[BRD1234]

Hello everybody,
Lately the underlying question that has been running through my head is whether or not to purchase a beater civic for around $1,000 in order to stop this madness with my car and the mileage.

My 2007 E92 335i 6MT just hit 120,000 miles and I would like to keep from having to do too much in repairs.

My daily commute is about 22 miles there and 22 miles back.

I'm considering it because I'm averaging 15mpg on my way to work in the mornings and once I save up some money for my underlying mod bug, something fails or I end up having to replace something.

I just want someone to chime in if they have done this or if they have any advice.
I do all of my work myself and I love cars. I just don't like putting miles like crazy on my car because it seems like with mileage comes wear and tear.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by BRD1234

Hello everybody,
Lately the underlying question that has been running through my head is whether or not to purchase a beater civic for around $1,000 in order to stop this madness with my car and the mileage.

My 2007 E92 335i 6MT just hit 120,000 miles and I would like to keep from having to do too much in repairs.

My daily commute is about 22 miles there and 22 miles back.

I'm considering it because I'm averaging 15mpg on my way to work in the mornings and once I save up some money for my underlying mod bug, something fails or I end up having to replace something.

I just want someone to chime in if they have done this or if they have any advice.
I do all of my work myself and I love cars. I just don't like putting miles like crazy on my car because it seems like with mileage comes wear and tear.

Just drive the 335i.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Just drive the 335i.

I have been and will be till the day she dies, just trying to find ways to cut back on costs as I don't really get to "drive" my 335i on my way to and from work as I am forced to go the speed limit because of traffic.

[JeM9]

Well you can't go wrong with a $1k Honda or Toyota, but it will be very hard to find one at that price and low miles that will last and look decent. I dove a 93 Toyota I picked up for $1,500 and it last 5 years and was definitely worth it.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by JeM9

Well you can't go wrong with a $1k Honda or Toyota, but it will be very hard to find one at that price and low miles that will last and look decent. I dove a 93 Toyota I picked up for $1,500 and it last 5 years and was definitely worth it.

In Miami there are enough 700-1500 Hondas and Toyotas for everyone. The only thing is cosmetics but I wouldn't likely care because I know it's just for work and back.
My main concern is if it will actually save me money.

[JeM9]

Originally Posted by BRD1234

In Miami there are enough 700-1500 Hondas and Toyotas for everyone. The only thing is cosmetics but I wouldn't likely care because I know it's just for work and back.
My main concern is if it will actually save me money.

On gas, definitely yes. I would only put $20 a week for mine, but then again, you'll have 2 cars.

[Douche]

Why do you consider your car not to be a "beater"? I would.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by JeM9

On gas, definitely yes. I would only put $20 a week for mine, but then again, you'll have 2 cars.

Yeah, it helps on insurance listing my car as >4000 miles a year with a POS civic as 12000 miles a year.

Gotta do some math.

[datbimmer]

I have a beater. I would have at least 20k more mileage on my car if I didn't get a beater like 3 weeks after I bought my 335i

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by Douche

Why do you consider your car not to be a "beater"? I would.

Damn, I just got Douched.....

[BMRSEB]

I am imagining this conversation on a Porsche forum...

"Considering getting a beater 335i, as my daily? What you guys think?".. "Not keen on racking up the miles on my 911 GTS and it will still have decent power.."

[t3chnobrat]

+1 on the beater. I work from home so work mileage isn't an issue, but i use my 328i cab for trips to the beach, home depot, errands..etc. for $1k you get alot of convenience.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by BMRSEB

I am imagining this conversation on a Porsche forum...

"Considering getting a beater 335i, as my daily? What you guys think?".. "Not keen on racking up the miles on my 911 GTS and it will still have decent power.."

Okay that made me laugh a little..

[t3chnobrat]

Originally Posted by BMRSEB

I am imagining this conversation on a Porsche forum...

"Considering getting a beater 335i, as my daily? What you guys think?".. "Not keen on racking up the miles on my 911 GTS and it will still have decent power.."

LOL

[Dark_Knight_335]

Beaters are very nice- in concept only.

