Cheap, Useable, Easy to Spanner car

philw696

philw696

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25,651
midlifecrisis said:
I must concur, those looking under the bonnet of the R4 were:
A, wondering why the gearbox is at the front and why there's an umbrella stuck in the dash.
Or
B, testing their eyesight by looking at small engine components.
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As I remember coming out of the hotel it was quite a crowd around my little 4 with the bonnet up high surprised me that someone found the release ;)
Stevie sat in the driver's seat with his head out of the window.
Priceless :)
 
M

Manc5

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395
zagatoes30 said:
If you want something really easy then you are right to shy away from anything with too much electronics so that pushes you back into the 80s or earlier. Saabs and Volvos are really good as not only are they easy to work on they have a understated sort of coolness about them
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Volvo.... agree now cool 240 series are indestructible and easy to work on...
 
Ali355

Ali355

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74
My money would be on an old Honda. The last ‘traditional’ shaped civic that shares lots with the old rover 400/ MG ZS with the 1.6 VTEC engine should be gettable at your minimum budget and would be a reliable workhorse that you could could spanner on quite easily. The 1.8 VTI would probably come in under £2.5k- that has quite a bombastic engine. Also comes in an estate form. Speaking of which the accord 2.4 VTEC touring is also another one to bear in mind.

This is exactly what I did when my lease Jag XF went back in Jan this year. I found a 2000 Honda prelude vti. 2.2 VTEC engine that makes 200ish bhp with bags of character, 4WS, admittedly dodgy triptronic box but pleasingly devoid of modern tat. Overpaid slightly for mine but well below your max budget and in the 11 months I’ve had it I’ve paid £130 for a service and an mot and £70 for a pair of new tyres and that’s it. It’s ropey cosmetically but mechanically bulletproof and has allowed me to save hard for (hopefully) the GT that I’ll be buying next year.
 
philw696

philw696

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Second the Civic EG 9 that my son pinched of me a few years ago.
1600 Vtech 170 bhp and one of the most fun cars put on track at Llandau mind you at £700 cost me double the E36 BMW M3 which was the only car I got black flagged in there.
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

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Anything in the last 30 years will have injection/electronics.
Regarding cars of this modern generation I do enjoy messing with my Mitsubishi Pinin.
Cheap to buy, lots of cheap parts from breakers, access to stuff generally okay, and a useful type vehicle to have around.
Biggest issue, like many cars of this age, is rust however.
If you are after more basic pre injection etc on a useful vehicle, a classic 4 door Range Rover would be a good choice, although might be out of budget.
 
philw696

philw696

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25,651
Range Rover P38 would be in budget I have had two and both were brilliant one in the UK and one in New Zealand.
Quite cheap and loads of spares available.
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

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9,046
philw696 said:
Range Rover P38 would be in budget I have had two and both were brilliant one in the UK and one in New Zealand.
Quite cheap and loads of spares available.
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Was avoiding the P38. My Dad's had a few but both had HVAC and airbag suspension problems.
However yes spares are easily available and with a Rover V8 too, if you want to avoid diesel complications.
 
Froddy

Froddy

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How about a Honda S2000?

I’ve had two, and they are exhilarating (rev to 9,000) with a beautiful short-shift gearbox. Pure road cars, rare, hand-built, and such good value for money ...
 
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MrPea

MrPea

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Once we got the bonnet open we particularly loved the gear linkage and gearbox. Such simple placement!
You're lucky we didn't drive off with it leaving you with my GS Spyder!
 
philw696

philw696

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25,651
MrPea said:
Once we got the bonnet open we particularly loved the gear linkage and gearbox. Such simple placement!
You're lucky we didn't drive off with it leaving you with my GS Spyder!
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Next time you're over we will put the Foursome in the convoy and your more than welcome to have a drive Stevie.
 
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