SC is a good car to learn on. With a set of CIS pressure gauges and a multimeter, you can solve almost any problem fairly methodically.

There is a lot more information available these days, than in the old days, for sure! So many different books and manuals, and the Internet.

I think the biggest hurdle is people being afraid....it sounds like your already over that point so your on the right track.

My best advise....TRY TRY TRY...if you get stuck come here and ask us. We are all totally willing to help.

Buying tools is a lifelong endeavour....you will ALWAYS find new and useless tools you need for absoutley no reason....but you NEED it...haha

Truer words were never spoken. An old, respected Sage once told me something I will never forget:

"Tools don't cost money...they MAKE money".

I can think of at least 6 recent jobs I've done on my P-car in which a small investment in a special tool, saved me untold amounts of cash...as opposed to taking it to a wrench and spending the extra cash. This is not a slight to the respected wrenches who contribute to this site, who at one point or another will eventually see some of my cash. ;)