Quote:
Originally Posted by CCMphysician
It's not necessarily even the money that's the factor (though it is), it's more of feeling unarmed when it comes to dealing with automobiles, a feeling I have never really felt before in my life and don't particularly enjoy. One of the things I have taken pride in with regard to my medical career is my ability to handle whatever patient may come my way. This is the way I want to feel with cars as well.
-CCM
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I was in a similar position a while back in wanting to learn how to work on a car but not really having the confidence to work on my daily driver (since getting to work is a priority). But I also wanted to learn to drive a manual, so I got an old Toyota sports car.
The benefit is that I have a reliable car that can use to get to work if the Toyota is not running. So there is no stress when something breaks down and I can take my time on working on it and it feels more like fun than "something I have to do".
Also the benefit of an old car is that it is cheap to buy, but also parts are usually cheap (although in some cases hard to find). But also the technology is much more simple and easier to understand. Most of the functions are mechanical and less electrical (personally I am terrible at understanding circuits).
Not to mention that older cars tend to have no shortage of things to work on. I just started on the small stuff and then worked my way to bigger things. Since the financial investment is relatively small (probably have <$5,000 in my Toyota including purchase price, parts, and tools over the last 4 years) if I were to do something completely stupid and had to write off the car it won't break me financially and the experience gained has been worth it.