Best project car on Reddit
211 reviews from r/projectcar, r/whatcarshouldIbuy, r/JDM and 12 more subreddits
211 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Mazda
4.6
(48)
"If you've never really wrenched before, you should start with something easy like a Miata."
"Answer is always Mazda Miata."
"Miata. Cheap, fun and you can turn them into whatever you want."
"Miata"
"For the amount of money I have it in, I don't think I could have bought anything that would have been more fun to drive."
"Miata NA/NB"
"Miata is always the answer."
"Miata Or FC rx7 because availability and price"
"You could do a Miata, z3, del sol, Integra, etc."
"M iata is A lways T he A nswer."
#2
Ford
3.8
(34)
"I cannot recommend an 80's F150 enough."
"Mustangs"
"I would get a 65-66 coupe."
"If you want a serious & fun project, I would pick up a cheap new edge gt 5 speed manual and do a Coyote swap."
"Buy a ~2009 Ford Escape (or some other marketable SUV) with a blown engine for close to scrap value."
"I'd recommend something with OBD2 like a 99-04 Mustang GT."
"If you can find an old Foxbody Mustang you'll have a great time!"
"Honestly with that budget either a 1996-1998 Mustang GT or a 99-04 GT."
"Beat up Fox body mustang."
"Find a ranger or an old s10."
#3
Honda
4.3
(23)
"1993 Honda civic. They'll run forever."
"If you want a fun budget car with tons of potential, go K-series Honda."
"Have you met the Lord and Savior, the Honda Fit?"
"Almost any Honda 4cyl can be a good platform to build for cheap speed."
"If you live in america, 4th and 5th gen civics hands down."
"Probably EG or EK-generation Civic or Integra."
"I had a 2007 Civic Si sedan and it was a blast."
"Civic or Miata is always my first suggestion."
"Civic. But look for something south of the Mason Dixon line."
"Honda Fits are pretty solid. Sometimes you can find them for 3k"
#4
Toyota
4.0
(12)
"Toyota, easy fix n cheap parts."
"Supra Mk3"
"MR2"
"Toyota starlet. Fiesta st. Yaris. GR Yaris!"
"MR2 - if I could find a decent one for cheap, it should be pretty straight forward to work on."
"Basically a Corolla coupe."
"In my opinion toyota mr2's are nice, like big gokarts."
"A Yaris or Golf/GTI seems like a good option."
"Nissan Sunny GTI-R, Honda Civic SIr or a Toyota Yaris. Something older is cheaper to insure, maintain and more fun to drive."
"A while back somebody here made an auto updating list of mr2s for sale across the US and I think Canada too."
#5
Nissan
4.1
(11)
"PrizzaMike does longer videos walking through the process of restoring his 240sx from getting tboned."
"240SX"
"350z/G35"
"So if you want an s chassis and ready to swap suspension - get 200sx s12, they are dirt cheap, front suspension bolts on from s13-15 and z32 brakes."
"I would get the 240 as it handles very nicely."
"240 platform. Only because the aftermarket."
"Nissan Sunny GTI-R, Honda Civic SIr or a Toyota Yaris. Something older is cheaper to insure, maintain and more fun to drive."
"K11 Micra. When you get a bit money, you can buy a turbo from Gizfab."
"240sx, s2000, Miata, crx, civic (eg or ek), integra, Impreza wrx (maybe get lucky and find a sti), lancer evolution VIII IX X, etc."
"Maybe a 350z or a 2013+ v6 camaro, or a NC miata."
#6
Chevrolet
4.1
(7)
"If you eventually want supercar performance, start with a corvette driver."
"Look at C4 vettes....less likwly to be rusty...dirt cheap, SBC based...you get some actual handling chops."
"89-98 Chevy trucks are fairly cheap and lots of fun."
"Purchased a '79 Chevy LUV pickup. I rebuilt the motor and I am currently working on rewiring the entire thing."
"S10 or Ranger are other viable candidates."
"3rd gen Camaro/Firebird (‘82 up to maybe ‘92) They’re pretty easy to find dirt cheap."
"I'd pick that up. I did a manual swap on my El Camino and it wasn't too bad."
#7
BMW
3.9
(7)
"BUY IT !!! Low price for this condition , a good e34 no rust is >5000€ 6000€."
"That is a great car, Older BMWs from this era are well made better than todays do with 3200 in cash as I think it's a good deal and has taken car of it by look of the photos"
"Look for pufs of smoke at cold start; oil leaking around the heads; rust hiding anywhere."
"If it's clean and no rust, it'll make a nice project car."
"E31 840ci"
"E46 330s aren't that bad."
"Car is beautiful but keep in mind that that's the worst engine possible for E34 and as a project car it will consume ridiculous amounts of money for swap and suspension etc."
#8
Subaru
4.2
(5)
"I couldn’t recommend it enough."
"93-01 Imprezas, tons of how-tos online."
"First gen forester. Cheap and fun, most abusable cars I’ve ever owned."
"A good cheap starting point with lots of aftermarket support."
"But i will say the extra space in the engine bay makes m"
#9
Volvo
4.0
(5)
"Volvo 240"
"A Volvo 850 or V70 can be found in that price range, lots of them have turbos and awd, quick, fun, and if you get a wagon you can sleep in the back."
"Volvo 240."
"Civic miata,mr2 or volvo 240 are great since theyre cheap reliable."
"Find an old Volvo and ls swap it."
#10
Pontiac
4.0
(5)
"Today i saw a listing for a late 70s Pontiac Bonneville with the GM 305 motor for like $8k."