In reality- you're increasing your maintenance costs, possibilities of repairs in the event of a major collision, and gasoline... along with insurance.

[datbimmer]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Beaters are very nice- in concept only.

In reality- you're increasing your maintenance costs, possibilities of repairs in the event of a major collision, and gasoline... along with insurance.

My beater costs me 50$ per month (for plates and insurance) And I save at least 40$ of gas a week on my work commute. It also costs nothing to repair and rarely needs repairs. It's a 2000 Golf.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Beaters are very nice- in concept only.

In reality- you're doubling your maintenance costs, possibilities of repairs in the event of a major collision, and gasoline... along with insurance.

Well for collisions, I would just junk it for $300 to make up a large portion of my cost for the car and if it needed something major I would do the same. In regards to reliability for maintenance I would think they would require substantially less than my average $2200 yearly cost with me DIYing.

[fravel]

I did the same thing OP. I wanted to get proficient with driving a manual so that one day I can step into a proper M-car with 3-pedals (was capable but not confident when I purchased my 330i, so it's an auto). I thought about trading in for a newer 6-speed Accord, but I just couldn't do it. I kept thinking about it though and here's what I came up with.

I was spending $300/month just in gas to drive the BMW ~23 mpg at $4/gallon for premium gas. If I could get into a car that took 87 octane and get a minimum of 32/mpg it would nearly cut my gas expeditures in half (these are all rough numbers, fyi.) So, I found a beater 5-speed Civic ('03 EX) for around $3.5k and took out a loan on it - by just not driving the BMW everyday the difference in gas makes up the payment on the Civic. The difference in insurance was negligible... so, for the same amount of money, over the same amount of time - I end up with 2 cars, I keep the miles off the BMW AND I've been able to become proficient with a manual.

EDIT: Regarding maintenance, Honda's are easy to work on and dirt cheap to repair.

[BeastMode335i]

92 Civic VX Hatch FTW 50+mpg and it's a tiny single cam, water pumps like $15 bucks, thermostat maybe $10, and you can replace all 4 tires for about $100 lol can't really go wrong there...!

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

92 Civic VX Hatch FTW 50+mpg and it's a tiny single cam, water pumps like $15 bucks, thermostat maybe $10, and you can replace all 4 tires for about $100 lol can't really go wrong there...!

I was about to break into tears when I saw how much things like that costs for a civic.
It pushes me towards it more and more each minute.
LOVE my BMW but hate seeing miles rack up by just sitting in traffic going to work. I want those miles to be fun and exhilarating.

[paco89]

Yes on the beater, at this moment i dont have one, but i don't need one, i have my summer car which is my eclipse and then the bmw i use mostly in the winter and spring., so it does get its rest in the year. The main point is that i do rest it usually in summer and spring mostly to have it ready for winters.

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by fravel

I did the same thing OP. I wanted to get proficient with driving a manual so that one day I can step into a proper M-car with 3-pedals (was capable but not confident when I purchased my 330i, so it's an auto). I thought about trading in for a newer 6-speed Accord, but I just couldn't do it. I kept thinking about it though and here's what I came up with.

I was spending $300/month just in gas to drive the BMW ~23 mpg at $4/gallon for premium gas. If I could get into a car that took 87 octane and get a minimum of 32/mpg it would nearly cut my gas expeditures in half (these are all rough numbers, fyi.) So, I found a beater 5-speed Civic ('03 EX) for around $3.5k and took out a loan on it - by just not driving the BMW everyday the difference in gas makes up the payment on the Civic. The difference in insurance was negligible... so, for the same amount of money, over the same amount of time - I end up with 2 cars, I keep the miles off the BMW AND I've been able to become proficient with a manual.

EDIT: Regarding maintenance, Honda's are easy to work on and dirt cheap to repair.

Yeah maintenance and whatnot does not scare me as I have already become fairly versed in working on cars.
(E39 clutch replacement, e92 intake valve cleaning, OFHG, VCG, neumerous downpipe installs for my friends, Audi 2.7t Engine pull to replace timing belt, and a whole list more things with just about every car manufacturer out there.)

Cost and benefit calculations are looking promising for me.