What is mechanically the most simple car?

Question

I want to try and fix a broen car to working order. This will be my first car to 'do up' so I was wondering what the best car to start with?

Answer 1

I think that might be a matter of opinion, but the Volkswagen Beetle (the old bugs, not the new ones) get's my vote. Those are cars are incredibly simple....

Answer 2

91 - 99 mazda miata. Can't get any simpler than that. All the engineering went into the drivetrain and suspension. Most problems with these cars are light mechanical (light trans work, hardly any engine troubles, clutch slave and master cylinders go bad often, but the interiors suck). The worst thing about them is the convertible top rear plastic window and the fuel pump / tank. An extremely easy car to fix even for a beginner. Any miata found in a junkyard (if you can find one) with little / no body damage can be brought back to life reletively cheaply / easily.
Even so, this is one of the most popular cars for scca road courses.

Answer 3

The problem with "simple" cars is they require a large amour of tuning and tweaking, for example if cars did not have computers and fuel injection you would be tuning and cleaning a carburetor, most people don't know how to do this. Also there are safety features that are government required and that doesn't help, instead of a simple car, co for a cheap one of good company, Kia, hondai(sp?), Honda exedra, and buy an extended warranty, car decline in value rapidly, a modern, inexpensive new car with warranty will actually require less time and effort than one that is made simple.

Answer 4

Old Fords or Vauxhalls are probably best , but you need to make sure the bodywork is ok as it is pointless doing mechanical work on a heap of rust. Minis are also good but you need small hands !!! Look in classic car mags for unfinished projects which usually means someone has done loads but still needs to do the mechanics , as most restorers would do the bodywork first. Also with a classic you will make some money possibly if you do a good job.

Answer 5

76 t0 80 chey 2wd car is the easyest and easy to get parts for try a camero they look cool
i went with the 76 to 80 because they have the electronic ignition and the most reliable alternator and are very easy to modify as parts are everywhere

i own a bug thet are a good car but will require a lot of minor mantinince ie adjust pionts and valves often they do sell electronis ignition kits for them if you get one install it its worth it in the long run

Answer 6

A really good car to start with would be a mark 3 escort. They are difficult to find but if you do get on they are easy to work on and a lot of fun when finished.
Try to get on with a 1.6 engine as this is the best on to work on.
Spares are very easy to find and scrap yards are a good source of hard to get bit.

Answer 7

Anything without an Engine Management Unit - pre 1985 ish! Old Fiesta or the like

Answer 8

A Wartburg or a Trabant.
They are both powered by 2-stroke engines. These do not have the valves, camshafts/pushrods, cambelts/chains, etc. that 4-stroke engines have. Consequently, they are far easier to work on than a 4-stroke engine.

Answer 9

I know you are getting a lot of personal preferences, and many are certainly valid...it all depends on what car "catches your eye"...

If you plan on owning it, stay clear of "power" everything, stick with as little extras as you can find...whatever "tear" you settle on, remember that all cars have "easier" things to work on, and some "quirks" in design, that will give you headaches...

To echo one other suggestion, IF you can find a "bug" that isn't totally rotted out, that is an excellent one to start on, very basic and loads of places to find parts still...

Answer 10

Mini Beetle or Land Rover, you can buy every part you need from specialists and all at a reasonable cost.
Personally I prefer the Land Rover, they basically haven't changed since 1948 and a big hammer is the only tool you ususally need!