Ursus
Known Reviewer
You do your own car repairs?
Yes.
Sometimes, there are things I can't do or don't have the tools or proper setting to do it in, but if I can do it, I will.
Working on a sloped driveway with soft asphalt is a challenge. I have had the car tip on me a few times, but each time I was able to move out of the way before it fell off the jack stands. Don't ever work on asphalt or a sloped driveway if you can avoid it. Builders make car garages so small these days that there isn't enough room to work on you car most of the time inside a garage.
That is a heart-racing experience to say the least - when physics causes the car to tip. I sometimes work out onto the roadway on the flat, hard pavement, but then you usually will get a visit by a by-law officer because it is against city codes. In those cases, it is best to get up before 7 a.m. and do work while people are still in bed. Or late at night if you have portable lighting, when people can't easily see what you are doing, so they don't call the city on you.
I don't do electronic/computer software work though. Usually need a high level scan tool and if you make a mistake, it can be super expensive to fix. If I need any electronics/software replaced, I will go to a mechanic and negotiate a flat rate for him to fix it, say $150, $200 etc.
It is always best to find a mechanic and negotiate rates for expected services before your car breaks down. You will save at least 30% by doing things that way. The worst is when you see someone tow their car to any mechanic, broken down, and then ask the mechanic 'how much to fix my car? I don't know what is wrong. And the tow truck driver is waiting outside'. The mechanic will charge that person a fortune because there is no way that person is going to say no to whatever price he gives them.
I didn't always fix my car. One day, I saw a guy get charged $100 to have his battery installed in his car. I thought that was ridiculous as it was just a removal and install of a battery. So, I started buying tools and learning how to fix my own car. Youtube is a great resource for car repair videos. Library has car repair manuals for more indepth description. Alot of old-timers will give you advice at the junk-yards or car showcase meets (people meet in parking lot to show off their cars). There is always someone willing to give advice on car repairs.
Alot of times I will go to junkyard and pull off a part I need. Then I will find an identical car and pull off a second, identical item to the first item I got for myself - i.e. 2 steering wheels. I will keep one for myself and sell the other one. Then, my part becomes free from the proceeds I make from selling the spare steering wheel. That way, many of my replacement parts are free, the repairs I do myself are free and my cost of driving goes way down.
Many people look down on those who fix their own cars or lawnmowers or other equipment, but I like the feeling of being independent. Yeah, people may laugh at me and call me poor for repairing my own stuff, but I would still fix my own things even if I was a multi-millionaire. I just like doing it.
When I save money on car repairs or groceries or anything else, I always think to myself:
Good. I can go see Angela now. I have extra money.
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