A project car is an excellent way for a car enthusiast to learn more about vehicle maintenance and upgrades. One of the best things about owning a project car is that you can make it as easy or difficult as you like: from simple cosmetic changes to tech upgrades and mechanical enhancements, or full-blown engine swaps and advanced modifications.If you’re new to the project car world and shopping for a car to turn into a potential project, there are a few things you will need to consider first. Are replacement parts widely available? Are there plenty of relevant resources around, such as manuals and YouTube videos? Can you get an example of this car in a good condition for an affordable price? These are some of the questions we asked ourselves when selecting the 10 cars that made it onto our list. Let’s take a look at some of these beginner-friendly project cars.This list includes five models that we think make great project car options for beginners, based on affordability, availability of parts, and difficulty level of DIY maintenance/upgrades. Items are listed in chronological order according to the year each model was introduced, from the oldest to the newest. Chevrolet Camaro 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28We start things off with an all-American hero. The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most well-known models in the world of muscle cars. Its long history dates back to the late ‘60s “Golden Age” that brought about so many iconic muscle car models.If you’re a classic car lover and want to embark on a project with a vintage character, the early generations of this legendary model will be the right choice for you. Of course, it might be a little harder to find things like period-correct parts. If you want something more modern to work with, there is plenty to sink your teeth into in the Camaro’s more recent generations: although the model is now defunct, it was only discontinued last year. Honda Civic Honda-Civic-1973-1280-3ebf08b01adac3b82d051ecbf0cf145d3dThe Honda Civic is one of the most popular project cars around, and for good reason. One of the best-selling cars ever produced, the Civic is a frequent sight on American roads and beyond. Used examples are generally affordable, parts are very easy to obtain, and there are countless aftermarket performance components on the market if you want to give your car a little extra oomph.Pop culture (the Fast and Furious franchise and the “three Honda Civics with Spoon engines” quote comes to mind) also played a part in establishing the Civic among the project car/tuning community. The Civic’s high-performance sibling, the Civic Type R, is also a popular choice among project car enthusiasts. Volkswagen Golf GTI 1976 Golf GTI Mk1 White Front Angled ViewThe Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most well-known and popular hot hatches around the world. It made its debut in 1986, just two years after the Golf itself had first been introduced; the GTI’s first generation, with its striking angular lines and instantly recognizable look, could make for a stunning restomod project with a little modern tech on board.Going a little further forward in the model’s timeline, the Golf GTIs released around the start of the millennium (fourth, fifth, and sixth generations) are fun and engaging but less high-tech than the current model, which makes them more accessible to newbies learning to work on and modify their own car. Ford Mustang (Fox-Body) 1985 Ford Fox Body Mustang SSP frontThe next car on our list might be slightly controversial. The third-generation Mustang, sometimes referred to as the Fox-Body Mustang as it rides on Ford’s Fox platform, got a mixed reception when released. It departed significantly from the Mustang’s traditional styling cues, and became a “love-it-or-hate-it” type of model among car enthusiasts.However, the Fox-Body Mustang also became an unlikely tuning icon. In 1989, an important update arrived: a new onboard computer system enabled changes made to the engine, intake, or exhaust were now recognized automatically by the ECU, resulting in improved performance when the car was modified. Parts are widely available; several gearheads out there have used this Mustang as a base for the craziest projects (check out this 1,300-hp creation). Toyota MR2 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder SMT 01With its mid-engine layout and striking looks, the Toyota MR2 is one of a kind. This model was first introduced in 1984; two more generations followed, with the MR2 remaining on the market until 2007. Thanks to its strong community of enthusiasts, and the variety of aftermarket parts available for it, the MR2 can make a great base for all types of projects and all types of owners, from beginners to experts.The Turbo version of the second-generation model, produced between 1989 and 1999, is especially prized as a project car, providing a good starting point for all kinds of performance and style upgrades. Mazda MX-5 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Limited Edition NA Top Down Green Front Angled ViewThis list would not be complete without the Mazda MX-5, known in North America as the Miata. This cheap and cheerful entry-level sports car is Mazda’s most popular model ever, with over a million units sold since its debut in 1989. As a result, parts are abundant, and countless gearheads around the world have used the car as a base for all kinds of weird and wonderful builds.There are four different generations available, and several different versions available within each generation. From the NA with its cute pop-up headlights, to the present-day ND with its sleek, modern lines, there is bound to be something in the Miata family that can be transformed into the project car of your dreams. The earlier generations (NA and NB), however, are a better choice for project-car beginners as they are generally more affordable and easier to work on. BMW 3 Series (E36) 1993 BMW E36 325is Burgundy Front Angled ViewThe BMW 3 Series is another car whose ubiquitous presence on American roads makes it an ideal candidate for a project. There are countless resources and parts available out there, for those who want to build a drifting beast, a track-ready car, or just a practical sedan with a little bit of extra character. Here, we are focusing on its third-generation E36 model.With a rear-wheel-drive layout and a lineup of inline-six engines that offer reliability and room for modifications, the E36 3 Series offers the full package for a project-car novice. A variety of aftermarket parts are available, and there is a large community of enthusiasts ready to offer advice if you get stuck. Lexus IS 2004 Lexus IS300 We go back to Japanese cars for the last three items on our list, starting with the Lexus IS. The IS was introduced in 1998, and was sold in its home market of Japan as the Toyota Altezza until 2005, when the second generation of the model arrived and the Lexus marque was introduced to Japan.Thanks to its rear-wheel-drive drivetrain, availability of a manual gearbox, and overall reliability, the IS makes for a very popular project car that tolerates modifications well. It is also an affordable option on the used market, especially for early model years, but beware of examples that have already been modified: if you’re choosing an IS as your project car, know that plenty of other people will have had the same idea. Nissan 350Z 2003 - 2004 Nissan 350Z - front 3/4 angleNext up, we have the Nissan 350Z, an icon of the Japanese sports car world and a fantastic choice for those looking to dip their toe into project car life. A sleek sports car (available in coupe and roadster form) with a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain, the 350Z was equipped with a powerful and reliable V6 engine from Nissan’s VQ family, and a six-speed manual transmission (although a five-speed automatic option was also available).The result is a complete package that provides driver engagement, ease of modification, and plenty of fun. There are plenty of affordable examples around, and parts are easy to obtain: the 350Z has everything you need for you to start your project car journey. Toyota 86 2012 Toyota GT86 Orange Front Angled ViewWe conclude our list with the Toyota 86, first introduced in concept form in 2007 but only launched on the market from the 2013 model year onwards. The 86, known in its second generation as the GR86, provides a more affordable entry point into the world of high-performance motoring when compared to its more famous Toyota sibling, the Supra. The 86 is also a popular project car option, with a range of modifications and parts available to create the build of your dreams.Having been introduced more recently than other models on this list, the 86 and GR86 are likely to be a bit more expensive. However, if you have a larger budget and are looking for something modern and reliable, the 86/GR86 may be the right choice for you.Sources: Honda, Mazda, Lexus, Chevrolet, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford