Why so few DIYers

[n2oinferno]

Time, honestly. I have most of the tools I need to do most reasonable jobs, but I have two kids, a full time job, a wife, and my other hobbies.

But really it depends on what the job is. If it's an oil change, I can go down to Firestone and pay them 20-25 bucks with a coupon to get it changed. It'll cost me that much to do it on my own. I'll likely do the Fiat on my own though. When the water pump on the Camry died, Toyota wanted about 500 bucks for a replacement. Went to the parts store, picked up a pump and some coolant, and did it in the garage for 80 bucks.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Along with everything posted I'd like to echo the sentiments of the "well it's under warranty" crowd. This car is new, it attracts not only enthusiasts but buyers of new cars who often want to minimize the amount of maintenance and time spent doing anything about the car aside from driving it.

In 5 years this forum will be full to the brim with guys asking how to do things themselves because they bought this car on a budget and want to do it all on their own.

Hahaha man, over on Spyderchat you get the impression that all maintenance is "easy" on that car and dirt cheap. Then you talk to an actual shop and they tell you "no we hate working on that car, we drop the engine to do just about anything".

[Wonderbar]

DIY is all I do! I just don't have a ton of time to write how to's and post about it. I've done every mod on my car myself, I even build diffusers for the entire community in my garage.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Hahaha man, over on Spyderchat you get the impression that all maintenance is "easy" on that car and dirt cheap. Then you talk to an actual shop and they tell you "no we hate working on that car, we drop the engine to do just about anything".

Hah no kidding, I'm starting to look into classic Alfas and on alfabb I'm getting the sense that there is some serious rose colored glasses going on over there.

"Hey guys check out my simple weekend rust repair! So easy!"

[86-tundra]

I love DIY. Fortunately in Austin we have a DIY auto shop with lifts you can rent. I probably wouldn't have done the headers without a lift, but everything else sure.

There are something I know are best left with experts. Tint is the number one thing I always have someone else do. I could DIY but it's one of those things I just don't mind someone else doing it perfectly. Also mounting tires on wheels and balancing them.


Any bolt on or custom fab that doesn't involve a welding kit, bring it on.

[SirBrass]

A lift definitely made putting headers in doable.

On phone I am. Therefore, if mistakes I make, Frank Oz blame you should.

[STV3]

Hmmm installed my header in about an hour on back with just 2 jack stands. I found it to be a very easy install

[Vracer111]

DIY guy... have not had the dealer touch my FRS once in two years... mainly because I do not trust them and I put in high quality fluids. I've done all the maintenance and mods on my FRS and like creating custom parts/modifying stock parts. Have a good enough amount of tools , including some custom ones I've made and very nice Tig welder and plasma cutter (which has sadly not seen much use...)

Really looking at getting this to make maintenance and mods easier/more fun - portable and works well for small home garages:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbeBNqgtIC4"]QuickJack Track Jack - Ranger Products Garage Demo - YouTube[/ame]

Well worth the $1k price...

Same way when it comes to my house, DIY...flooring/Interior, yard, exterior all DIY. Made my own equipment rack for my HT system:



Did this to a spare bedroom:

[zygrene]

We have a local DIY shop here in the SF Bay Area called Pit Row, so that's where I go whenever I need tools, a lift, and expertise from a full-time mechanic. I just pay a relatively low hourly rate (like 1/3 of your average hourly labor rate) to use the facility. If I get stuck or need help, I pay an extra $15 to have the mechanic help me out. It's a pretty awesome concept cause it allows me to learn how to work on my car without: 1) having to buy my own tools, 2) risk getting pancaked in my driveway when the jack stands fall, 3) have no one to go to if I get stuck.

I have some pics of projects I've done on my personal blog here: http://blog.redlinedeals.net/

[Laika]

The difference lies in being mechanically inclined or knowledgeable enough to understand which component is broken in your car.

Some people will see a bad fuel pump as "my car is broken, it's in the shop". The next person sees it as "there is a fuel issue, my car is in the shop". The DIYer sees it as "There's an issue with the washer on the fuel pump, I'm going to switch that out and see if that fixes it". This additional background knowledge leads one to a more confidence inspiring diagnosis. Not necessarily correct, but confidence inspiring nonetheless. This takes out much of the intimidation factor and there's your DIYer.

Of note is that first person from my scenario. The heating element in my dryer broke last month. Was my dryer broken? No. Did I say my dryer was broken? Yes I did. I don't have dryer knowledge. The thing is 20 years old, it's due for a replacement, I bought another dryer. Done.

That is how the average person approaches car issues. Not typically going as far as replacing the car but the point is still made. Money is thrown at the issue and a justification is made to make ones self feel better about not taking on a new project.

[FR-S Matt]

I saved thousands of dollars installing things myself and using the FR-S as a project car for my own knowledge. I've never really worked on a car like this before and the reward for finishing a job like coilovers is very satisfying. The fear of doing it wrong is always there. I've done all my installs on jackstands in an apartment complex for the most part.

Some people have no interest and just want the benefit of the aftermarket part rather than knowing where it goes and how it connects, what it affects, etc. They just want the end result.

For me, it taught me a ton about just cars in general, and how my car functions. It's been a great learning experience so far to take into the future with other cars.

P.S. Lots of youtube and instruction reading was done on my part... over and over and over.

[ChuckD]

It really depends on what needs to be done. I used to do alot more DIY projects on my cars before kids came along. Since then i'm doing good to just do the regular maintance :/

[Dustin]

I've always done all the work to my own cars and this one is no exception.

Header, full exhaust, supercharger, clutch & flywheel, 2 way LSD, 4.56 ring and pinion, ect all done with hand tools and no lift with the exception of using an pneumatic impact maybe 2 or 3 times because it was necessary.

I never liked having to have others work on my shit no matter what it may be. Call it self reliance or whatever, but I think the more you're able to do yourself, the better off you are. My oldest son is only 7 and ever since he was 4 he's been "helping" dad work on cars. He does what he can and he's learning to do stuff himself. My youngest son is now 4 and just today he was "helping" me install my shark fin antenna. I know it's something small, but it's a start and he's learning as well.


My son when he was 6 helping me do the diff and final drive install.




And him work on his, that's right he already has a project car and it is HIS, V6 swapped MR2 with my brother.

[GrantedTaken]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

2014: In 5 years this forum will be full to the brim with guys asking how to do things themselves because they bought this car on a budget and want to do it all on their own.

Unfortunately, we're not even close. There basically zero discussion about maintenance and repair here. Still all about mods. Maybe in another 5 years?