Whats a good car to start learning how to fix and repair in order to gain mechanical knowledge?
Posted by Alone-Supermarket383@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit
The single most important thing is that you like the car.
YeahIGotNuthin@reddit
Something that runs now.
Something reasonably accessible under the hood.
Something that has a good online community, with videos and pictorials. That way, when someone says "that squeaking noise is the accessory belt, you should replace it along with its tensioner and its idler pulley" you can go find a video on the internet that shows what, exactly, a person has to do to make that happen.
Something worth owning, so that after you've done the work, you are rewarded with a good driving experience afterwards.
For this reason among many others, I like an early Miata. They're as fun as anything with wheels, so they're great to drive and worth taking care of. There is a big DIY community, so anything yours needs done to it, someone somewhere has already made a video of them doing it. Parts are easy to source. Everything under the hood is visible and easy to find (some of them are a little tight to get to, like that oil filter.)
I have also had good luck with E46 BMWs.
Several-Quality5927@reddit
A broken one.
SilencerXY@reddit
An old truck, not 1930s old more 80s-90s old. Very simple huge engine bays. Lots of them are still in use today and parts are everywhere
ZaphodG@reddit
Something RWD built before 1975. Lots of room in the engine compartment and minimal pollution controls.
Tuques@reddit
Anything old with a big engine bay.
2013exprinter@reddit
classic VW
The cars are very basic and have tons of you tube videos on every aspect of them
https://www.amazon.com/How-Keep-Your-Volkswagen-Alive/dp/156261343X
use this book as an additional source of knowledge
Plus they are cool which will help keep your interest
Kootsiak@reddit
Something like an older 2000's to early 2010's Honda Accord with the 2.4L.
They aren't THE easiest cars to work on but relatively easy for a modern car. Plus these engines have been figured out and there's probably 30 DIY videos for every single repair you could make on them.
So as a beginner, it's a known product that won't throw any major surprises at you that would bother even a seasoned mechanic. So I think it's a good start.
Alone-Supermarket383@reddit (OP)
bet my man, hopefully once i fix it i can give it to my younger sister
SpaceCat72@reddit
The car you own. Maybe a project later.
breadexpert69@reddit
The cheapest one