“It really depends on the car itself and the availability and cost of replacement parts. Certain cars are made with parts that are readily available and very inexpensive. If you are mechanically inclined, it is very possible that a beater car could last a long time with minimal additional costs.
However, it is very important that you do your research on the make and model before you decide to buy. What you don’t want to do is buy it just because it’s a good deal, only to find out that it needs a new $2,000 engine, $1,000 transmission, and $500 worth of small parts.
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