15 year old looking for a project car
Discussion
I'm a 15 year old and i'm looking for a project car to help me get into a university to study mechanical engineering. I would love to work at a car company like Jaguar or Bmw or even work for a race team (f1).
I have had some ideas about the cars I should get but i'm not 100% certain about what is the best way to learn the skills that I want to get. I do not want to become a mechanic.
here are the cars I've been thinking about.
1. mk1 mx5. these car should be good but they are maybe a bit limiting in what parts I can change and mess around with but they are very cheap to buy.
2. a kit car. kit cars would be very good way to learn about putting a car together but they are bit expensive and possibly a bit rubbish to drive.
3. e30 bmw 325i. I really like these old Bmws and they seem to be very popular for modifying. they are maybe a bit limiting but a engine swap could be a great way to learn skills as well. They are rather expensive.
I have a budget of around £1000 - £2000 but the lower the price is the better.
Thanks, Andrew
I have had some ideas about the cars I should get but i'm not 100% certain about what is the best way to learn the skills that I want to get. I do not want to become a mechanic.
here are the cars I've been thinking about.
1. mk1 mx5. these car should be good but they are maybe a bit limiting in what parts I can change and mess around with but they are very cheap to buy.
2. a kit car. kit cars would be very good way to learn about putting a car together but they are bit expensive and possibly a bit rubbish to drive.
3. e30 bmw 325i. I really like these old Bmws and they seem to be very popular for modifying. they are maybe a bit limiting but a engine swap could be a great way to learn skills as well. They are rather expensive.
I have a budget of around £1000 - £2000 but the lower the price is the better.
Thanks, Andrew
Assuming you want something you can run once you turn 17 and pass your test, I'd be looking for a car you can reasonably hope to insure. My guess is that all those options will be prohibitively expensive from an insurance perspective.
Maybe something like a Morris Minor or original Mini? Excellent parts availability, easy to work on, potentially insurable, etc.
Eta: not meaning to rain on your parade! I think this is a brilliant idea and wish you luck with it all!
Maybe something like a Morris Minor or original Mini? Excellent parts availability, easy to work on, potentially insurable, etc.
Eta: not meaning to rain on your parade! I think this is a brilliant idea and wish you luck with it all!
I would go with the MX5, see your point about the kit car,and the BMW are good cars but the spares can be a bit pricey.
MX5' s have a good reputation for being reliable and fun,and spares are plentiful,which will make your life easier in the long run.
Just research what to look for rust wise when buying.
MX5' s have a good reputation for being reliable and fun,and spares are plentiful,which will make your life easier in the long run.
Just research what to look for rust wise when buying.
Gruber said:
Assuming you want something you can run once you turn 17 and pass your test, I'd be looking for a car you can reasonably hope to insure. My guess is that all those options will be prohibitively expensive from an insurance perspective.
Maybe something like a Morris Minor or original Mini? Excellent parts availability, easy to work on, potentially insurable, etc.
Eta: not meaning to rain on your parade! I think this is a brilliant idea and wish you luck with it all!
insurance isn't a number one priority for me as my dad is funding the project so he will drive the car and when I have a liscence i could track day the car or wait until i can afford the insuranceMaybe something like a Morris Minor or original Mini? Excellent parts availability, easy to work on, potentially insurable, etc.
Eta: not meaning to rain on your parade! I think this is a brilliant idea and wish you luck with it all!
laam999 said:
I had a mk1 mr2 for my first project, always been a fan but I have you thought of something like an mg midget? They're fairly cheap, easy to get parts for, would look stunning polished up compared to your friends corsas at the time. Where about in the country are you?
I am in the east midlands area. I have thought about mr2s but not 100% sure about an mg midget.I've been thinking about doing something similar with my son who is also 15.
MG Midget and Mini are the 2 I've given most thought. slightly depressing how much a tired mini will cost these days
parts are cheap and available - engineering simple and robust. A reasonable chance of selling it more for than the cost of purchase and parts. Plenty of opportunity to learn to mig weld.
Morris Minor is the other obvious one, and CAN be insured by a 17 year old.
OP - I don't believe this activity really has much to do Mech Eng degree at University. Fluid dynamics, kinematics, loads, stress etc etc. That is what I expect you will learn there (I did and then forgot). I don't recall picking up a spanner in my 3 years....
MG Midget and Mini are the 2 I've given most thought. slightly depressing how much a tired mini will cost these days
parts are cheap and available - engineering simple and robust. A reasonable chance of selling it more for than the cost of purchase and parts. Plenty of opportunity to learn to mig weld.
