What car to mess about with?

[Ian]

Is this the sort of set I would need? I do have other tools at home for general DIY

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255215

 

I've got my eye on a mini on ebay now. Also looking at a 300zx but I reckon that will be a fair bit out of my price range.

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... zone=PDPz1

 

^^ That one is worth the extra £10. Ratchet spanners are a godsend at times

[Dblock]

German cars are much nicer to work on IMO. They are better engineered and they knew someone one day would change the part. Nice big bolts and space for you to work.

 

Japanese cars generally have loads of little tiny bolts which are rusty.

 

You are going to need a fair few tools. I've spent a crao load on tools but now I have a decent collection and can do most things. It's still growing though.

 

IMO you want a low entry high lift jack. Good axle stands. A nice halfords pro socket set. An impact wrench and a decent penetration fluid like plusgas or ferrosol. Gloves and a boiler suit too.

[Ekona]

Is this the sort of set I would need? I do have other tools at home for general DIY

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255215

 

I've got my eye on a mini on ebay now. Also looking at a 300zx but I reckon that will be a fair bit out of my price range.

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... zone=PDPz1

 

^^ That one is worth the extra £10. Ratchet spanners are a godsend at times

Spot on, Ian. That one you linked to Rmacnair isn't the Pro range, the one Ian posted up is.

[EH 370z]

Is this the sort of set I would need? I do have other tools at home for general DIY

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255215

 

I've got my eye on a mini on ebay now. Also looking at a 300zx but I reckon that will be a fair bit out of my price range.

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... zone=PDPz1

 

^^ That one is worth the extra £10. Ratchet spanners are a godsend at times

Spot on, Ian. That one you linked to Rmacnair isn't the Pro range, the one Ian posted up is.

 

And this........

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_161348_langId_-1_categoryId_165469

[rmacnair]

Hah, looks like I need a shopping list

[Leeroy]

The Pug 205 has been mentioned but what about a Pug 306 GTi-6? This ones a bit overbudget at 900 notes but you should be able to get one that needs love for a lot less?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

I looked at 106 / 306 Rallyes for you but they look out of budget....

 

Also, what about something like an Almera GTi? Shouldn't be hard to work on either?

[rabbitstew]

Hah, looks like I need a shopping list

 

You will find you will spend a fortune on tools initially. But its something you can grow over the years. I started off with a big socket set and some ring spanners... now ive a huge tool chest / cabinet full of stuff. Everytime ive needed a tool ive just gone out & bought it as I know its already paid for itself with the garage labour costs im saving. Last tool I bought was a wheel bearing puller... id always wanted one and have changed dozens of wheel bearings without it. In the end I thought sod it, and bought one. Much easier without having to take the hub off the car.

 

Id steer away from air tools if you can... you end up spending loads on them as you get carried away. I bought every air tool I could think off, then realised halfords actually do a set which includes pretty much all of them for a fraction of what I paid. doh!

[rmacnair]

Found one that seems perfect. Not too complicated and has some potential. Any thoughts?

 

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/ ... t-car.html

 

Only problem is it's over 100 miles away. Anyone know how it would cost for a flatbed to pick up and deliver that distance?

[Ekona]

You know that's not going to be a cheap fix, don't you? At least not to get it to a point where you'd be able to sell it on. Seats, carpets and seals aren't cheap for Porsches.

 

I'd hire a trailer myself and go and collect it, at least you can see it in person before committing.

[rmacnair]

You know that's not going to be a cheap fix, don't you? At least not to get it to a point where you'd be able to sell it on. Seats, carpets and seals aren't cheap for Porsches.

 

I'd hire a trailer myself and go and collect it, at least you can see it in person before committing.

 

If I bought it for £400 how much do you reckon it would cost to get it road worthy and ready for a sale? I kind of have a figure in mind, which I would be happy spending.

 

Also, I'm not looking for a quick turnaround and a huge profit to be honest.

[ChrisS]

Check out car and classic and Ebay.

No bids 1 day to go http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 6346426173

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 6355015832

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 6357910687

 

You'll need to do a very good restoration to get good money. If it's for love then that another thing.

[rmacnair]

Unfortunately I live in Knutsford near Manchester so they're all a bit too far away, especialy glasgow.

 

If I break even I'd still be happy, like I said I'm not really looking for a profit, more the experience and fun of restoring a car.

[Stew]

Stick defender if you want to learn and possibly make money.

 

 

An interesting curveball.... Triumph spitfire. Celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year but still remains reasonable money. Easy to work on, loads of bits available and still a genuinely handsome car.

 

Think of it as one of the cars that the mx5 wanted to be.

[Ricey]

just a thought but if the op has little mech knowledge and experiance it is also likey he has no tools ,strange no one mentions the cost of building up a basic tool kit ,half decent tool kit will cost the price of a shed, i do apprieciate that once you have the tools they yours for life but worth mentioning you are going to need a fair amount of tools to do the work

 

28 posts in and the most sensible thing anyone has said.

 

It's amazing how all thoughs 10 quid here and 10 quid there tools rack up when you realise you've not got the right socket or spanner.

 

Thing is, you've gotta start somewhere right? it was advised somewhere to get a starter kit and then get the tools I need when I need them.

 

I've found a few golf mk3s now that are about £200-£400, like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

 

opinions?

 

Of coursenp bud.... I just mean don't think that an 80 quid starter kit is anywhere near enough to get you through a restoration.

 

I've had so many Sunday trips to hellfrauds to pick 101 little bits and bobs of tools

 

Toolstation and eBay are great for picking up cheap stuff.....Toolstation really shows up how much the likes of hellfrauds and b&q mark up the stupid little bits and pieces like bolts and washers etc

[EH 370z]

Ooo, just another quick point if you are looking at older cars for sub £1k you will undoubtably be looking at more body restoration than mechanical as most of the stuff mentioned has an MOT!!

Food for thought!

[ChrisS]

Have you thought about doing it in reverse.

 

Buy a Cat C or D zed, carefully take it to bits ,refurb the bits to a high standard and flog them on.

That way you'll learn about the car you own, and when stuck you can LOOK at the good one. (look but don't touch though )

[rmacnair]

Have you thought about doing it in reverse.

 

Buy a Cat C or D zed, carefully take it to bits ,refurb the bits to a high standard and flog them on.

That way you'll learn about the car you own, and when stuck you can LOOK at the good one. (look but don't touch though )

I have though about it but finding a Cat C or D zed near me isn't easy, nevermind a one that's affordable. Unless you know something I don't