What good alternative donor cars are there?

[brainbug007]

Hi everyone! I'm very new to car building and really like the prospect of building my own using the haynes roaster book. I've ordered the book and have started to dig around for a good donor and everywhere seems to suggest that I use a for sierra but there doesn't seem to be very many of these around (only 1-2 showing on autotrader). Can anyone suggest any good alternatives and how what would be involved roughly with using it over the Sierra. Also, is it better to ensure I buy something that's still running at the moment or try to buy each bit separately from somewhere like a junkyard?

[rpjg1975]

Hi and welcome to the mad house. I am using a 1.8 cvh sierra which cost me £270 including some fiesta zetec alloys which were already fitted. Mine came off ebay but i also had to do a fair bit of watching and waiting to find it.
Possible alternatives seem to be mazda mx5 or various bmw models but both of which appear to need extra work to use. I believe there are some members on here who are using both and there are a couple of threads with some more exotic donor possibilities.
For what it's worth my opinion would be to hold out for a sierra if possible as there appears to be more using them and more help and knowledge available but it depends how much of a challenge you are up for.
Happy building
Russ

[monsterob]

Think outside the box go on !!! Its working quite well for me !

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by monsterob

Think outside the box go on !!! Its working quite well for me !

I like that "Signature"

Glad to hear the "outside the box" build is coming along nicely Rob

cheers
andy

[Andy_B]

I have started using a granada ...some good bits to be had to make a start on

[brainbug007]

I ended up going for the sierra option, managed to find a 1993 1.8 CFi Azura which was in good shape and quite cheap. Not the best engine from what I understand as it has CVH which there aren't alot of parts you can get to make them better but I figure the 1.8 will be ok to begin with. With the reg plates you end up with, is it purely based on the donor? Wondering if putting a pinto from elsewhere would end up getting a Q plate? Was also considering splashing out for one of the zetec's and would that get me a new plate?

[gingea1pom]

I know someone that is selling an 1800 CVH Sierra with V5 and everything all stripped and ready to go in your boot £300

I’ll get my coat.

[HandyAndy]

Use the 1.8 CVH to get thru the IVA test then swap it for a zetec, thats quite a popular upgrade, the exhaust exits on the same side as the CVH engine, its a very easy swap, as even the engine mounts are the same.
If you swap from CVH to pinto then back to zetec you will end up with holes in both side panels from the exhausts.

The "Package" from Ginge is well worth considering for anyone that hasn,t found a donor yet

cheers
andy

[brainbug007]

Cool that's good to hear the zetec is a compatible upgrade. Only reason I'd really thought of doing it before was if it got you a new ie 2010 plate when it's registered rather than an age related plate.

[gingea1pom]

To get a ‘new’ plate you need loads of new or as new parts. I think you are allowed something that is old but everything needs to be new.

Your chassis will be new and potentially your engine but then you will need a new diff, gearbox, breaks, front uprights etc etc.

All doable but I imagine it could get a wee bit expencive.

Cheers Ginge

(off to remembrance parade that’s the only reason I am up this early on a Sunday)