Good cars to learn on?

[RonD]

Yes, that is the problem, we DIYers usually learn "on the job", and since the newer stuff breaks down less we are ignorant(means lack of specific knowledge, not stupid) of how all the systems work

But you WILL do fine because you already know HOW its suppose to work
For gasoline engines, compression, fuel and spark
Compression is mechanical so the same from 1879 to 2023

Its the fuel and spark delivery that has changed, but you already know whats suppose to happen and when
And its not changed all that much, 50/50 test tells you whats missing, fuel or spark(assuming good compression)

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yes, that is the problem, we DIYers usually learn "on the job", and since the newer stuff breaks down less we are ignorant(means lack of specific knowledge, not stupid) of how all the systems work

But you WILL do fine because you already know HOW its suppose to work
For gasoline engines, compression, fuel and spark
Compression is mechanical so the same from 1879 to 2023

Its the fuel and spark delivery that has changed, but you already know whats suppose to happen and when
And its not changed all that much, 50/50 test tells you whats missing, fuel or spark(assuming good compression)

I learned a bunch actually trying to fix my ranger in relation to EFI. Sensor voltages and ECM's and things.

I found a pretty nice 2000 Grand Marquis for 5500 bucks. Hopin he'll bite on it

 

[wildbill23c]

Find a good front wheel drive sedan and make him work on that, engine sideways, can't get to half the plugs and wires on the back side of the engine, etc....that'll quickly get him to figure out if he wants to turn wrenches or not LOL.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Find a good front wheel drive sedan and make him work on that, engine sideways, can't get to half the plugs and wires on the back side of the engine, etc....that'll quickly get him to figure out if he wants to turn wrenches or not LOL.

No cause then ill really get stuck working on it

 

[Josh B]

When you take him to look at it, 1st thing, walk around back and swipe a finger into the tail pipe and show him what;s on the finger, step one

 

[rusty ol ranger]

When you take him to look at it, 1st thing, walk around back and swipe a finger into the tail pipe and show him what;s on the finger, step[ one

I showed him that on that crown vic we looked at.

Also explained the importance of looking at oil color and level and trans fluid color and level.

Then explained to him why one rear tire was bald as a babys ass and the other was pretty decent....

Im guessing grandkids did some brake torques

 

[Josh B]

Yeah, unless the exhaust is totally missing somewhere upstream, that one step tells much about a vehicle as anything

 

[19Walt93]

around '80 Ford Fiesta, can learn standard shift plus it's like a tinkertoy.
ok stop laughing now

Those cars were super popular P.O.S.s. They could fit 9 of them on a car hauler, people would pull into the yard and pick out the one they wanted before the driver got them unloaded. But they were typical, fragile European junk. The felt snappy because they ran 4000 RPMs at 60 mph. Which made water pumps wear out by 30k. The brakes sucked, wore out fast, and cost double the price of Crown Vic brakes. The Bosch alternators were prone to fail and cost about triple what a Motorcraft one did.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Those cars were super popular P.O.S.s. They could fit 9 of them on a car hauler, people would pull into the yard and pick out the one they wanted before the driver got them unloaded. But they were typical, fragile European junk. The felt snappy because they ran 4000 RPMs at 60 mph. Which made water pumps wear out by 30k. The brakes sucked, wore out fast, and cost double the price of Crown Vic brakes. The Bosch alternators were prone to fail and cost about triple what a Motorcraft one did.

I rode in one once. It was pretty miserable.

I dont think this kid would even fit in one...hes like 6'2 and around 265

 

[James Morse]

Yeah, as highway cars they sucked, like riding in a tin foil arrangement, terrible being next to a semi.
But they could be good as track cars, I won SCCA regional in one, but it had full cage, different suspension, tweaked engine, etc. They were popular for that.
It had headers and I believe straight pipe exhaust. It was registered and I ran it on the road... not sure you could do it today. Not much road use though it was set up for track.
Actually I won zero races and really didn't run that fast in the class, the only reason I won it was because I showed up to more of the races and finished them so, something to be said for 'suit up and show up'.
I think the Crown Vic suggestion is a good one there seem to be lots of them around. I was pretty much kidding about the Fiesta, they're cool in some ways but as a daily driver, no.

 

[James Morse]

Fiestas never really made it I think they were priced higher than Rabbit

 

[00t444e]

What a dumb question, Ford Ranger of course, that is what I learned on.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

What a dumb question, Ford Ranger of course, that is what I learned on.

Unfourtantly he has zero interest in a pickup lol.

I showed him a few rangers and 150s but he didnt really care much lol

Wed i think we are going to look at a couple grand marquis, the 2000 and an 05 he found. The 05 has 147k the 2000 has 92k. Both look old lady owner by pics...they are at dealers.

But they both have the digital cluster and climate controls....anyone know if they are problematic?

 

[Josh B]

A dealer will near double the price

 

[superj]

85-92 bmw 3 series are so easy to work on. jeeps with the 4.0 engines, too.

thats what both of my kids started on and drove a for a while. they both still want to buy another of those bmws and have as weekend/autocross cars because of how dependable and easy to work on they were.

my oldest son keeps sending me pics of 89/90 bmw 316 and 325 wagons asking which i think he should get. none of those were ever sold in america so i tell him the 325i because at least its the same motor as we got here.