I Put a "Veterans for Biden" Bumper Sticker on My 1996 Ford Ranger - Results

[MineralMan]

57. Well, a person can always buy one that is in good condition,

but that's a more expensive proposition. I have worked as an auto mechanic, so I could often identify a car that had problems that were easy to fix. I spent $1400 on my beater Ranger. i could have bought one that didn't need any work for $2000. If your friend isn't handy at fixing up cars, he or she should buy one that is already in good condition. Truly.

There's always some reason a person is selling an old pickup. All too often, it's because it's about to need some expensive repair. Figuring out why a beater vehicle is up for sale is a crucial part of driving beaters. Unless you have some auto repair experience, buying a beater can be an expensive and frustrating experience.

A bereaved person often sells a car owned by someone who has died. Often, you'll get the story of what had been done to the car, which probably has sat idle for a while. My 1996 Ranger was in OK shape, and had already had some of the expensive repairs done. It's current running issues were due to it sitting for several months. I knew that, from experience, and got a decent truck at a bargain price. I don't mind putting tires on a beater, but most people would walk away from a rough-running engine and a grabby clutch. That made the asking price lower, since several people had probably passed on it previously.

Patience is a very good thing when you're looking for a beater. If you wait, something will come up that is almost ready for service, with very little or no work. But, you have to be able to identify the right candidate.