I love my current car, but i dont really want to screw it up learning how to actually work on a car.

I'm thinking about just getting a beater that currently runs and fixing things as it breaks, plus that would help with the wonderful 16 mpg im currently getting.


I was looking at a 1g dsm, seems like there are lots of resources on them out there, and plenty of parts. $3k? I presume this would be the most challenging to work on due to the turbo, it also seems like their timing belts need to be changed often, and if i get one i would probalby go for the awd model... FUn FUn FUn

Also considering a honda civic 90-99

or a miata.

Couldn't spend too much, but would like to learn, all of them seem to have alot of readily available resources and guides on the net, plus a general familiarity with mechanics everywhere.

What would you choose? any other suggestions

3/22/2010 4:39:11 PM

'93 - 2001 subaru impreza L sedan

plenty of cheap, readily available parts out there

plenty of upgrades

very easy to wrench on

very swappable, instant sleeper status

lightweight

very cheap ~$1k entry fee

3/22/2010 4:46:00 PM

^^refresh my memory, what is your current vehicle at this time? I feel like you recently bought something.

I haven't looked at used car prices in a while, but a 1st gen DSM with AWD is fairly desireable and I doubt you'd want to pay that price for something to "learn" on.

3/22/2010 4:49:57 PM

E
Three
Zero

3/22/2010 4:50:59 PM

you dont need to buy an entire car to learn how to follow directions and use a torque wrench

3/22/2010 4:54:55 PM

depending on how much space you have or don't have, just buy a block and start building it up until you have an engine
then build some axles and mate up a transmission

then decide what frame to put it in

then put a body on it

...

3/22/2010 5:02:03 PM

I would rather learn the break fix stuff first.

Right now i have a GTO

3/22/2010 5:13:19 PM

then go with a subaru, but try not to get a northern car

3/22/2010 5:14:32 PM

well dont buy a civic unless your idea of learning is changing oil and putting in gas

3/22/2010 5:17:13 PM

why not just work on what you've got? that drivetrain is about as simple as it gets for a late model vehicle. aftermarket support is nearly endless, so there's no shortage of parts you could install from mild to wild. tons of resources for support/instruction as well.

if you're purposely looking for something that breaks a lot, a 1g dsm might just be the ticket then. it's pretty rare anything major goes wrong with them assuming they've had a timing belt/head gasket within a reasonable amount of time. however, you can damn near fully expect plenty of "little" problems.

i've got a 94 e36 5 speed sedan for sale if you have any interest. fairly straight forward to work on, and very fun to drive. it doesn't really "need" anything, but there's plenty of work that could be done on it if you wanted.

3/22/2010 6:08:22 PM

The easiest and most basic car to learn on.... Either a civic or camry/corolla. Don't expect anything more that just general maintenance though, it's nit like you'll see a car that's gonna be something to be proud of (unless u spend some $$). What you need is a fixer upper. Something where it's more than trial an error. U need something that will make you pay attn to what you're doing. Any old shmoe can take something apart and reverse the steps. But a car with a blown motor or something is what u need. Or a car with high miles so you can replace a bunch of crap and see a difference.

3/22/2010 6:34:57 PM

i learned a ton by fixing up an old s-10 blazer that had been wrecked

3/22/2010 8:32:14 PM

The thign with the GTO, is yes its a great car, but i dont trust myself to do a cam install (which would be the next logical step).

And if i rip it apart, im then stuck without a vehicle (besides my bike).

I dont want to have a tuner car per say. I can handle simple things like putting on an intake, changing the oil (even though many times im too lazy too).

Im also thinkgin of just getting a beater, in the bad case the beater is ripped apart and i break off a spark plug or something ill have another vehicle, and hopefully I wont destroy a 5k engine.

3/22/2010 9:44:58 PM

Is that a push-rod engine? I would get another push-rod chevy if you want insight on how to replace your cam.

3/22/2010 10:35:47 PM

i would watch a youtube video

3/22/2010 11:11:05 PM

v6 mustang

3/23/2010 2:47:24 AM

240sx

affordability and parts availability of a civic but with RWD goodness

[Edited on March 23, 2010 at 8:54 AM. Reason : ]

3/23/2010 8:53:11 AM

Ive always liked the way they look, I know in my early college years i had a hard on to get one and then do a sr20det swap or whatever was cool.

[Edited on March 23, 2010 at 8:56 AM. Reason : dd]

3/23/2010 8:56:04 AM

although they have been done, as far as simplicity and availability of support its hard to be a fox body mustang or f body camaro / firebird.

3/23/2010 12:20:53 PM

tchenku

dude, i dont want another ricer taking the 240's. well actually yes, let him get one and drift it in a pole I need more parts for my Vert.

SR swaps are fun, but RB swaps are baller.

3/23/2010 12:29:53 PM

ford escort

K car

3/23/2010 10:29:49 PM

Quote :

"f you're purposely looking for something that breaks a lot, a 1g dsm might just be the ticket then. it's pretty rare anything major goes wrong with them assuming they've had a timing belt/head gasket within a reasonable amount of time. however, you can damn near fully expect plenty of "little" problems."

transmission synchros

transfer cases

_____________________

Miatas are pretty easy to work on...dirt cheap and cheap to maintain/operate, too. shit, you can buy a transmission for one for a couple hundred bucks, and not a whole lot more than that for a used engine.

Starters are kind of a rat bastard, though, as I remember. At least they were on mine with all the other shit under the hood...but I think it would be a pain regardless.

[Edited on March 23, 2010 at 11:36 PM. Reason : ]

3/23/2010 11:35:42 PM

I would vote miata or 240sx.

3/23/2010 11:42:38 PM

leave the GTO alone

3/24/2010 1:23:27 AM

^

3/24/2010 9:49:41 AM

Leave the 240 alone

3/24/2010 10:23:26 AM

The GTO is currently being left alone... Well except for the exhaust.

Think im going to get RJ's to make some mid pipes for it that don't drag so low. and change the clamps to some wonderful wonderful 3 bolt thingys

3/24/2010 11:28:05 AM