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.
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.
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.
Thanks for the comments all. I haven't been ignoring them, just had a very, very busy week at work.
The need for learning spannering has partly appeared because due to us becoming parents, my fiancee isn't working now. We are going to see how it goes with her being a full time mum for a bit. Therefore, as well as wanting to learn more, I think it will be a very useful and money saving skill.
I'm also trying to get into something cheaper to run, so knowing a bit would help with this. I run a 2.0 litre petrol Mazda and to be honest, have been paying a lot for the upkeep of the car. It would be brilliant to do my own work on it. The problem is, I need it for work which is 25 miles away. I can't risk doing anything on it, breaking it and then being stuck until someone more competent can fix it.
I have a bit of money set aside to pick up something cheap and cheerful to run initially as a second car. With my main car not being ruined by me, it will be ideal to learn on something else and still be able to go to work. The plan is to then become a bit more savvy and confident, pick up something cheaper that is better on fuel, and run that as the main car.
Working on my fiancee's runaround Polo would also be an added bonus.
I'll have a good look through the thread and post some responses later. Thanks again all.
Oh yes, as I speak the Mazda has sprung a nice new knocking sound from the rear wheel. Something went 'twang' a few weeks ago and every time I drive over a small bump, the rear right crashes and bangs rather than bumps.
The need for learning spannering has partly appeared because due to us becoming parents, my fiancee isn't working now. We are going to see how it goes with her being a full time mum for a bit. Therefore, as well as wanting to learn more, I think it will be a very useful and money saving skill.
I'm also trying to get into something cheaper to run, so knowing a bit would help with this. I run a 2.0 litre petrol Mazda and to be honest, have been paying a lot for the upkeep of the car. It would be brilliant to do my own work on it. The problem is, I need it for work which is 25 miles away. I can't risk doing anything on it, breaking it and then being stuck until someone more competent can fix it.
I have a bit of money set aside to pick up something cheap and cheerful to run initially as a second car. With my main car not being ruined by me, it will be ideal to learn on something else and still be able to go to work. The plan is to then become a bit more savvy and confident, pick up something cheaper that is better on fuel, and run that as the main car.
Working on my fiancee's runaround Polo would also be an added bonus.
I'll have a good look through the thread and post some responses later. Thanks again all.
Oh yes, as I speak the Mazda has sprung a nice new knocking sound from the rear wheel. Something went 'twang' a few weeks ago and every time I drive over a small bump, the rear right crashes and bangs rather than bumps.
battered said:
Good choice. But if your wife already has a Po;o why are you buying another "Polo" to spanner? You already have one, so get on with it. Start with a service.
I don't want to break her Polo. I can't have confidence in my terrible abilities. Therefore, I'd rather have something none of use rely on to break.
That Fabia is a diesel too, so could be good for the commute. We'll see.
Challo said:
Servicing the car will be an easy way to start. Not much you can muck up and plenty of stuff online about what you need to do with pictures etc. Worst car you get stuck then there is plenty of mobile mechanics you can call if you get stuck.
Indeed.It may sound mad to others, but I'm not the most confident person. Therefore, I always try to error on the side of caution.
andy-xr said:
I dont think that really needs anything from the looks of it, so unsure what you're going to learn as such. It's nice to be able to do an oil change, but buying a cheap car to learn how to change the oil on another car doesnt really add up
If you're buying one to take apart, fix some faults and put back together I'd go with petrol Fiesta/Ka for a few hundred quid, pick one that doesnt need much/any welding on the sills and it'll still give you enough to worry about with the suspension, sensors, coolant and various noises that you'll be able to get a better understanding of which bits do what and why they're (un)important
Thanks. Have been considering the makes you mention above. However, if I can make it work, that lump of Skoda could be a very good commuter vehicle for me. We'll see.If you're buying one to take apart, fix some faults and put back together I'd go with petrol Fiesta/Ka for a few hundred quid, pick one that doesnt need much/any welding on the sills and it'll still give you enough to worry about with the suspension, sensors, coolant and various noises that you'll be able to get a better understanding of which bits do what and why they're (un)important
I'm still hunting around for a cheap project.
Incidentally, I've noticed a Fiesta for sale over the road. It's £350, but has a lot of rust on the wings. Rust is the killer of these things, I guess.
Challo said:
I understand, but I think changing spark plugs, air filter, pollen filter is a good start and tend to be very easy especially on mainstream cars.
Do you research before, watch video's, get yourself familiar with what you need to do and take your time. If you took it apart it will go back together. It might take alot longer than someone else but thats fine. All trial and error.
Whereabouts are you based as im sure a fellow PH member wouldn't mind showing you the basics.
Just found this place online http://ramp-it-up.co.uk/ I wonder if there is something similar to you?
That looks good. Not sure if there is anything near where I live though (Spalding, Lincs). I have a friend who is very good with cars, so I could always ask his advice.Do you research before, watch video's, get yourself familiar with what you need to do and take your time. If you took it apart it will go back together. It might take alot longer than someone else but thats fine. All trial and error.
Whereabouts are you based as im sure a fellow PH member wouldn't mind showing you the basics.
Just found this place online http://ramp-it-up.co.uk/ I wonder if there is something similar to you?
Challo said:
Servicing the car will be an easy way to start. Not much you can muck up and plenty of stuff online about what you need to do with pictures etc. Worst car you get stuck then there is plenty of mobile mechanics you can call if you get stuck.
Indeed. However, I'd rather break something that is my fiancée's. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff