Buying a first project car is tough, let's face it. It's very easy to scroll down Instagram and pick out a list of twenty different models that might be the perfect project car, but narrowing those down into one final pick is a lot harder. The truth is there's just a lot of cool-looking cars about, to the point where there's almost too much choice.

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Well, thankfully there are a few options that stand out above the rest as being the best choices for the first-time builder. They'll need to be affordable, to look good, and to be fairly reliable to avoid annoying and costly breakdowns. Oh, and they'll need to be fast too, because what's the point of a project car if it can't take more power? Let's take a look at ten of the best classics that tick all those boxes and more.

10 Lexus IS300

Named the Toyota Altezza in its home market of Japan, the Lexus IS300 came with a variety of engines, but the one many gearheads will want is the 3.0L 2JZ. It's famed for being over-engineered and modders can add a lot of extra horsepower with minimal modification.

It's the same engine as is in the famed Toyota Supra Mk4, but the IS300 is much more affordable. Used examples can easily be found under $10,000, which means first-time builders won't have to break the bank to buy one.

9 VW Golf Mk2

A true Euro icon, the Volkswagen Golf is still going strong today and is now on its eighth generation. Really, any generation of the Golf makes for a good project car, as they're cheap to buy and parts are readily available.

But, the Mk2 is probably the sweet spot right now, as it looks stunning with just a few extra mods, but prices aren't too high. Old VWs do tend to rust a lot, so it's worth looking out for one in slightly cleaner shape if possible to save having too many rust-related problems later down the line.

8 Subaru Legacy BH

A modern classic Japanese wagon, the design of the third-gen Legacy has aged very well since the first example rolled off the production line 23 years ago. They're still relatively commonplace on auction sites across the US, so it shouldn't be difficult to find one.

As the cars above prove, the Legacy can be a real head-turner with the right mods. It's arguably one of the best-looking JDM wagons, although the sedan versions make for equally good project car candidates.

7 BMW 3 Series E36

The E36 chassis 3 Series is famed for its dynamic handling, which is why so many examples end up as track day cars or drifters. They've aged into having that '90s nostalgic look that's pushed many other cars from the era up in price, but so far the E36 has stayed affordable.

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It's actually not that much of a stretch to buy an E36 M3, as prices start around $10,000. M3 or not, there's a huge selection of kits and parts available for E36s, which gives the first-time builder a lot of choice for their vision.

6 Honda Accord CB7

It's hardly the most exciting car when it's stock, but the humble Honda Accord makes a great sleeper build. Honda's solid build quality means old Accords can easily cover hundreds of thousands of miles without major repairs, so they'll be cheap to maintain too.

Builders could just add a few subtle visual mods then focus on performance upgrades, to make a really stealthy project build. Or, perhaps they could go all out with the visuals, and snap necks wherever they go. Either way, the choice is up to them.

5 Audi 80/90

For a more unusual piece of German metal, the Audi 80 and 90 are both cheap and easy to mod. Later model B4-chassis Audi 90s are usually the preferential choice for modders, but older 80s make for equally good bases.

Like their sister brand Volkswagen, older Audis suffer badly from rust issues, so the absolute cheapest examples on the market will probably be a nightmare to fix up. They're also trickier to find for sale than many other options here, but that makes them a really unique car to build on if buyers can source one in good condition.

4 Volvo 740

The boxy charm of old Volvo estates has cultivated a huge fanbase across the globe, with everything from 700 hp wagons to off-road monster Volvos cruising the streets. Build quality on 740s is usually rock-solid, which gives new builders one less thing to worry about.

The engines in these old Swedes are also perfect for modding, as they're able to handle a lot more power easily. In fact, a modified version of a regular Volvo engine is what powers the mad British-built Noble M600, and that car is capable of over 200 mph.

3 Honda Civic EK9

Another JDM icon, the Honda Civic has been modified by owners pretty much since it was first released. The EK9 chassis is a particular favorite among modders thanks to its zippy handling and affordability on the used market.

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There are countless Civic builds out there, made by everyone from complete novices to modding royalty like Pandem's Kei Miura. As a result of that popularity, it's one of the easiest cars to find parts for, too.

2 Lexus LS400

A V8-powered JDM sedan with amazing reliability and retro looks shouldn't still be cheap, but it is. The Lexus LS400 is all of those things and more, yet they still sell for peanuts.

Many owners like to opt for the low-and-slow look, taking inspiration from Japan's VIP modification style. Most cheap models will be high mileage, but that isn't a problem. Older LS400s are regularly seen sporting over 300,000 miles, with some even sailing past the half a million mark.

1 Mazda Miata (1st Gen)

Anyone who needs some extra inspiration for their build should probably opt for a Miata, as they're literally everywhere. It's almost impossible to find a JDM car meet without at least one Miata, but that's not a bad thing.

They're the perfect combination for the first-timer: not only are they affordable, but they're also fun to drive and there are masses of parts ready to be fitted. They're also one of the most versatile project cars, as they've been built into everything from Hellcat-powered tire shredders to precision-handling track monsters.

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