Project Cars

[Southwell]

Hi All,

Been thinking for a while to start on a project car. I want it to be cheap, standard and relatively quick, when finished. I wont want to spend the earth either.

Would this be a good start? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201115384321253/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/celica/make/toyota/page/1/postcode/rg226ey/radius/1500/keywords/gt4?logcode=p

Ive always wanted one for a Sunday car to do up, or are there better options, easier to work on?
I really want to improve my mechanical skills, especially with engines, and can turn my hand to most things.

Cheers

Ian

[GRIFF55]

get a golf mk2 16v mate. cheap on parts, easy to work on and the value will only go up if done well:thumbsup: (nice to drive hard too)

[Evsie]

How about an early 90's Honda Civic/CRX VTEC? Very reliable and extremely nippy. 153bhp and less than a ton in weight. :thumbsup:

[Southwell]

Couple of good ones guys, keep 'em coming!
Not sure about mk2 though, maybe mk3 vr6? I want a little bit of comfort :thumbsup:

[Evsie]

The Honda Prelude would be a more comfortable car if that's what you're after. Comes with some very powerful engines as well.

[Southwell]

Yea Prelude is a good one, i will have a look around for a 2.2. I used to have one of these, i loved mine. 8250rpm redline!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201116385046991/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/1000/transmission/manual/model/civic/make/honda/postcode/rg226ey/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

[Spencer Mulcahy]

I was nosing round the Internet the other day and found a company that put Yamaha R1 engines in a mini sounded fantastic on the videos. I would love to do that sequential gear shift as well.:thumbsup:

[Spoolio]

Couple of good ones guys, keep 'em coming!
Not sure about mk2 though, maybe mk3 vr6? I want a little bit of comfort :thumbsup:

Mk3 VR6 = :thumbdown:. Nice(ish) engine, rest of the car was a real low-point for VW though. If you are looking at older Japanese stuff watch out for metal moth (speaks from experience before anybody has a go back at me) and the dreaded insurance issues on grey import tackle before you even start to mention modding it.

If rot doesn't frighten you what about an E30 3-series 2 door or is that too old? E36 then? The point about Mk2's is valid, if you don't go lairy on it their values will only go up now.

Or you could buy my Eunos S-Spec :woot:

[Steve.T]

Citroen Xsara VTS. 170 BHP standard. I have one and its quick and handles well. Price wise you can pick and choose very cheaply

[Southwell]

Bit too new for me, ive got a really nice every day car, just want something special to fix up and use on weekends. :D

[Chris56]

Bit too new for me, ive got a really nice every day car, just want something special to fix up and use on weekends. :D

What about an MR2?

[Timee80]

s14 nissan 200sx
easy to play with and achieve silly bhp.:thumbsup:

[Southwell]

What about an MR2?

Too small if i wanna take it racing. Shame too as i know someone selling a low mileage one for £900!

[Southwell]

s14 nissan 200sx
easy to play with and achieve silly bhp.:thumbsup:

Oooh, forgot about that one!

[Southwell]

Oooh, forgot about that one!

Ouch, theyre around 2k! Didn't expect them to hold their value that well....

[super__dan]

Xsara VTS is a 306 GTi6 with a 5 speed box esentially, very good car and very cheap.

I bought a cheap MX5 last year and it's one of the best purchases ever, it handles so well for a 20 year old car, RWD is great.

[mw02veg]

what about vauxhalls? ive got a corsa gsi with a 2ltr c20xe 160 bhp. pretty quick :thumbsup:. but seriously a mk3 astra with a c20let engine 200 bhp out of the box. get it remaped exhaust and front mounted intercooler easy 280 bhp thats the next engine thats going in.

[Dyna]

Mk1 Toyota MR2.

Early ones rev nicely to 7500 and sound great, mechanically very reliable, handles very well, upgrades available ( brakes most importantly ) and pretty easy to work on if you need but drives great even at standard horses. Plus will do 45mpg+ on a run !

Get a good one, watch the rust and you wont regret it. It wont depreciate either and these days stands out from most other cars on the road.

I had more reliable motoring fun in this car than any of the 200+ bhp cars ive owned... or indeed ANY other car ive owned... :thumbsup:

[Ash.]

MR2 is a good shout!
Pug 306 gti6 is another good call, cheap, fast out of the box and handle like stink!
Sometimes you can pick up cheap phase 1 Clio 172's, another good project/toy.

[MHeadling]

This was my old Pug 205 turbo, cant beat it for bang for buck fun!

Cost me about 3k in total but great fun! :thumbsup:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=698921&d=0&nmt=

[steelie600]

205 gti and stick cossie running gear and engine in there!! Done a few in my time at work, will try and find photos!

