Good, cheap car to learn spannering on
Discussion
Challo said:
Ford KA? Old tech on the engine and basic inside. Very easy to work on.
One of the first jobs will probably be the heater valve, which is actually quite easy but looks hard because of the amount of parts you pull off with a socket set. I work on my g/f's one all the time, just little bits and pieces here and there. I'd say anything you find on a 2nd hand cars facebook page, Corsa, Clio, Fiesta, KA etc because parts will all be cheaper than like a Mondeo or Vectra.
French cars tend to have specific tools required to do things like oil changes though
Some interesting options here, though perhaps a "classic" may be the way to go? Buy a pre 1974 car and there's no tax to pay for and MOTs tend to be a lot less worrying! If you buy the right one, you have an interesting and reliable car (reliability depends on how proficient you become). The snag is that something decent will cost and those within budget may (will) need a lot of welding.
I would strongly recommend you avoid a rusty car, regardless of age - body repairs can be far more difficult and expensive than mechanical repairs!
Someone mentioned a Land Rover. They are a good "modular" machine with plenty of cheap parts. However, something in your price range will most likely need a fair bit of work - especially welding (or a galvanised chassis for around £2K). Yes, parts are available and there are some good, reasonably cheap ones about - usually a long way from wherever you live! I know - I have one that was sold as a "daily driver" (ie tax and 10 months MOT when I bought it in September). I haven't done more than 20 miles (and that was when I bought it) as it is dangerous and I haven't had the chance to sort it yet (welding and parts required).
Something simple like a Cortina/Escort, Hillman Minx, Morris Minor or even a Mini are good "beginners' cars" - but they tend to be out of you £1K budget unless you like welding and spending money on parts!
Perhaps an unloved 70s or 80s car might fit the bill - the snag is that parts tend to be harder to get for things like Metros than they are for older cars. Avoid things like hydrolastic suspension too - spares are difficult to find for them.
Scrappage took a lot of the "old bangers" out of the market - these would probably have been the ones in budget and in reasonably good condition for a beginner's project. The mid 90s cars are still about - it's just a matter of finding one you like that's within your budget.
I would strongly recommend you avoid a rusty car, regardless of age - body repairs can be far more difficult and expensive than mechanical repairs!
Someone mentioned a Land Rover. They are a good "modular" machine with plenty of cheap parts. However, something in your price range will most likely need a fair bit of work - especially welding (or a galvanised chassis for around £2K). Yes, parts are available and there are some good, reasonably cheap ones about - usually a long way from wherever you live! I know - I have one that was sold as a "daily driver" (ie tax and 10 months MOT when I bought it in September). I haven't done more than 20 miles (and that was when I bought it) as it is dangerous and I haven't had the chance to sort it yet (welding and parts required).
Something simple like a Cortina/Escort, Hillman Minx, Morris Minor or even a Mini are good "beginners' cars" - but they tend to be out of you £1K budget unless you like welding and spending money on parts!
Perhaps an unloved 70s or 80s car might fit the bill - the snag is that parts tend to be harder to get for things like Metros than they are for older cars. Avoid things like hydrolastic suspension too - spares are difficult to find for them.
Scrappage took a lot of the "old bangers" out of the market - these would probably have been the ones in budget and in reasonably good condition for a beginner's project. The mid 90s cars are still about - it's just a matter of finding one you like that's within your budget.
Just make sure that whatever you buy you can get a Haynes or similar workshop manual for it! They are not perfect, but a good starting point!
In my experience, larger cars are easier to work on as there is more room to get into work, but if you have a single garage, a small car such an an mx5 will fit in and you can work on one side at a time!
In my experience, larger cars are easier to work on as there is more room to get into work, but if you have a single garage, a small car such an an mx5 will fit in and you can work on one side at a time!
My vote would be to go classic.
Something like a Spitfire. If you want simple access to engine then that's the kiddy, open the bonnet and sit on the wheel.
Parts availability is excellent and certainly was cheap when I had mine. Insurance is cheap, depreciation is zero tax could be zero. What could be better?
Something like a Spitfire. If you want simple access to engine then that's the kiddy, open the bonnet and sit on the wheel.
