What is the easiest car to work with?

Question

That a budding home mechanic could cut his teeth on? I'm looking for something that I can learn with, like the difference between a gear stick and an air filter (I literally am almost that bad).

Friends have recommended a mini, beetle, 2cv, 126, metro, AX or an old polo- any ideas?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Any car that is old (say, pre 1985). These are mechanically very simple, and can be worked on easily. I have rebuilt the top half of the engine in my 1978 car with simple tools with complete ease. Try doing that with a newer car.

Answer 2

If you are only learning get a car Reg before 1990 as cars before that date are not likely to have electronic ignition or catalytic converters and therefore are not subject to the current mot requirements, and the are very easy to understand and easy to work on, an ideal first project to lean the basics.Mini's are very compact cars engine wise and are difficult for a learner, beetle's are rear engines and are air cooled so you won't learn about the normal water cooling which all cars now use, a four cylinder petrol car is what you should be looking for not diesel.

Answer 3

Anything mid 70's and earlier. It doesn't get much easier than that. Don't feel bad about not knowing anything about vehicles either because I have been a tech for more than 12 years now. When I worked for this GM dealership once this guy brings in his Malibu and the work order said that it wouldn't start. I start to crank it over and hear this loud clunking sound. I check the oil on the dip stick and there is nothing on it. So I pull the oil plug out of the oil pan and nothing comes out. After taking the oil pan completley off I see the oil resembles road tar/asphault. I then talk to the custormer and ask him how long it's been since he changed the oil in his car and he say's why do you have to change the oil?

Answer 4

Anything before 1973!!!
These ARE the easiest, especially American cars. 1973 was the first year for smog and unleaded gasoline.
I am a shade tree mechanic ( who sometimes isn't smart enough to find a shade tree, KY can get VERY hot). I can take a pre '73 down to the rust and rebuild it. After '73 it gets harder and the newer the HARDER it is.
Something that REALLY helped me was building a "Visible V-8".
This is a model that you can find in hobby stores and on E-bay. Build it and you will understand the workings and parts of an internal combustion, piston motor.
Really, find everything you can to read and study, watch everyone you can , help anyone you can,.
Short of going to a specialized school , it takes time and effort.
Good luck (when you get time you can come and help me with my project Honda)

Answer 5

If you really want to cut your teeth - buy an older (1992 - 1995) Rover 214 with the K Series 16 Valve engine - you can buy one on Ebay for about £30 - £50 and start on that!

From this you will pick up loads of experience - head gasket changes etc etc - Fairly easy to work on and parts are cheap from the scrapyard -

Answer 6

Anything that is 90 or below in make of year.That is before all the additions to the motor like the brain box all the switching devices.Start with a basic V-6 or 8 and graduate to the newer models.

Answer 7

Don't get a metro. Any minor problem and it seems they need to take the engine out cause theres no space to get at anything. Also metros dont have axls.... the wheels are on L brackets lol.

Answer 8

For mr, in the past 27 years I have found that Fords are the easiest to work on, chevy the hardest, no room to get your hands in the engine are, ford is very roomy and easy to get to everything.

Answer 9

theres not too many these days.get a older car(like back in the 50s,60s or 70s.they are the easiest ones to work on and learn from.no emissions to speak of and no sensors.

Answer 10

Get an old Chevy or Ford: So you can work on learning the basics of gasoline combustion engine!