This one only has 63K miles so maybe doesn’t qualify as a beater. But we bought it new and it just goes and goes…I love the tall greenhouse and the way it’s small on the outside and huge inside.
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Also motorcycles
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I bought my 2002 Miata three years ago, and will drive it at least another 10 years. My 2000 Miata went 17 years.
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Funny piece. Brings to mind PJ O’Rourke’s car recommendation, but he doesn’t think it’s a beater:
Nothing handles better than a rented car. You can go faster, turn corners sharper, and put the transmission into reverse while going forward at a higher rate of speed in a rented car than in any other kind. You can also park without looking, and can use the trunk as an ice chest. Another thing about a rented car is that it’s an all-terrain vehicle. Mud, snow, water, woods – you can take a rented car anywhere. True, you can’t always get it back – but that’s not your problem, is it?
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One positive is the environmental aspect
The majority of carbon a car is responsible for doesn’t come out of the exhaust but in the manufacture process
If you buy second hand and run it til it won’t run any more, instead of buying two or three new cars, you’re still polluting (no kidding) but nowhere near as much
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The kismet has been mucho strong the past couple of days: Here’s my 2002 Camry. I fully detailed her over the weekend (applied sealant in the garage last night) in prep for gifting to a friend. Mileage over 240K. See what not tail-gaiting gets you? Yes, she’s burning oil, but that’s to be expected given the mileage. I can honestly say, I’ll miss her. Sayonara, my dear Camryskoya.
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My spouse and I would love your 2010 Prius! So far we’ve been able to get most places by walking, bus, uber/lyft and a little bit of mooching, but our family insists we must, must get a car[1]. If we had to, we’d get a second hand hybrid and drive until it goes to the big scrap heap in the sky.
On the other hand, only now are the hybrid models coming out with all-wheel drive and we live in blizzard territory. We may have to get a 2019 model or something, if we really have to…
[1]We had a lockdown not-quite-emergency-but-pretty-important doctor visit that we would have ordinarily taken an uber for but we had to have our brother in law drive us and it became a whole thing/drama.
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Did you notice the headlight shape? Round or square? Square and you have seen a rare and much-disliked Pennsylvania Rabbit.
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Mine was over 30 years old when I got it 30 years ago. I eventually put a brand new engine in it, because the Mexican Goodwrench crate motor cost less than a rebuild job would have. I don’t repaint it because then I’d be nervous when taking it to the city dump.
I get two flavors of comments: “Nice patina!” or “When are you going to restore that thing?”
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I honestly can’t remember, but I’d lean toward round. Nothing unusual jumped out at me.
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I want one of these so badly, but the dang Camry won’t die.
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Dude, nice wheels. That’s my car!
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my first three cars 25 years ago were beaters all shortly became to expensive to repair. so focused on spending an extra couple of grand each on my next two I selected older Japanese cars with low miles around the 60-70,000 mile mark, models popular enough that parts could always be found at the wreckers so far I’ve gotten about ten and twelve years out of each and paid a pittance in repairs, the cars were a subaru gl 1990 and after that a 1990 Accord that is still going strong. with average to slightly lax maintenance. the most expensive thing on the accord was 400 dollars for a chip. funny story my mechanic didn’t find the problem and I insisted the car would only fail to start in direct sunlight he scratched head and said that didn’t really make a lot of sense. he referred me to honda specialist. turns out the failing chip was affected by the interior of the car heating up and wouldn’t function when it reached a certain temperature. thats my two cents but if I could give any really sound car advice based on personal experience it would be … never, buy, a boat.
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Changes to favor a subaru beater, specifically.
Source: went to uni in the mountains 
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Well, like I said, I’m driving it into the ground. Maybe you can find a used one near you that was manufactured on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. With the problems I’ve had, I’m pretty sure mine was assembled Monday morning after the Super Bowl.
I live in the Detroit area, the stupid Prius does OK in snow up to about 10". Does as crap as every other car on ice, though.
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240 FTW
THE BRICK
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My previous beater was a 74 BMW 2002 series a gf gave me. Pieces were literally falling off in mid drive before somebody more sadistic than I bought it.
I miss that car.
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I bought one a few years ago but in keeping with this theme my boat is more of a beater than my car - ugly to look at but in excellent mechanical shape. Paid cash for it off of Craigslist. I actually enjoy having it as a project.
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glad its working out for you so far.
Your avatar makes me think your boat is actually a custom van with holographic projectors.
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