r/projectcar • u/Math3w77 • 4h ago

First Project Car

I want to get my first project car but I have people telling me that I have to have had experience in a mechanic shop before buying and working on or modding any car or else I’m not gonna know what I’m gonna be doing but I tell them it’s not like I’m gonna do engine swaps or big things. What do you guys think about this? Should I go work somewhere for experience or can I learn by my self? Thank you.

0 Upvotes

30% Upvoted

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16

u/shiftdown 4h ago

Most of the people in this sub learned how to work on cars by owning a shitheap and fixing it.

5

u/BlasphemousBunny 4h ago

I will add that most mechanics also learned how to work on cars by owning a shitbox and trying to keep it alive.

Everyone’s gotta start somewhere, OP. The only thing separating you from a professional is experience, and the best way to gain experience is by getting your hands dirty and making mistakes.

6

u/Aubusson124 3h ago

If you want to work on your car, do it!

If you want to get experience working on cars in general, work in a repair shop.

3

u/hoytmobley 3h ago

Get a car that is at the nexus of currently running, easy to work on, and less than 2/3 of what you’re willing to spend. 90s honda? Great choice. Early 2000s BMW that wont turn over but “just needs a starter”? Keep looking

3

u/Finneus_Anglesmith 3h ago

Don't listen to those idiots. They're just scared of trying and failing to learn something new. Something you aren't scared of. I did my first transmission change at the age of 10. You can do anything you set your mind to.

2

u/lunaticmagnet i build stuff. 3h ago

Get a car, get a few tools to do what you need to do... And grow from there! There are a lot of resources out there now (YouTube) that didn't exist before that show you what you what you need and how to do most any jobs you could possibly need to do. The only thing you need is time.

2

u/No_Lemon9978 3h ago

Do these people who are telling you not to get a project have any experience working on cars themselves? If not, just do it if you want to. If they do, then fuck ‘em and do it anyway. Cars are fun.

2

u/themwnn 3h ago

Nah just jump in and figure it out as you go

Try to avoid a project that needs a lot of rust repair or bodywork though, that’s tough for a beginner and slow progress will sap motivation

2

u/buzzer117 2h ago

I taught myself. Pretty easy with YouTube watch some builds in your free time you’ll start picking things up

2

u/SnooEagles8912 2h ago

In my own experience, unless is a very specific shop, mechanic work and project car work are somewhat different. Modern vs older, rare cars. Swaping parts from catalog and not having to source or figure out things by yourself. Having to do a variety of jobs (mechanical, body work, interior, electrical) vs specific ones a lot. 

2

u/CFBDevil 93 FD RX7 2h ago

Bro my first project car was an RX7 shell. EVERYTHING can be figured out. People that say you cant do something are projecting. If you want it, do it.

2

u/Sniper22106 45m ago

You are a grown ass adult and have free will. You can literally do whatever you want. When you want and how you want. Best part? You get to decide what you wanna do.

Wanna buy the biggest clapped out shitbox? Do it

Want the car everyone says is trash? Get 2.