Good first project car?

[Pollock]

I'd like to get something I can work on and learn more about cars with, and not feel bad about if I trash it in one way or another. Part of me feels like I should at least be working on something that will be some kind of an investment, like working on an old '66 Mustang or such. I also wonder if it might just be better to work on some beat up Civic or such, since parts would probably be cheaper.

How expensive are restoration parts? What's your guys' take on this? Any other suggestions?

 

[thedarkwolf]

With something as popular as a 65/66 mustang parts aren't expensive or hard to find. You can build one of those pretty much entirely out of a catalog. Its when you want to restore something funky parts get expensive and hard to find. The mechanical bits are cheap real cheap and even the body panels, trim, and interior stuff are pretty cheap on 65/66 mustangs its just how much of it can you do yourself. If you have to have somebody else fix body work you will have to fork out some cash so you are better off buying one with a great body and a trashed drive train then the other way around.

 

[RedArmy]

Well, of course older cars will be easier to work on since you basically drop a V8 in, tune a carb, and are ready to go after hooking up some hoses and all that semi-important stuff. Newer cars really know how to dick people over when it comes to fixing/working on them since they seem to have 300 vacuum lines and 14,000 wires going everywhere, and if just one is wrong, you'll have a check engine light flashing in your face, letting you know that you're the cars bitch.

Draw your own conclusions.

 

[jagec]

Turbo Caravan?

Weird, cheap, much faster than it has any right to be with the proper mods.

 

[Fenixgoon]

+1 for a 60's mustang or the like. my sister's boyfriend has a 64.5 mustang, and it's sweet. the only thing that will suck probably is gas mileage.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jagec
Turbo Caravan?

Weird, cheap, much faster than it has any right to be with the proper mods.

True, but more difficult to work on than a 1960's anything due to more modern engine management, etc.

On the whole, I agree with everyone suggesting an old Mustang. Parts are plentiful, any one of a huge variety of widely-produced engines will fit easily in them, and they are relatively simple cars.

I agree with what thedarkwolf said as well though. Get a car with a clean body and trashed mechanicals. Bodywork can be a real b*tch.

ZV

 

[SirPorl]

A fun car to drive and is different is a Fiat x1/9. Fiat spyders are more collectable though. Both are pretty fun and different. Parts aren't to expensive. Not really great investments but Italian cars are still fun.

 

[dud]

OP,

You did not give us a budget to work with ...

I'm surprised that so far no one has mentioned (IMHO) the perfect project car ... the Lexus SC 300/400, 1992 - 1996. If you have more money consider a 1997 - 2000. The '92 SC400 was Motortrend's car of the year. These are some of the most beautiful and elegant cars ever built. I have a '93 with 47K miles on it and I love the power and refinement. Mine sold for $51K in 1993 but I got it after almost 85% of it's value had depreciated.

Consider going over to the Lexus forums and take a look ...


Good luck.

 

[Pollock]

My dad is willing to spend a lot, but I'd like to spend under a few thousand, the less, obviously, the better, but I understand that it's hard to get something that cheap. I've given up on trying to find any classics in manual for the price I'm looking to pay.

 

[MovingTarget]

I'd go for an early 80's B body car. They are big, simple (if you ignore the emissions stuff), and easy to work on. Plus, you won't be too torn up about it if something goes wrong.

 

[Pollock]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I'd go for an early 80's B body car. They are big, simple (if you ignore the emissions stuff), and easy to work on. Plus, you won't be too torn up about it if something goes wrong.

But they're unbearably ugly!

 

[thedarkwolf]

Alright find an older 70 datsun 240sx/260/280. They are still pretty cheap, easy to work on, and mostly have manual trannies. Just look for RUST and lots of it.

 

[BlackTigers]

Parts would be dirt cheap for a Fox-body Stang, but I don't know how big of a PITA those are to work on.

 

[Pollock]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Alright find an older 70 datsun 240sx/260/280. They are still pretty cheap, easy to work on, and mostly have manual trannies. Just look for RUST and lots of it.

Yes, my friend picked up a 240Z, and the floorboards are rusted out, along with a lot of the rest of it. I have no interest in body work (and I'm sure it can get expensive), so I'm going to try to find a '65 or '66 'Stang that won't need much. Can slight surface rust pretty much just be sanded off, or...? One of the ones I've looked at has a little. I'm going to look at a few more of them tomorrow.

 

[zerocool84]

Believe it or not but maybe look into an old Bug or other old VW's. They are cheap to find (well at least bugs) and are EXTREMELY easy to work on and parts are plentiful and cheap. You will set yourself from the crowd and I don't think there is a bigger family than old VeeDubs.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: dud
OP,

You did not give us a budget to work with ...

I'm surprised that so far no one has mentioned (IMHO) the perfect project car ... the Lexus SC 300/400, 1992 - 1996. If you have more money consider a 1997 - 2000. The '92 SC400 was Motortrend's car of the year. These are some of the most beautiful and elegant cars ever built. I have a '93 with 47K miles on it and I love the power and refinement. Mine sold for $51K in 1993 but I got it after almost 85% of it's value had depreciated.

Consider going over to the Lexus forums and take a look ...


Good luck.

Those would be awful project cars. Far too many electronics to worry about and parts are not going to be cheap. For a project car you want something that's as simple as possible and as nice as a Lexus is, it's not a good option at all for a first project car. Trying to re-build one in your own garage would be a nightmare.

ZV

 

[DarkThinker]

I have always always wanted to have an e21 project car....I have seen people do some tasty tasty things with them cars....it's an awesome little monster.....and with a little tweaking and updating you could end up with a jaw dropper!

pic1
pic2
pic3

Mark my words AT...one day I will have time to get an E21, modify it and make all of your tongues hit teh floor

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker
I have always always wanted to have an e21 project car....I have seen people do some tasty tasty things with them cars....it's an awesome little monster.....and with a little tweaking and updating you could end up with a jaw dropper!

pic1
pic2
pic3

Mark my words AT...one day I will have time to get an E21, modify it and make all of your tongues hit teh floor

the silver looks great :thumbsup:

 

[Black88GTA]

Late '80s / early '90s turbo Dodge? Caravan, as someone suggested, or Daytona, etc...

This page has all the information you could ever want on the history of the engine, and there are tons of forums and available support should you ever get stuck. Parts are everywhere, and dirt cheap.

Or, you might look at a DSM car (90 - 94 Eagle Talon / Mitsubishi Eclipse / Plymouth Laser) with the 4G63T engine. These can be had with an AWD turbo setup if you look around. Like the 2.2 Dodge, these also have lots of aftermarket support, good parts availability, and a large community behind them.

It might be more simple to restore a "classic" without all of the FI and advanced engine management, but (depending on where you live) it may be very difficult to find a project car that isn't rusted to hell and back. Plus, you'll be thankful for the modern fuel injection, etc. when you go to start your car in the winter. Not to mention, gas mileage is better with a modern FI 4-cylinder than an old carb'd V8.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Restore a Fiat

Pontiac Fiero w some crazy Lambo or Ferarri kit. Text1

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: m0mentary
Restore a Fiat

Pontiac Fiero w some crazy Lambo or Ferarri kit. Text1

More convincing, The new BMW Accord, more