Car to learn car mechanics on

shoes said:
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.
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I've done two lots now, the first were absolutely fine - took a bit of drilling and some screwdrivering/heating as described - replaced with poly bushes...easy.

Second set took a bit longer to get out, not too bad but a bit time consuming, they were being replaced with standard bushes though which were an absolute mare to get in with a homemade tool, for all poly bushes are a bit harder the lack of install effort is definately worth it!
 
Something you actually want to make good.

Ive got a couple golf gtis and an e36 m3. Apart from a house taking up all my time, I try to spend time tinkering. Building a garage too at the mo, once thats up the bm will really progress
 
buy any old car that isnt full of electronics and refuse to ever take it to a 'proffesional'

you will be a mechanical mastermind before you know it
 
Typically you'll need to take it somewhere for tyres and mot. Apart from that ive not been to a garage for many years. Even if you're not. Saving huge amounts you know you have the best bits on there
 
I'll also go with E36, they are simple enough to work on, break a lot so you will get your practice in, and parts are ten a penny.
 
I'm thinking of doing this with a mk1 MX5 when we eventually move house and use it for track days so i'll get plenty of experience fixing what i break doing that!
 
Janesy B said:
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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Great car.
 
Older cars have the added disadvantage of sometimes being difficult to get parts for and not a very large community for advice and assistance on forums. So I think the e36 is a good shot. It will have a good community for support and while it us now a bit older, parts availability from BMW is still good. Then you can track it when fixed :)
 
I agree with the others - find a car you love or you won't bother with it.

Anything you buy can be a learning platform as long as you are careful and read up properly and thoroughly.

I never thought in a million years when I bought my Evo, that I would remove the gearbox for inspection, and change the clutch but I did that last year, and in the winter too.
 
Something that runs on a carb. Been to too many garages that havent a clue unless the laptop tells them whats wrong.

I learnt most from my Fiesta XR2 1987.
 
even then, even if they have the code, that is no garantee that they know what it means.

a fuel or airflow component may have failed and given an unusable air fuel ratio for the lambda to read.

that will throw a lambda code and a stupid garage will just chuck a lambda on
 
Janesy B said:
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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I can recommend one of these. I've had two. The last one I had to sell because I didn't have the space or equipment to do the welding to it. Rust is the biggest killer of most cars that era, the sills and floorpans are notorious for this but still a very easy to work on. Rear wheel drive and lightweight too.

I will be getting my third and hopefully final Spitfire when I'm in the position to, prices are on the up slightly.

David
 
Janesy B said:
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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I also had a 1200 herald and a 2 litre vitesse, both the same principle

To set the distributor timing and points you need feeler gauges a flat screwdriver and a packet of rizla.

In addition a spark plug spanner, imperial socket set and a hammer will see you set up for most tasks

EDIT, you change the clutch sitting in the drivers seat, removing the 'cardboard tunnel' around the gearstick
 
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Janesy B said:
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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100% agree here. Parts are cheap and the clubs are excellent. I purchased a Triumph GT6 with the aim of teaching myself mechanics and it is something haven't regretted doing. I have documented most of my endevours in this thread if you want to know the sort of things you will be letting yourself in for. If you have any questions, let me know :).
 
Gayjin said:
I agree with the others - find a car you love or you won't bother with it.

Anything you buy can be a learning platform as long as you are careful and read up properly and thoroughly.

I never thought in a million years when I bought my Evo, that I would remove the gearbox for inspection, and change the clutch but I did that last year, and in the winter too.
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Agreed, I say buy a car that you like and want and just work on as and when you need to. This is what I've done with my mr2, so far I've changed the dampers, a load of suspension components and done all servicing required.
 
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