 99 or 00 Civic or something.

31 Hz · 12-04-2011, 11:16 PM

2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager. Work truck & tow mule. It's liberating to not have to worry AT ALL about it.

khaye1 · 12-04-2011, 11:17 PM

I have a 1998 200sx se-r that I bought from my cousin for $800! Car is a trooper and will most likely turn around and sell it for more after I'm done abusing it

carogers86 · 12-04-2011, 11:22 PM

Hell yeah! That's what I like to see. My van helped move a good amount of furniture to my house. Caused more nicks in the vinyl trim, but its all good.

Read that thread asking if a large flat screen would fit in back of bimmer trunk. Sienna van to the rescue! LOL! Used it to haul a large flat screen from a crazy WalMart on black friday.

Do you think I cringed parking next to the shopping cart holder thing? Hell no, I just grabbed a shopping cart.

Funny thing is, the van never gets scratched in those situations. I bet the bimmer would be all scratched up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31 Hz

2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager. Work truck & tow mule. It's liberating to not have to worry AT ALL about it.

carogers86 · 12-04-2011, 11:23 PM

Also, I don't have the famous "toyota dent" in my rear bumper.

Timothy J · 12-04-2011, 11:25 PM

No name but beater/work horse/snow sled is in my sig!

username604 · 12-05-2011, 12:10 AM

i wish i had a beater.. i'd beat on it, you know, bounce off redline leaving my drive-way and what not. no warming up for you beater.

G559 · 12-05-2011, 12:24 AM

2008 Altima.

BMWUltimateDriv3r · 12-05-2011, 12:26 AM

I'm strongly considering buying a 2012 Mazda3.

Trojan4evr · 12-05-2011, 12:37 AM

97 camry with 240k on the clock.

carogers86 · 12-05-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trojan4evr

97 camry with 240k on the clock.

How often were your oil changes done? Ever had a leaking gasket?

Numark318i · 12-05-2011, 01:11 AM

e30 is the beater. Although I am parting with it on Monday.

Might pick up a 1998-2000 Volvo wagon with a salvaged title and low miles for a few grand (Ill get the turbo 5cylinder..car has some balls). My parents V70 has 200k miles on it and it runs like a champ.

johnnieflash · 12-05-2011, 01:35 AM

2001 Saab 9-3 5 door. 147,000 miles and kickin' like a chicken. Great little car with the manual 5 and turbo 4. Use it for driving to work (75 miles round trip) and picking up large items. The hatch really can haul some stuff.

krhodes1 · 12-05-2011, 01:38 AM

'93 Volvo 965 - looks like a square old Volvo, but it has a 201hp six and wieghs 300lbs less than my e91, so it moves. Also has aggressive snow tires and an auto-locking diff. Doesn't go around corners like the BMW though.

jvsxn · 12-05-2011, 03:11 AM

Her name is Jill, if you catch my drift

krayzie089 · 12-05-2011, 05:10 AM

2001 pontiac grand am se (beater), and 2002 ford explorer sport (snow sled)

ENINTY · 12-05-2011, 05:54 AM

Rosey Palmer

MilwMonstr · 12-05-2011, 08:32 AM

I still have my e36 328i w/ 200k on her. The WI rust bug hit, so it’s really not worth selling. So my wife parked her Saab and drives the e36 or if it snows, I will take the e36 and she can driver her Saab while the e92 waits.

luv135i · 12-05-2011, 09:21 AM

2004 cadillac cts with 100k...surprised being a GM product

roundle · 12-05-2011, 09:38 AM

1999 Honda Civic Sedan LX, 1.5 VTEC-E, AT. Euro-Spec, baby!

Picked it up last year for Euro 3K . It has just 60K miles. It runs like a top and everything works. I let family and friends from out of town use it. I never have to worry about dents or dings -- excellent!

amullo · 12-05-2011, 09:46 AM

We had a 1988 Opel Kadett GT. To many kilometers to even mention them
Still a fun ride if you can get by the funky smell..