"Best of all they're very mechanical and easy to learn on."
"Maybe a Pontiac Trans Am?"
"Get some Australian into him with the Pontiac G8 (VE Commodore)."
"I don’t remember the channel name but there’s this guy currently restoring a Fiero that was saved from a farm yard and it’s genuinely really good."
#11
Volkswagen
4.0
(5)
"Any vw. I love ‘em."
"Get an old VW. Air-cooled or MK1 water cooled."
"A VW would be a good choice, especially because you’re in Europe."
"Gti if you can afford one."
"Absolutely sounds like a fun project car that you'll get your money's worth from."
#12
General
4.0
(5)
"Get whatever your local junkyard has allot of. Part sourcing is easier."
"Arguably one of the easier project cars"
"If it isn’t rusty, I think it would be a fine project car. If it has any rust though, I’d avoid it."
"I'd find a runner teach the basic on it while rebuilding a motor trans swap to go in."
"Couple points of advice/lessons I learned: It may not be the fastest or prettiest, but we all have to start somewhere."
#13
Gingium
5.0
(3)
"Gingium or robbie fereira."
"For me it's Gingium and Tofu Auto Works."
"Gingium is one of my favorites."
#14
Vice Grip Garage
5.0
(2)
"Vice Grip Garage is my and my husband’s favorite but we also really enjoy Mortske Repair."
"Vice grip garage and junkyard digs are great project car youtubers."
#15
Pole Barn Garage
5.0
(2)
"Pole Barn Garage - Junkyard rebuilds - Will it Run?"
"Pole barn garage and No Nonsense Know How"
#16
MG
4.0
(2)
"I ended up getting a modern Mini convertible... but I'm still dreaming about getting a Midget someday."
"An MG midget is usually cheap to buy, insure and are very simple to work on."
#17
Mercedes-Benz
4.0
(2)
"1997-2000 c class Mercedes"
"R129 SL500 (96-98)"
#18
Dodge
3.5
(2)
"I’m biased, but an early 2000-2010s Charger RT, 2006+ Mustang GT or any gen Camaro are my picks if you’re into that sort of car."
"A decommissioned police car... Could be a Ford Taurus or Dodge charger."
#19
Bad Obsession Motorsports
5.0
(1)
"Bad obsession motorsports. project binky is sick."
#20
Puddins Fab Shop
5.0
(1)
"Puddins fab shop, irontrapgarage, junkyard digs/Mook, VGG, MCM, thunderhead289."
#21
Young Static
5.0
(1)
"Young Static is a really cool dude that works on Hondas"
#22
VTech Academy
5.0
(1)
"VTech Academy is the guys from Hasport"
#23
Tofu Autoworks
5.0
(1)
"Tofu Autoworks is a dude who’s done a lot of amazing custom body work"
#24
That Dude in Blue
5.0
(1)
"That dude in blue is a car guy that talks car culture a lot"
#25
Ageing Wheels
5.0
(1)
"Shoutout to Ageing Wheels - chill and humour work on obscure cars and quirky projects"
#26
Soup Classic Motoring
5.0
(1)
"I'd recommend Soup Classic Motoring and Mathisox's no-voiceover video."
#27
Stanceworks
5.0
(1)
"Stanceworks 100% is the best!"
#28
M539 Restorations
5.0
(1)
"M539 Restorations."
#29
Poor Boy's Garage
5.0
(1)
"My favorites:
Poor Boy's Garage - Mostly Mopar content. Down to earth chill guy. Very knowledagble."
#30
4xFredWilliams
5.0
(1)
"4xFredWilliams - 4x4 builds"
#31
Dirthead Shed
5.0
(1)
"Dirthead Shed - 4x4 builds"
#32
Budget Buildz
5.0
(1)
"Budget Buildz - Junkyard rebuilds - Will it Run?"
#33
Car Wizard
5.0
(1)
"Car Wizard - Mechanic shop - Very knowledgeable and interesting."
#34
Autel
4.0
(1)
"Something like an Autel AP200 would work, in the $50 range on Amazon."
#35
BMW E30
4.0
(1)
"May be a touch bigger than small, but they are thin enough for a small garage."
#36
MG Midget
4.0
(1)
#37
ZZP Performance
4.0
(1)
"Zzp performance may have what you need to make your current car quicker and more enjoyable."
#38
Nissan 300ZX
4.0
(1)
"Z32 300ZX"
#39
Volkswagen Golf
4.0
(1)
"Old Golf MK1 maybe? Something without much electronics..."
#40
General Motors
4.0
(1)
"I'd be looking for a ratty GM G-body car."
#41
Austin
4.0
(1)
"Austin Mini."
#42
Chrysler
4.0
(1)
"A turbo Chrysler K-car. Not as easy to find as they used to be but they’re easy to work on and take to tuning."
#43
Alfa Romeo
4.0
(1)
"I started with old Alfas. Easy to work on and great for small garages."
#44
Datsun
4.0
(1)
"Old Datsun, Toyota and Chevy mini trucks are pretty fun and still relatively cheap."
#45
Jaguar
4.0
(1)
"X100 XKR(01-03)"
#46
Austin Healey
4.0
(1)
"They are simple cars that are easy to work on with parts being easy to find and they are relatively cheap."
#47
Smart
3.0
(1)
"Smart car"
#48
Mercury
3.0
(1)
"What about a Mercury Comet or a Ford Grand Torino?"
#49
Mitsubishi
3.0
(1)
"The 3000 GT is an amazing car that is an absolute nightmare to own."
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