I've been doing a bit of work on my Miata.
A friend that has been helping me wants to buy a car to fix up/learn to work (from mechanical condition - not restoring or anything crazy)

Three constraints:
1. Cheap parts
2. Cheap parts
3. Easy to work on!

 

90's Civic. Salvage title would be cheap, parts are very cheap/plentiful, very easy to work on (everything is intuitive), you can scale up the complexity (simple stuff ---> complex [motor swaps etc]), and when you're learning to work on it, you can donate it to a friend/family member/random person in need.

 

Agreed on the 90's Civic.

 

this is where i got my start

 

Can the same be said for accord or integra?
Civic is too boring =]

PS: both me and my friend have had civics - great cars... but just want something atleast a bit more fun

 

Yup. Most early 90's hondas are easy to work on. Just use a 10mm socket/wrench and you can take 75% of the car apart lol

 

fox body Mustang would be my recommendation. Engine bay is large, easy to work in, and parts are very common. The earlier the year, the lighter the car. An '82 is ~2500 lbs., while a '90 is ~3000-3100. The hatchback GT models are a better choice unless you plan on stripping it out and making a drag car - the GT's had better seats, better interior trim, better suspension parts, and IMHO look better externally.

They make great track cars that will also tolerate as many drag strip blasts as you care to make. It's a different car to drive than something like a Miata, but they can be quite quick around a road course with decent shocks, brakes, and tires.

You'd want to spend at least $5K on a solid running car, and there are numerous choices for whatever direction you want to go. The '85+ years had roller rockers, better heads, and a stronger rear axle, and they make more power than prior years. There is a huge amount of knowledge available, so it's unlikely you will run into a real roadblock with any issue. So many parts are upgradable it's crazy.

 

[QUOTE=NuncoStr8,Sep 25 2010, 06:39 PM] fox body Mustang would be my recommendation.

 

First generation RX-7.

 

Parts are easy to find and inexpensive. Whether they are cheaper to maintain than a Civic or Miata is an open question. Factory tire sizes are inexpensive (14" and 15" wheels, but will fit 16" and 17" factory wheels from later years), brakes are probably more expensive but are beefier, a factory clutch is not hugely expensive, shocks and bushings are probbly the same or cheaper than you'd pay for Miata components.

As long as you aren't going for big power out of the motor, nothing is going to break the bank. But don't buy a four cylinder model thinking you can just bolt in a V8. It's cheaper and easier to just buy a V8 model in the first place. The only reason to buy a four-banger Mustang is if that's what you want.

And as far as fun goes, RWD V8. 'Nuff said, I think.