Starter Project Car @ 13 Years Old
Posted by CAM22b@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Hey everyone. I am 13, and wanna get a project car that I can work on until I'm old enough to drive (18).
What would You Recommend?
I'm thinking either a Datsun 280Z, or a Toyota GT86. Miata's are nice, but too common in my area. Civics are, well... Civics. Other options like Saturn Sky could be OK, but they are too compact for me (since I'm already 5'6").
Thx for feedback :)
Sulipheoth@reddit
Don't write off Miatas because they're common. They're the most fun you'll have this side of $50,000.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I wanna have something Fast, Fun, and Affordable for less then $20,000 including mods
GuineaPigsAreNotFood@reddit
Mazda RX8, fantastic first car for non mechanically inclined folks. Find one that doesn't start, they are usually cheap.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
True! Never thought of that! Always though "Uwu RoTaRieS, So UnReLiABle!". lol
MunchamaSnatch@reddit
If you can get some old muscle, they make great projects cars.
Reliable underpowered motors, usually quite a bit of problems you can learn from, not too many electrical modules to go bad.
Everything will be mechanical and can be restored if you want to be frugal.
My first car was a 74 mercury comet. I pulled it out of a mud pit and put about a thousand hours into it. All said and done, I only spent $3000, and sold it for $4000. I never got around to the body work, but countless hours of pulling parts off, cleaning the rust off and recoating.
There was nothing out of the realm of possibility, and the problems I faced were easy to understand. Probably the biggest hardship was sourcing parts. The mercury comet is not a desirable car. Reproduction parts aren't made for it. But a mustang, Camaro, nova etc, you can find parts for
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Yeah might go the ChrisFix route and go with SN95 Mustang for a U.S. car.
andresg30@reddit
I always felt that the first gen Miata is the perfect starter car.
They are easy to work on, reliable, enough luggage compartment for oneself, easy to park, respectable MPG, handles better than mom’s minivan and not fast enough to hurt yourself per say.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Yeah, imagine doing a R26B swap. LOL Mazda 787B Miata
TheProcess1010@reddit
What are your intentions upon completion? And also, what climate do you live in? Thoughts on wiring and welding new body panels in too?
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
What are my Intention upon Completion? Probably tracking, but I wanna keep it as Street Legal as I can, plus Wanna take it to car Meets
What Climate Do I live in? Buffalo, NY Area
My thoughts on wiring and welding new panels on: Scared to death on doing anything electrical, and Don't know how to do body work. LOL
TheProcess1010@reddit
I say Civic, 350z, or older Mustang (95-05ish), however with the Z and Mustang NY winter wouldn’t be fun especially if you start lowering it for performance power. Beetle as the other commenter said is also hella valid. Love a good Baja bug. That would actually be super cool for a daily, especially in NY, not much for “tracking”though.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Yeah, make a Rally Beetle. XD that'd be Bananas :)
NickPivot@reddit
This is good context. If all that wiring and welding stuff gives you the shivers, start with something that you can afford that doesn’t need any of that to get it on the road, then ease into working on it with stuff like oil and other fluid changes, brake jobs, etc.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Thanks bro :)
Educational_Truth614@reddit
what’s wrong with civics? they taught me how to build engines, transmissions and wire up a car from front to back without any factory harnesses
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Idk, they quite comon in the States and they are usually to much REEE for me. Not to say all civics sound bad, but, I wanna have something different and not so common in my area IMHO. :)
Educational_Truth614@reddit
so you want a platform with zero aftermarket support and no parts availability?
we build civics for the very reason that they’re plentiful. the more uncommon your car becomes, the more you’re going to be paying for simple parts. the community is another reason to get into a specific car, and the Honda community is one of the biggest. ive been able to reach out and find people with the things i need a few streets away from me, but i have a much older project that’s still sitting in the driveway because i can’t find parts for it. took me a year just to find a taillight all the way in Virginia, im in California. can’t even buy shocks for that car, i have to find unopened old stock from 2002
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
I might end up going with a Civic after reading that. Yeah I haven't seen a Single Datsun 280Z/Nissan Fairlady Z ever, only 120SX, 300ZX, 350/370Z, and 400Z (aka New Z).
Educational_Truth614@reddit
i know one person with a Datsun z and it’s been sitting at the side of his house for going on 8 years. i personally would love an 82-83 280zx turbo, always loved that mix of styles
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Yeah, 180SX's are nice too, seen a few IRL.
Any-Arm-7017@reddit
The reason they sound like that is cause of idiots putting crappy exhausts or even just cutting holes in their exhaust. Put a $500 magna flow exhaust and the deep growl will sound awesome. But yeah i can vouch for a civic so many cheap and easy to find parts which you’ll appreciate at your age. Remember you’re only 13 you got plenty of time to build up those other cars you want. A civic is a great place to learn the basics
Good_With_Tools@reddit
VW Beetle. Absolutely the best 1st car for someone with little money and skills. You'll never need a lift or expensive tools to work on it.
CAM22b@reddit (OP)
Wait... WOT
GuineaPigsAreNotFood@reddit
Whatever you like and can afford.