$500 Beater Blew Up. Now What?
Posted by verygoodreason@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 40 comments
Hey guys. Just being upfront I did use AI to shorten this because it was originally way longer.
Long story short, I bought a beater minivan about 6 months ago — a 2000 Mazda MPV — for $500. Check engine light was already on, but for that price I didn’t care. It drove, and my plan was to run it into the ground without putting much money into it. And that’s exactly what I did lol.
About a week ago on the interstate, it started losing power, then making a weird noise. Oil light came on, then battery light, then I lost power steering. Pulled over and it was smoking. Had it towed to a shop and yeah… no compression. Needs a new engine. I’m scrapping it.
Now I’m trying to figure out what to do next.
I’m 23 with poor credit, living with my parents and no real bills. I’ve got a couple thousand saved and need a car for work (Uber is like $50 one way).
Options I’m considering:
- Another beater
- Financing a used car
- Financing or leasing a new car
I’ll be honest, I want a new car — mainly for the reliability, warranty, and features. Payment isn’t a huge issue, but my mom thinks it’s a bad idea with my credit (she’s probably right). Leasing worries me because I drive a lot. Another beater feels like repeating the same cycle, and my girlfriend thinks it’s dumb to keep putting money into beaters when I could use that toward a down payment on something newer. Used car financing seems like the middle ground.
What would you do in my situation? I need something reliable but don’t want to make a bad financial decision. I’ve thought about getting the cheapest new car possible and paying it off early, but Reddit seems pretty against that.
Nessuwu@reddit
I'm gonna throw this out there even if it doesn't have to do with the post. Quit using AI for anything related to cognitive tasks, writing especially. I don't know any nice way to put it other than it just makes you dumber. It takes maybe 5-10 minutes to summarize a post on your own.
LifeRound2@reddit
Moped. Ultra cheap reliable transportation.
NecessaryEmployer488@reddit
Get another beater for less that $1500, make sure it runs, and run it in the ground, rinse and repeat. Save for a better used car in the meantime.
Competitive-Double67@reddit
Agreed 100%
Dnlx5@reddit
Keep buying beaters till you get a better job.
Learn to keep your beaters alive longer.
UmatterWHENiMATTER@reddit
That's the key. I know stuff happens... but this seems like negligence more than bad luck.
Dnlx5@reddit
My wager is 60% of the cars that have died, died because either the engine oil, or transmission fluid ran dry.
AgonizingGasPains@reddit
You know you can get a 2.5L engine for that van for about $250, right?
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
OP will get killed by the install labor costs. They would be better off grabbing an old 3.8 buick or older lexus.
ImplementLogical4130@reddit
Sounds like he has the time to diy.
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
Doesn't sound to me like OP has time for a diy engine swap.
CrankySneakerhead@reddit
First off, don't buy anything with a CEL on
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
False. A CEL as long as it's not flashing is usually emissions related. Usually either easy fixes or not critical and you can drive for a while with the CEL on.
If you check and it's just an O2 sensor. That's not an avoid buying sort of light.
quik916@reddit
Yeah TOTALLY incorrect info there... a check engine light can be on for a faulty fuel cap in some vehicles. Or even just a low tire in others.
OP disregard this guy's comment.
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
I think you replied to the wrong comment. We seem to be in agreement. Reread mine. It basically says CEL is no big deal.
JCC114@reddit
There is really no such thing as an o2 sensor light unless it’s the one saying the heated o2 sensor is not working on the heated side. Other than that, yes the sensor maybe bad, but also you may be running lean/rich or cats maybe failing. A code for o2 sensor is actually one that can signify a very expensive fix. We all just hope a new sensor fixes it, and say try that first cause all other causes get expensive.
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
In mine and my brother's experience (dealership maintenance techs) the most common cause of anything to do with an O2 sensor code, is the sensor itself.
