[Colorado4wheeler]

I think "Beaters" are a great investment for a family person. Families tend you go thru cars and the wise thing to do is keep a car as long as possible. People tend to want to buy new whenever they need a car. That is the best way to waste money. A family needs 2 cars so make the second car a reliable beater. My beater is a 92 Nissan 240sx. Cost me $1500. Installed a set of brakes and some struts. It's a great car. I have put over 30K miles on it in the last couple years. When I bring the truck in for service my beater is ready. Want to drive 300miles to Denver and the beater is ready. Need to haul a load, go to a jobsite, etc. I take the Tundra. It's all in how you do the beater. Having 3 cars with only two drivers is a waste. But make your second car a good reliable cheap car and your golden. One of these days I will do that engine swap in the beater and really get to enjoy the car. My wife and I jokingly call the Tundra "Porky" and the 240 "zippy". It just seems to fit.