Anyone bought a cheap runaround to learn spannering on?
Discussion
As per the thread title, has anyone done this and learned from the experience?
I really want to learn more about car maintenance so thought I'd hunt around for something cheap and cheerful to tinker with.
I have a gravel drive and plenty of space for a project car. Just need to purchase some axle stands etc.
Anyone have any good experiences of this and can anyone recommend a good car to work on? I'm 6ft 5in tall with a back injury so it can't be a tiny car.
I really want to learn more about car maintenance so thought I'd hunt around for something cheap and cheerful to tinker with.
I have a gravel drive and plenty of space for a project car. Just need to purchase some axle stands etc.
Anyone have any good experiences of this and can anyone recommend a good car to work on? I'm 6ft 5in tall with a back injury so it can't be a tiny car.
Old Land Rivers are great for this. Simple, easy to work on and cheap to fix. There are good helpful forums for them too. Most things on them don't even need a jack or stands (even gearboxes can be done on the ground).
I learnt on original Minis but that teaches you about back ache as well, and at your height not a great option.
Old Ford's like Capris are also good to learn on but price can be a problem.
I learnt on original Minis but that teaches you about back ache as well, and at your height not a great option.
Old Ford's like Capris are also good to learn on but price can be a problem.
Go for it!
I've been working on my own cars since 1996 and I find it very satisfying to be able to say "yep, I did that". When you are at a show or are talking cars and you can say that you've done all the work yourself rather than paying someone else, you'll feel a lot of pride (just polybushed and rebuilt the front end of my Volvo Amazon by myself on the street).
In theory anything that's quite old will be a good car to learn on - the problem you might find is that anything old and interesting seems to be quite expensive these days. Few years back I would have recommended a Sierra, Capri or something similar: parts are cheap and easy to work on as they were designed to be tinkered with by the average bloke at home, rather than by a 'technician' in a white coat who only knows the the computer tells him. Alas, the days of cheap RWD fords are mostly gone...
What about an old Volvo 240? Cheap, well engineered and the parts are still readily accessible. Maybe an older BMW? Ask yourself - do you want something you can drive and work on, or will it be a hobby for the weekend?
If you are a total beginner, you might find a local college does basic car maintenance courses, or do you have a mate who is handy with the spanners that can show you the basics? You can always teach yourself, and you'll learn a lot... but having an experienced person actually show you how to do something is sometimes invaluable.
Oh, and don't put a car on axle stands if you have a gravel drive... you want the vehicle to be really, really well supported on a flat and level surface if you're underneath it (and lying or kneeling on gravel is not much fun).
I've been working on my own cars since 1996 and I find it very satisfying to be able to say "yep, I did that". When you are at a show or are talking cars and you can say that you've done all the work yourself rather than paying someone else, you'll feel a lot of pride (just polybushed and rebuilt the front end of my Volvo Amazon by myself on the street).
In theory anything that's quite old will be a good car to learn on - the problem you might find is that anything old and interesting seems to be quite expensive these days. Few years back I would have recommended a Sierra, Capri or something similar: parts are cheap and easy to work on as they were designed to be tinkered with by the average bloke at home, rather than by a 'technician' in a white coat who only knows the the computer tells him. Alas, the days of cheap RWD fords are mostly gone...
What about an old Volvo 240? Cheap, well engineered and the parts are still readily accessible. Maybe an older BMW? Ask yourself - do you want something you can drive and work on, or will it be a hobby for the weekend?
If you are a total beginner, you might find a local college does basic car maintenance courses, or do you have a mate who is handy with the spanners that can show you the basics? You can always teach yourself, and you'll learn a lot... but having an experienced person actually show you how to do something is sometimes invaluable.
Oh, and don't put a car on axle stands if you have a gravel drive... you want the vehicle to be really, really well supported on a flat and level surface if you're underneath it (and lying or kneeling on gravel is not much fun).
Thanks. I know someone who is very much into Land Rovers so that could be an option.
The Volvo and older BMW sound good.
I won't put the stands straight on gravel. I intend to get some plates or something similar to stand them on. It've been looking into working on gravel and there are lots of handy tips about what to use to support you on the Internet.
The Volvo and older BMW sound good.
I won't put the stands straight on gravel. I intend to get some plates or something similar to stand them on. It've been looking into working on gravel and there are lots of handy tips about what to use to support you on the Internet.
A Volvo 850 served me well - I didn't initially buy it to spanner on per se, but I did end up using it as a mule for a lot of work by the time I had sold it - Much of the work was probably not necessary, the car was f'in bullet proof, despite my cocking around with it..... From general servicing to the PCV system and all points in between it was an easy (spacious engine bay) and cheap (parts are readily available) car to work on.
