I was wondering what you guys think about having a repaired car as your beater. I know a few people are tearing
up these cars as show cars and such. Though I wonder if anyone is using one as a beater...
I've been considering a replacement for the wagon, due toa few issues (rust more than anything)
I, for some odd reason, like the 03-05s...but don't want to pay a bunch for one.
I've found different models of different sal. title cars running anywhere from 3 to 5 grand.
Granted, I know the risks. But then again, the successes of a friend (04 Fire) and a co-worker (03 Cav)
have me considering the idea.
All I'm really looking for is a base sedan(1st) or coupe(2nd) with in good shape, with no damage to the engine
anywhere (those seem to be real problem cars)
It's just got to get me around-and last 3-4 years-that's it.
Take a chance? Or just settle on a non-never-been smashed older cav/fire?
As long as you realize that resale is not a great option you should be fine.
A buddy of mine owns 2 j's with salvage titles and has had no issues.
my car was totaled when i bought it and I have no issues at all.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, November 06, 2006 9:14 AM
I found a 03 sedan a couple of weeks ago, hit light in the front, wrecked the bumper and popped the bags, but somehow didn't smash the front glass... it was a rideshaer car, so it had 116,xxx kms on it.. but otherwise it was in decent shape... all it needed was a passenger fender, hood, and front bumper. Maybe lights too.. but the bags, that was the pricey part... $1000 for that car...
Plus another $1500 for parts? I could have had a $2500 2003 beater... sigh... if only I had more space to work on cars... and more $$$$ to throw around...
My Z is for sale Dave if you're interested, I noticed you're located in Michigan. Really well maintained, some minor mods, honestly would make at great get-around car with a little fun added.
It's all back to stock, with the short throw, poly mounts, and exhaust pretty much. Recent repaint on most the car from normal wear and tear, Mobil1 full synthetic every 2k miles since I purchased it, never wrecked.
Contact me and I could work out a good deal. I'm already asking below blue book, but willing to take less at this point if the right person wants it.
using a j-body as a beater?
no way! nobody would ever use such a high-end car as a beater! that's blasphemy.
if you can find one with a good body/frame but with a blown engine that someone wants to get rid of for cheap (there's plenty, im sure), just slap a new engine in it and you should be set for very little money. it's better than buying something that's been wrecked, and you can get it for less money than simply buying a used, running car.
just a suggestion...
There are plenty of 98+ 2200's for dirt cheap. I've heard some 2200's limp by that sounded like broken diesels, but ones that are well maintained last forever. 2200's are awesome when it comes to getting you around without emptying your pocket. I've got one that was a rental car upto 55K mi. I beat the crap out of it through high school, part of college and it hasn't needed a thing since I bought it besides consumable parts. My vote goes to 98-00 2200's.
2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd
My car has a salvaged title...never had any issues other than the ignition control module went bad about a year after I got the car...but I got it when it was practically brand new, didn't even have 3k miles on 'er!
Joe Schulte wrote:My Z is for sale Dave if you're interested, I noticed you're located in Michigan. Really well maintained, some minor mods, honestly would make at great get-around car with a little fun added.
It's all back to stock, with the short throw, poly mounts, and exhaust pretty much. Recent repaint on most the car from normal wear and tear, Mobil1 full synthetic every 2k miles since I purchased it, never wrecked.
Contact me and I could work out a good deal. I'm already asking below blue book, but willing to take less at this point if the right person wants it.
Thanks Joe..I wish I could though.
She's a stick, which the wife can't drive. (afraid to teach her, might drive like a crazy woman)
That, and It would be mostly for city driving(for now), and it makes a stick a pain here on the west side....
She looks good though.
cannon fodder wrote:using a j-body as a beater? no way! nobody would ever use such a high-end car as a beater! that's blasphemy.
if you can find one with a good body/frame but with a blown engine that someone wants to get rid of for cheap (there's plenty, im sure), just slap a new engine in it and you should be set for very little money. it's better than buying something that's been wrecked, and you can get it for less money than simply buying a used, running car.
just a suggestion...
I know, what a shocker...
Actually, that isn't a bad idea. Though I would want to keep it 99+, so rust won't be an issue.
in my opinion the easiest fix is a front end wreck. if you find one where it was just hard enough to blow the bags. sure you have to replace the bags but front end parts are easy to replace. and bags are fairly cheap from the wreckers $500 for both bags and the module.
$3000 for a hit j body is too high IMO. we buy 03 sedans hit in the nose for about $800. if you can find a wrecker that will sell entire cars. tell them what you want and let them find one. you will probably get a better price that way. front end hits are always the cheapest. then rollovers, side hits, then rear hits. flood cars are the most expensive.
hope this helps you.
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/my2005cav/my%20car%20the%20bash.jpg
SUPERFASSSSTZ, T.Ocav soon wrote:in my opinion the easiest fix is a front end wreck. if you find one where it was just hard enough to blow the bags. sure you have to replace the bags but front end parts are easy to replace. and bags are fairly cheap from the wreckers $500 for both bags and the module.
$3000 for a hit j body is too high IMO. we buy 03 sedans hit in the nose for about $800. if you can find a wrecker that will sell entire cars. tell them what you want and let them find one. you will probably get a better price that way. front end hits are always the cheapest. then rollovers, side hits, then rear hits. flood cars are the most expensive.
hope this helps you.
So fix it myself? Granted, not a bad idea. Problem is at the moment I have no place to repair it.
(at least until house shopping next year)
If I could still drive it it by day-repair at night-that could be possible.
Then again, I couldn't get it for 800 bucks either.
I'm not sure if I could buy one around here though. I did spot one in Ohio for 1050...with work needed on
the bags and front end.
If could actaully find a 03 with decent miles for 800 bucks...I'd surely comsider it though.
Dave Z wrote:John Lenko wrote:I found a 03 sedan a couple of weeks ago, hit light in the front, wrecked the bumper and popped the bags, but somehow didn't smash the front glass... it was a rideshaer car, so it had 116,xxx kms on it.. but otherwise it was in decent shape... all it needed was a passenger fender, hood, and front bumper. Maybe lights too.. but the bags, that was the pricey part... $1000 for that car...
Plus another $1500 for parts? I could have had a $2500 2003 beater... sigh... if only I had more space to work on cars... and more $$$$ to throw around...
What color?
It was white, with a bunch of rideshare decals all over it... they'd come off easily enough tho. It had a faded right taillight too, kinda weird.. it was brown, but only on the surround... and all the way around it as well.... never seen that before.
I have an 95 Z24 that I bought from Ian Lacey for $800 it had only an oil leak. It is a good deal to find a car you know how to work on. I also got an 01 5-speed 01 Cavy for $3000 as a beater. Good luck.
John Lenko wrote:Dave Z wrote:John Lenko wrote:I found a 03 sedan a couple of weeks ago, hit light in the front, wrecked the bumper and popped the bags, but somehow didn't smash the front glass... it was a rideshaer car, so it had 116,xxx kms on it.. but otherwise it was in decent shape... all it needed was a passenger fender, hood, and front bumper. Maybe lights too.. but the bags, that was the pricey part... $1000 for that car...
Plus another $1500 for parts? I could have had a $2500 2003 beater... sigh... if only I had more space to work on cars... and more $$$$ to throw around...
What color?
It was white, with a bunch of rideshare decals all over it... they'd come off easily enough tho. It had a faded right taillight too, kinda weird.. it was brown, but only on the surround... and all the way around it as well.... never seen that before.
True. And white works too....light would be easy....
