Project car 2018
Discussion
I'm currently looking to start with home/hobby mechanics and rather than mess with my normal car I am toying with the idea of a project car.
My situation is that at present I can't afford or store the car anywhere suitable so it's likely that it wouldn't be for a year or so but I want to keep my eye out in the meantime in case I spot an absolute steal.
There are many threads on the forum for a similar topic but they all seem to be several years old so I'm worried that the cars recommended there would now be a poor choice.
I am a total newcomer to mechanics so simplicity is key for myself. Most people seem to have recommended Mx5s or mk2 golf's, is this still something people would recommend or are there others? I would only be using the car for personal use which is a short commute but I would likely want to put some performance parts/upgrades etc on whatever I get.
Just wanted an up to date thread on the subject so please enlighten me!
Much appreciated,
Ashtrax
My situation is that at present I can't afford or store the car anywhere suitable so it's likely that it wouldn't be for a year or so but I want to keep my eye out in the meantime in case I spot an absolute steal.
There are many threads on the forum for a similar topic but they all seem to be several years old so I'm worried that the cars recommended there would now be a poor choice.
I am a total newcomer to mechanics so simplicity is key for myself. Most people seem to have recommended Mx5s or mk2 golf's, is this still something people would recommend or are there others? I would only be using the car for personal use which is a short commute but I would likely want to put some performance parts/upgrades etc on whatever I get.
Just wanted an up to date thread on the subject so please enlighten me!
Much appreciated,
Ashtrax
My personal advice would be to avoid the above.
If you are starting out you don't want to make it hard on yourself so the biggest issue would likely be (IMHO) breaking stuff/tools/knuckles on a car with everything rusted underneath.
To this end I would be recommending you go as new as you can (within your budget) with a well-built car that doesn't have particular rust problems.
Just as an example (although not a specific recommendation) I have for the last 15 years had & maintained & modified 4 x BMW 3 & 5 series cars and not one single bolt/screw/part has broken/seized/defeated me in all that time.
Modern Minis are a good candidate & can be had in your budget, perhaps a more modern than Mk11 Golf/Polo, perhaps an Audi.
Biggest must is NO RUST, it will kill your budget & time.
Another recommendation for job #1 would be to get under it & one at a time undo EVERY bolt grease it, check it & put them back on correctly, just remember you WILL be the next person to try to take them off.
If you are starting out you don't want to make it hard on yourself so the biggest issue would likely be (IMHO) breaking stuff/tools/knuckles on a car with everything rusted underneath.
To this end I would be recommending you go as new as you can (within your budget) with a well-built car that doesn't have particular rust problems.
Just as an example (although not a specific recommendation) I have for the last 15 years had & maintained & modified 4 x BMW 3 & 5 series cars and not one single bolt/screw/part has broken/seized/defeated me in all that time.
Modern Minis are a good candidate & can be had in your budget, perhaps a more modern than Mk11 Golf/Polo, perhaps an Audi.
Biggest must is NO RUST, it will kill your budget & time.
Another recommendation for job #1 would be to get under it & one at a time undo EVERY bolt grease it, check it & put them back on correctly, just remember you WILL be the next person to try to take them off.
Bolting performance bits to a knackered old wreck, is likely to be expensive and unsatisfying.
What is incredibly satisfying for your first foray into home mechanics. Get said knackered old car (as rust free as possible as pointed out above) And get it driving right.
Clean it to within an inch of it's life, service it, replace rubber suspension mounts, brakes, tyres, shocks etc, have suspension aligned, get rid of squeaks, rattles, clunks and knocks, get all the controls (even minor ones and locks) working correctly and smoothly, rid engine and drive chain of knocks, rattles, drones, misfires and untoward roughness, deal with anything that irritates you (squished seat pad, damaged door cards, squeaky sunroof seal.
i.e. get it is as close to new as possible, for trim use second hand but renew clips and broken plastic as you go.
You'll find yourself doing many jobs more than once, unsatisfied/unsure about your 1st go, second time is always easier. You won't need to tackle all at the same time, if time and funds are tight, so do suspension and brakes in pairs. Even servicing the engine doesn't have to done all at once. Oil change one weekend, plugs/air filters the next etc. Take time, enjoy and do it properly.
Each change won't make a huge difference in itself, holistically though it'll be huge. The time scale depends on funds, time and enthusiasm, doesn't matter if it takes 6 months or 6 yrs. Eventually you'll have a unique car, plus know and understand all the systems. You'll be able to feel it's right, if not you'll instinctively know, and where to start looking.
What is incredibly satisfying for your first foray into home mechanics. Get said knackered old car (as rust free as possible as pointed out above) And get it driving right.
Clean it to within an inch of it's life, service it, replace rubber suspension mounts, brakes, tyres, shocks etc, have suspension aligned, get rid of squeaks, rattles, clunks and knocks, get all the controls (even minor ones and locks) working correctly and smoothly, rid engine and drive chain of knocks, rattles, drones, misfires and untoward roughness, deal with anything that irritates you (squished seat pad, damaged door cards, squeaky sunroof seal.
i.e. get it is as close to new as possible, for trim use second hand but renew clips and broken plastic as you go.
You'll find yourself doing many jobs more than once, unsatisfied/unsure about your 1st go, second time is always easier. You won't need to tackle all at the same time, if time and funds are tight, so do suspension and brakes in pairs. Even servicing the engine doesn't have to done all at once. Oil change one weekend, plugs/air filters the next etc. Take time, enjoy and do it properly.
Each change won't make a huge difference in itself, holistically though it'll be huge. The time scale depends on funds, time and enthusiasm, doesn't matter if it takes 6 months or 6 yrs. Eventually you'll have a unique car, plus know and understand all the systems. You'll be able to feel it's right, if not you'll instinctively know, and where to start looking.
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