[Southwell]

Im gonna go check out my mates MR2 tomorrow. I know it's pretty clean, but needs bodywork, exhaust and wheels doing.
Anyone know any good company which would provide insurance for like 1000 miles a year? Otherwise ill be looking at something like a MGB or Spitfire to check everything cheap(ish).

[super__dan]

Both Performance direct and adrian flux do cheap low mileage policies, mines 3K and just for me it's less than £250 on the mx5

[Dyna]

Im gonna go check out my mates MR2 tomorrow. I know it's pretty clean, but needs bodywork, exhaust and wheels doing.
Anyone know any good company which would provide insurance for like 1000 miles a year? Otherwise ill be looking at something like a MGB or Spitfire to check everything cheap(ish).


Is it a Mk1 or Mk2 MR2 you are looking at ? And what year ?

Mk1s tend to rust badly rear 3/4s, behind the door and rear wheelarches. Other than that they are good. Front crossmember can go though, watch out for that one as that holds the front end together ! Also look out for stone chipping front 2-part valance, might have rust there if not looked after. Datsun Cherry Mk2 rear wheelarches can be tweaked to use as replacement rear arches here, and repair panels are avaialble for the rest - see the MK1 MR2 club for details.

Mk2's. especially late ones, dont rust much at all, so worry if it is a Mk2 and it is rusty !

Early Mk1's have a higher revving engine than the post-86's and boy is the extra 1000 revs fun to listen to :thumbsup:

Myself & the missus ran a early Mk1 with a late Mk2 together for a year. The Mk2 had in theory 170 bhp, 40 more BHP than the Mk1 but up to a ton there wasnt much in it on the road. And when it came to the twisties the Mk1 was waaaay faster, much more nimble, and much more fun ! If you can find one cheap, the supercharged Mk1 is a beast, very tuneable and very, very quick... :woot:

In 80k miles in the Mk1, only 2 problems - once the light switch failed, and the central locking fried itself once hot day. Both fixed quickly though. Apart from that, only regular servicing items were ever needed, and alternators every couple of years. The Mk2 was also very good mechanically wise, although we only kept that a year as it was a little too overweight & boring for us compaired to the Mk1, which we still have 16 years later !

If you can afford one, go for the Magnex Stainless Exhaust, still available new, or s/h for around a 100 quid.

If you do get one, join the owners clubs for advice & benefits. You get much cheaper insurance deals that way as well :)

[Southwell]

Wow, loads of info, thanks!

It's this one for info: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300551320518&category=18290&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

I know it's in good condition mechically, but will defo need the exhaust done anyway!

Thanks

[Southwell]

Both Performance direct and adrian flux do cheap low mileage policies, mines 3K and just for me it's less than £250 on the mx5

Adrian flux were £425, as they couldn't take into account my no claims. Thats with an sp30 from over 4 years ago and a non fault claim from 3.5 years ago. Some wants 3 years info, some 5, it's very annoying!
I hate that they can request speeding points when they arn't even on my license!

[Dyna]

Dosent look too bad at all that Mk2, the greens nice, different from the normal MR2 colours :)

Make sure you check insurance through the owners club, you generally save more than the cost of membership on cheaper insurance. Ive done it with every car ive run and always worthwhile in some way :)

[Col]

It's this one for info: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300551320518&category=18290&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Just for reference - any blow in any section of the exhaust is an mot fail.

What exactly is the project part of your car purchase going to be? Or are you just after a ready to run car?

[Southwell]

Just for reference - any blow in any section of the exhaust is an mot fail.

What exactly is the project part of your car purchase going to be? Or are you just after a ready to run car?

It does need bodywork, wheels and exhaust, but I know what you mean. I was originally looking at a car which needed a lot more work, and to be honest I'm probably going to look for something older and in worse condition, but not a rust bucket!

[super__dan]

Adrian flux were £425, as they couldn't take into account my no claims. Thats with an sp30 from over 4 years ago and a non fault claim from 3.5 years ago. Some wants 3 years info, some 5, it's very annoying!
I hate that they can request speeding points when they arn't even on my license!

Trouble is it's slightly too new. Mine is a 93 - L and when I enquired about a slightly later (still mk1 1.6) it was much more expensive. I don't know the ins and outs of it but it's officially a 'cherished car' polidy, not 'classic'. I don't use nor gain a NCD but that kind of suits.

[hotrodchris]

Got a 1980 Porsche 924 in the garage took it off the road 2 years ago if i stop RC Racing every weekend i might get time to do the bits i have left to get it to the standard i would like, although its still a tidy car for age have put a ltd edition interior in it but some window rubbers are cracking got new ones just need time to fit them etc

Cheap to insure classic car insurance
Good fun to drive!