Mechanic-friendly cars?

[benhogan]

Other than the 450/560sl, are there any other mechanic-friendly sporty cars out there?

Mechanic-friendly is....
-"wear" parts that are reasonable
-parts easily acquired
-room to work
-repair info or repair manuals readily available

I was thinking of a mid 80's 911 or MagnumPI Ferrari.

My biggest thing is I don't want a money pit.

My strategy has always been that if I can get it at the right low price, it gives me a lot of fat to work with and still come out OK when I get tired of it (and sell). I'm not looking to make a killing, I just want something I can play with without breaking the bank.

As I type this, the logical side is pointing towards a mid 90's miata.

[Stretch]

In Europe I'd say MGB / C or any Triumph but they aren't really sports cars in my opinion! They do have strong followings (illogical as it seems to me) and good spares

[MTI]

On the Porsche side . . . read the book "The Gold Plated Porsche."

Ferrari . . . mechanic friendly only if you've worked for the Commendatore.

The problem with English roadsters is that at this age, finding fairly decent ones without rust are rare.

American metal is usually a safe bet, lots of parts and back in the 80's still relatively easy to work on.

Then there's the Z-car, perhaps a Turbo Supra, or if you're set on rear engine, tons of upgrades for the MR2.

[alabbasi]

You can just about build an MGB from scratch with the parts in the moss catalogue. Parts are readily available and you'll get smiles for miles while everyone waves at you. But expect to be cramped if you're over 5'7 and 140lbs.

[Txjake]

Corvette: power, chebby reliable and easy to work on............


ferrarri? porsche? mechanic friendly? MAYBE the 914 (though some don't consider it a real porsche)

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by Txjake

Corvette: power, chebby reliable and easy to work on............


ferrarri? porsche? mechanic friendly? MAYBE the 914 (though some don't consider it a real porsche)

i suppose if you have to drop the motor on the 911 to change the sparkplugs that would make it unfriendly.

[Mike D]

FIAT's must be "mechanic friendly" 'cause every time I see one there is a mechanic attached to it.

Originally Posted by benhogan

i suppose if you have to drop the motor on the 911 to change the sparkplugs that would make it unfriendly.

They're not quite that bad, but they are a PITA to work on with the engine in the car.

[Txjake]

Originally Posted by Mike D

FIAT's must be "mechanic friendly" 'cause every time I see one there is a mechanic attached to it.

there's a difference between mechanic friendly and mechanic dependant

[Txjake]

Originally Posted by benhogan

i suppose if you have to drop the motor on the 911 to change the sparkplugs that would make it unfriendly.

As much as I love 911s, esp the early ones, that would be the least of my worrries, but yeah, that would be a PITA

[The Clk Man]

Although not very sporty, I found the 240 series Volvos very easy to work on.

[ramonajim]

+1 for the Miata consideration (though I may be a bit biased - there are currently 5 in my driveway ). Personal preference for the NA (90-93), close second would be a 94 (bigger engine, lightest of the 1.8's).

Can be had cheap, worked on cheap (and easily), parts readily available, and unless you buy without doing just a little bit of homework you can drive 'em for a couple years and easily re-sell them for what you paid for 'em.

The fact that there a boat load of fun to drive is an added bonus.

[iwrock]

Budget....?



If you want something newer, Miata/Supras/MR2/Z-cars are very hard to beat.



However, I still say Porsche.

[ShaggyDiesel]

from my experience Porsche 924, VW Scirocco, mk1 GTi.

[PaulC]

Karmann Ghia?