What's a good car to learn on?

[Dr. Love]

I have owned cars for about five years now but I have never done any work on them, first because I was young and my parents wouldn't let me, and now because the car I own is pretty expensive so I'm afraid to do anything to it and mess something up. The most work I ever did on a car was changing my oil and filter.

So I was thinking of buying a second car, on which I could learn everything about cars inside and out. I was wondering what are some good suggestions for a car that is good to learn on. It should be:

-no more than about $2000
-has lots of aftermarket parts available for it
-parts for it should be affordable
-not too old, I would prefer something no older than about 10 or 12 years because I want to learn recent tech, not really old tech that is obsolete (I know some things never change, but many things do)

Basically I would start by making it faster, maybe first doing minor things like putting on a cold air intake, then after a while I would like to be able to do major things, like putting in a turbo.

I'm not too concerned about reliability, if somethign breaks that will just give me a chance to learn abotu it and fix it.

Also, any advice on the best way to start learning would be helpful, ie how did you learn everything you know about auto mechanics and what advice can you give me.

Also, I have almost no tools except for a couple of wrenches I use to work on my bike. How much money will I need to spend on tools in order to be able to do most repairs?

[noctorum]

I'd say just get a civic

[drdisque]

to do basic repair work I think you're looking at spending about $150 on tools. To do extensive work you're looking at about $1000.

I would get a late 80's V8 Mustang.

[Dr. Love]

Aren't 80's Mustangs really low tech?

[drdisque]

late 80's mustangs are fuel injected, so the technology in them is pretty much the same as a mid 90's civic.

[noctorum]

Both have a large aftermarket, but I'd still recommend the civic just because its so common.

[TheQuietThings]

i'd also recommend the civic, since it has less power, there will be less of a chance of you seriously fucking something up if you make a mistake on something.

[nbr1nthuzyst]

I was going to say an ealry model CRX (Civic) but maybe any type of older civic. *They seem to be the "car-to-mod" hope it helps*

[Igovert500]

I wouldn't call civics the car to mod, but they are cheap, a dime a dozen, have plenty of aftermarket parts, have TONS of literature and websites, they are reliable, easy on insurance. Downside is they are slow as molasses(no offense to anyone).

Mustangs aren't quite as reliable, and will probably be a bit more to insure because of the v8, but they are also quite common and have tons of aftermarket, so I guess it really comes down to if you would prefer a domestic or an import.

As far as tools, get a decent set of wrenches, socket and open ended, go with decent brands, as you don't want to go cheap and have the junk not work or break mid-way through a repair.
Also, when you get your car, buy a Haynes or Helms manual for it...they are indispensible!
Third, do a ton of reading. With this site and all the other resources available online, just read and read, you can learn SOOO much.
Lastly, you will aquire more tools as you go on, I had the same problem, my dad wasn't a tool guy, and when he passed, there were very few tools in the house, and by the time I got interested in cars, half of the few tools we had, had since dissappeared...just buy them as you need them. When a job comes along, I swing by Pepboys or Home Depot and get one or 2 new tools each time...they add up.

[Officer Redneck]

I started at the ground floor when I started mechanican. I learned alot from a 1966 chevy truck with a V-8. They are about as easy as it gets to work on and parts are dirt cheap. Once you learn the ins and outs of an old engine, it is just a case of adding the next steps as in fuel injection o/h cams and so on. Plus did I mention they are dirt cheap and a dime a dozen.