This isn't an idea I'm actually going to put into place, primarily as I don't have a garage or enough time with a three month old daughter....but it's something I'd like to do in the future. So, if you had the time and space what would be an ideal car to use to purchase and fix as a starter project for a complete novice? Feel free to post links and reasons why. As I said, it's just for discussion purposes, I'm not going to try and be the next Ed China.
Car to learn car mechanics on
- Thread starter Sanchez
- Start date
Triumph Spitfire; cheap to buy, good parts support from clubs and specialists and the whole front flips off for easy access to the front suspension/engine. I can't think of anything better for a project like this.
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Anything that you can afford and have an interest in IMO. If you have no interest in the car, you'll lose motivation to do anything with it.
Don't be put off by more modern cars with "complex" electronics either, as typically you can get OBD2 interface cables and software to do the majority of fault-finding, error clearing and part coding, such as with carsoft for BMW or VCDS for VAG cars.
I still keep umming and aaaring about an E36 M3 EVO project.
Don't be put off by more modern cars with "complex" electronics either, as typically you can get OBD2 interface cables and software to do the majority of fault-finding, error clearing and part coding, such as with carsoft for BMW or VCDS for VAG cars.
I still keep umming and aaaring about an E36 M3 EVO project.
Something mechanically simple, i've been there. I'm restoring and doing an engine conversion on a Ford Capri 2.8i, prior to starting this i'd never even changed my own brake pads or oil. However my dad has pretty much all the equipment i need, that alone has saved me a small fortune.
And as said above you need to have an interest in it or would quickly tire of it.
And as said above you need to have an interest in it or would quickly tire of it.
BMW E36. Quite easy to work on and will throw up more than enough problems to keep you busy.
One thing you'll find when looking on forums for advice, is that every single component of the vehicle is 'a common fault on the E36'.
A pleasure to drive, too, so you'll enjoy waiting for the next part to fail.
One thing you'll find when looking on forums for advice, is that every single component of the vehicle is 'a common fault on the E36'.
A pleasure to drive, too, so you'll enjoy waiting for the next part to fail.
I agree. I can't see how you would be compelled or motivated to spend time working on a fiesta or corsa, nor would you (well I certainly wouldn't) feel any sense of satisfaction or reap any rewards having fixed it.
I'd go for an XJ40. Can pick them up for next to nothing, there's lots of Jag owners / enthusiasts clubs for support and once you're done tinkering you'll end up with a very cool barge.
(Although research into cost of parts etc would need to be done - I have no idea. So it may possibly be a bad idea
).
Associate
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- 13 Jun 2012
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Mini. Idiots can get them working again
what he said ....... so long your not afraid to pull a welder out as they rot
My first car was a mk1 Fiesta so I would be interested in one of those. A Peugeot 205 also as I loved my GTI. Maybe even a mk 2 Golf.
Wouldn't something like a mini be expensive to buy in the first instance? Although I imagine they are incredibly simple mechanically.
I guess a large part of the outlay would be the tools for something like this?
Wouldn't something like a mini be expensive to buy in the first instance? Although I imagine they are incredibly simple mechanically.
I guess a large part of the outlay would be the tools for something like this?
Soldato
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This.
This is my daily occurrence.
Spend an equal amount of time between here and BimmerForums. lol
Good, because he's a bit of a bodger to be honest.
Thats what has put me off ever owning a classic mini.
Just cant be arsed with all the welding.
A have a friend who went bat **** crazy and spent £3k on a 1980 1L one in 2010.
"Its MINT!" he proclaimed, while the rest of the world face palmed at a mint classic mini being 3k.
Rotten arches, sills, rear sub frame, scuttle was rotten so the electrics were trashed, and you could push your finger through the floor on the drivers side.
Agree with the E36 too - it's relatively modern so the main gubbins are fairly reliable and it's german so everything else that falls apart/gets worn out (and it will) is pretty easy to change. It is however old enough for stuff to be needing done and you'll find nuts and bolts have decided to rust so you'll have fun discovering the various ways to get them out.
The RWD layout helps too - things like dropping the diff to do seals or change over are fairly easy so long as you work methodically, suspension work is generally a walk in the park (bar perhaps rta bushes and that's because the right tool isn't cheap enough to be worth buying).
Plus you can pick up a usable, comfortable 6 cylinder car with not far shy of 200bhp with a sound enough body (if you can find any e36 that's sound now) for under a grand - can't complain really
Nah, they were a doddle - 10mm drill bit, mains powered drill and a cheap hobby blowtorch.
The subframe bushes were similarly easy to do, getting the subframe off to do them needs a mate and a couple of jacks though.
OP: kit car of some sort? Easy access all round, fun to drive, fun to work on.
Caterham?
If only I had the space. Some space. ANY space.
Really? I was mighty impressed when he changed the chassis on that thingy.
Caterham?
If only I had the space. Some space. ANY space.
Really? I was mighty impressed when he changed the chassis on that thingy.
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- 18 Nov 2003
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- 869
I'd love to do this with something like a Triumph Spitfire but I don't have a garage 