Mechanic Legends Starter and Project Cars
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Choose your next car around the work you want to do and the cash you can keep available for it. A first restoration, a resale project and a tuned personal car call for different choices.
For a first project, favor a well-priced C4 Wagon in good condition, with the C4 as another affordable option. At higher budgets, consider the Z630 for its lower repair estimate or the RXT for the gap between its asking price and estimated value. The MT8 example leaves just $27 after identified bodywork costs, before other spending. Choose the B10 for a twin-turbo Stage 2 flame-map build, or the Taurino for scissor doors and Stage 1 tuning.
First Project: C4 Wagon or C4
Favor the 1998 Avelin C4 Wagon when you find a listing comparable to the $4,000, 91%-condition example. Its 1/7 damaged-parts count makes it an appealing first restoration. The 1999 Avelin C4 is also a practical low-cost candidate, with a completed repair-and-resale example.
With an $8,000 starting budget, either of these $4,000 purchases leaves $4,000 available for the work ahead. These are individual purchase examples, not fixed model prices.
| First-car example | Purchase price | Useful buying or resale detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 Avelin C4 Wagon | $4,000 | 91% condition, 1/7 damaged parts; later sold for $10,689 after restoration |
| 1999 Avelin C4 | $4,000 | Estimated market value of $8,200–$9,000; later sold for $8,958 after restoration |
The Wagon's inspection listed estimated repairs as None, but bodywork still cost money: its repaint was quoted at $140, and rust removal also carried a cost. Neither sale amount in the table is net profit.
Choose the better individual listing rather than paying extra for the Wagon name alone. Inspect condition, damaged parts, repair needs and asking price using the Junkyard buying guide.
Resale Projects: Protect the Margin
Keep a low-budget search focused on suitable C4 and Wagon listings. With more cash available, the Z630 is worth prioritizing when you want a smaller expected repair bill; the RXT is an alternative when its valuation leaves enough room for the work.
All amounts below are in-game dollars tied to the specific listing or restoration.
| Project example | Asking price | Estimated repairs | Estimated market value | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Avelin C4 at 41% condition | $5,310 | About $2,300 | $8,500–$9,200 | A lower purchase price, but repairs take a meaningful share of the potential margin. |
| 2009 Nisho Z630 | $22,753 | About $1,000 | — | Favor this kind of listing if keeping expected repair spending down is the priority. This car still needed an engine component. |
| 2004 Fujiro RXT at 44% condition | $24,555 | About $3,300 | $31,000–$33,700 | Consider it if you can fund both the purchase and repairs; its valuation provides room to investigate a resale project. |
Market value is an estimate, while the dealer's offer determines the proposed sale amount. Count replacement parts, rust removal, paint and other spending on that same car before deciding whether the offer is worthwhile.
Lower the priority of an MT8 deal resembling the $15,552 example if profit is your goal. Its $16,779 dealer offer was only $1,227 above the purchase price. Rust removal and primer cost $1,000, and paint cost $200, leaving $27 before any other spending. That offer leaves almost no room for additional costs.
For the full cost breakdown and sale decision, use the car-flipping guide.
Tuning Projects: B10 or Taurino
Choose the 2019 Avelin B10 for a twin-turbo project with Stage 2 tuning and exhaust flames. Choose the 1974 Ferrucna Taurino for its classic appearance, opening scissor doors and Stage 1 option.
| Project | Configuration | Why choose it? |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Avelin B10 | Twin turbo with Stage 2; a stated 5% gain and flame map | Fits a build focused on turbo hardware and visible exhaust flames while driving. |
| 1974 Ferrucna Taurino | Stage 1 displays +6% Gain and costs approximately $13,000; Stage 2 is unavailable in this configuration | Fits a classic-car project where scissor doors and Stage 1 tuning are the appeal. |
The 6% and 5% gains belong to different cars and configurations. They do not establish which car is faster or mean that Stage 1 beats Stage 2 on the same car.
The B10 project combines twin turbos and Stage 2; that combination does not establish twin turbos as a universal Stage 2 requirement. Both tuned setups become easier to slide with traction control disabled, so leave it enabled if sliding is not your goal.
Follow the tuning and B10 build guide for the hardware installation and ECU steps.
Pick the Route That Matches Your Goal
- A personal car you restore yourself: Keep a repaired C4 Wagon instead of selling it. Use the Junkyard guide to assess another project when you are ready.
- A brand-new daily driver: Use the Dealership. This fits a purchase goal that does not start with restoring a used car.
- A collection built around random rewards: Consider the Auction Garage only if you are comfortable receiving a random car or cash reward. Read the auction costs and odds before committing your budget.
Browse the car directory to look up other models, their acquisition routes and individual price examples.