car help

[waggythegeek]

I'm soon gonna be driving age, need a basic cheap car that performs good. Do people have a DIY feel towards cars like towards PCs, or do people just buy pre built? Can u ask recommend a good basic car?

[Real_PhillBert]

You want to build a car?

 

Dont do that. 

[werto165]

Cars are not particularity like what PC's are to legos. You can build a PC in little time, little effort and minimal tools are needed. Whereas building a car, that's taking it to a whole new level. 

[DevilishBooster]

I'm soon gonna be driving age, need a basic cheap car that performs good. Do people have a DIY feel towards cars like towards PCs, or do people just buy pre built? Can u ask recommend a good basic car?

 

If you're serious, the only way you will be able to "build your own car" like people do for computers is if you are filthy rich. There's really no such thing as a "DIY Car Kit". There is so much engineering that goes into it, and you can't just take a body, drop any engine in, and slap in some random drive train. If you're just getting your license, I would recommend something like a 00's era 4 cylinder car. That way it won't cost a lot and if you get in an accident or something happens, you won't be taking a huge loss. Look at Honda Civics, VW Jettas, cars like that.

[ohJey]

Cars are not particularity like what PC's are to legos. You can build a PC in little time, little effort and minimal tools are needed. Whereas building a car, that's taking it to a whole new level. 

Unless it's a subaru.  You can swap the 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.6L motors like legos

[QueenDemetria]

I'm soon gonna be driving age, need a basic cheap car that performs good. Do people have a DIY feel towards cars like towards PCs, or do people just buy pre built? Can u ask recommend a good basic car?

Some people do, some people not so much. You just need to grab a wrench and start working on things and see if you like it(or understand it). Mechanical things come natural to me so I get enjoyment from working on my cars, but I can tell you that not everybody feels this way lol. My advise would be to get a nice reliable vehicle and learn things about it as time goes along(like how to perform maintenance things), and over time you can maintain or fix it(if you can, some things need to be taken to shops). 

 

As far as recommendations for a car goes: My choice would be an older American car(preferably Chevy lol). They have lots of room to work on and they are simple since they were designed to be worked on. Parts are cheap and readily available, so its really a win win(lol). Reliability can be concerning at times though, but it really depends on the car.

[nerdyrcdriver]

If you live somewhere with a snowy winter, then I recommend a small awd or 4wd suv. I have a 2005 ford escape hybrid and it performed great in the snow this year and still gets 30+mpg city. Granted, 4wd will add to maintenance costs, but it is so worth it in the snow.  My first car was a 2001 nissan maxima. That was a fun car, but it was useless in the snow and no store near me carried 17inch low profile all season tires. 

 

If you don't get snow in the winter, then go for whatever you want. I would personally keep it 2000s or newer and 4 cylinder. I miss the v6 power of my maxima, but I get twice the gas mileage in my escape hybrid. My friend has a 2010 ford fusion and regularly gets 30mpg or better city and 40 highway. 

[Aphexx]

even wrenching takes some skill. you have to develop a feel for how much force you can exert on a wrench before you damage bolts or keeping your angles right so you don't slip and strip nuts. then to develop an overall knowledge of systems and how they interact witheachother.

 

its now garage sale season. I suggest getting out there and start buying tools now, maybe pick up a cheap ass broken lawnmower for free and taking that apart and back together for practice.

[RatedBlam]

If you live somewhere with a snowy winter, then I recommend a small awd or 4wd suv. I have a 2005 ford escape hybrid and it performed great in the snow this year and still gets 30+mpg city. Granted, 4wd will add to maintenance costs, but it is so worth it in the snow. My first car was a 2001 nissan maxima. That was a fun car, but it was useless in the snow and no store near me carried 17inch low profile all season tires.

If you don't get snow in the winter, then go for whatever you want. I would personally keep it 2000s or newer and 4 cylinder. I miss the v6 power of my maxima, but I get twice the gas mileage in my escape hybrid. My friend has a 2010 ford fusion and regularly gets 30mpg or better city and 40 highway.

Your problem in the snow wasn't the lack of 4wd, it was that you were driving in summer tyres.