A good, good car.
A good, good car.
So the trouble with working on gravel comes when you drop a nut or washer ... they tend to hide!
But it’s all character forming so do it and enjoy. The man problem is that cars as easy to work and learn on are all old enough for someone, somewhere, to think they are classics and they ain’t cheap anymore. I learnt on a Mark 3 Cortina that cost me £35 ... you won’t get one for that these days!
Have a look at what’s on the £200 thread and think 12 year old Skoda ....
But it’s all character forming so do it and enjoy. The man problem is that cars as easy to work and learn on are all old enough for someone, somewhere, to think they are classics and they ain’t cheap anymore. I learnt on a Mark 3 Cortina that cost me £35 ... you won’t get one for that these days!
Have a look at what’s on the £200 thread and think 12 year old Skoda ....
Mark-C said:
So the trouble with working on gravel comes when you drop a nut or washer ... they tend to hide!
But it’s all character forming so do it and enjoy. The man problem is that cars as easy to work and learn on are all old enough for someone, somewhere, to think they are classics and they ain’t cheap anymore. I learnt on a Mark 3 Cortina that cost me £35 ... you won’t get one for that these days!
Have a look at what’s on the £200 thread and think 12 year old Skoda ....
I'll try and get hold of some large tarpaulins to pop under the car so they can catch the dropped bits.But it’s all character forming so do it and enjoy. The man problem is that cars as easy to work and learn on are all old enough for someone, somewhere, to think they are classics and they ain’t cheap anymore. I learnt on a Mark 3 Cortina that cost me £35 ... you won’t get one for that these days!
Have a look at what’s on the £200 thread and think 12 year old Skoda ....
I was thinking of an old Skoda too.
funkyrobot said:
I'll try and get hold of some large tarpaulins to pop under the car so they can catch the dropped bits.
I was thinking of an old Skoda too.
I'll be interested to read how you get on.I was thinking of an old Skoda too.
Tip: us tall chaps tend to have manly sized hands… which is fine until you drop a tiny washer or bolt into an inaccessible recess in the depths of your engine bay (it's almost like they do it on purpose). Get a magnetic pick up tool - they start from a couple of quid and believe me, it's money very well spent!
SirSquidalot said:
I'd go for a cheapy mx5, the engine bays have tonnes of room and are easy to work on, suspension and braking systems are also easy to work on. On issue is rusted bolts, and trust me they all will be rusted !
Same problem with old Land Rovers.... An angle grinder is your best friend.....(along with a tap and die set, selection of rivnuts and a setting tool). Oddly enough I was only thinking about this last night in a slightly different context.
I was thinking about getting an original Mini for my son so that he has a cheap runaround, something to learn to drive in but also something he (and I) and I can tinker with to get into good condition before he's legally allowed to drive.
(My son is 5 months old)
I was thinking about getting an original Mini for my son so that he has a cheap runaround, something to learn to drive in but also something he (and I) and I can tinker with to get into good condition before he's legally allowed to drive.
(My son is 5 months old)
Trolley Jack
Axel Stands
Basic Socket Set
Basic Spanner Set
Basic Screw Driver Set
Mole Grip Set
Wire Brushes
Grinder
WD-40
Brake Cleaner
Nitrile Gloves
Oil Pan
Magnetic Tray or Two (I have four of varying sizes)
That would probably cover what 90% of us do at home, sure there are some specialist tools that every now and then you need so you pick them up as and when but thats a good starter list.
As for a basic car for spanering, it really does depends on what you are looking to learn and for what reason. 90's cars are for the most part inexpesive and easy to work on. E36 BMWs, Vauxhalls, Volvos, Alfas, Fiats, Fords, MX5's, VWG stuff can all be had for little monmey and are easy to work on for the most part. Some will be simpler than others just avoid anything French
Axel Stands
Basic Socket Set
Basic Spanner Set
Basic Screw Driver Set
Mole Grip Set
Wire Brushes
Grinder
WD-40
Brake Cleaner
Nitrile Gloves
Oil Pan
Magnetic Tray or Two (I have four of varying sizes)
That would probably cover what 90% of us do at home, sure there are some specialist tools that every now and then you need so you pick them up as and when but thats a good starter list.
As for a basic car for spanering, it really does depends on what you are looking to learn and for what reason. 90's cars are for the most part inexpesive and easy to work on. E36 BMWs, Vauxhalls, Volvos, Alfas, Fiats, Fords, MX5's, VWG stuff can all be had for little monmey and are easy to work on for the most part. Some will be simpler than others just avoid anything French
I've always wanted to buy a Morris Minor or Austin A35 to learn on and restore at the same time with a Haynes manual.