JCC114@reddit
Often the case, but the warning light that comes on is going to report lean/rich condition, or heating element out in the sensor. At 100k or less? Sensor 99% of the time. At 200k? Now you have cats going bad. 100-200k? Well depends on the person who has been taking care of the car. Could have had the same air filter for last 80k miles and been running rich as not getting enough air in. Could have a vacuum leak, or a loose connection somewhere allowing air in behind air flow sensor causing it to run lean. May have had bad plug or coil causing misfires that sent unburnt fuel into the cars and burned started to burn them up. If they let either of those things go on for very long they have turned a small issue into a big one. Buying a car with o2 sensor light already on is usually buying the one where a new sensor did not fix and the current owner was not going 2-5k into their wallet for the right fix so they are making it someone else’s problem cause all it needs is a $59 sensor.
CrankySneakerhead@reddit
thats just not true at all 😂 a flashing CEL just means you're fricked if you don't fix it asap. A CEL can mean a WHOLE RANGE of things. Obviously scanning for codes would be smart if you're mechanically inclined and can fix things like an O2 sensor. But for most people (who are not going to do any work on their cars), buying vehicles with CEL on is foolish. Cars can have so many things wrong with them and NOT throw a CEL, I'm not sure why anybody would spend their money on one that has a glowing light telling you THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS
ImplementLogical4130@reddit
I think it is a valid reason to avoid buyung a car. O2 can throw errors because of lean or rich mixture. That can damage the engine or the cat. People who drive with the CEL on don't give a rat's ass about the car - I would rather gamble that money. And I don't even gamble
MishkaShubaly@reddit
It was $500
verygoodreason@reddit (OP)
Yeah lesson learned there
Jakomako@reddit
Was it though? You bought it for the scrap value. Seems like a pretty cheap way to have a vehicle for 6 months.
July_is_cool@reddit
On your next car, check the oil once in a while. If's it's an beater, at least once a week.
OlYeller01@reddit
Yes, you don’t have to throw parts and labor at a beater, but you DO need to make sure the serpentine belt is good and all the fluids are good/topped off.
Dnlx5@reddit
This!
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
Find a local job and get an Ebike.
seajayacas@reddit
$500 for six months of trouble free motoring is pretty darn cheap
mundotaku@reddit
Sell it for junk probabky for the same price.
Buy a Geo Metro. These shits are indestructible, reliabke, and cheap to maintain.
sparxxraps@reddit
Go with a beater and learn how to maintain your vehicle
Jasperleemuchen@reddit
get a 5-8 years old preowned toyota camry/corolla or honda accord/civic, good condition, well maintained, you have to spend money on the right product instead of a cheap or old product
Hoovie_Doovie@reddit
Probably out of OP's budget in the current market. People want exorbitant prices for toyotas due to their reputation. More than their reliability or driving characteristics are worth.
I drive a corolla and I love it but I would not pay what people want for them right now.
ProfessionalBad5174@reddit
I also agree with another beater but also how long do you think you’ll need the car? If you need one for a while and want something nicer, why not try co-signing?
verygoodreason@reddit (OP)
I’ll likely need the car for a long time. I have a steady job and even if I were to stop working here, I would work somewhere else. I’ve considered getting my mom to co-sign, but she has the same or worse credit than me. I could try to ask some other people
MishkaShubaly@reddit
Get a beater. I’m 49 and still driving em and saving tons of money that way.
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
Even beaters need some oil every now and then. Sometimes they need it frequently. 😉
itchybiscut9273@reddit
Sell the van to a one of them cash for cars groups, call around, their offer will vary.
Next up, another cheap beater. Hopefully the next one lasts longer.
glockjs@reddit
leasing isnt any better with bad credit. id forget getting anything new all together.
id start with going to your bank or credit union to see what you can get pre approved for. buy a private party 10-15 yr old fit/civic/accord/camry/corolla that has closer to 100k than not. as long as the apr isnt insane will help you build credit at the same time.
dont buy anything with a rebuilt title.
avoid buy here pay here car lots at all cost.
if apr is insane just buy another beater and keep building credit.
Chance_Ocelot1249@reddit
If you go the lease option, buy your miles upfront. Figure what you typically drive in a month and add 10%. Buying miles upfront is waaaaayyyyyyy cheaper than buying on lease return AND you will get credit for any unused miles when you do return it. That being said, I agree with everyone else saying to get another beater and save your money.
Ok-Lavishness-7904@reddit
Beater. I recommend a boring Buick 3.8L that was owned by a little old lady.