4wd helps but the biggest thing in the winter is winter tyres. Living in Finland I know this. RWD with winter tyres can be a bit tricky but the Maxima is FWD, isn't it.

I myself just survived a winter with an FWD with no traction control. 4wd is helpful but not necessary in the winter.

[bob345]

Unless it's a subaru. You can swap the 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.6L motors like legos

that does not make it easy though. People always forget about the electronics when it comes to engine swaps.

[WinNut]

The best car to get is a used Honda Civic with a manual transmission (that is, unless you live in a hilly area). Honda Civics are great things to learn in since their engines are practically bulletproof, and nobody's going to get ebola if they see a few scratches on it.

[nerdyrcdriver]

Your problem in the snow wasn't the lack of 4wd, it was that you were driving in summer tyres.

4wd helps but the biggest thing in the winter is winter tyres. Living in Finland I know this. RWD with winter tyres can be a bit tricky but the Maxima is FWD, isn't it.

I myself just survived a winter with an FWD with no traction control. 4wd is helpful but not necessary in the winter.

 

Agreed that it is not necessary, but it makes it super easy. My dad's hyundai sonata was better in the snow than the maxima. My main problem was the terrible tires for winter, but my parents wouldn't let me get new tires because I would need to switch to 16in rims and that would add up pretty quick. But they authorized over 1k worth of repairs without my permission for the radiator and the alternator. 

 

I also just recommended 4wd if there is snow in his area, that doesn't mean I said it is necessary. After switching from fwd with summer tires to 4wd with all season tires I never plan on going back. I go to school in southern Illinois (but regularly live near chicago) and everyone here was off of the roads when snow hit. My suv went right through it no problem. 

 

Say you replace the car with a push lawnmower and snow with a hill. Yes, you could push the lawnmower up the hill, but wouldn't you rather have a self propelled lawnmower assist you in getting it up the hill? 

[waggythegeek]

If you live somewhere with a snowy winter, then I recommend a small awd or 4wd suv. I have a 2005 ford escape hybrid and it performed great in the snow this year and still gets 30+mpg city. Granted, 4wd will add to maintenance costs, but it is so worth it in the snow. My first car was a 2001 nissan maxima. That was a fun car, but it was useless in the snow and no store near me carried 17inch low profile all season tires.

If you don't get snow in the winter, then go for whatever you want. I would personally keep it 2000s or newer and 4 cylinder. I miss the v6 power of my maxima, but I get twice the gas mileage in my escape hybrid. My friend has a 2010 ford fusion and regularly gets 30mpg or better city and 40 highway.

This is fine. I had no idea if peeps built cars or not. Now I know, not really. So any other recommendations for good cheap cats?

[nerdyrcdriver]

This is fine. I had no idea if peeps built cars or not. Now I know, not really. So any other recommendations for good cheap cats?

 

Whatever is available in your area for cheap. If you want to you could post your general location (ex. chicago suburbs) we could look at what is commonly available in that area. 

[waggythegeek]

Whatever is available in your area for cheap. If you want to you could post your general location (ex. chicago suburbs) we could look at what is commonly available in that area.

Seattle burbs

[RatedBlam]

Agreed that it is not necessary, but it makes it super easy. My dad's hyundai sonata was better in the snow than the maxima. My main problem was the terrible tires for winter, but my parents wouldn't let me get new tires because I would need to switch to 16in rims and that would add up pretty quick. But they authorized over 1k worth of repairs without my permission for the radiator and the alternator.

I also just recommended 4wd if there is snow in his area, that doesn't mean I said it is necessary. After switching from fwd with summer tires to 4wd with all season tires I never plan on going back. I go to school in southern Illinois (but regularly live near chicago) and everyone here was off of the roads when snow hit. My suv went right through it no problem.

Say you replace the car with a push lawnmower and snow with a hill. Yes, you could push the lawnmower up the hill, but wouldn't you rather have a self propelled lawnmower assist you in getting it up the hill?

You're not wrong.

Maybe it's just a different country thing. For me it is obvious that winter tyres offer better grip.

They are actually obligatory here in Finland, you'll get fined without them.

Here people run those black steel rims with winter tyres they're cheap and looks don't matter since the cars dirty in the winter all the time anyways.