Easy to work on car ?

[marais]

Hi guys, i don't know if this is the right section but feel free to move it to where it should go if needs be.

I'm in the market for a new car but i want something that is above all else:

1. Easy to work on. This means there has to be room to do stuff, and there has to be no need to take half the engine out to change the oil.
2. Not a lot of computers that can go wrong. I want to be able to repair it myself with tools, not a laptop.
3. Reasonably cheap, as it's only for a run-around for my wife.

I'm in France and so am looking at something that's available mostly in the EU.

I really want a Lada Niva but it's not suitable for missus and baby to be chipping about town in.

We currently have a Fiat Doblo utility and it is a massive piece of doop. I recently had to change the oil sump pan and to do that i had to take the flywheel inspection cover off, and half the exhaust. On a car renowned for rusty sump pans. The electrics were also insane - turning my rear wipers on made it scream. Unless i then turned the radio on, at which point it merely began to whisper.

So, anything not necessarily easy to work on but something where there is a bit of room to move and you don't need fingers like a 5 year old midget to reach crucial nuts and bolts.

Thanks !

Edited by marais on Saturday 2nd June 22:09

[227bhp]

Something like this maybe?

[WonkeyDonkey]

I found the mk1/2 mx5's easy to work on when i had mine. Lots of room in the engine bay as it's rear wheel drive a lot of the components are well spread out (diff at the rear/gear box in the middle etc). Unlike front or mid engined cars where it's all crammed together.

Another bonus of them is it gives you a perfect chance to learn to weld

[marais]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I found the mk1/2 mx5's easy to work on when i had mine. Lots of room in the engine bay as it's rear wheel drive a lot of the components are well spread out (diff at the rear/gear box in the middle etc). Unlike front or mid engined cars where it's all crammed together.

Another bonus of them is it gives you a perfect chance to learn to weld

I'm a qualified welder

What do you guys think of things like the older Peugeot 106's and things of that sort of size/build ? The engine compartment doesn't look too crammed to me.

[PositronicRay]

Merc 190e.

[bearman68]

marais said:

I'm a qualified welder

What do you guys think of things like the older Peugeot 106's and things of that sort of size/build ? The engine compartment doesn't look too crammed to me.

106 is a bit tricky in my experience. My current favorite, and I seem to be recommending it a lot at the moment, is the Yaris. Built really well. It's a complex little engine, that runs like a watch. But it's easy to service, comes with a timing chain, and basic desirable electronics. I tend to buy these whenever I see one going cheap, as we keep them as loaner cars for a while before selling them on to people who want a cheap reliable runabout.
So far, one broke the timing chain after 160 ish k, but hadn't had an oil change in 80. and one has had a replacement gear linkage. They all need replacement rads after about 13 years though. (IME). 40 quid and an hours work.

[S100HP]

marais said:

I'm a qualified welder

What do you guys think of things like the older Peugeot 106's and things of that sort of size/build ? The engine compartment doesn't look too crammed to me.

I wouldn't want my Mrs and child to crash in one....

[DrDeAtH]

S100HP said:

marais said:

I'm a qualified welder

What do you guys think of things like the older Peugeot 106's and things of that sort of size/build ? The engine compartment doesn't look too crammed to me.

I wouldn't want my Mrs and child to crash in one....

He could weld in a full cage....

[lyonspride]

Being realistic, in 2008ish the govt and their buddies in the automotive industry, did a pretty good job of scrapping most of the cars that would fit the bill.

[P924]

Porsche 924

[finlo]

I've always found Korean stuff well thought out with plated bolts etc that are not rusted solid in less than two years, yes i'm looking at you VAG.

[trickywoo]

Suzuki swift is a doddle to work on plus not a great deal goes wrong.

The 1.5 GLX is really cheap now and with 100bhp and under a ton is good fun to drive.

[DrDeAtH]

Ford Sierra would be a good shout, if you could find one, you can stand in the engine bay to remove the cylinder head....

[jeremyh1]

Citreon C15 van I have had seven of these but they are hard to come by

You are in France and there must be loads of MK 1 1.9 Berlingos they are simple to work on