Should You Buy a Winter Beater?
Tempted to buy a second car as a winter beater just to bear the brunt of Old Jack Frost? You aren’t alone. A winter beater is a vehicle that you drive for four to six months per year so that your ‘good’ car isn’t exposed to harsh, sub-zero conditions. Some Canadians are attracted to the idea of protecting their main vehicle from the harsh elements, but there are pros and cons to consider...
The upside of a winter beater? There are undoubtedly a few:
- Your ‘good’ car stays safe and protected. The goal is to keep your primary daily driver pristine, which means lower maintenance costs overall.
- It keeps your ‘good’ car’s resale value high. You’ll be putting fewer clicks on the odometer and potentially avoiding accidents on your vehicle history report that could slash your resale value.
- Less stress about wear & tear. If you get a scratch or dent on your winter beater, or if you get into a fender bender, so be it. That’s why you have it.
But a cheap winter car isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. The idea for most people includes purchasing a car for under $7,500 (often much less) because it is a secondary car, after all. That can lead to its own set of concerns:
- You’ll be doubling up the cost of maintenance. You’ll have two cars to change the oil on, replace fluids, etc..
- It’s probably less comfy. Odds are, your winter car won’t have heated seats or a heated steering wheel, remote start, or the AWD or suspension you want for your comfort and security.
- Will it even last the winter? Depending on what you can afford, a winter beater is usually up to 15 years old. Older vehicles might not stand up to the harsh winter conditions and require replacement sooner than you imagined.
Read more: How To Store Your Car for Winter
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