Winter Beater/Commuter Car

[dkn1997]

I'm in the market for a 2nd vehicle for back and forth to work and my second job.  I got an '09  G8 GT over the summer and I put 13K on it already.  Plus it's horrendous in the snow which I knew going in but hell, I had to have the car.  We have a Tahoe so I always have something good to use when it gets shitty out.
Anywho, I need front wheel drive, and I want decent on gas... decent is a relative term for me, since my g8 gets about 14mpg around town and the Tahoe prob about the same.  So I don't need a 40mpg gas sipper.

I'm lookin to spend 1500.00.  I know I won't get anything with low miles, which is fine.  If it lasts me a year or 3 thats ok.  I was thinking of the following:

1. Saturn 2 door (good on gas, very simple to repair, brotherinlaw worked as saturn dealer tech for 10 years.  Saturns are not likely to be owned by a kid cause they ain't cool enough so that's a plus

2. Honda CRX.  I had an 88 and I loved it.  downside is that it will likely be "kid owned" they are as rare as hens teeth around here..

3. Another Honda of some sort....

what do you guys think is good based on my parameters?  I'd get somethin that needs work, but nothing major like engine or tranny.  I was hot for this saturn near me with a slight intake leak and I also was considering an Acura integra that needed a radiator and front rotors and some small stuff. 
I'd also get somethin that doesn't look that great..faded paint, a few dings, a removeable panel such as hood/fender/door smashed is ok... not a lot of rust.  Most of the stuff I've seen on the local craigslist doesn't seem to have much rust though. 

I really am favoring some sort of saturn because parts are cheap too.  I know hondas are reliable but when something gives up, parts are a fortune.  at least they were with the CRX I had.  Please, please....nobody say anything Mopar front wheel drive.  I won't pay 5 cents for neon or acclaim or any of that.  I'm just really down on those cars and I can't be reasoned with lol... 

anothr thing I saw was a 92 300 Z that needed some work, but ran and drove lol.... 

[A383Wing]

I have an 88 Dodge Shadow 4dr....little 2.2, auto trans for my winter beater car.....I put studded tires on all 4 wheels, low on HP, and front wheel drive...the little guy goes anywhere....but you didn't hear me say that.

if the 2 you have listed above are your only choice, I would get the Saturn....my 

[jb666]

$700 got me this.. And the thing's a TANK even though it's RWD... And, for some reason, traffic stops when I'm driving it.





I take it any time the weather's rough and I don't feel like luggin' the plow around... It's been a GREAT car and pulled in high teens for MPG's...

It's an 04 with 70k on the clock. I dropped a new tranny in it a couple of months ago, but only because reverse was slipping.

[bill440rt]

I got a '01 PT Cruiser as a beater. It's the Touring edition, so it's loaded (leather, heated seats, sunroof, etc).
Not the most masculine thing out there, but damn it's versatile. I've been able to stuff an entire swap meet spot worth of parts in it. When I was working on the weekends at night as a musician, I'd load all my gear with room to spare.
Great little car, and good on gas too.

[Tilar]

I drive my suburban, but Dad has an old Chevy Corsica that will go anywhere. That thing is amazing, gets good gas mileage and the upkeep on it is very minimal. The only drawback is ice. It doesn't weigh enough to get much traction on ice, but you can pick them up for about half of what your wanting to spend.

[BananaDan]

PM sent.

[ITSA426]

I just picked up a high mileage second generation Neon SXT because the teen needs to learn to drive a stick shift (not her opinion).  It was reasonable and hasn't gotten less than 29 mpg yet.  Solar yellow so it's visible and fun for me to drive.  Performance parts are almost embarrassingly cheap if you're looking for them.  Front wheel drive.  It barely has enough power to get out of its own way

[A383Wing]

  Front wheel drive.  It barely has enough power to get out of its own way

perfect snow car!

which is the reason I drive the Shadow

[aussiemuscle]

And, for some reason, traffic stops when I'm driving it.

they probably think you are undercover....

[elacruze]

We have a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, and when we still lived in Michigan I put Michelin snow tires on the front. I couldn't believe it was so good so I took it out in the back 40 field in about 12" of snow...the darn thing plowed up berms and went through everything like a Ski-Doo. Awesome snow car, and still going strong now with 160,000 miles on it. You can pick them up nice used for $1000 give or take $500.

[Lizey]

i know you said you dont like Acclaims but my '92 has 162,000 miles on it and still has yet to let me down! 2.5 w/ 3 Speed Automatic. 18-22mpg and parts are DIRT cheap!