My first garage - which project?

[Salgar]

Hey everyone,

This is a bit premature, but next year I should be buying my first house with a garage, I'm very excited about it! I've been living in London for the last 8 years and i'm very excited that I'll be able to have the space to do some kind of project. And not having to drive for an hour at 30mph to get out of London. And not pay stupid money for insurance. And and and. I digress.

I'm not the greatest mechanic that's ever lived, mostly because of a lack of experience. I've never welded anything before or cut/shaped metal but I have changed a cam belt/water pump/brakes/oil before.

I'm looking for a project that will stretch me but not overwhelm me. I think in the long run I'd love to build a kit car, but I think it might be a bit much to start with.

What project would you do, if you were so inclined and had the space for it?

I'm thinking something along the lines of:

* Buy an MX5 and turbocharge/supercharge it. (But I've had an mx5 before)
* Buy a S2000 and supercharge it. (This might be too much £)
* Build a go-kart?
* Buy some kind of E36/E46 and do something to it?
* ????

[kambites]

Not all kit cars are equal - building a Caterham is just like a big Mechano set, you could probably do it in a weekend if you were dedicated enough; at the other end of the scale, some kit cars require significant fabrication and welding. If you pick wisely, I don't see why you shouldn't find a kit car that will stretch but not overwhelm your level of experience. Something like a Fisher Fury or one of the middling Seven clones should be doable.

I've been pondering a Westfield XI for my first kit-car build.

ETA: You do need a decent amount of space to build a kit car though. I wouldn't fancy it in a typical modern single garage.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 16th December 10:16

[RobinOakapple]

In your situation I would buy a second hand kit car and rebuild it. No issues with IVA, and you can do pretty much whatever you want with it. Plus it's a lot easier to move around, get inside/underneath a kit car than it is a saloon of any kind, even hatchbacks seem massive compared to a seven type.

[skyrover]

A good car for anyone starting out on mechanics.

[conkerman]

MX-5 and supercharge it, unless you can source decent exhaust manifolds.

[PositronicRay]

skyrover said:

A good car for anyone starting out on mechanics.

The thing I like about that is you can work on it without a lift.

[eltax91]

conkerman said:

MX-5 and supercharge it, unless you can source decent exhaust manifolds.

This. I have dallied with mechanics quite a bit over the years. The cars that I developed well on were my two old land rovers. However, the one that has taught me the most has been my MK2 MX5. I bought it as a £500 CAT-C write off and fixed the bodywork (well, in a fashion) and got it through it's VIC check. Then I saw a cheap-ish supercharger kit on a forum and bought it. I stripped it right down to the belts, did the cam belt (non inteference so not scary) and then fitted the charger, mount, associated ancillaries and up-rated injectors.

Time got the better of me at work so I sent it to a specialist to fit the ECU and finish it off/ tune it.

It's been a pleasure to work on and most things are easily accessed, plus it's fun when I drive it too! The 'charger transforms the car.

Next up, a set of second hand coilovers i picked up on facebook.

[Frankthered]

Great suggestions from Robin and Kambites above.

I'm not the greatest with the spanners (and the skills I do have are out of practice!) but I wouldn't be phased by taking on a Caterham or a Westfield. (Not an XI though!)

The second hand kit car would probably be a cheaper route though and may be a bit less daunting. Just so long as you make sure anything you buy is correctly registered and road legal!!

[Matt UK]

Mk1 mx5.

And if you want to learn cutting and welding, head straight to the rear sills, they'll be rotten and need sorting.