My 17 year old daughter bought her 84 190e last year and she has been working on it with me ever since. Good father daughter bonding. She has learned more about cars than most of her guy friends will ever know. This even included major body work after she rear ended an SUV. We orderd parts through e-bay and worked on it where others would have just sent it away to the junk yard. Lots of mechanical work too, where she learned how engines, brakes, trans, etc. work.

Financially, this may not have been the smart move but we have had a pretty good time. She loves the car. It's a 5 speed and she learned how to drive it in about 10 minutes. (Easiest clutch I've ever used.)

Old German car: $1100
Lots of used parts: $900
Time well spent with your teenage daughter: Priceless!