Project as a first car?..

Seanf999

I'm 17 passed my theory about 4 months ago and I've 2 lessons under my belt, I'm hoping to get a car and at the same time i want to learn a thing or two about cars.

I realise I would save myself a lot of hassle (and money) but at the same time I want the experience. I've found god knows how many videos of how to do small repairs etc on YouTube and of course I'll bring it to a mechanic if it's a big job.

I want to buy a cheap old car (I mean late-ish 1990s) that hasn't too much wrong with it but all the same isn't in the shape it could or should be.

I don't need a car for another 2 years so this won't be driven much just fixed up and taken for spins ever now and then with dad in the passenger seat.

I realise this will cost a lot of money and may not work but carpe diem!(probably a bad choice of words but what harm..)

SpitfireIV

If youre looking at something mid to late 90's then you couldnt go wrong with picking up an old Toyota Starlet (either the 1 litre or the 1.3) or alternatively a Corolla. They're pretty much bullet proof engine wise and will go forever but will always need little bits doing. Lots of them on DoneDeal and the likes for little money.

I picked up a starlet over two years back, a '98 for €490, had 175k on the clock, only intended keeping it a year or so but then I really took a liking to it and still have it. She needs little small jobs every so often but I havent gone near the engine yet, apart from the usual service items, and theres almost 200k on the clock now! Most of the work admitedly has been cosmetic; alloys, lowering springs, spoiler, side skirts, front splitter, Subaru bucket seats, tinted rear windows...


This was how she looked when I got her (bit of a granny car)...




And how she looks now...




Cant go wrong with an ol' Toyota!

djflawless

Starlets ftw
cant go wrong with an efi 1.3

Seanf999

Looks like a completely different car!
I had been looking at starlets on donedeal actually.

I actually found a 1.6 petrol Subaru impreza LX for 800 euro or closest offer!
Working perfectly (or atleast so it seems)

Now I wouldn't have thought of gettin a Subaru as a first car but for that money....
What do ye think?

Meso Harney

Good luck insuring it, and the starlet is as fast a car (it's all relative;))

toastedpickles

Seanf999 wrote: »

Looks like a completely different car!
I had been looking at starlets on donedeal actually.

I actually found a 1.6 petrol Subaru impreza LX for 800 euro or closest offer!
Working perfectly (or atleast so it seems)

Now I wouldn't have thought of gettin a Subaru as a first car but for that money....
What do ye think?

Ha no, it'l have more problems than a bloody maths book probably and if, you can get insured on it then that's gona consume all your money

As the lads above said, keep it small and easy, i was the same as yourself, i bought my cars with the intention of teaching myself, and now ive two project threads on here granted it was very trial and error for most of and i had a car going for my first one, but yeah, a starlet would be ideal to start with

Keep the engine small boss

Seanf999

it was sort of a long shot alright.. thanks for the help, I'll be looking out for a starlet but it may be next year by the time i get one, ye'll be waiting awhile for a project thread from me!

toastedpickles

You'd be surprised! I picked up my saab 900 for pennies, and theres a thread on it here somewhere, so don't hold out, even buy something thats in mechanically repairable condition and have it for when you can afford to drive!

JohnBoy26

Get something Japanese such as what's already been mentioned(corolla/starlet) they are easy to work on with many jobs being very diy achievable.

The impreza is a very easy car to work on too and they are very well made. They wouldn't be as easy to live with as a corolla or starlet though in my experience.

Ded_Zebra

If you don't need it for another 2 years then I would recommend you get something that's actually a bit fast and nice. Having owned one I would recommend a Toyota Levin. Fairly simple yet fairly modern. Good looks (IMO). Fastish and fun to drive. Most importantly there are lots for sale that need a bit of work but have potential if saved by the right person. As a bonus both toyota owners club ireland and clubAE111 are full of people who are very knowledgeable about them and are keen to help where they can