How many work on their own cars?

Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
Just curious how many people service their own cars at home and how much do you think you have saved over the years? Even doing simple fluid changes (oil, brake, coolant, transmission, rear diff) is a significant savings. I can't quantify how much I have saved, but I am guessing several thousand over the years with repairs and general maintenance. I have a lift, which helps. My girlfriend was recently quoted $450 to change the transmission fluid on her Cadillac ATS-V. It only cost $90 in fluid and parts.
 
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Turbo-87 said:
Just curious how many people service their own cars at home and how much do you think you have saved over the years? Even doing simple fluid changes (oil, brake, coolant, transmission, rear diff) is a significant savings. I can't quantify how much I have saved, but I am guessing several thousand over the years with repairs and general maintenance. I have a lift, which helps. My girlfriend was recently quoted $450 to change the transmission fluid on her Cadillac ATS-V. It only cost $90 in fluid and parts.
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I work on my LX470 mainly cause I don't trust anyone else. Every now and then I need someone more advanced to do something.

Do I save money? Idk, cause I spend more in parts and equipment lol. I also end up doing more work and learn more things and fix more things.

Better? Yes. Cheaper? Not sure.
 
never had a lift and most of my work is done with a jack and jack stands. I started working on my own cars after age 30 when I started racing. What I wasn't good at the first time, I got better at by the second go and by the third time, the quality was what I'd pay for at a shop. I've saved a small fortune working on my own street and race cars, won several road racing championships and continue to learn more each day.
 
Was shadetree mechanic on my jeep wrangler when I was into off4roading (save money to fix stuff that broke on the trail, ands/or avoid getting stranded)

Wife was horrified to see sparks flying a week after bringing home the jeep, cuz I was cutting out a hole in thr hood to install a snorkel.

Biggest thing I did was swap out my entire suspension for a 4” lift kit, and armored the entire underside of the jeep.

But don’t off-road anymore, and don’t won’t to be on my back under jack stands anymore, so just pay a local mechanic I know…. He’s was type to bring me under and show me the issues (I read through the ASE manual at some point to understand the basics)…and even let me watch/help do things like upgrade the flywheel of my clutch,… but now I just trust him implicitly no questions asked.
 
Definitely saved 1000’s over the years, doing maintenance myself… but I wonder how much I plowed back into tools and upgrades… so probably a wash :p
 
Been working on most my own stuff since I owned a 66 Mustang

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I used to do the simple stuff:
- changing brake pads & rotors,
- oil change, coolant change
- spark plugs
- replacing accessory belt
- thermostat
- air filter
- wiper blades
- replace power door lock motor
- other misc stuff

also minor mods:
- changing pulleys and to shorter accessory belt (slight increase in hp)
- adjusting timing

nowadays, I don't do anything.
 
I've done primarily basic work: oil, transmission, coolant and brake fluid changes. Filters. Wipers. Plugs. Throttle body. Fan control module. Brakes. Ignition coils. Hoses. Door handles and mirrors. Various light bulbs. Nothing major. It is satisfying to do. Probably saved a couple million.
 
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Doing simple stuff like fluid changes definitely adds up, especially when you compare it to the price of professional service. I don't have a lift, but I try to handle small maintenance tasks too. It's honestly crazy how much you can save just by taking care of things yourself.
 
I don't mind changing fluids, but on modern cars, transmission fluid is a pain since most don't have an easy way to check the level since they are "sealed systems." Most cars don't have a drain plug, so it is an adventure taking off the pan. It is also overly complicated to get the level right since there isn't a dipstick anymore. I do have vacuum assisted brake fluid and coolant changing tools that make it a one man breeze.
 
Old cars from the 70’s, 80’s and some 90’s - not a problem for basic maintenance but cars after 2006 - not a chance:
Working on an old GM, Ford or Chrysler is doable but try working on day a Z32 300zx - it’s too cramped to do many things.
I used to work on 70’s cars but have an excellent local mechanic to do everything now.
 
Not many young people want to get into auto mechanics anymore. It is a frustrating job with so much more technical and electronics expertise required. I certainly don't like the hobby as much as I used to. I did buy a nice Autel scanner that opened up a new door to advanced diagnostics.
 
Crocodile said:
Old cars from the 70’s, 80’s and some 90’s - not a problem for basic maintenance but cars after 2006 - not a chance:
Working on an old GM, Ford or Chrysler is doable but try working on day a Z32 300zx - it’s too cramped to do many things.
I used to work on 70’s cars but have an excellent local mechanic to do everything now.
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If you open up the hood of a 60s car (e.g mustangs, corvettes, etc), you can see a lot of space and even see the ground and many parts are easily accessible for replacement)

With electric cars, I feel like it is getting simpler again, but not necessarily more easily serviceable by the avg person. Less moving parts, as the engine is just an electric motor.
 
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I'll do anything on my 83 BMW 320is that doesn't require a lift. My daily driver is new so I don't do anything on it. It's much easier to work on a car that you don't rely on.
 
I used to do some things, but now have an EV and a PHEV, and I don't want to f things up.
 
mmk said:
I used to do some things, but now have an EV and a PHEV, and I don't want to f things up.
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You can still check tire inflation and tread depth at a minimum. Changing fluids may also be possible without too much trouble.
 
When I had a Honda Civic DX hatchback, I used to change the oil. I had adjusted it so that I didn't have to raise the car. A friend and I also changed the manual transmission fluid and it was an all day affair.
 
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