What Is The Best Car For Diy Mechanics?
Nov 10, 2009 in
diy
Could anyone tell me what is an ideal model of car (’90-’96)for the diy mechanic.I run cars that are at the end of their lives which usually gives me a couple of years cheap motoring,but I am finding it increasingly hard to work on “modern ” cars without specialist tools.
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13 comments
lordtup on November 10, 2009 at 5:47 am
Crikey, not sure where the above people get their answers from!
For home DIY you’re looking at something small, preferably with carbs or single point injection, and a dizzy rather than electronic ignition to keep any electrical repairs to a minimum.. Avoid french cars like the plague as they have a nasty habit of using bizarre fittings and weird methods of responsibility things (try servicing an R19 16V – nightmare!) Avoid anything with electric gizmo’s everywhere. I’d utterly for something like a late MK3 fiesta with the 8 valve engine, or maybe a Punto, again with an 8 valve engine. My friend has a Punto 55 and I’ve done the brakes and exhaust (£22 back box, £27 centre part, tyres £26 each, front discs and pads £32!!!) as well as a bit of bodywork tidying (not terrible for a P reg car with 90k that she paid £300 for!) and it’s a joy to work on, loads of space in the engine bay, everything is manual (windows, mirrors etc) and I managed to do a full service including changing the cambelt in two hours on my driveway.
OK it’s hardly a speed apparatus, and it’s pretty basic, but for DIY maintanence, basic is the way to go. As for reliability, it hasn’t really let her down once and it’s just nudged 100k.
Steven N on November 10, 2009 at 5:55 am
a ancient v8 landrover or range rover, loads of cheap spares, simple to work on
matty4yo on November 10, 2009 at 6:08 am
The straight six Mustangs from the 60′s and 70′s. Still readily unfilled, reasonably priced, an abundance of readily unfilled parts and nothing out there that’s simpler to work on. Fun car to drive which won’t depreciate too.
mustange on November 10, 2009 at 6:55 am
Rovers of any model a mini IS a ROVER Jesus!
Big Bad Boris Mayor of London on November 10, 2009 at 7:04 am
Import 4 cyl such as Toyota,Honda,Nissan,Mitsu etc. etc.////stay away from v-6 models and DOHC engines as they are more hard to repair
Kentucky on November 10, 2009 at 7:58 am
all fords, vauxhals are best and pretty straight forward.
Keep to 4 cylinder models even if.
bigmofok on November 10, 2009 at 8:04 am
Nissan or toyota.You will not really need to work on these as they are naturally reliable and go on for ever.
delete on November 10, 2009 at 8:37 am
This is not an simple question really,but my advice would be to try and find the basic of any model in the range.By this i mean avoid electric windows,seats,mirrows,door locks where possable,sun roofs etc.you get the picture.Although in the trade 30+ years,i still avoid buying cars with all this on them,nothing but distress.With choice i would try to find a triumph acclaim with honda engine,or 213 with honda engine,micra but check for smoke as when a cambelt has snapped and been replaced there scrap,mazda 323 the car with least rust problems.So as you see my thoughts are less is best.Excellent Luck
Charlie on November 10, 2009 at 9:17 am
Morris minor.
Black Panther on November 10, 2009 at 9:27 am
I have a 96 neon and find it is quite simple to work on, no unique tools and you can get the distress codes from the computer without any tools at all, just toggle the ignition switch on and off tree times. when it was newer i got 37-39 mpg with it also, no it has 185,000 miles it get 34. fantastic cheap cars even if imo.
Lee t on November 10, 2009 at 10:09 am
I would say Peugeots are.They dont have rust issues?Get left alone by car thiefs etc. Parts are quite cheap ,and a lot of them swap with citroens’ models,dont give a lot of bother really?
JOHN K on November 10, 2009 at 11:03 am
mini
jaeck76 on November 10, 2009 at 11:21 am
HONDA they didn’t have a computer till 96 so 95 or older used a standard ignition. standard analog timing light $20 and a cheap multimeter is all you need no code readers etc.