Car forum?

[Phat Ham]

A good mechanics set of tools costs thousands. Then you have the testing equipment, adjusting equipment and ...and...and

FYI, I still have a '96 Honda Accord that I bought new. Right now it needs new tires, new front axle boots, 90k major maintenance. I got an estimate from an experience local mechanic: $400 for Michelin tires, $280 for the axle boots, about $350 for the maintenance. It also needs front struts and a battery: maybe a couple of hundred more, installed.

You do the math. And this is a car that really, has never broken down or not started, ever.

Do I have the money/knowledge or time to find/buy all the tools (maybe some new, some used), learn about the repair, price/buy all the parts, take apart an old car w/o a lift, install everything perfectly and then trust me and family on the freeway at 70mph? Well, I do have the time and the money, but I won't spend on tools that may only be used once.

All my tools have paid for themselves in the form of saving on labor. Around here labor rates are $90-120 an hour.

Yes, a professional mechanic will have thousands of dollars worth of tools. But the typical shadetree mechanic doesn't need all those tools. Most of the work is simple things like oil changes, spark plugs, brake jobs that really only need the basic tools. It's not like he's going to be rebuilding an engine.

It is important, however, to make sure you have the right tools.

 

[Mike N]

OH NO!

Mike, what happened to that cool avatar.

Supporting membership expired.

Time to buck up.

 

[ThunderLizard]

Forget the Car. You need a Scooter. A Bad Motor Scooter.

 

[gold_member_321]

I wouldn't get any car that is older than 2000, but I always hear that Toyota's stuff is reliable.

+1 Toyotas run for forever.

 

[Stumbo]

All my tools have paid for themselves in the form of saving on labor.

The guy doesn't have money for tools.

Most of the work is simple things like oil changes, spark plugs, brake jobs that really only need the basic tools. <snip> It is important, however, to make sure you have the right tools.

And if you have no knowlege of the "simple" things, it's not so simple and basic. And how does one know what are the right tools? Again, the guy has no money for tools.

It's not like he's going to be rebuilding an engine.

With only $1400 to buy a car, you really can't make that statement.