Did some restoration on an old Golf GTi
I had (shortly before I destroyed it), my advice would be to get a car that drives with a few issues that you can practice on. Depending on how seriously you want to get into it, remember that anything mechanical can be replaced by you if you have the right tools, confidence and a Haynes manual. Bodywork, though, is a real bitch and expensive to boot.

I'd look for a car with a good shell but worn components. The only things I'd look out for in the engine bay is a white-ish residue around the inside of the oil filler cap and gunk inside the head. Other than that, everything else will be awkward rather than hard to replace.

Good luck with Minis, there's not a lot of room to work in that tiny little bay.
( Kroney, Wed 17 Sep 2008, 10:49, Reply)