Jamz3k

I would like something cheap as chips that I can sorn and work on in my spare time. I have no mechanical skills whatever and that would entirely the point of this car, something to learn on.

Any recommendations, I was thinking of a classic Mini as they are ultra-cool and seem pretty simplistic but the prices seem to be rediculous for what they are.

The 147 I currently have is an absolute dog to work on or learn basics on and most things are overly complicated.

Andy M3

Landrover series 3 is a doddle

steviefastbikes

Mk1 fiesta or golf would suit you. I wouldnt go for a mini they are tight to work on and have unusual suspension compared to most.
Good luck though

TinyTim

iTrader: (3)

Renault 5

Jamz3k

Whats a Capri like to work on?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Is it just the engine you wanted to tinker with or the rest like the brakes, gearbox etc ?

Shaun

bigredrob

mini, land rover or ford, parts are cheap and easy to find/get, and you will always be able to sell on.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-ESCOR...item27bf2a820f

..................I'm a bit of a mechanical numpty but I did learn a lot trying to keep my Escort reg MYN 975L (white when brillo padded) going

Shaun

Jamz3k

All of the above. I'm always put off doing bits on my daily driver incase I **** it up and can't get to work. Whereas I'd like to try to do as much as I possiblely can on a car by myself.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

By daily driver do you mean your scooby.....or a front wheel drive hatch ?

Shaun

Jamz3k

Don't own a scooby, just the alfa.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Early Ford fiesta or something with a K series engine like a rover 25.

Unless you want to go retro but then you get into things like setting the points LOL.

Shaun

classic Subaru Si

dont think you'd go far wrong with a mini - yes they are pretty expensive, but if you get a bit of a dog and sort it out to be a good 'un, you can make a tidy profit from it. I had one when I was 17, and even I could sort basic stuff on it!

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I had a mini reg MBT 135F......it really is a bit basic if you want some transferable skills relating to a more modern car IMHO. Mine had slidey windows and you undid the door by tugging on a line of string LOL

Mighty be OK with a later one

Shaun

Jamz3k

I do like the idea of having a little Mini to tinker with.....but I do like Fords or even a Vauxhall Nova SR. Oh the choices!

Flight

Peugeot 205 GTi

Coffin Dodger

Unless you want to start getting into classic cars I'd stick to something with fuel injection. Tuning / cleaning/ maintaining a carburettor is becoming a real lost art form

BLU

iTrader: (27)

I'd suggest anything from the early 90's.

Plenty around and all fairly cheap. The older cars seem to be fetching good money atm.

Andy M3

The OP mentioned a classic mini - a log book and rusty vin plate is worth over a grand now

I figure he has a bit to play with

PaulJC

iTrader: (1)

Astra/Escort are good places to start for the basics, but to be fair mechanics is mechanics, £40k cars arn't bolted together much different to those that are 100th of there price...

bighead

iTrader: (1)

any ford will do for what you are after

bighead

iTrader: (1)

I beg to differ .....at that price modern car ecu/electronics comes into play , my old M5 had 5 ecus to control the car (if i remmembered correctly ).

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

A 90's Peugeot, or even a 205GTi. I learn't an awful lot working on mine as I couldn;t afford to keep putting in a garage for simple jobs. Alternator, exhaust, suspension, brakes, cables, even some simple electrical stuff like coilpacks etc. Did most the servicing bar a cambelt/water pump change myself too.

Plus there is 2 Haynes books available, one a service and repair and another one

Honestly, the best little car I've ever owned and a project can be had for little ££

bruce1986

iTrader: (2)

1.8 16v clio are good little hatches and being french will give you plenty of practice,had 3 of them and loved every 1

Geordie_Aaron

iTrader: (3)

An Escort - reliable as hell, i learnt 'basics' by changing parts on mine IE
FPRs, cams, manifolds & all belts/services....

jonc

I'd look at an mk1 or mk2 Mazda MX5. Lots of space in and around a modern suspension, engine/gearbox and has minimal electronics and there are loads of OE and aftermarket parts available for this car and all easily sourced.

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

Perfect. Dead simple and bags of room. Also the engine is the right way round.

SHUGSTERC

when i was at college was an austin maxi..ye ye know u prob no heard o them,,,im 39 tho went to college at 15 ..then experience..take it to bits...if u put it back and it runs then u learin...apprentiship best way to go if u have noone to teach u...i worked on stockcars..minis the fiats then sierras at newtongrang stock cars oval back in the day....then became a sheetmeatl worker lol

Blitzfighter

90's vauxhall corsa or astra there easy and cheap to work on

CrisPDuk

Pretty much anything German, British or Japanese from the mid '80s to the mid '90s would probably suit your requirements. Anything earlier and it's either going to be very expensive or very rotten. Anything later and there are sensors everywhere which get upset when disturbed.

Avoid minis unless you've got tiny hands & arms, they are the very devil to work on