Beater cars are minimalist cars, also known as clunkers or shift boxes.Beater cars are old cheap cars that often have high mileage. They are functional, reliable, and very economical regarding fuel consumption. They are practical with minor irregularities and malfunctions as much as you need something that can take you from location A to B without spending much money. Also, if you are not necessarily concerned about how your car looks and are not stuck on convenience, then beater cars are your best bet. Beater cars are not only cars, they can also be trucks, minivans, and SUVs. Even with its flaws, there is great value in buying a cheap beater car. Let's take a look at some of these benefits.

While you are deciding to buy a cheap beater car in 2023, this article will provide some essential information you need to know about beater cars, the best models to buy, and how to maintain them.

Benefits of Driving a Cheaper Beater Car?

Good ROI

The most convincing reason for buying a beater car is to save money. Cars are investments, and beater cars will yield a good ROI. Beater car prices range from $2000 to $8000. Cheap right? You will be investing a little and gaining so much more in return. There is no monthly payments or the headaches of credit and other paperwork that comes with buying a new car. You also save money on maintenance and spare parts. Beaters are not always fun to ride, but when you save a lot of money on a need, the financial relief often trumps other things.

Zero worries about depreciation

Immediately you pull the seals off your brand-new car and start driving it, and it starts losing its value. The longer you drive it and the more it bumps into things, the more value it loses. This is a major problem for car owners because you can never sell it off for the worth you bought, making cars luxury items. However, you don't need to worry about depreciation with your beater car because you already got it for a little. Sometimes, you even sell or trade it for as much worth as you bought it.

You have a functional, reliable car

The key reason we all get a car is easy locomotion from point A to point B. And, of course, we choose to buy the vehicles that will answer and perform whenever we want to hit the road. Having a beater car checks off this list. They are functional and reliable, with zero learning curve.

Anxious free driving and parking

While you may not be interested in purchasing a brand-new vehicle, you will want to keep it clean and nice for as long as possible. With beater cars, there is no need to be anxious about having someone bump into your bumper or worrying about birds ruining your paint, or someone crashing their car door into you. The anxiety alone makes some people go for only beater cars because then you'd pay no mind to all these things, or at most, they won't worry you as much as it would if someone were to bash into your new car.

How to Shop for a good Beater Car

Shopping for a beater car is the same as shopping for any other vehicle. Here are a few things to consider when buying a beater car.

Mileage Check

Go for the lowest mileage beater car you can find to avoid breaking down immediately. Beaters often have thousands of miles on them; purchasing those under 200,000 miles is advisable.

Working Condition

We know you want to get an incredible deal with your beater car, but what use is the deal if it can't run? While things like AC and radio are optional, things like functional brakes, good tires, and working headlamps are non-negotiable. Ensure that the beater you choose has everything it needs to function properly on the road. If parts need to be included, don't be lured by the cheapness and say you'd manage; look for a better one.

Understand your needs

Take some time to research what you want in a car and the purpose of why you are buying it. You shouldn't be looking for a car if you work on a farm or ranch; you should go for a truck or minivan. Do you want a fuel-efficient vehicle? Or do you want one with better running speed? Which car brand do you prefer, and what benefits do they offer? Properly answering these questions will save you stress and make your investment even more valuable. Be picky even though you want it cheap!

A Trusted Review

Since you are buying an older car, you need a thorough car review from a trusted mechanic. You want a cheap, practical car, not a deadbeat car. You will likely get this if you need a trusted mechanic to inspect the vehicle for you. This factor is a no-brainer whenever you are purchasing used stuff. As good and cheap as they are, you might spend your money for nothing as you won't get value for your purchase.

The Best Cheap Beater Cars to buy

Honda Civic/Honda Accord/Toyota Corolla

The Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and Toyota Corolla form the boys' brigade of good-beater cars. You can find the early 1990s to mid-2000s models for less than $2500 with 200,000 miles on most of them.

Kia Rio/Nissan Sentra/Ford Focus

These sporty small cars are fun to drive daily. The Nissan Sentra is lightweight and has been confirmed reliable. Though they are cheaper and have fewer miles compared to the Toyota family, they are becoming rare to find and if you get one for a good price, take advantage of it.

Chevrolet Cavalier

The Chevrolet cavalier of the mid-'90s and early 2000s is most likely the cheapest beater car on this list. You can find one for $1000 or even less. Finding parts is easy, and you can even DIY the repairs.

Ford and Chevrolet Trucks

The Chevy Silverado, Chevy Suburban, and Ford F- 150 are all beater cars suitable for heavy-duty and basic transportation. You can get the early 90's and 2000's models for under $5000.

Toyota Pickup/Toyota Tundra/Toyota 4Runner

Toyota trucks are known to be monster vehicles. They are virtually indestructible. Some Toyota pickups and SUVs go for under $5,000 in the market with over 300,000 miles on them. These trucks are durable, reliable, and easy to fix when they break down.

How to Maintain your Beater Car

Agreed, your beater car is cheap and old. However, no rule says you should use it carelessly because it's cheap. Proper care and maintenance of your beater car will give you a higher ROI as it will serve you longer with less need for repairs. One of the most prominent ways to maintain your vehicle is to Invest in a good car cover. A car cover is a very useful accessory for protecting any vehicle, including a beater car. It serves as a protective cover for your car against a fair number of occurrences.

Buying a custom-fit car cover for your beater is one of the best decisions regarding car maintenance. Purchase a custom-made car cover with breathable clothing and ATV protection if you store your car outside. At Xyzctem,we sell great car covers for all vehicles, including motorcycles, with free shipping worldwide. Visit our website to shop for a reliable custom-fit car cover for your beater. Again, as I mentioned earlier, your beater car is cheap and old, which does not mean you should run it down within the first few months. Take proper care of it by first investing in a good car cover to ensure its physical features are maintained for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Beater cars are not made for the poor and average only. If you are a new driver, you should go for a cheap beater car until you become a seasoned driver. If you are the anxious type that can't stomach having your brand new car dented or scratched, then opting for a good-priced beater car will save you lots of blood pressure. Of course, if you are looking to save money or don't even have it all but need a reliable means of transportation, beater cars are a definite savior for you.