Buying a car to repair

Mr Benevolent · 26-12-2009 10:35am #1

I'll be going home in 2-3 weeks, the girlfriend's staying behind in Australia for 5 months so I'll be looking for something to keep me occupied outside work when I get a job. Since my car knowledge is slowly improving I've been considering buying a car to kickstart my servicing/repair skills. I'll just leave it in my parent's driveway and won't tax/insure it as it literally won't be on the road and I won't be driving it until it's repaired or I get to money to run it. I'd only buy something I could insure and tax cheaply (<1.4) for around €500 or less. I'll be servicing my dad's car but that's not due until November 2010 :pac: Oh, and I'm not bothering about making my money back or anything.

Any advice?

rugbyman · 26-12-2009 10:48am

of the cars i have had over the last 15 years, the ford Fiesta was thre sturdiest, simplest car i had. it was as easy to work on as a Meccanno set.
parts are cheap and easy to find.

cars are so cheap now that you would be best served by buying a good one, and learning your diy bits on it.
the one you buy that needs repairs may well cost you more than the better one in the first place.

I currently have a Matiz, they have absolutely no street cred, but are cheap and easy.

Regards,Rugbyman

skyhighflyer · 26-12-2009 12:05pm

Buy a K10 Micra and a box of spanners. Can't go wrong!

alias no.9 · 26-12-2009 12:12pm

I'll probably get flamed for even suggesting it but a Fiat Punto would fit the bill too. Cheap and easy to work on.

ShayK1 · 26-12-2009 12:18pm

Confab wrote: »

when I get a job.

IF!

Mr Benevolent · 26-12-2009 12:40pm

ShayK1 wrote: »

IF!

Have to be positive in these tough times. Besides, I'm off to college in October 2010.

Anan1 · 26-12-2009 12:52pm

I hate to be negative, but I think it'll be hard to work on a car without being able to drive it to see how your repairs worked out.

Run_to_da_hills · 26-12-2009 1:10pm

alias no.9 wrote: »

I'll probably get flamed for even suggesting it but a Fiat Punto would fit the bill too. Cheap and easy to work on.

Good provided he doesn't intend doing a head gasket.

biko · 26-12-2009 2:44pm

As above - Micra. About 5 moving parts inside

and easy/cheap to get parts for.

Armadillo · 27-12-2009 2:15am

Would you be interested in a 99, 3 door, nissan almera, 1.4 petrol. 70 odd k miles, leccy windys and mirrs. Alloys with good tyres. Timing chain so no worries about timing belt. 'Starts on the button' as they say.

Two things need attention - 1. New Clutch required (borrow a haynes manual from the library) and 2. small bit of body work to passenger side door and wheel arch - fillers supplied. Everything else is NCT ready. Car drives but clutch is making a scratching noise - worn to the rivets.

Mr Benevolent · 27-12-2009 4:02am

Armadillo wrote: »

Would you be interested in a 99, 3 door, nissan almera, 1.4 petrol. 70 odd k miles, leccy windys and mirrs. Alloys with good tyres. Timing chain so no worries about timing belt. 'Starts on the button' as they say. Two things need attention - 1. New Clutch required (borrow a haynes manual from the library) and 2. small bit of body work to passenger side door and wheel arch - fillers supplied. Everything else is NCT ready. Car drives but clutch is making a scratching noise - worn to the rivets.

I'm more interested in something like an auto Micra, thanks for the offer though.

Buying a car to repair

Comments