I like to tinker with my cars. Changed oil in the Boxster and the X5. Change parts in the X5, just did the coil packs over the weekend. Installed a reverse cam in the X5 and the 335i I just got. Put on a rear spoiler and front spoiler on the 335i in the past week. Need to change oil in 1k miles and really need to change pads to ceramic! Those factory BMW pads leave so much dust! Nice to get my hands dirty doing things I want to do, not have to do.

I still do routine maintenance on my wife's car, my truck, tractors, bike, house and property. I've found out in the last few years (from over 70 somewhere to now - 76+) I don't have the enthusiasm to get out there I did before. I still do the basics because I don't trust taking my things to someone else. I do have a place for brakes & alignment, a place for electrical if I don't feel like doing it, and a guy I take my bike to since I just want to ride it except for doing oil & filter & other basics. I'm still attempting to get my 911 back together and on the road (before I kick the bucket) and not get side tracked, like I recently did by doing a coil over conversion to the rear suspension. It seems like anymore when something needs fixing or servicing I have to motivate myself to get out there & get it done. Once I get involved, I mostly enjoy it. It's the getting involved part that's the problem.

I do still enjoy wrenching on things, lately I find that I just don’t have the time and my body hates me when I do it. Spend the next two days with new joint pain and soreness.

No...so what do I do with a bunch of tools & a rollaway? Hand 'em to my honorary nephew when he comes by to wrench on his beater Subaru.

All the '09 Mustang has needed was replacement battery, wiper blades, and tires.
Service by the book at the local Ford dealership. I supplied the Mobil1, but the last oil, filter, and tire rotate had a bill of $24. Uh, not worth doing it myself at that price.

Another factor is indeed my age...at 75, not as spry as I was even 10 years ago.

Yes, I still enjoy working on the bay window Westy and my daughters 5.0

I won’t work on the 996TT except for real minor stuff like replacing the frunk latch solenoid, or the 3rd brake light.

I spend more time wrenching on the summer toys, the camper and Razr, just bought some bead locks and 32 inch tires for it so I need to get the new spare tire mount installed on it.

I enjoy working on stuff for fun or even planned maintenance.

I find I no longer enjoy working on the daily drivers when something unexpected comes up.

I enjoy working on things, but have come to strongly prefer things that are clean and on a work bench in a well lit and reasonably warm space with music playing.

If my cars were clean and on a lift in a sumptuous man cave, I'd probably still like working on cars. As it is, I prefer working on bicycles and lately espresso machines.

Have two cars in the garage that haven't been running for, one for 12 years, the other for 5 .
Just can't seem to get motivated to get cold and oily any more. Do have a third hobby , running,car that I tinker with to do minor suspension improvements, fitted new wheels ,etc

I usually dread it when i have to do something to fix it
But once i get going it's not to bad.

And when it all works again, I feel satisfied that I fixed something better and cheaper then if I would have let somebody else do it and bill me for it.

Its complicated. I hate working on cars if there is a time constraint. Not fond of routine maintenance on DDs. I thoroughly enjoy fixing up my old VW - everything is easy and quick. Ditto for the 356s. The 911 is less fun to work on. I have become the go-to guy for cheap lawn equipment repair in the new ‘hood. I like it, I’m building respect with the natives.

I still enjoy it but not like I used to.

20 years ago I could work all day and night, sleep a little then repeat the whole process day after day.

Not so much now but I still have family and friends who ask me to do things for them.
Tomorrow I'm servicing my daughter AND HER PARTNER'S cars.

IME, most people are hopeless when it comes to fixing their own stuff. :(

Phrasing! :eek:

These days many repairs cause Tourette’s at my place.

I recently did the torque converter and then the valve body in my wife’s Tribeca. The torque converter was misdiagnosed by the dealer. I also did the spark plugs while I was in there and managed to break a VVT actuator...

I hate working on that thing. I’m hoping that baring a head gasket failure, I won’t have to touch anything major on it again.

I enjoy working on the Porsche’s - I have to drop the engine in the 86 930 but haven’t found the time to do so.

As many have said, not as much when I was younger. My hands aren't as nimble and I get frustrated seeing far and up close because I have the wrong glasses on. Bifocals don't help much.

I do get a sense of accomplishment after working on something -that feeling hasn't changed.

At 68 I still enjoy it. I have been known to drop the engine in the 911 just to clean things up..

I’ve limited my wrenching to motorcycles. No laying under a jacked up car with my nose against the oil pan these days. Heck, I’ve gotten so lazy I avoid bikes with lots of Tupperware to remove. And even on bikes, it’s oil changes, adjustments, brakes, etc. No engine rebuilds for me....I’ve finally come to terms with my limitations!

But that could change if I ever retire. Wouldn’t mind restoring an R50 or 60/2. A matter of time and enthusiasm.

I'll help you put your back wheel on if you help me with mine!


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1552051256.jpg

I’ll do what maintenance I can on the plane, and I’ll start changing the oil in the Jeep when I no longer get free oil changes from the dealer. But I’m not touching the wifes BMW.

Yep, I like it done right.

Right now my 85 911 is on my lift. I plan to drive to Key West this coming July. July is Florida is likely to be HOT. My AC system is a Dual Kehul system. But the evaporator fan was OEM. So in went the upgraded 30% more total air fan. And then I am also changing the fan switch. The factory switch has low which is almost off, medium, which is not much more, and full blast. Now I will have an totally variable speed fan speed switch and a light that tells me if the compressor is running, and if it is just cycling. It is NOT as easy as changing a switch. It is a slow process, since I would at a snails pace.

After 22 years of ownership I don't think there is one part of system I have NOT worked on and either improved, or have working at 100%.

And I meant to thank Vash for the recommendation of the head mounted light. It is the the BEST way to work on a car. Light right where I am looking, and never shining in my face. It is almost like having a superpower. I can crawl under the dash, look up and see everything. It is one of my favorite tools. Thanks Vash!