Are winter beaters worth the costs — and the risks?
It may be the one iconic trait that truly defines what it is to drive and survive a typical Canadian winter: Hibernating the newer ride (or the sporty toy or valuable classic) and hauling out a winter beater to slog through the salty, slushy and risky roads. A lot of the considerations around obtaining a beater (a pre-owned, low-priced ride) are truly emotional in nature. It’s hard to put a price on the perceived (and real) values of keeping the other vehicle away from the harshness of a Canadian winter, including the increased risk of collision damage. But several changes in our buying habits over the last few decades — and revisions to specific regional economies — may change your mind about putting a beater into winter service. If you peruse the volumes of reviews on winter-only transports, and take a look through used car listings, you’ll find a lot more alland four-wheel drive offerings as crossovers, SUVs and light trucks listed, as these vehicles are dominating sales charts. This means increased availability (and, as a result, more competitive pricing) for beaters with some grip. The recent economic stall in Western Canada also brings some benefit to beater seekers across the country, with an increased number of saltfree chariots due to driveway fleet downsizing. While it’s easy to understand the value that drivers place on keeping their rides protected, it’s hard to grasp how little value may be placed on travel safety as major improvements. Collision mitigation systems, for instance, don’t often come with most eight-to-10-yearold vehicles. When considering the overall costs of buying and operating a beater, insurance savings hit the list — but with restrictions. A stored vehicle still requires some liability protection and can’t be used during the hibernation period without some notification (and related costs) to the insurance carrier. And of course, the second ride still requires coverage, but depending on current vehicle value, it might cost less, with lower comprehensive protections and multi-vehicle discounts. Used all- and four-wheel-drive vehicles come with their own unique servicing needs, and sometimes higher operating costs. Specifics include driveshafts and their connecting joints, transfer-cases and their controls, and axle differential assemblies. When buying privately or through a licensed retailer, it pays to get comprehensive condition reports, which include these systems, from a trusted and credible source. The minimal provincial safety standards inspection won’t cut it as any indicator of reliability and functionality. Emission systems require attention, as well. In most jurisdictions, these have to be in complete working order to facilitate an ownership transfer, and it’s not rare for repair costs to enter into the $1,000 stratosphere. And be aware that one of the most common emission systems failures — fuel vapour leak detection and processing — won’t always immediately reveal itself through a check-engine light. Paying a modest fee for a complete operational test is a good value in comparison with the financial mistakes it may help avoid. Driving.ca