Kevin Mc

I'm looking for a relatively cheap car (anything up to £1k).

I preferably want one that is easy to work on, and cheap for bits.

This is just a car for my son and I to mess about with and hopefully learn some mechanics on the way.

The extent of my mechanical experience so far is a few oil changes on a Mk IV Cortina, helping with a Head Gasket change on an XR3i, and changing brake pads on a Morris Marina! The most recent of these was probably 15 years ago! I did attempt to change the oil on a Saab 9000 Carlsson the other year, but had to give up as I couldn't raise the car enough to get good access to the sump plug!

Anyway, I'd love something interesting, perhaps even a cheap classic, though the main criterion are easy to work / availability of parts, and vaguely fun to own/drive.

So far I've been looking at a huge range of cars (not knowing which are pigs to work on, and which are a joy). Looked at MR2's, Celica's, Rover 600's, Rover 800's, Omegas, Big Beemers, Granada's, Marinas, Audi Coupe's, Audi 100's, Austin 1800 (Landcrab), Ford Probe's, 80's Fords, Saab 900/9000 etc etc. I'd love something like a Jag XJS or one of the big saloons, but expect them to be aweful to work on and hugely expensive.

Any suggestions? Any in my list above to avoid?

Brendan Hughes

Go and buy an old kit car that someone has already built from, say, a Vauxhaul. I had a Dutton that was Escort I/II based, but not sure how many parts are available now.

Loads of fun to drive, and frequently goes wrong, but easy enough to work on.

Tip - buy a cheap 100 box of surgical gloves, far better than swarfega or barrier cream. And buy a 100 box of plasters for your knuckles

fabiavrs

I've been working on a VW polo coupe 1990. Easy to work on and I picked mine up for well under £100.

Stick to simple small engines which are more old skool.

Another tip is WD-40 can be your best friend before undoing any old bolts give it a blast with it and leave it for a bit, it will decrease the chances of shearing a old bolt.

johnnyroper

old vauxhall easy to work on and parts are cheap and easy to get hold of

Kevin Mc

Didn't think about Kit Cars - I'll have a look around.

Sounds like a bargain! It would make sense for me to get something simple like this. A Saab 9000 Full pressure turbo with TCS problems would probably not (Looked at one last week but the price on Ebay went well beyond what I thought it was worth - just as well really as I think the repairs would have been too much for a starter).

Other cars I forgot to list that I'd like are Merc 500 SE, Scimitar SS1. I've seen someone on here buy a few big old Mercs for pennies that are still running. Was that Unclebuck?

Brendan Hughes

No, Fatherpierre - wrong relation

Kevin Mc

Brendan Hughes

BTW, I'd imagine that anything from mid-80s back has too few spares, and anything from early 90s on has too complicated electrics - so good luck

Land-Rover strikes me as an interesting suggestion though - but not sure if you'll ever find one so cheap.

Jamescsti

I believe even old landrovers hold their values well.
I would suggest something like an old fiesta, vauxhall, polo etc, not sure how old he is, but if he's around 15-17 chances are he's going to want to drive it when he passes his test, so is insurance a consideration?

billythekid

I would go for something with a more modern engine, will stand him in good stead being able to fault a MAF failure

1991 - 1992 Pug 205?

fabiavrs

With Land rovers get underneath them and give the chassis a good looking over, make sure it's a sound one or it will cost you abit to replace it (£900-1000 for a defend/90 new chassis plus fitting). The bluk head is also a common place for going.

You can pick up series 3 for very little money best bet is the 2.25 petrol rather than the 2.25 diesel unit. Parts are cheap and easy to come by. Even better get a pre 72 and it's all tax free!

I picked my series 2 up for £250 chassis is good but needs a little attention in places. Dont look much at the moment but it will in time.

Brendan Hughes

Hey, he wanted to learn about mechanics

B9GLY

vaux corsa? cheap and plenty of parts/specialists for supply! could always look for doing the 2.0 xe engine conversion in time to??

Dream Weaver

1990 205 XS would be a good buy. Most are still in good condition, 1.4 engine is easy to work on.

Longjing

I'd say an old but common classic would be good. Simple engines, no difficult electrics (or hydraulics) but one with a following and thus parts and expertise. I learned a bit from working on an old Morris Minor that belonged to a mate - I had a Mini at the time and the Minor was pure joy to work on in comparison. Huge engine bay! I could open the bonnet and understand what everything was, a very far cry from a modern car.

Maybe I'm just living in the past! old cars do break all the time too...

Scimitar could be a good idea I reckon. Might cost too much though, unless you fancy working on the shell too.

ALEX307D

Hows about an 1992 K BMW 318 Coupe. Black with Black Leather. Alloys, Radio stereo, MOT April,
needs a little tidying. £800. (leaves £200 to play with)

misty

I have a 1995 1.4 escort 85k miles, excellent engine/transmission, body normal for a 12 year old car. mot till sept tax till 03/07. drivers seat tatty at back, I think someone tried to replace seat lever cable!! Yours for £300.00.
Dave

Flatcapdriver

You try getting a gearbox out of a Landy from inside the car. ******* of a job but at least he'll learn the first rule of mechanics - always ensure you have a good repertoire of swear words plus the ability to absorb pain as you skin your knuckles for the umpteenth time.

k.b

honda crx or ef shape civic.

the crx is a fun drive and there is plenty of parts available and they can be bought very cheap.if you get a 16v(or 16v civic) then you can play around with front end changes aswell to the vtec front end.

Monkeybone

Renault 19 16 valve

Took mine to bits many a time using a crappy woolworths socket set.

samcowrx

mk2 golf, parts are all over the place, cheap, and quality

Kevin Mc

Don't fancy a 3 series or a mid 90's Escort, though thanks for the suggestions.

I'd forgotton about Corrado's - there are some now for under a grand - I'm watching a few on Ebay to see what they go for.

THere's a lovely looking '93 BMW 740 on Pistonheads. Definately like that, but not sure at all on cost of parts / repairs.

Brendan Hughes

For a 740 you don't need a mechanic, you need an electronic engineer.

TBH if you barely know how to change the oil, do yourself a favour and stick to 4-cyl engines.

Another very practical advantage is to go for a big/medium car with a small engine, so you have more space in the engine bay for access. Sierra 1.6?

A final thought - anything truly British, you may want to check whether the manufacturers used metric or imperial size nuts. It's a pain having to buy two sets of spanners, allen keys, tap and dies, etc. (I assume other makes don't have that problem.)

RS Grant

Got a 1992 Rover 216GTi Twin Cam... Its got a Honda Engine & Box in it, which is both very reliable and very easy to work on. Bonuses are that its not actually slow and there are no H/Gasket worries either.


Cheers,
Grant

Dream Weaver

Head gasket went in my old Rover 216 with the Honda engine

Was a good car and engine before that though

gotmashed

A mx3 escort xr3i the time you will spend fixing it you will be a full on grease monkey after 6 months, There also easy to work on.