Good, cheap car to learn spannering on
Discussion
As per the title, I'm after a cheap and easy car to develop my mechanic skills with. I've got to a point where I'm really cheesed off with myself because I'm too scared to touch anything mechanical on my current car (Mazda 3).
I currently have zero skills and zero confidence about doing anything remotely mechanical. It's quite frankly embarrassing and means I have to pay people to fix things. I really want to change this.
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.
Thanks all.
I currently have zero skills and zero confidence about doing anything remotely mechanical. It's quite frankly embarrassing and means I have to pay people to fix things. I really want to change this.
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.
Thanks all.
Budget?
A mk1 mx5 would be cheap and give some summer fun, plus you wouldn't lose on it (much); simple engines and parts are cheapish.
Otherwise, pick anything where parts are cheap new, or there are plenty of wrecks about... A good owners club helps for sourcing. If it's a second car then there are few limits.
A mk1 mx5 would be cheap and give some summer fun, plus you wouldn't lose on it (much); simple engines and parts are cheapish.
Otherwise, pick anything where parts are cheap new, or there are plenty of wrecks about... A good owners club helps for sourcing. If it's a second car then there are few limits.
Buy an old Alfa, a proper one with rwd, you'll become a master mechanic in no time.
To increase the speed of acquiring skills simply increase the amount of old italian cars. Alfasud or Alfa 75 cheap enough in the UK?
I thought the whole unreliable Alfa thing was a hoax, but I was proven very wrong
when my father decided to buy two at the same time. In the very rare occasion we drove them, we tried to guess what kind of hilarious fault would appear next.
To increase the speed of acquiring skills simply increase the amount of old italian cars. Alfasud or Alfa 75 cheap enough in the UK?
I thought the whole unreliable Alfa thing was a hoax, but I was proven very wrong
when my father decided to buy two at the same time. In the very rare occasion we drove them, we tried to guess what kind of hilarious fault would appear next.
Im 6ft 4 and fit in fine a flat bottom steering wheel helps though oh and mk2 onwards will struggle mk1 are fine for me. But it depends on where you height is in your body.
Mx5 cheap to buy and repair parts are easy to get hold of and plenty of people around to help if you get stuck. Also can try out welding as they do like to rust.
Mx5 cheap to buy and repair parts are easy to get hold of and plenty of people around to help if you get stuck. Also can try out welding as they do like to rust.
MagnaJeep said:
Buy an old Alfa, a proper one with rwd, you'll become a master mechanic in no time.
To increase the speed of acquiring skills simply increase the amount of old italian cars. Alfasud or Alfa 75 cheap enough in the UK?
I thought the whole unreliable Alfa thing was a hoax, but I was proven very wrong
when my father decided to buy two at the same time. In the very rare occasion we drove them, we tried to guess what kind of hilarious fault would appear next.
There is currently a 155 2.0 twin spark near me. It's on eBay at just over 500 notes at the moment. To increase the speed of acquiring skills simply increase the amount of old italian cars. Alfasud or Alfa 75 cheap enough in the UK?
I thought the whole unreliable Alfa thing was a hoax, but I was proven very wrong
when my father decided to buy two at the same time. In the very rare occasion we drove them, we tried to guess what kind of hilarious fault would appear next.
MG CHRIS said:
Im 6ft 4 and fit in fine a flat bottom steering wheel helps though oh and mk2 onwards will struggle mk1 are fine for me. But it depends on where you height is in your body.
Mx5 cheap to buy and repair parts are easy to get hold of and plenty of people around to help if you get stuck. Also can try out welding as they do like to rust.
I'll take a look. I already have a Mazda, so would be interesting to get something from the same stable.Mx5 cheap to buy and repair parts are easy to get hold of and plenty of people around to help if you get stuck. Also can try out welding as they do like to rust.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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