Morris Minor is the other obvious one, and CAN be insured by a 17 year old.
OP - I don't believe this activity really has much to do Mech Eng degree at University. Fluid dynamics, kinematics, loads, stress etc etc. That is what I expect you will learn there (I did and then forgot). I don't recall picking up a spanner in my 3 years....
Edited by balls-out on Sunday 21st September 17:17
Hi there. I'm a mechanical design engineer with a degree in motorsport engineering, working in the automotive industry at a company similar to those you have listed.
Firstly, why do you think that working on a project car is going to get you into uni? Practical experience like that will only go in your hobbies and interests on your application so won't make much difference if you do it or not.
If you want to work in the automotive/motorsport industry, go on the uni websites and look at the course requirements. Getting the qualifications listed on those requirements should be your priority.
Also if you genuinely want to work in F1 or high end motorsport, you will have a much better chance if you are part of the uni's formula student team. This is something that F1 teams etc. will want to see on your CV and while Brunel have a good record in the competition in recent years, the university of hertfordshire have a considerably better one. If you have not heard of this competition look it up. Be aware that while there may be as many as 200 people on your course that only a select amount of maybe 20 students from each uni get to be part of the team.
Are you planning on doing A-levels or college when you finish?
Firstly, why do you think that working on a project car is going to get you into uni? Practical experience like that will only go in your hobbies and interests on your application so won't make much difference if you do it or not.
If you want to work in the automotive/motorsport industry, go on the uni websites and look at the course requirements. Getting the qualifications listed on those requirements should be your priority.
Also if you genuinely want to work in F1 or high end motorsport, you will have a much better chance if you are part of the uni's formula student team. This is something that F1 teams etc. will want to see on your CV and while Brunel have a good record in the competition in recent years, the university of hertfordshire have a considerably better one. If you have not heard of this competition look it up. Be aware that while there may be as many as 200 people on your course that only a select amount of maybe 20 students from each uni get to be part of the team.
Are you planning on doing A-levels or college when you finish?
Al U said:
Hi there. I'm a mechanical design engineer with a degree in motorsport engineering, working in the automotive industry at a company similar to those you have listed.
Firstly, why do you think that working on a project car is going to get you into uni? Practical experience like that will only go in your hobbies and interests on your application so won't make much difference if you o it or not.
If you want to work in the automotive/motorsport industry, go on the uni websites and look at the course requirements. Getting the qualifications listed on those requirements should be your priority.
Also if you genuinely want to work in F1 or high end motorsport, you will have a much better chance if you are part of the uni's formula student team. This is something that F1 teams etc. will want to see on your CV and while Brunel have a good record in the competition in recent years, the university of hertfordshire have a considerably better one. If you have not heard of this competition look it up. Be aware that while there may be as many as 200 people on your course that only a select amount of maybe 20 students from each uni get to be part of the team.
Are you planning on doing A-levels or college when you finish?
I don't think getting a project car will get me into uni.Firstly, why do you think that working on a project car is going to get you into uni? Practical experience like that will only go in your hobbies and interests on your application so won't make much difference if you o it or not.
If you want to work in the automotive/motorsport industry, go on the uni websites and look at the course requirements. Getting the qualifications listed on those requirements should be your priority.
Also if you genuinely want to work in F1 or high end motorsport, you will have a much better chance if you are part of the uni's formula student team. This is something that F1 teams etc. will want to see on your CV and while Brunel have a good record in the competition in recent years, the university of hertfordshire have a considerably better one. If you have not heard of this competition look it up. Be aware that while there may be as many as 200 people on your course that only a select amount of maybe 20 students from each uni get to be part of the team.
Are you planning on doing A-levels or college when you finish?
I know that getting the grades at gcse are key to what I want and i am going for A grades in maths, science and electronics (and all the other subjects as well)
yes i am going to do A levels probably going to do maths and physics, i'm not to sure about the others.
I will need to look up the uni Motorsport competition but it sounds very interesting.
Interesting. You remind me of myself about 10 years ago. I did maths, physics, chemistry and english lit. After the first year of AS levels I dropped out as I found it too difficult and went to college to do an advanced diploma in engineering. That's what got me into uni.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did want to be one then a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did want to be one then a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
I started (and dropped out) of a Motorsport course. You don't need to know what a spanner looks like to pass but you do need maths so concentrate on the academic side of it.
