I am in need of some advice about my 510

[ccrnnr9]

Ok, you will first of all have to accept my ignorance on cars. I love them to death, but I just dont know much about them. I am 17 and very interested in learning more asap. I bought my 1978 Datsun 510 SW (station wagon) about 9 months ago from my grandmother for 800$. It had 43,000 miles on it then, but is now at about 44,500 miles. I love the thing to death, but have always wanted something that is more visually pleasing and much more fun to drive (you know what I mean, a stick, nice acceleration, speed, etc.) I dont expect to take this car to college, and so I am currently doing everything I can to save up for a different car. I do intend to keep the car at my parents house when I leave for college (most likely), but I do not intend to use it while at college. My main question is this:

How can I learn more about cars? I would like to use this car as a learning tool. Basically something that I can learn the basics on. I dont want to mess the car up, but I do want to learn more. I am very protective of my car even though it isnt an exoctic or even beautiful car. I have to buy everything myself and pay for my own insurance, so I try to take very good care of it. If any of you guys could tell me how to learn more about cars, please share!

One more thing, I was wondering if any of you could suggest some cars to look into for the future? I am on my own as far as payment goes, so I dont think I will be able to afford anything over 5000$ when it comes time to buy. I also do not want to be making payments. I am looking for something that is somewhat sporty, but will not cost me an arm and a leg on insurance. I also want something that is pretty fuel efficient. I have been looking into mainly foreign made vehicles such as old acura legends, 88' or older Mitsu Gallants (the kind with 4-wheel steering), old subaru legacys, or anything else. I am up for suggestions. I would like something that is fairly upgradable. Im into the classy and refined look on cars, and would care more about preformance and quality over looks. Any suggestions would be appreciated, but keep in mind Im a newbie to cars, so dont flame me! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif...thanks!

[my_fiveten]

one advice i think may help you is...go to your local junkyard "pick-a-part" and learn from there. you can go there early in the morning...pay 1 or 2 bucks, pick a car, decide on what you want to learn (taking out the engine, changing thermostat, changing clutch, timing chain, valvetrain, differential, suspension, removing body panels, changing oil, etc...) then start doing it! the best part of it, is that if you mess up, then you just move on to another car! i hope this helps! also, for a cheap car to get you through college, my advice is to get a '81 toyota starlet (fuel inj.), 88 crx(civic), toyota tercel (corolla), '89 sentra (f.i.), or a pickup, you can charge your friends when they need you to pick up a bed, or a washing machine...etc. good luck!!

[JonCarson]

ccrnnr9,

Please check your Private Messages (PM). If you don't know how, let me know with a simply reply here.

[ccrnnr9]

Ok cool thanks for the advice! So junkyards will let you do whatever to their cars for practice? Also are any of the cars you mentioned anything that I could put some high preformance parts into? I want something that looks refined but that I could upgrade over time to be a quick car. I dont need any "Fast and Furious" car but you know, something that sounds and drives nice and quickly. Also, I PMed you back.

[JonCarson]

...I want something that looks refined but that I could upgrade over time to be a quick car. I dont need any "Fast and Furious" car but you know, something that sounds and drives nice and quickly.



Judging by this, I'd recommend an '89-'93 240SX for you. You may prefer the '91-'93, but I enjoy my '90 as I think you'd like to.

Where do you live, by the way?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hold on to that old Datsun...there really fun cars and easy to fix...and will probably be worth more that what you paid in a few years...take really good care of it..for the money though one of the best cars you can buy is the 94-96 Sentra with the GA-16 motor..they drive like a dream and get 30 mpgs and if you keep clean oil in it, it will run forever...most reliable car on the road..I've had one for about 7 years.,..great car..saw one on eBay a 94 with 40k that was mint that went for $ 4000.....just get a stick...as far as junkyards letting you loose on there cars not where I live...they all charge big $$$$ for parts and don't let you in there yard...they pull the parts for you and drill you at the counter.....too much liablity letting fools wander around in there yard....in the very old days you could f*ck around all afternoon looking at junkers and pulling sh*t off them but not anynmore...as far as learning to fix cars..don't worry about that..that comes with growing up and not having any money...having to fix one junker after another to keep you on the road...if I were you I would start acquiring some tools..like Craftsman ratchets and wrenches...I still have wrenches that I've had for 30 years...you can't go wrong buying tools...tools....lots and lots of 'em...Good Luck!

[SLoWaSs13]

there are yards that let u "pick and pull" urself, u just sign a waiver that they aint liable for anything http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif thats how i learned about cars, and im 20 ....

[LocalHero]

If you don't want to keep the car through college and are on the East Coast, PM me =D

[nissannut74]

Too learn more about cars, buy a service manual for each vehicle you buy. I prefer the Haynes manuals. Cheap ($15.00) at your local auto parts store. They have detailed information about each system of your car. Its a good starting place. just start buy changing your oil and buying basic hand tools. learn and buy tools as needed. Thats what I have been doing since 1984 with my first 74 Datsun truck.

I also buy the expensive Factory service manuals. for even more details.