Oppo Goals

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/08/2016 at 19:12 • Filed to: None

I read somewhere that the best way to learn to work on cars is to acquire a cheap beater and work on it. As I have next to zero experience, I’m wondering what a good “First Project Car” would be.

Ideally, I’m envisioning something that’s:

Easy to work on and modify

Parts are easy to find

Low center of gravity (I’d eventually like to autocross it)

And that’s it for my criteria. If I see any I like I’ll photoshop on some comprehensive modifications for your entertainment!

Also I made a thing, I dunno if anyone’s done it before but I’d happily put such a badge on my car:

DISCUSSION (19)

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:14

E30. Preferably 325i.

way2blu does a rev update > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
10/08/2016 at 19:21

What are your thoughts on the 318i? I see those for sale for cheaper sometimes, heard they’re slow though.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:25

Well I don’t have any experience with them, but they are an m30 with 2 less cylinders, so I can’t imagine them being difficult.

Fairly slow, but good gas mileage and lightweight so tossable.

S65 > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:26

KA24 S13

way2blu does a rev update > S65
10/08/2016 at 19:29

Aren’t all of those already modded and upgraded? I’m wary of picking up “somebody else’s project” as a first project of my own.

way2blu does a rev update > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
10/08/2016 at 19:33

Slow is fine by me, I’m looking for a car I can drive at its limits rather than at my limits for when I autocross it. Definitely looks like an option!

lone_liberal > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:33

I’d look for something RWD with a longitudinal inline engine. That gives you more room to work and simplifies things. Personally, I’d stick to either Japanese or American to keep costs down. An old 280Z or something along those lines comes to mind.

S65 > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:33

IDK how far you are from MD but I found these

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5796375795.html

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5818901188.html

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5803835458.html

way2blu does a rev update > S65
10/08/2016 at 19:37

Wrong coast but wow those actually look nice! I’ll have to see if any are left where I am.

way2blu does a rev update > lone_liberal
10/08/2016 at 19:39

Ooh I do like the original Z cars... Would have to find a cheap one though.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:44

Kinja'd!!!

lone_liberal > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:49

I haven’t followed that market but they sold a ton of Zs and ZXs so there might be some rough examples out there that are affordable. Might. You could also go original Maxima since it has the same engine and is pretty entertaining.

AestheticsInMotion > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:52

I was in the same boat a little over a year ago. Picked up a high mileage, salvage title Miata with the mindset of “whenever anything breaks I’ll replace it with something better, doing all the work myself.” ironically, nothing has broken down or needed to be replaced, but I’ve done so many mods at this point I could build one from scratch. Cheap to buy, own, insure and can be built however you like.

f86sabre > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 19:53

I started with a cheap 68 Mustang many moons ago. If you could find something similar you could have fun. Cheap parts, lots of room to work and basic systems. The internet will tell you how to do everything.

Other option is more modern, but fun. Find an old Escort. Fun enough and you could add some coilovers to lower it. There are always 3-4 at the pull a part for spares. .

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 20:26

4th-6th (1988-1999) gen Civic. It’s FWD which is a minus, but their is more than enough room to work on them easily, except for the CRX I hear.

It’ll be plenty fun to thrash at AutoX and parts are easy and cheap to come by. Not to mention easy to work on. 90% of the bolts will be 1o, 12, 17, or 19mm. The first time I every replaced a clutch was, on one of these, by myself in a parking lot with only one jackstand, a hydraulic jack, and socket set with two breaker bars.

And you can upgrade it with parts off of other trim levels or Integra stuff. Like roll bars, brakes, and even cams and VTEC Yo! Form cheap from junkyards.

Edit: Typo and formatting

Nothing > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 22:17

I hate to be the cliche, but a Miata is a superb choice. Plentiful parts, cheap to purchase, cheap to work on, low center of gravity. Fox body Mustangs another cheap, cheap, easy choice.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 22:39

OBDI-equipped Del Sol Si (D16Z6) or VTEC (B16A3). Seriously.

Crome tune run through a Moates Demon II, coilovers, wheels, tires, short-shifter, and you’re set. A lot of them have horrible Altezza tails but you can get ones that look rather decent (read:factory-ish) for not a whole lot of money . Cheap, open-top, reliable, and easy to work on. What more could you want?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > way2blu does a rev update
10/08/2016 at 23:46

Also consider a 350/370Z. Not sure of your budget... But there’s a decent user community for those cars and lots of work you can do on the engine, exhaust, suspension, and so on.

Tapas > way2blu does a rev update
12/26/2016 at 15:45

IS300?

I know nothing about cars but I like that one.