Good Morning Oppo (opinions wanted).

"Taylor Martin" (tjmartin)
08/08/2020 at 08:37 • Filed to: None

Good Morning my friends,

I made it back to FL, which is a blessing and a curse, and other than the dent not much has happened in the past week (I did almost wreck on the drive south though. S ome dipshit didn’t properly fasten a ladder to his truck. Fell off at 80mph in the rain. I maintained traction the whole time, but the poor lady behind me spun out and into a ditch trying to evade my evasive maneuver. She was ok, no injuries, and miraculously no accidents).

The next big ticket item on my agenda is th e DIY oil change. The “Do” and the “It” parts aren’t concerning... the “Yourself” part is. Also, the price of equipment is steep, and financially I’m trying to lay low for a bit.

This brings me to Garage Yourself:

It’s a workshop you can rent out, with mechanics on hand (this one guy named Todd has stellar Google reviews. People love him). For 30 bucks an hour it kind of sounds like a steal too. A typical oil change/tire rotation at Firestone will run me 60 - 80, but if I did it myself it’d be 90 (at least the first time around). For 10 bucks extra I’d happily learn something that’d last me a lifetime.

The alternative is buying my own equipment and doing it in my apartment complex. There’s one area that could work, though it’s not perfectly flat and also in my apartment complex. Not sure how the landlord feels about stuff like that, but we have an old, matte black Corvette that certainly hasn’t been serviced on site.

So, let’s compare and contrast...

Garage Yourself:

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Pros:

Professional workspace/actual help from people who know what they’re doing.

Every tool I’d need, they even sell oil and can get parts shipped in.

Significantly cheaper in the short run.

Gets me out of my apartment complex and into a space suitable for wrenching.

Cons:

Recurring payment (every oil change, just like if I got my oil changed at Firestone).

Professional tools I’ll never be able to afford in my lifetime (probably). Wouldn’t be working with the common man’s toolkit.

3 hours away (not a big issue).

Would likely look very stupid (but at least I would have people to tell me I’m an idiot and help me not look like an idiot).

Buy It A nd Do It Myself

Pros:

Will have the tools forever (though they’ll take up a lot of space in my apartment).

Could make mistakes on my own (though they’d be costly).

Cons:

Incredibly expensive upfront (though, with enough use, the tools will last me).

Do I really trust myself? Even with YouTube?

My neighbors would probably think I’m a nut... rather than highly skilled mechanics...

At the moment, I’m leaning towards Garage Yourself, at least until I nail the principles of an oil change/tire rotation , before investing in tools. The path to me is as follows:

Garage Yourself to learn

Get a job

Move (which is happening in a little over a year)

Buy my own equipment with my own money in my own space

Profit (not really)

I need you all to either tell me I’m a genius with a fantastic head on my shoulders, or slap some sense into me and call me an idiot. Personally, I just like the idea of having someone by my side who actually knows what they’re doing. The tools being provided in the fee is an added bonus.

Thoughts?

Take c are f olks!

DISCUSSION (25)

liam > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 08:52

If it really works out at $10 over paying to get it done that seems really cheap garage rental to me!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 09:12

Just get the tools to do it in a parking lot. It’s so, so easy. Wrenching in an apartment parking lot isn’t as bad as people say, though a shop it much nicer.

The rental garage is interesting. I’ve never seen anything like that.

shop-teacher > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 09:49

These are really easy jobs, but if you’re that nervous, do the garage rental thing once and then buy the tools to DIY on your own.

When you're buying tools though, buy once, cry once. Don't cheap out on everything. Used good stuff is often not much more that new cheap stuff. Although for just torquing wheels, Harbor Freight's 1/2" torque wrenches are totally fine for that job.

Renescent > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 09:52

The DIY shop with rentals was my haven when I was on active duty and is at the top of my ‘When I open my own business one day’ list.

barnie > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
08/08/2020 at 10:01

Tom and Ray of Car Talk rented shop bays in the ‘7 0s . There ’s also a DIY shop N of Norcross GA on Bufford Hwy. Or at least there was before the pandemic.

WilliamsSW > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 10:06

For your first time, I think garage yourself is a great idea. For several reasons.

First, it’s avoiding the initial cash outlay for tools (though other than getting the car up in the air safely, not many tools are needed though ?)

Next, you sound a little nervous about doing it right- garage now gives you a safety net for your first time. You can buy the tools for the next oil change.

Next, I’ve always found the biggest headache with oil changes to be getting rid of the old oil. Non-issue at a garage.

Finally , there’s a slim chance you’ll decide it’s not for you. Highly unlikely, but it would save you some cash if so.

All that said, oil changes are easy enough that a dipshit like me can do them when I feel like it, so there is NO wrong answer here. Do what makes you comfortable.

Taylor Martin > shop-teacher
08/08/2020 at 10:07

I wouldn’t skimp on the tools, it’s just am I ready to pay that much right now? I think one and done would be fine, just to get a grip on things and be guided by a real life human rather than my cell phone and a video.