Parts availability is excellent and certainly was cheap when I had mine. Insurance is cheap, depreciation is zero tax could be zero. What could be better?
funkyrobot said:
Thanks all.
Budget will be decided in a few weeks, but it'll be under a thousand. Will look into the relevant vehicle's owner clubs etc.
Will an MX5 accommodate someone who is 6 ft 4in tall?
Not sure about the height thing, but I put new rear calipers on my Dads early MX5 and it was a joy to work on.Budget will be decided in a few weeks, but it'll be under a thousand. Will look into the relevant vehicle's owner clubs etc.
Will an MX5 accommodate someone who is 6 ft 4in tall?
It reminded me of when cars were actually fun to tinker with.
Eta: There's probably a whoosh parrot nearby.....?
Edited by Baz Tench on Saturday 15th March 14:03
funkyrobot said:
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.
A MK2 Golf or Merc 190e/pre-facelift W124 with a 4cyl engine would be my bet.
Japanese and German car parts can be expensive.
If you literally just want to learn I would consider something cheap with cheap parts like a fiesta.
If you want something that you can turn into a project though and have fun with the resulting car then I think perhaps a Japanese car or a classic car is the way to go.
If you literally just want to learn I would consider something cheap with cheap parts like a fiesta.
If you want something that you can turn into a project though and have fun with the resulting car then I think perhaps a Japanese car or a classic car is the way to go.
Edited by rb5er on Saturday 15th March 15:10
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!
This^^. Or a classic model V70.Plus it's reasonably quick for such a big barge, surprises a few folk off of the lights!
Piece of piss to work on and the quality of the components means that you get relatively few of the seized/rusted fasteners that are commonplace on most other cars.
Thanks for the advice all. I've been away from PH for the weekend and am really pleased with all of the info above.
I'm going to sit down at some point today and take it all in. Thanks again.
Oh yes, I know this may sound really sad to some on here, but I bought my first Haynes manual the other day. I think my fiancee has a problem with a coolant temperature sensor on her Polo, so I'm going to see if I can replace it.
Also, does anyone know which tools to buy? I have a local Halfords and have noticed that they do Halfords Advanced Professional sets of spanners, ratchets etc. Are these worth a punt?
I'm also going to scour ebay to see what I can pick up second hand. No need to go mad just yet.
Car search has begun too.
Edited to add - what about things like Axle stands too? Are they suitable to be placed on a gravel yard (I guess I could source some strong bases for them)? Also, where is the ideal place to prop them under a vehicle? I'm guessing something like a chassis rail or some other suitably safe place.
I've seen that it's a good idea to also place the jack that comes with the car under it too and any wheels that have been removed. Safety first.
I'm going to sit down at some point today and take it all in. Thanks again.
Oh yes, I know this may sound really sad to some on here, but I bought my first Haynes manual the other day. I think my fiancee has a problem with a coolant temperature sensor on her Polo, so I'm going to see if I can replace it.
Also, does anyone know which tools to buy? I have a local Halfords and have noticed that they do Halfords Advanced Professional sets of spanners, ratchets etc. Are these worth a punt?
I'm also going to scour ebay to see what I can pick up second hand. No need to go mad just yet.
Car search has begun too.
Edited to add - what about things like Axle stands too? Are they suitable to be placed on a gravel yard (I guess I could source some strong bases for them)? Also, where is the ideal place to prop them under a vehicle? I'm guessing something like a chassis rail or some other suitably safe place.
I've seen that it's a good idea to also place the jack that comes with the car under it too and any wheels that have been removed. Safety first.
Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 17th March 08:45
mwstewart said:
Why not get a scrap car/MOT failure?
Good idea.I was fortunate enough to move to a house in September with a driveway/yard at the front and a garage. This now means I can leave a project on the front.
My fiancee is a bit wary though. Understandably, she has said she doesn't want rusty old heaps clogging the driveway up. As if I would buy anything that rusty!
DJP said:
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!
This^^. Or a classic model V70.Plus it's reasonably quick for such a big barge, surprises a few folk off of the lights!
Piece of piss to work on and the quality of the components means that you get relatively few of the seized/rusted fasteners that are commonplace on most other cars.
I think that if a big old barge turned up on the drive she would be ok as she likes big cars too.
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