Contemplating the unthinkable

[marnepup]

The first car I ever owned was a 79 rabbit...gas, not diesel. And, you know, I loved that car. Went around the world on a teaspoon of gas, no maintenance to speak of, and probably would still run like a top if I hadn't wrecked her (I was intemperate in my youth ). Now I'm looking at the miles pile onto my SRT at a rate of 3000 a month and it's freaking me out. I won't be able to do anything about it till July (around the 20,000 mile mark, eek!), but I'm thinking about making her a weekender, and driving something else to work. Around that time, being newly married, I'll probably be buying my fiancee something new.

So I'm thinking about taking over her old beater as a daily driver. It actually reminds me a little of the rabbit (except that, in spite of being 19 years newer, it has, if possible, even fewer ammenities) in that it gets awesome mileage, is relatively low maintenance, and can be expected to last forever.

Of course, it will need some improvements. I'll have to paint it (dirty, chipped, 9 year old white paint is nasty), put seats and a decent stereo in, and replace Wal Mart's finest tires with some decent shoes....maybe upgrade the suspension and the brakes. Not trying to make it fast, just more comfortable and safer.

The only problem? It's still gonna be a corolla.

[4herb2tas0tik]

marne....funny you should say something about driving a beater...my lil bro lives in s folrida anyhow ever time he comes out from his job he finds another dent in his door...i was like look its just a car and if it bothers you that much just take to her the dent wizard and have them fixed...my question to him and you is how in the hell could you submit yourself to driving a beater around when you know you have a beast back at home??...i mean you can always trade yours in and get a new one if miles bother you...i myself put on about 1500 miles a month...hell when i got my baby fixed and had a rental i felt like a comaner...lol...just didnt feel right..i personally drive my car like i stole it....its just a car....and when iam ready ill replace it..moral>>>dont by no stink'n beater...enjoy what you waited SOOO long for..

[Ken Lally]

I drive a daily beater and just love the fricken car- it's a 1987 Honda Accord, loaded, super comfortable, and gets decent gas mileage. Nothin' wrong with that at all

Well built little car that never seems to break down, picked it up from an 'ol lady 2 years ago with only 35k miles on it, she never drove it! This was the car, I think, that put the imports on the map here in the US. And I can see why now.

[HEMMISSEY]

there is nothing wrong w/ beaters! I have a throw down car, a 91 Honda Civic 4 dr with no trunk! Drive it to work, to the malls, Target, Ghetto Mart, and I park sideways lol! So far I recieved some keys marks, shopping cart dings and some spit on it, but hey, you can't beat that. As long as I know that my C is at home, safe! This car is great on gas as well. $20 every week and half, something like that.. Especially those rainy days when you don't want your car to be all dirty!

[FreebirdSRT]

I have a daily driver but that is because I build custom homes and there is no way I am about to bring my garage queen (FreebirdSRT) to a muddy job site. Or worse yet, getting inside of Freebird after my boots are really dirty, from a concrete pour, not on your life. I would never think of putting lumber inside of Freebird's trunk, noooooooooooo. That is what the truck is for.

My daily is a 2002 Ford F-250 (Diesel)

[vvv90]

Dude...There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. My 8 isn't my daily driver. That's how I get away with $50 a month gas bills.

Get an old import in great shape that sips gas. When the 6 months are up you can sell it make all your money back.

[300CUL8R]

I live in LA and spend a solid 1 1/2 - 2 hours in traffic to and from work every weekday. I thought of going with a hybrid as a third car to use the carpool lanes but then thought that I'd rather sit in traffic in the SRT than speed through in a econobox. Besides, can't pull up to a client's mansion in a Prius.

[GoofyTimL]

My sister and Bro-in-law in the Denver area bought a VW beetle diesel for his commute across town. It's cute, does the job and get 44 mpg according to them! I might have to think about that after I see it this summer!

[FreebirdSRT]

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

My sister and Bro-in-law in the Denver area bought a VW beetle diesel for his commute across town. It's cute, does the job and get 44 mpg according to them! I might have to think about that after I see it this summer!

I bought a 99 New Beetle as a daily so I could garage my then 96 Impala SS. The SS had been my daily and show car all in one. Tough keeping it show car clean as a daily.

It VW was the 2.0 litre,not the turbo or diesel model. It got great gas mileage, could park it anywhere and that egg shaped car has given me the most head room to date of any car or truck that I have owned in my lifetime.

When I was looking at the VW I was told the diesel bug could go 650 miles on 1 tank of gas. Pretty darn impressive.

[Hardware]

My SRT isnt my daily driver. It is sure nice to hop into a clean car all the time. (well except the wheels). Get a Beater!