Taylor Martin > barnie
08/08/2020 at 10:07

Yeah, hopefully the pandemic won’t screw with this idea too much.

Taylor Martin > Renescent
08/08/2020 at 10:08

Awesome! Sounds like it worked out for you. I wish you and your own DIY garage dreams nothing but the best.

Taylor Martin > liam
08/08/2020 at 10:09

Yeah, it’s not bad at all, and as an added bonus I’ll learn a priceless skill. I t’s a w in w in!

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
08/08/2020 at 10:12

“ Finally, there’s a slim chance you’ll decide it’s not for you. Highly unlikely, but it would save you some cash if so.”

That is an excellent point.

Taylor Martin > WilliamsSW
08/08/2020 at 10:13

You, my friend, have just eased my mind immensely. Everyone says that oil changes are simple, but I can’t underestimate my level on incompetence, so yes, having a pro by my side would make me feel much more comfortable. I don’t want to stress while tampering with my car, cause then I’ll do it wrong, and then it’s bye bye car (or money to fix the car).

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
08/08/2020 at 10:20

X100 on buying quality tools. And take good care of them. Saves money over time.

WilliamsSW > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 10:25

Good ! There are a limited number of things that can go south on an oil change. If you tighten the drain plug appropriately- not too tight either(!), add the right amount of oil, and replace the filler cap, the car will be fine. And of course don’t spill the drain pan lol.

What I always did for a few days after was check the oil level at least once a day, and get underneath to see if the drain plug leaked. Just to give me peace of mind, because I lacked confidence too. No YouTube videos 35 years ago!!

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Taylor Martin
08/08/2020 at 10:39

Imo oil changes are easy RELATIVE to working on cars. Compared to other things involved, and oil change is usually quite simple. I kind of disagree with that idea too:

the filter can be hard to find, the drain plug can be hard to find, the filter can be hard to get off, and (in my experience) you will always spill some oil. I hate dealing with the mess, disposing of the oil after is a pain (may be different for you) and I hate contaminating the ground with oil.

I would strongly suggest using the rent-a-garage, I wish I had one near me! It avoids all the above issues, and is a kind of ‘try before you buy’ deal for the tools (they won’t be THAT different from your first tool set, except the lift and power tools).

Just keep in mind you’ll want shop towels, and a set of work gloves, and a set of thin stretchy gloves. Maybe brake clean too but imo that’s super bad for you so avoid if possible (even if it’s awesome).

Did you notice the special rate for just doing an oil change?

WilliamsSW > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
08/08/2020 at 11:08

Great points on finding drain plugs etc. I started changing oil on mid-60s American V8s. Finding the plug and fill was super easy on those. Modern cars, everything is hidden from view.

WilliamsSW > Renescent
08/08/2020 at 11:14

Do it. The world needs more DIY support like that.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > WilliamsSW
08/08/2020 at 11:20

Agreed! On most old stuff I’d expect people to be able to figure out which plug....plugs the bottom of the oil pan. On FWD compact modern cars it’s easy to mix up the trans and oil drain plugs too

WilliamsSW > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
08/08/2020 at 11:32

On my E46, if you look under the car, you won't actually see a drain plug. It's behind an access door because reasons, I guess.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > WilliamsSW
08/08/2020 at 13:09

Which I’m sure there is an incredibly German reason for

WilliamsSW > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
08/08/2020 at 13:18

I am 100% sure of that.

Taylor Martin > WilliamsSW
08/08/2020 at 14:45

I’ll certainly check and double check to make sure the operation went smoothly.

Taylor Martin > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
08/08/2020 at 14:51

I did notice the special rate, but 1.) it only gives you an hour and 2.) it doesn’t include tire rotations, which my car is also due for (well, not really, but Firestone said I should do it so to really stick it to them I’d do it myself and rotate my tires on my own accord. Trying to be less reliant on the little sticker on my windscreen).

They sell all the little things I’d forget, towels and gloves and such, but I’m sure I could find some either in my apartment or just around. It’s the tools that I don’t have.

Also, a real saint owns a 2012 TSX sedan, which is the exact same car only... a sedan... I know where both my drain plug and my oil filter are, and worst case scenario I’ll just take a peak at that video.

i86hotdogs > Taylor Martin
08/10/2020 at 05:28

Like everyone’s saying: the garage yourself is a great way to figure out if wrenching is something you’d be in to or not. If you do find enjoyment out of it, any and all tools or equipment you buy are lifetime investments: meaning you’ll have them for almost your entire life. You don’t need every tool at once; you’ll end up acquiring a few tools every time you make a trip to the parts store. Before you know it, you’ve got a plethora of stuff! Craigslist and marketplace are your friend for low cost equipment. I wouldn’t skimp on safety equipment like jack stands, but a basic ratchet set can go for a fraction of the cost.

Taylor Martin > i86hotdogs
08/10/2020 at 13:05

I think the pride in doing the job myself will motivate me enough to want to do it again, but it makes a lot of sense. I’m probably going to go in this coming weekend, and I’ll be delighted to report how it goes! Thanks a million man.