Automakers compete to put the best models on the market with advanced tech, designs, and innovations, which usually drive prices high. However, at the end of the day, the point of a daily driver is to get you from point A to point B.
For people who don’t value vehicle brands, models, and looks, a beater car is the perfect setup. Beater car is a term used to describe a type of car with a defined role in an owner’s day-to-day life.
What Is a Beater Car?
A beater car is an old, less expensive vehicle that’s not in the best condition and is mainly for transportation to and from work. These cars are often old models with a few functional features.
The line between a beater car and a cheap vehicle can get blurry because they’re practically the same thing. The easiest way to distinguish the two is how they’re maintained and what they’re for. As mentioned, beater cars are mainly used for transportation, meaning they’re often not as well-kept as some second-hand vehicles.
All these mean that beater cars are less expensive to buy and maintain than newer vehicles. Buying a beater car should cost below $5,000 since they’ll have more mileage and damage.
Tips for Buying a Beater Car
If you’re interested in buying a beater car, there are certain things to consider to avoid wasting money. Some tips include bringing a mechanic with you, picking a popular brand/model, and checking the vehicle’s history, among others.
Bring a Mechanic With You
Checking out a beater car with a mechanic is a good idea because they can inspect the vehicle. You can get an estimate on how long the said car can last, how much it might cost to maintain, and if the vehicle is cost-efficient.
It costs around $200 to hire a mechanic for a thorough inspection. It’s worth the investment since you may wind up purchasing an irreparable car for thousands.
Pick a Popular Car
Picking a popular model ensures you can get scrapped parts more easily, as most junkyards or aftermarket manufacturers will likely have supplies. This makes it easier to perform certain repairs and might even mitigate repair costs because you won’t need to pay a premium for rare model parts.
Check Vehicle History
Websites like AutoCheck offer a vehicle history report, which shows crucial information about the car you’re looking at. These details include previous owners, wholesale transfers, rebranded titles, incident reports, and more. In a way, this is a less expensive version of bringing a mechanic because you’ll get a detailed report of what the car has gone through.
Set a Budget
Setting a budget before shopping for a beater car helps you stay on track and avoid overspending on a model you may not like later.
In the same vein, looking at prices online and doing your due diligence about which models make for a good beater car could save you money in the long run. There’s less of a chance they fail based on what the reviews say. And even if they do, it won’t surprise you because you’ve done your research.
Expect to Do Work
Beater cars require work because they have tons of mileage and damage. Expect to pay a ton for repairs and invest time to get the vehicle on the road. This way, you won’t set yourself up for disappointment.
Lower Expectations
Lastly, temper your expectations when it comes to beater cars. As mentioned, they’re only used for transportation, preferably shorter rides. Don’t expect them to take you out on a road trip or impress family/friends. The lower your expectations are, the more satisfied you’ll be with the purchase.
How to Maintain a Beater Car
Maintaining a beater car is a lot of hard work, so be prepared. Make sure you check the brakes, inspect the tires, and inspect the steering/suspension system, among other essential upkeep tasks.
Check Brakes
Ideally, you want a mechanic to look at certain parts and components of your beater because they’ll have the knowledge and tools to fix them. The braking system is one of the areas that should take priority.
Test the brakes before using the car to ensure its effectiveness. Once you notice a decline in performance, have components, like the brake pads, checked and replaced.
Inspect Tires
Inspect the tires for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear. Like the braking system, your tires ensure your safety on the road, as worn ones are susceptible to blowouts or punctures. If you can, keep a spare tire inside the trunk in case you need a replacement.
Check the Steering and Suspension System
Checking your vehicle’s steering and suspension system is crucial for maintaining safety and performance. For example, you can check the shocks and struts by pressing your car’s corners. The shocks or struts might be worn if the vehicle bounces more than once.
To test the steering system, drive the beater to see if the steering feels loose or if you hear clunking noises.
Change the Oil and Oil Filter
The engine oil lubricates the moving parts in your beater to ensure their smooth operation. As such, consider changing the oil every three to six months to prevent impurities that might affect performance.
Similarly, you should also check the oil filter since it removes contaminants from the oil that can accumulate over time. It’s recommended you change the filter at the same time you change the oil.
Follow Regular Maintenance Schedule
Lastly, having and following a routine maintenance schedule helps prolong your beater’s lifespan. It’ll help you have soon-to-be worn components replaced before they affect the car’s performance.
Some manufacturers recommend scheduling an appointment every 40,000 kilometers or every six months to ensure you’re on top of the issues while not overspending on repetitive checkups.
How to Get a Quality Replacement Brake Caliper
Always keep your beater car’s brake system in good shape because it keeps you safe and prevents costly damage. When you need to replace a brake caliper, choose one with reliable performance and a long service life. Fortunately, you can easily get high-grade brake calipers here at CarParts.com.
CarParts.com is your one-stop shop for brake calipers and other automotive replacement parts for various makes and models. We exclusively source our products from veteran brands trusted by many drivers across the US. Rest assured that your new brake parts will deliver the promised performance on their packaging. It’s also important to find the right brake caliper for your beater car. Enter the year, make, model, and engine into our website’s vehicle selector to bring up suitable parts. If you have any questions about our products, such as their cost and fitment, our helpful customer service team is available 24/7 to assist you.
Enjoy fast delivery of brake calipers at CarParts.com. If you live in the continental US, order a brake caliper before noon ET, and it will arrive at your doorstep in several business days.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
