Good car to mess around with?

rory16 · 16-09-2014 11:44pm #1

Hi,

Im looking for a car I can pick up for a couple of hundred euro just to mess around with as a past time and get to know my way around an engine. Could someone recommend something suitable? I was thinking of a 318 or 320d if I could find one within that price range.

Cheers.

biko · 16-09-2014 11:49pm

Go old, pre computer stuff. Early Micra k11 or e36 or older.

CharlieCroker · 17-09-2014 12:05am

Fiesta or a Ka and a Haynes manual.

Foxhole Norman · 17-09-2014 12:16am

I'd be looking at an EG/EK Civic to be honest.

rory16 · 17-09-2014 12:23am

Thanks guys.. is donedeal the best place to pick one up yea?

biko · 17-09-2014 12:24am

Check on several sites and see what you find. Donedeal, adverts, buyandsell, ... etc

Gazzmonkey · 17-09-2014 12:25am

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I'd be looking at an EG/EK Civic to be honest.

Was thinking an ek9, nippy wee motor them.

hi_im_fil · 17-09-2014 7:38am

Ek9 for a few hundred euro isn't going to happen!

Any 90's hatchback should do, corolla, civic, fiesta etc

alias no.9 · 17-09-2014 8:20am

Get a Fiat Punto in need of a head gasket, it should be free, and it's handy enough to work on. The 1.2 8v is non interference so you get to have a go at the timing belt (needs to come off as part of the head gasket change) without fear of destroying it.

Andrew_Doran · 17-09-2014 10:22am

alias no.9 wrote: »

Get a Fiat Punto in need of a head gasket, it should be free, and it's handy enough to work on. The 1.2 8v is non interference so you get to have a go at the timing belt (needs to come off as part of the head gasket change) without fear of destroying it.

Good suggestion. The 1.2 8v engine is dead easy to work on, as is the rest of the Punto. It would be a good car for learning on.

Foxhole Norman · 17-09-2014 10:36am

Gazzmonkey wrote: »

Was thinking an ek9, nippy wee motor them.

I wouldn't be going around getting an EK9 now but something like a 1.3/1.4 with the mess around with would be handy.

JohnBoy26 · 17-09-2014 12:13pm

OSI wrote: »

Having done a bit of work on the OHs K11 to get it through the NCT, don't for the love of your sanity buy one to work on.

Why? They are very simple mechanically.

Gazzmonkey · 17-09-2014 3:39pm

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I wouldn't be going around getting an EK9 now but something like a 1.3/1.4 with the mess around with would be handy.

Typo I was trying to say EJ9 :pac:

Foxhole Norman · 17-09-2014 3:45pm

Gazzmonkey wrote: »

Typo I was trying to say EJ9 :pac:

Makes a bit more sense alright

Interslice · 17-09-2014 5:37pm

A car similar to what you drive would be good. Any special tools or knowledge you pick up will then be helpful when working on your own car. The easiest car i've worked on was a 1998 1.3 lancer - Acres of space in the engine bay and could be more or less striped with a screwdiver and a 10 spanner. Stay away from renaults!

colm_mcm · 17-09-2014 6:57pm

Where in the country are you?

rory16 · 17-09-2014 9:58pm

Im in Clare Colm

colm_mcm · 17-09-2014 10:00pm

Then this may be your lucky day...
PM sent

Hachiko · 17-09-2014 11:48pm

rory16 wrote: »

Hi,

Im looking for a car I can pick up for a couple of hundred euro just to mess around with as a past time and get to know my way around an engine. Could someone recommend something suitable? I was thinking of a 318 or 320d if I could find one within that price range.

Cheers.

honda integra....:P

Good car to mess around with?

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