Buy a Beater or Finance?

Posted by verygoodreason@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 34 comments

So I don’t have great credit but I need a car. I’m currently spending most of my paycheck Ubering to work. I have a little money saved (like $2k). Should I buy a beater for cash? I’m just worried about dumping all my money into and then it breaks down. Or should I finance a new car or go to buy here pay here? I know that’s frowned upon but I’m in a tight spot. I know it wouldn’t be a good rate, but I could refinance once I fix my credit.

Please do not recommend an e bike. I live in a rural area, and my job is 45 mins from my house. There aren’t any decent jobs closer. There are no buses. You really need a car to get anywhere around here.

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LegalPomegranate2116@reddit

But repairing can also be a problem since you live in a rural area. If you buy a beater it would trouble you a lot for sending it to repair which is even worse than not having one.

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Melondewd@reddit

09-13 Honda fit 👍

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mckaydenj17@reddit

What more can be said that hasn’t already been said under your other dozen related recent posts asking the same thing…

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verygoodreason@reddit (OP)

Quit ya bitchin

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Diaper_Cowboy@reddit

Srsly just buy a car and shut up

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TattedUpSimba@reddit

is it bitchin or you not liking the truth? Because damn bro you just need to make a choice and stop asking questions 🤣

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itz_the_vincent@reddit

2k will not get you a good car. Even if it’s a very reliable car brand, if it’s 2k, it’s usually too beat up, and way too many miles. You can use the 2k as a down payment for a decent used car since that’s a pretty good amount to use it as. I know it’s supposed to be a beater car, so it isn’t supposed to be in great condition, but imo, beater cars aren’t trustworthy. Of course, that’s only if you can afford to finance. If you can’t, then get a 2k vehicle, get it inspected, test drive it and make sure it isn’t already in terrible condition.

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Gunk_Olgidar@reddit

Move closer to work.

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B0LT-Me@reddit

If you have to finance, you can't afford it

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No_Alfalfa_532@reddit

Honestly get a Mitsubishi. People shit on them but they are pretty reliable and parts are abundant. Or a Hyundai with a V6 engine. I had a sonata V6 and it was great and I sold it a few years ago and the neighbor is still driving it.

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SubstantialChoice467@reddit

Have you looked into the pluses and negatives of Leasing a new car?

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False_Mushroom_8962@reddit

I've seen ads for Hyundai leasing cars around $200. I wouldn't buy one but you don't have to worry about reliability on a lease

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mynameishuman42@reddit

Get a cheap Corolla.

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Double-Afternoon1949@reddit

do the math yourself and you’ll have your answer

i would buy a decent quality beater with a good ppi

financing would probably give you a terrible rate given your credit.

if you dont see too much snow or adverse weather, consider a bike. lot more good quality reliable bikes for 2k than cars.

for 2k bro youre looking at really old cars that run and drive with minimal engine issues and most of the issues being limited to wear components like suspension or cosmetics (it will have issues)

consider mazda 3s with INSANE amounts of mileage. would say toyota but for some reason the super high mileage ones still go for like 5k after being driven into the ground

If you can work on cars thatd be ideal. cheapest honda, toyota, mazda, acura you can buy (hell even a decently defiled ford taurus) go for it, make sure with a ppi it wont likely crap out on you for atleast 10k or so miles.

lastly lock in and become really good at your job or consider switching careers to something with more income opportunity. you need a raise one way or another

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Glittering-Panic-960@reddit

I know you’re in a tight spot, BUT you managed to hang in there this far! I recommend saving another 2k and finding a 4k Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla/Camry under 160k miles and no older than 06” to have some tech and modern comfortability. These cars are also affordable to repair compared to literally anything else!

If you can, get a car loan through your bank/credit union. My first loan, I 20 years old with a 640 credit score and $2k monthly income got me a $13.5k loan for a car. Ended up paying $311 a month for car loan. You gotta factor in gas and insurance cost as well if you’re not already..

IF NOT. Compare what you pay for Ubering now vs what gas + insurance + monthly payment might be. You might come to a realization that owning a car still might not be affordable and that Ubering is still your best bet option.

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noladutch@reddit

Get a scooter. A used maxi scooter that goes hwy speeds is your answer.

Some rain gear and you are set.

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stonklord420@reddit

For the love of God don't go to a buy here pay here place. They don't report to credit bureaus and will repo the car very quickly if you stop paying. You will waste thousands on a pile of shit vehicle and do nothing to help your credit.

If you can't figure out how to get a car loan under 20% from a bank or a credit union, don't finance anything. Start paying your bills and get a beater until you sort your shit out.

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Tony-cums@reddit

Buy here. Pay here. Bad credit. And continuing bad decisions. Checks out.

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Worganizers@reddit

Get a motorcycle.

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allmightylemon_@reddit

45 mins in an e-bike doesn’t sound bad honestly

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Blow_Hard_8675309@reddit

Motorcycle?

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oldguy16@reddit

How well do you know cars? There's value in not having a car because it's always broken. Costs you to call out of work etc.

People who can do basic car repairs I'd say buy a beater any day.

People who don't know cars, finance something, but not a 30k car, maybe a 10k car. People use the excuse to finance to buy something insanely expensive.

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PanicFanatic2@reddit

Wouldnt a 10k car still be used?

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oldguy16@reddit

Definitely. But for 10k you can get a very reliable used car that will last quite a while

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PanicFanatic2@reddit

No doubt. I'd say at least bring a mechanic friend to look everything over just so the dealer doesnt pull one over

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The-Rizzler-69@reddit

Used ≠ beater

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Legitimate-Fly4797@reddit

2k really won’t get you much, but you could use it as a down payment on a 8-10k vehicle, just be careful of interest rates, and get something reliable

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Historical_Sort1289@reddit

2 grand won't get you much. Are you able to get a scooter or a e bike or something like that?

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hausccat@reddit

I’ve heard both horror and ok stories from buy here pay here but it’s not something I would with other options, new car prices are inflated, rates as well. Maybe you can find some end of year models as we’re approaching the holidays but i would do a beater. Save, buy a better beater. Then have two cars.

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ziggybriggs85@reddit

Well, it depends on what interest rate you would be able to get. I personally would use the 2k you saved to put a down payment on an 8k to 10k car, something japanese made with low maintenance costs and great reliability also easy on gas like a Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius. If the interest rate is higher than 18%, don't buy it. Buy a 2k beater until your credit is better. Although I am not sure where you are located, only because I live in New Brunswick, Canada, and even a beater costs like 6k here. So I don't actually know what you could get for 2k.

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xXxDickBonerz69xXx@reddit

Do you have the tools space and knowledge for maintenance and repairs?

Do you value a fixed predictable cost, or would you rather risk potential high expenses and hope you luck out until your credit is improved?

We can't answer this question for you. You have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what's best for you.

All we can tell you is that in 2025 you cannot expect a $2000 car to provide you with low cost headache free transportation for very much time. It could work out that way, or you could be paying a mechanic hundreds or thousands every couple months.

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