SO looking into a cheap winter beater...what do you guys have??

Discussion in 'SN95 4.6 Talk' started by Mustang5L5, Sep 7, 2007.

  1. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    I've decided not to sell my GT and just keep it and buy a beater/commuter car.

    NO trucks. I can't drive trucks, they just aren't my type of vehicle. Only truck/SUV i would want is a jeep wranger

    I want something cheaper (up to $3000) but still new(mid to late 90's) and reliable. I have seen some decent cars. Ford Focus's, Pontiac Bonneville SSei's, 96+ Lincoln Continentals, Subaru 2.5 RS's for cheap.

    Ideas for something fun?? Must be AWD or at least FWD and have some sort of power. Right now i like the idea of a supercharged bonneville. :)
  2. Crzyhrse Active Member

    Member Since:
    Dec 23, 2004
    Message Count:
    1,637
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    I drive an '05 Focus. But I could drive my Mach year round if I wanted. No snow here. :)
  3. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Yeah if i didn't have to deal with snow and a 50mile/day commute to work, i'd drive the GT. I don't want to put miles on it even though a new 4.6L Mustang is an awesome highway commuter with stock gearing.

    I want something cheap that i can just pay cash and call it a day. I don't have any car payments and i'd like to keep it that way. Plus i'd own 3 cars at that point.

    I'm kinda liking the idea of a bonneville with the supercharged 3.8L. Only 225HP stock, but a smaller pulley can fix that :)
  4. SaleenGT2001 Active Member

    Member Since:
    Jul 19, 2005
    Message Count:
    2,925
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Location:
    Four Oaks NC
    i have a 95 ranger 2WD, a 94 Olds 88, and an 03 Xterra 4WD. the olds is a great beater and they can be had for cheap!!

    i'm actually thinking about selling my Olds. i'll trade you the car w/ 160K on it for a set of manley pistons and rings...
  5. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    I actually discovered Lincoln Continentals can be had fairly cheap. There's an idea. 4.6L DOHC, FWD, decent looks. I'm just concerned about "lincoln disease". I owned a Mark 8, and it had electrical probs and air suspension probs
  6. kaostik New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Message Count:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Everett, Ma
    im in the same exact situation with the same exact restrictions/desires in basically the same exact area. ive been SCOURING for a decent wrangler around $2000-$2500. i want one so bad for the snow.

    ive been looking at the same price range to pay cash with no payments and minimum insurance for a few months now.

    i cant settle on any vehicle, but i think ill end up with a cherokee. its 4x4 with plenty of space for my tools, and they are going for that $$ range with mileage i can live with.
  7. 2000fordstanggt Member

    Member Since:
    Sep 6, 2005
    Message Count:
    416
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Westland, MI
    id try for a bonneville ssei. theyre the ****znit
  8. Mustang225 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Jul 23, 2000
    Message Count:
    401
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I was in the same situation a few years back. I didn't want to continue putting 24,000 a year on the 03. So I picked up a 95 YJ for $2500. I use it as my winter dd and it's great in the snow.
  9. bakos24 I find there is nothing better than a tasty wiener

    Member Since:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Message Count:
    3,010
    Likes Received:
    75
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Austintown, OH
    Aren't Lincoln Continentals RWD?
  10. saleen556 New Member

    Member Since:
    Dec 2, 2003
    Message Count:
    413
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Hillsboro,OR
    I drive an 01 neon. It gets 30+ mpg and if it gets hit I could care less.
  11. Wolvrin704 New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 18, 2007
    Message Count:
    131
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Milford, OH
    I believe the Bonneville is actually 260 hp stock, I know the Grand Prix GTP is and they have the same engine and s/c. The NA 3.8 is 200 hp.

    My mom and dad have had several Bonneville's, no SSEi though. They are nice cars, it was Pontiac's attempt to compete with the upscale cars but did not come even close. I did test drive a Grand Prix GTP in 2000, its not even close to what a Mustang can do but not bad for what they are.
  12. Matt's 03 GT Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 28, 2006
    Message Count:
    199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Orange County
    My wife and I were in the same situation and ended up getting a 1996 Volvo GLS wagon for $4,200 in very good shape. They are reported to go 300K easily with regular maintenance.

    We didn't get the turbo model, but I am sure for 4K and some looking you could get a very nice 220 hp FWD T-5 sedan that is great in the snow and very comfortable. Being Turbo it is very easy to turn up the wick and have some fun.

    Good luck,

    Matt
  13. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts

    Continentals are FWD. Mark 8's are RWD. Both use the 4.6L DOHC
  14. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts


    OT, but were you behind me on Broadway, Revere a couple weeks ago??
  15. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Oh i forgot to add is that another criteria i need is Automatic only. Reason being my sister may borrow the car from time to time as she is carless since she's in college and she cant drive stick.


    I've found some pretty decent cars already, but all 5-spds :(
  16. bakos24 I find there is nothing better than a tasty wiener

    Member Since:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Message Count:
    3,010
    Likes Received:
    75
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Austintown, OH
    I knew one of them were :nice:
  17. Mike97gt it doe snot

    Member Since:
    Jan 26, 1999
    Message Count:
    12,475
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    76
    Location:
    the people's republic of massachusetts
    I have a 95 taurus wagon that I bought as a winter beater but now is my main ride since I sold the mustang.

    I will keep it until I buy my new truck
  18. Mustang5L5 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Message Count:
    19,644
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Taurus are cheap, but i'm not big on their style. I want something at least somewhat eye appealing or sporty. That's why i'm reserving cars such as a civic, taurus, camry, corolla until the end after i exhaust the "cooler" choices.


    Right now if i can find a decent Bonneville SSei i'd go for that, but i'd really like a wrangler first and foremost.
  19. kaostik New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Message Count:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Everett, Ma
    OT i could have been. sometimes im oblivious when im driving if im really into the song im listening too, lol. did i have a few hot ****es in the car with me? if yes, then no, it wasnt me.

    pretty funny we are in the same boat and probably a mile away from each other. actually i think i saw your car parked in a driveway, and i also saw an old 5.0 parked on the street and i was led to believe that was your hizzy. you live by the cemetary near the 4 stop intersection? i live 2 minutes from there.

    back on topic,

    we'll have to get a DD beater cruise going when we get our beaters. for whatever i end up with, im definitely getting some plastic $30 spinner hubcaps, and making a crazy spoiler out of wood, lol.
  20. BlackGT4.6 New Member

    Member Since:
    Jun 15, 2005
    Message Count:
    103
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    In.
    it was this. [IMG]
    but it died. Something about 239,000 miles and driving 90 miles a day on the interstate at 70mph just didn't work out. But now I have a 99 grand prix gt. Its a nice car decent power and has every option so it makes the drive nicer.

Share This Page