As for a car, how about a Mk3 MR2. Cheap to buy, easy to work on and parts are cheap. It'd also be decent on track.
As for a car, how about a Mk3 MR2. Cheap to buy, easy to work on and parts are cheap. It'd also be decent on track.
Al U said:
Interesting. You remind me of myself about 10 years ago. I did maths, physics, chemistry and english lit. After the first year of AS levels I dropped out as I found it too difficult and went to college to do an advanced diploma in engineering. That's what got me into uni.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
The project would be me just tinkering with a car either buying a broken car and repairing it or modifying one.
maybe since you seem to suggest it won't help with uni I should try to get a car I will be able to drive at 17.
As someone who has to read these things (albeit in a different discipline), building a kit car and taking it all the way through to SVA would look far better on your Personal Statement than the norm of tinkering around with cars.
It would also give you a taster of a broader range of topics, I would guess. The key for the statement would be undertaking a huge project, facing challenges along the way, and seeing it through to completion. That's what University recruiters want to see these days. Or charity work. Or sportsmanship.
Or, as the budget is quite low, what about getting someone's old project and overhauling / completing it? Or getting something old on a space frame chassis (dare I say TVR) and restoring it?
It would also give you a taster of a broader range of topics, I would guess. The key for the statement would be undertaking a huge project, facing challenges along the way, and seeing it through to completion. That's what University recruiters want to see these days. Or charity work. Or sportsmanship.
Or, as the budget is quite low, what about getting someone's old project and overhauling / completing it? Or getting something old on a space frame chassis (dare I say TVR) and restoring it?
caledoniacation said:
Al U said:
Interesting. You remind me of myself about 10 years ago. I did maths, physics, chemistry and english lit. After the first year of AS levels I dropped out as I found it too difficult and went to college to do an advanced diploma in engineering. That's what got me into uni.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
Fair enough if you are aware that working on a project car won't get you into uni it's just from your first post you suggested that you think it will help. It won't, it will merely be seen as a hobby that is slightly relevant to what you are studying. You have said yourself that you don't want to be a mechanic but if you did a project car would be a good idea as that will give you hands on experience. Depending on what you mean by a project car, I suspect there will be very little engineering going on.
The project would be me just tinkering with a car either buying a broken car and repairing it or modifying one.
maybe since you seem to suggest it won't help with uni I should try to get a car I will be able to drive at 17.
I'd get a EG Civic 1.3DX.
It's the baby of the bunch, so has thousands of interchangeable parts from other, bigger Civics, Accords, Integras etc. And even some MG's. Engines, suspension, brakes, interior...everything.
Ideal as a first venture into swapping parts etc. And all parts are pretty cheap too.
It's the baby of the bunch, so has thousands of interchangeable parts from other, bigger Civics, Accords, Integras etc. And even some MG's. Engines, suspension, brakes, interior...everything.
Ideal as a first venture into swapping parts etc. And all parts are pretty cheap too.
caledoniacation said:
The project would be me just tinkering with a car either buying a broken car and repairing it or modifying one.
maybe since you seem to suggest it won't help with uni I should try to get a car I will be able to drive at 17.
Also mechanical engineering is a vast field, you should start to think about what you would want to do. Do you like the idea of sitting behind a computer designing parts on software or would you rather be more hands on etc.
4 years ago I found Minis to be very pricey, so went for a Midget for my daughter, she still runs around in it when she is home from Uni.
Bit of a build diary here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Parts were really easy to source, lots of bargains to be found at the local scrap yard and ebay.
Bit of a build diary here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Parts were really easy to source, lots of bargains to be found at the local scrap yard and ebay.
Edited by Tumbler on Sunday 21st September 17:59
dxg said:
I disagree. Doing anything that requires effort and a long term view of things is looked on favourably. It's a bonus that it's in a relevant area. Academic excellence these days isn't enough to stand out from the crowd.
You're welcome to. Course prices have tripled since I was at uni so that has considerably reduced the size of the crowd. Also engineering, specifically automotive engineering and even more specifically motorsport engineering aren't the most popular courses so again the competition for places is less fierce. I agree with you that extra curricular activities can make one candidate look better than another, but if you exceed the course requirements academically to begin with that's got to be a good start.When students write their personal statements for uni applications they are usually supported by sixth form or college staff that have managed to assist previous students get into uni that don't have a spectrum of voluntary work hours and character building projects under their belt.
Edited by Al U on Sunday 21st September 18:03
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