It ended its life at a "beater" 24h trackrace

12-04-2011, 11:08 PM	#1
carogers86 Private First Class 72 Rep 155 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	If you have one, name your beater! About two months ago, my mom gifted the family "spare" over to me. That car is a 1999 Toyota Sienna XLE. It has 206,000 miles on the chassis, 176K on the engine, and 76K on the transmission. To keep the door dings to a minimum, I keep the 335 in the garage. The relief I feel cramming that van into a "compact" spot on campus or the mall is liberating. I don't think twice about the effects of a door ding on this tank. If I can't open the doors wide enough, I just walk out the side sliding door. I took all the back passenger seats out of the back, so its like a covered truck. I throw all kinds of stuff back there (groceries, home depot runs, sports equipment, etc.) Filling up with $3.39 a gallon regular unleaded at some run down gas station, boy, I'm happy as a clam. The beater does have its drawbacks. I get bullied on the freeway (when new v6 engine produced 176 hp) because I can't speed up enough or muscle around other cars. I have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right because the suspension has sagged so much alignments are useless (I tried 3 times on hunter machine). Blown gasket leaks oil from engine almost like the van is crying, so I can't park it on virgin driveway. Toyota seats are so plush and so worn. The arm rests make me feel like a captain when driving (did I just type that?). Its handling is not one iota different than a medium sized fishing boat. When I get back behind the wheel of the 3, its like I am in a rocket ship. Anyway, if you have a beater, what is it, its condition, and what do you like about it?
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12-04-2011, 11:13 PM	#2
apc3libras Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,691 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UTAH iTrader: (3) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [4.00]	Haha. That is awesome. Unfortunately, I don't have a beater. I drive the E90 and my wife drives a RX 350. If I had a beater, it would prolly be a 99 or 00 Civic or something. __________________ 2007 BMW 328I Monaco Blue /// 1999 BMW M3 Titanium Silver /// 2007 BMW 328I Sparkling Graphite (sold) Last edited by apc3libras; 12-04-2011 at 11:22 PM..
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12-04-2011, 11:17 PM	#4
khaye1 Colonel 145 Rep 2,809 Posts Drives: 18 AW F80 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (8)	I have a 1998 200sx se-r that I bought from my cousin for $800! Car is a trooper and will most likely turn around and sell it for more after I'm done abusing it __________________
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12-04-2011, 11:23 PM	#6
carogers86 Private First Class 72 Rep 155 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Also, I don't have the famous "toyota dent" in my rear bumper.
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12-04-2011, 11:25 PM	#7
Timothy J Captain 49 Rep 752 Posts Drives: Too much Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY iTrader: (1)	No name but beater/work horse/snow sled is in my sig! __________________ 2001 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 2003 VW Jetta TDI 2012 BMW F800GS 2024 BMW M2 BSM 6MT Carbon Package
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12-05-2011, 12:10 AM	#8
username604 Colonel 124 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	i wish i had a beater.. i'd beat on it, you know, bounce off redline leaving my drive-way and what not. no warming up for you beater.
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12-05-2011, 12:24 AM	#9
G559 . 23 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2017 X5M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: California iTrader: (1)	2008 Altima.
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12-05-2011, 12:26 AM	#10
BMWUltimateDriv3r First Lieutenant 82 Rep 324 Posts Drives: '08 328xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I'm strongly considering buying a 2012 Mazda3.
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12-05-2011, 12:37 AM	#11
Trojan4evr Lieutenant Colonel 494 Rep 1,922 Posts Drives: 2021 G80 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW/ E82 135i [1.00] 2007 BMW/ E90 335i [5.50]	97 camry with 240k on the clock. __________________ '21 G80 M3 '11 E82 135i DCT (Gone but not forgotten) '08 E90 335i (Gone but not forgotten)
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12-05-2011, 01:11 AM	#13
Numark318i Second Lieutenant 60 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cotati CA iTrader: (0)	e30 is the beater. Although I am parting with it on Monday. Might pick up a 1998-2000 Volvo wagon with a salvaged title and low miles for a few grand (Ill get the turbo 5cylinder..car has some balls). My parents V70 has 200k miles on it and it runs like a champ. __________________ Monaco Blue 2008 328i/Sports/6 Speed
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12-05-2011, 01:35 AM	#14
johnnieflash New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Shreveport,LA iTrader: (0)	2001 Saab 9-3 5 door. 147,000 miles and kickin' like a chicken. Great little car with the manual 5 and turbo 4. Use it for driving to work (75 miles round trip) and picking up large items. The hatch really can haul some stuff.
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12-05-2011, 01:38 AM	#15
krhodes1 Colonel 1436 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	'93 Volvo 965 - looks like a square old Volvo, but it has a 201hp six and wieghs 300lbs less than my e91, so it moves. Also has aggressive snow tires and an auto-locking diff. Doesn't go around corners like the BMW though. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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12-05-2011, 03:11 AM	#16
jvsxn Lieutenant Colonel 101 Rep 1,727 Posts Drives: e-ninety Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (8)	Her name is Jill, if you catch my drift __________________ Hiatus
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12-05-2011, 05:10 AM	#17
krayzie089 Private First Class 4 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2009 3351 coupe Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Frederick MD iTrader: (0)	2001 pontiac grand am se (beater), and 2002 ford explorer sport (snow sled)
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12-05-2011, 05:54 AM	#18
ENINTY Banned 173 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Rosey Palmer
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12-05-2011, 08:32 AM	#19
MilwMonstr Enlisted Member 7 Rep 32 Posts Drives: '97 328i, '07 335i, '07 S2R1k Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	I still have my e36 328i w/ 200k on her. The WI rust bug hit, so it’s really not worth selling. So my wife parked her Saab and drives the e36 or if it snows, I will take the e36 and she can driver her Saab while the e92 waits.
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12-05-2011, 09:21 AM	#20
luv135i Major 60 Rep 1,073 Posts Drives: White Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	2004 cadillac cts with 100k...surprised being a GM product
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12-05-2011, 09:38 AM	#21
roundle EXPAT 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	1999 Honda Civic Sedan LX, 1.5 VTEC-E, AT. Euro-Spec, baby! Picked it up last year for Euro 3K . It has just 60K miles. It runs like a top and everything works. I let family and friends from out of town use it. I never have to worry about dents or dings -- excellent!
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12-05-2011, 09:46 AM	#22
amullo Swedish F31 lightenthusiast 48 Rep 496 Posts Drives: BMW F31 320d xdrive Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Volvo V60 [0.00] 2010 Ducati Multist ... [10.00]	We had a 1988 Opel Kadett GT. To many kilometers to even mention them Still a fun ride if you can get by the funky smell.. It ended its life at a "beater" 24h trackrace __________________ //amullo -17 F31 320d xdrive Msport -10 Ducati Multstrada 1200s
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