I need help learning all this stuff

[mhristov]

I'm gonna be turning 16 in a few months, and I really want to be able to work on my car myself. I know some stuff about cars cuz my dad is a car freak, but he doesn't want to bother teaching me anything. Does anyone know a site where I can learn what every part in a car does (or at least the important ones)?

[Rich]

There are alot of sites out there for people that don't know much, but I would reccomend picking a car you want to learn about. Do you have any money for a car, or already have a car. I can reccomend some good books for each car, or give you some cool, fast, cheap, and easy to work on choices for a first time car nut!

[mhristov]

Well, I'm saving up money, and I'm guessing that I'll probably have something like $5000 - $7000 for a car. I was thinking of getting a Dodge Stealth R/T or a Ford Probe GT. Any other suggestions you have, let me know. I just want a nice sports car.

[Chris]

once you pick your car up, head over to an auto parts store or barnes and noble and get a chiltons guide or haynes manual for your car, they have everything you possibly need to know about your car in that book.

[Rich]

Originally posted by mhristov
Well, I'm saving up money, and I'm guessing that I'll probably have something like $5000 - $7000 for a car. I was thinking of getting a Dodge Stealth R/T or a Ford Probe GT. Any other suggestions you have, let me know. I just want a nice sports car. Sports cars + new drivers = VERY BAD SHIT

It's cool to have a nice car, bumping around HS picking up on those freshmen chicks. Hell 99% of the people here did that :::snickers::: You have to remember, you drive a nice car at 16, and you park it at school, someone that is really jealous is going to key it up. Another problem with sports cars, is, do you want to learn about cars, or do you just want to be another ignorant fool, asking what is better, Eibach pro-kits, or H&R race springs. You are going to have to worry about what insurance is going to cost you, and where that car will leave you when you are done killing it, or yourself. From a racer, and cheap ass, DIY type person, get an older car, and work it over. There is something to say about a guy driving an older car, whoppin the shit out of the new cars mom and dad buy the other kids. Also, you have about $5k-7k to spend. That some good money. You can do one of two things, buy a used car for about that much, then be up shits creek with out a boat when the thing breaks down, OR you could buy an older car, and work it over, spending almost that amount making it fast AND reliable.

[mhristov]

That's some good points. The thing is that I don't go to school. I'm homeschooled because I'm trying to finish HS early. I'll probably be well into my freshman year of college once I get my car. I'm also prepared to spend money on the insurance and fixing it up. The only thing that worries me about the Stealth is that's its not exactly economical (19mpg city, 25mpg highway). I'm not trying to get a car to impress girls, and I probably will never race it either except maybe once a every two months at the track or something just out of curiosity. I just don't want an old, ugly car. Those things annoy the hell out of me. If I can find an old car that looks good, I'll gladly drive it.

[mhristov]

Oh, I just want to add: I'm not a loser just because I'm homeschooled and I DO have friends. I want a nice car to drive them around in. I don't have problems getting a girl, and I don't need a car to impress girls. I think that all guys who use cars to impress girls have some self-confidence issues that they need to settle.

[Rich]

Hehe, not saying anything, and I ment on offence (for once in my life) What do you consider a good looking car? Timeless looks say alot for an older chassis. Like the Datsun Z's (not the 2+2 that was UGLY!) I remember when I first bought my El Camino, I said, "I'll never race a car, that's lame" Now here it is over 8 years later, and I am dropping a modern powerplant into an old school import. You can't say you won't race, because you WILL. I can't really knock you for being home schooled. Hell I graduated my sophmore year, and went to collage at 16, so I was a looser too ;) As for your plight on cars, choose what you like, and what makes you happy, just DON'T buy a friggin Honda!

[mhristov]

Oh, I'll race, just not on the road... Ok, maybe I'll end up going to the track more often then I said, since its only about 20 mins from my house. Still though, I'm not gonna get one to impress girls. Hey, I'll take ANY suggestions as long as I don't have problems with the gas. I'll take a look at the Datsun sometime. Oh, and I wouldn't drive a honda if you paid me :).

[Niño]

How about starting off with learning how to change oil? Or have you already have that figured out? :)

Checking out a nice good book on how cars work at your local library would be a good start.

[Nick]

First of all, there are many cars to chose from that can be bought for 1/2 the money you have. Older muscle type cars are much easier to make fast than modern cars. For example: You can get ahold of a '71 Chevelle for maybe $4000. Granted it wont be in cherry condition, but its a starting point, and it is a very nice looking car....a classic. Any old Mustang or Camaro would also be a good choice. Even 5.0's are runnin pretty cheap. Its all a matter of taste though. In the famous words of Maurice Rodriguez(Boogie Nights) "Wear what you dig....thats it...just...wear what you dig"

Just my .02:)
Peace:D

[mhristov]

Oh, I'd SO much rather have a muscle car than a rice box. The problem is that they drink too much gas. I'd love to have one, though. If you know any 8-cyl ones that aren't so stingy when it comes to gas, let me know... Oh, and I can't stand the 5.0.

[E&RSI]

You know, someone from the top of this thread had a good point for you..."get something (a car) that you WANT to learn about/work on." I grew up with a race car driving dad who always did auto repairs/modifications and did his best to teach me...but...I liked to drive them and look at them, not fix the cars. Yes, I'm a user!

Regardless, the 85' Maxima SE handed down to me from mom (sweet car w/ the 300ZX V-6 and adjustable suspension) was a bit complicated and bulky to "learn" on. My 94' Civic Si is simple and light. I love to work on it and my area of SOCAL is the perfect location for it. I would imagine I would be more domestic minded in Detroit or something.

Hey, every break-down or problem is a learning experience. I bet your dad didn't learn without it.