Going to start doing my own car repairs!

[Lindsey]

Good for you. I need to replace the plastic bumper cover on the front of my Honda. Thanks to your post, I just googled it and it doesn't seem to be too difficult. Now I need to figure out where to get a bumper cover and how to get it painted to match.

Check ebay. That was the cheapest place for us painted and shipped when my spoiler got cracked.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I grew up with a dad mechanic and then my mom married into a car family the second time, so I got plenty of exposure to fixing my own things in my vehicle.

I'd also recommend spending the money and going to an automotive repair class. It'll help you out a lot, especially if you get another car that's not built in the same manner that your current car is. Research your area out and find DIY garages, ones that have lifts and stalls that you can rent out. I had one at the military base I was stationed at and it was marvelous. I could buy the oil, oil filter and other things to change my oil and it cost me $1 to rent the stall. Tools are also available to be rented out at these DIY garages, as well.

The next thing I would recommend is to buy yourself a good tool set. Make sure you have everything you could ever need to fix your own car. Cheap tools will break on you easily.

A Chilton and a Haynes manual are perfect. You can't really rely on a message board unless you have a laptop to take with you to the car, so the manuals are a plus.

Finally, make good friends with your local NAPA/Pep Boys or other appropriate automotive parts superstore. They'll be able to help you out quite a bit.

[Sonnenwende]

I'd also recommend spending the money and going to an automotive repair class. It'll help you out a lot, especially if you get another car that's not built in the same manner that your current car is.

My husband is strongly considering of doing this over the summer at the community college he is attending. I second that idea!

[MTS04]

Good luck to you, i hope you enjoy your new endeavor!