The cars are pretty cheap to buy if they need work and are very simple to work on. Small little engines and no computers or ECUs in sight. Plus when fully restored they go for pretty decent money. Even the VW Beetle is supposed to be a decent car to start on but they're more expensive to buy and if they're not looked after properly they are very prone to rot.
I've just never had a garage or driveway space to do it.
The cars are pretty cheap to buy if they need work and are very simple to work on. Small little engines and no computers or ECUs in sight. Plus when fully restored they go for pretty decent money. Even the VW Beetle is supposed to be a decent car to start on but they're more expensive to buy and if they're not looked after properly they are very prone to rot.
I've just never had a garage or driveway space to do it.
Yep, I bought the cheapest Mini I could find with an MOT and certainly learnt a lot! I'm not sure there is such a thing as a cheap Mini anymore though and it doesn't sound like it would suit you. I'd suggest something without an ECU so you don't have to buy too many tools, it's not just the electronics, cars of that age start to require a lot more specialist tools in general. Buy something you like the look of and enjoy driving or you'll quickly lose interest.
I've just been thinking the same. Used to do all my own spannering, making great use of a friends mechanic business for guidance and tools, but haven't really done much since moving over here. Have still got an itch to do it as a hobby - buy a car with the intention of doing everything on it, whatever it needs. My only stipulations are that its got to be a bit of fun to drive, and be a 2+2 as a minimum.
I'm thinking 6-cyl 3-series - E30 or E36. I know the 4 pots will give a bit more room under the bonnet, but I would want a 6. Perhaps an E34 or E30 5-series. Would like a 944S2 but I think that might be a bit of a stretch or perhaps leave me wanting someone else to fettle it properly! Whilst a Saab 900T16S would tick lots of boxes, I've worked on one of those in the past - gearbox problem. Never again - proper PITA. 306 GTI6?
Any other suggestions out there?
I'm thinking 6-cyl 3-series - E30 or E36. I know the 4 pots will give a bit more room under the bonnet, but I would want a 6. Perhaps an E34 or E30 5-series. Would like a 944S2 but I think that might be a bit of a stretch or perhaps leave me wanting someone else to fettle it properly! Whilst a Saab 900T16S would tick lots of boxes, I've worked on one of those in the past - gearbox problem. Never again - proper PITA. 306 GTI6?
Any other suggestions out there?
geeks said:
Trolley Jack
Axel Stands
Basic Socket Set
Basic Spanner Set
Basic Screw Driver Set
Mole Grip Set
Wire Brushes
Grinder
WD-40
Brake Cleaner
Nitrile Gloves
Oil Pan
Magnetic Tray or Two (I have four of varying sizes)
That would probably cover what 90% of us do at home, sure there are some specialist tools that every now and then you need so you pick them up as and when but thats a good starter list.
As for a basic car for spanering, it really does depends on what you are looking to learn and for what reason. 90's cars are for the most part inexpesive and easy to work on. E36 BMWs, Vauxhalls, Volvos, Alfas, Fiats, Fords, MX5's, VWG stuff can all be had for little monmey and are easy to work on for the most part. Some will be simpler than others just avoid anything French
I'd also suggest one of these, absolute godsend on rusty bolts!Axel Stands
Basic Socket Set
Basic Spanner Set
Basic Screw Driver Set
Mole Grip Set
Wire Brushes
Grinder
WD-40
Brake Cleaner
Nitrile Gloves
Oil Pan
Magnetic Tray or Two (I have four of varying sizes)
That would probably cover what 90% of us do at home, sure there are some specialist tools that every now and then you need so you pick them up as and when but thats a good starter list.
As for a basic car for spanering, it really does depends on what you are looking to learn and for what reason. 90's cars are for the most part inexpesive and easy to work on. E36 BMWs, Vauxhalls, Volvos, Alfas, Fiats, Fords, MX5's, VWG stuff can all be had for little monmey and are easy to work on for the most part. Some will be simpler than others just avoid anything French
E36 6 pots are good to learn on. It's all pretty simple under the bonnet and there is a wealth of knowledge on the internet about them. Spares are cheap too.
You may struggle driving it comfortably though. I found that I could have the seat all the back and still push the clutch all the way down comfortably and I'm certainly not tall (5'8"ish).
You may struggle driving it comfortably though. I found that I could have the seat all the back and still push the clutch all the way down comfortably and I'm certainly not tall (5'8"ish).
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