Newbie advice needed

[tercpeterborough]

Hello

My name is Zach, I live in Peterborough Ontario. I am a car nut. My mother had a grew tercel wagon (2wd) and she had a sunroof put into it. In the 90s having driven a volvo 850 wagon I still love that car too. But there is something about the Tercel that I love, even beyond its nostalgia.

Here is the question, I know nothing about cars, but I am willing to learn.

If I want to get a tercel wagon, should I take some auto shop classes first? or just pounce on the next one that comes locally available...(I see about three of them driving around in my town of 80,000 people, one is white and in good shape, the other is brown in bad shape, and the third one who's owner I talked too looks like there is only 80% of the body left, but it still runs like a work horse).

So yeah, should I get one.... try taking it all apart to learn about them, or read up on repairing them?

Just to get a sense from people out there.... is it more trouble than its worth? I see that sometimes online people sell three cars at once, the good car and two parts cars, have these people just given up.... or is it possible to have your dream and drive it to?

also, do mechanics work with these cars if one is to pay for certain repairs?

Zach

[ohcanada_00]

I learn by doing so I would offer that if you NEED a car, buying a running driving car with few issues will let you play with doing small things and leanring step by step. If you NEED a car though, make sure you buy something that doesnt need massive work that you either cant do or cant afford. Bitting off more than you can chew is a sure way to make sure you lose heart. If you can afford a project, then its not as big a deal but make sure you dont buy a hopeless cause. That can deflate you too! Take someone who knows when you go to look at cars and listen to what they say. Dont buy a car with serious engine problems if you dont have the money and tools and help to replace the engine within the first month. Dont buy the first thing that comes available. If you dont NEED a car, wait it out and find the perfect car for you. If you dont know body work, dont buy a car with lots of rust or dents. If you dont know motors, dont buy a car with a blown head gasket. Wait for the right car for you!

Also time is a serious factor. I plan on two to three year rotations with my projects now, but when i started I would draw up a honey do list and then get to work! Be realistic though. If you dont have time, expertise and tools, plan on 4-5 time as much time needed to get to your completed state! Dont be discouraged, dont be afraid to break anything and dont be afraid to do it your way too!

Also immersing yourself in forums, clubs and enthusiast groups will get you a free and willing network of people who not only want to help or give advice but will often beat a path to your door to do it in person!

If you want to learn it, soak up everything, dont just watch but do and have fun! this is a fun as hell hobby and you should enjoy it at every step!

[Petros]

There is some advantages to learning some basics in a class, or you can buy a few books and learn by doing. Sometimes you will make mistakes, sometimes costly ones (even the experienced mechanics make mistakes, so expect them occasionally).

I rebuilt my first engine when I was eleven years old, it was a minibike with a 3 horsepower brigs and stratton motor, I bought the minibike for $20 with my paper route money. I had been working on my own bicycles at the time, it seemed a natural thing to attempt. I rebuild by fist car engine, a 350 chevy V8 when I was 14 years old, in a high school autoshop class, I was the youngest in the class (I also got the highest grade in the end). I have been doing and learning this for almost 40 years, I paid for my collage by working as an auto mechanic. I have had an engineering position for almost 30 years, mostly desk jobs. but I still like turning wrenches on old cars as a break from my desk.

Knowing your car well will not only allow you to fix it, but give you confidence for helping other, and taking long trips without worry. I have replaced drive shafts, replaced head gaskets and done many other major repairs while on the road with an old car, sometimes over 1000 miles from home. Got the car fixed with a few parts, and in less time than it would have take to have a shop fix it (always car a small tool bag when I travel). I have stopped many times to help others as well.

I find it very satisfying to do my own work, it is a creative process of saving an old car, and making it better, and saving a lot of money as well. And it will put you in a knowledge category that is pretty rare now days. I have two teenage daughters, and not a single one of their many friends know anything about cars, or even their scooters or bicycles for that matter. Once you know your car well, you can fix anything from washing machines to toasters. It becomes easy.

As Oh_Canada states, if you get a fixer, you will need another car while you learn and repair this car. One advantage with getting a fixer cheap, is you can take it all apart and "restore" it will all necessary new parts, and you will know the car well by the time you are done. It is a major job, and even seals, gaskets, belts and hoses can add up real fast (but it would still be far less than buying a newer car). If you get a daily driver, you can learn a little at a time. With any old car you can face any number of minor or major repairs at any time, these cars are reliable, but they are also quite old, and any number of things can fail at anytime, unless you know the car so well that you know all the major components are in good condition and give you many more miles of service.

good luck.

[ARCHINSTL]

What they wrote - sage advice.
To which I can only add, particularly with the T4WD/2WD - this is a good Club with many helpful and experienced members.
Tom M.

[takza]

I would buy a "driver"...a car in decent shape...you will learn easier if you just take on regular maintenance at first...enough things will need fixing and attention as you go along to keep you busy and learning.

[dlb]

experience is invaluable. i'm pretty new to wrenching myself, i had only done a few brake jobs by myself by using a haynes manual. besides that my dad always helped me diagnose shit and swap out starters or alternators, so i didn't really know anything. in the last 6 months though i've done numerous suspension and brake jobs, helped a friend with installing a new carb and doing an engine swap, rebuilt an engine, among countless other little jobs, and the learning curve is very steep. i used to feel very intimidated by wrenching but i now enjoy it, and love understanding how the systems work so i can get better at diagnosing problems myself. i'm no fairly confident, and whenever i'm not sure i come on this forum or search google, or call my old man. so even if your dad can't help you, there's still two other good resources there for you.

so i say go for it! but shit, if you're going to get a tercel wagon, get a 4WD. 2WDs are ok but 4WDs are the bomb.

[neddflanderz]

I started when I was 14 by working on my mom's 85 corolla because we were too poor to pay a mechanic. My choices were either figure it out or we all walked. I never took any classes but I think it would have helped tremendously if I had. There is no substitute for learning by doing it though. I enjoy being able to fix whatever goes wrong with my vehicles myself. Peace of mind. Now, even if I can afford to pay someone I don't. I can't justify paying someone to do something I can do just as easily myself and keep my money where it belongs...in my pocket. Plus, chicks dig guys who can fix their cars for them.

[ARCHINSTL]

Plus, chicks dig guys who can fix their cars for them.

I keep looking for that chick with a Tercel Wagon that needs fixing, but I just can't seem to find her.
OK, OK, stop guffawing - maybe a granny with a needy T4WD...or even a needy granny...
Tom M.