Good, cheap car to learn spannering on
Discussion
rallycross said:
Vauxhall Omega
sub £1k you will get a really nice example
fairly easy to work on, load of advice on maintenance off the owners forum, and a big tough old thing to learn how to fix it your self.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?board=1...
And they are surprisingly good to drive, much like a 5 series for a third of the price.
Thanks. They do seem to get good write-ups on the barge threadssub £1k you will get a really nice example
fairly easy to work on, load of advice on maintenance off the owners forum, and a big tough old thing to learn how to fix it your self.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?board=1...
And they are surprisingly good to drive, much like a 5 series for a third of the price.
MarshPhantom said:
There are loads around for next to no money. I have a coupe, they are fairly easy to work on and all bits available.
ETA = have a drive of one, they are different class
I do love the look of them. Must see of there is anything local.ETA = have a drive of one, they are different class
Edited by MarshPhantom on Friday 14th March 22:49
mike-r said:
Had a little MK4 Fiesta not long since and bits for that were cheap as anything, which if you're learning spannering is a good thing.
I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
Nice. 22 minutes isn't long. What level of mechanical skill do you have though?I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
Axionknight said:
Get a Volvo 850 T5, a big, practical car and easy to work on, plenty of forums and sources of information out there to help you when you get stuck too.
Plus it's reasonably quick for such a big barge, surprises a few folk off of the lights!
Another barge that I like the look of. I wonder where this is going. Plus it's reasonably quick for such a big barge, surprises a few folk off of the lights!
funkyrobot said:
mike-r said:
Had a little MK4 Fiesta not long since and bits for that were cheap as anything, which if you're learning spannering is a good thing.
I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
Nice. 22 minutes isn't long. What level of mechanical skill do you have though?I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
mike-r said:
funkyrobot said:
mike-r said:
Had a little MK4 Fiesta not long since and bits for that were cheap as anything, which if you're learning spannering is a good thing.
I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
Nice. 22 minutes isn't long. What level of mechanical skill do you have though?I remember I timed myself changing front discs, 22 minutes from wheels up to down and £15 lighter for the pair. They were like someone cut a beer mat into a circle. Serviced it for about £30 too IIRC.
funkyrobot said:
Another barge that I like the look of. I wonder where this is going.
I loved my T5R, I was 23 years old when I had mine, my Dads a DIYer who is into his hot rods and classics ETC so he shew me the ropes on spannering away on cars myself and it's a great skill to possess, I helped him with the resto on a classic Mini (which he now won't give me ) and a Ford Prefect gasser type thing.I did all the maintenance and servicing required on the T5R, it's a big lump of a turbo engine so it's quite involved compared to a pokey N/A lump, but the engine bay is massive so you have plenty of room for most jobs that will need doing and it's no covered in plastic crap like modern engines, good, reliable simplicity - cracking motor, aside from changing the cambelt which is a once in a blue moon job the most difficult job you are likely to encounter is swapping the PCV and breather system, which is an inlet manifold off job, but a half reasonable DIYer would be able to crack the job off in three hours, maximum. Just don't take the bottom screws out when you remove the inlet manifold, lol!!
I'd vote for a japanese petrol because of how easy they are to work on (non turbo for max simplicity), preferably 2001 at the oldest (cheap diagnostics reader). Just lookout for excessive rust.
Pick up a second hand Haynes manual & some 6 point, 1/2" sockets then give it a full service :-)
Pick up a second hand Haynes manual & some 6 point, 1/2" sockets then give it a full service :-)
funkyrobot said:
So, PH, what is the best way to get stuck in and learn some new skills? I have drive space for a vehicle and a garage to fit plenty of tools in. I have a shed budget too.
Does your local college run evening courses on car maintenance? If so, that's a good place to start. When I went to evening classes I could even take my own car in to work on.I find my e46 easy to work on. Perhaps pick up one of the first ones in saloon form? These are very cheap now.
Best way to get stuck in is to remove something, then put it (or the replacement) back on. Sounds simple, but start with the air box, then work up to removing the alternator (which means removing the belts first). Do an oil change. Change the brake pads (and discs, though these are a slight step up).
For all of the above you will need nothing more than a basic socket set, torx set and a jack/axle stands.
Best way to get stuck in is to remove something, then put it (or the replacement) back on. Sounds simple, but start with the air box, then work up to removing the alternator (which means removing the belts first). Do an oil change. Change the brake pads (and discs, though these are a slight step up).
For all of the above you will need nothing more than a basic socket set, torx set and a jack/axle stands.
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