Long story short I have a brother who is 15 years younger than me. He is ate up with vehicles and loves everything involving cars. He's a sophomore in high school and being a semi recent college graduate in this day in age and using my degree zero I'm trying to gently sway him to take a different route being trade school or something similar. He lives in the rust belt and me being in a more vehicle friendly area would like to buy him a vehicle to rebuild to try to spark his interest to try to persuade him towards a non college career path. Looking for a late 90's early-mid 2000's vehicle preferably with minimal computer inputs that is easy to work on to see if mechanic work is something he would be interested in. My stepdad has a barn with tools to do the work proper and has the knowledge to complete the project. Really the only stipulations Im looking for is something easy to work on and something that is reliable when built similar to OEM, not looking to put a Cummins in a geo metro or anything like that. thanks for the input.

Hondas are fairly easy to work on and parts are readily available. They can be fun little cars with just a little bit of work and you don't have to go crazy with it. I had a 95 Civic coupe I wish I had never sold. Did a ton of work to it in my driveway with basic tools.

Minimal electronics of that age is tough, if your looking at cars Chrysler 300 or a PT Cruiser are worth looking at otherwise pickups I'd stay with a Dodge if you don't mind a diesel then go with a Cummins in one.

probably 2005 and back. Im actually a pretty decent home mechanic but I would not touch most new stuff.. Older fords and chevys, dodge too are easy to find parts for, plentyof aftermarket parts, salvaged parts etc.. For a rebuild, go with easy and plentiful

Honda seems to be a strong candidate. My other brother had a 2000 civic si that he sold last year with the frame pretty well rusted through which kind of started this whole conversation. Our younger brother was a bit offended we didn't offer the car to him first to rebuild but I don't think he understands the headache we saved him with the rust issues.

My vote for chevy pickup 89 to 98

1999 chevy S-10 for me.....jk

Square body Chevy. 73-87

Appreciating the responses. I should elaborate slightly that I am not a car guru. I can fix anything that YouTube has a decent tutorial on and that has allowed me to still daily drive my first vehicle which is a 2004 Pontiac vibe with 320,000 miles. I don't really know the extent of the electronics on it but I do know that it has been reliable enough and rewarding enough with the work that I've put into it that it has been a good experience and that is the type of experience I'm looking to pass on not necessarily to force him down a career path but to give him the experience to make his own decision.

What's your budget and what's his taste? Honestly let him buy his own, it will mean more. Give him side work to help pay for it.

You trying to get the kid beat up at school....with a PT Cruiser ?

I know they're dependable he didn't say cool.

Honda

The LS chevy is the new chevy 350... and they didn't drop bombs on us..

Haha that's what people said about my vibe in highschool I bought off my grandma until they needed rides because their "cool" vehicles were broke down. Style doesn't mean a thing unless it gets you from A to B.

square body chevy/gm truck

99-05 gmc 1500 4.8l 2wd WT

88-92 S10 2.5l iron duke

any F150 up to 95


if we are just talking good to learn on , decent vehicles

if you want some sort of mussle cahr I have no idea

Find a Toyota pick up

71 duster

With a 340 and 3 pedals....

This, you ain't rebuilt until you do a carb.