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So how did you all learn so much about cars?

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My passion for cars started when I was three and drove my parents car into the house. From there I started dis-assembling every toy I had and building things with erector sets. Then it was model airplanes actually, I wanted to be a pilot but, I'm colorblind so that went out the window, and I started playing with cars, back when they were simple and steel. All the new complex stuff I've learned from my electrical engineering degree and having to.
 
I bought an 8 year old Chevy S10 that was in bad shape when I was in undergrad. I then bought the Haynes and Chilton manuals which were okay. The best investment I've probably made to date was when I spent $85 on the factory service manuals.

I then drove that truck for another 8 years without having another car. I kept it running on my own except for a transmission swap in the middle of the desert. I bought decent tools as I needed them.

I now know some stuff, and I have a decent colletion of tools.
 
High school Auto taught me quite a bit, but reading older Haynes manuals and living in a car-centric family helped too.
 
Lots of curiosity and reading. While I don't know a lot of the details, knowing how something functions overall helps a lot in figuring them out.
 
I've been reading car magazines for the last 24 years, and had a high school autoshop class. I've learned a lot more since the internets tubes appeared.
 
Started helping my dad with his, then helping him build mine...once I had an awesome tool set friends sought me out for help. More you do the more you learn how it all works.
 
Honda-tech

Friends who do engine swaps and basic maintenance

S2ki.com

Edmunds.com for stats and reviews

KBB.com to make sure I don't get ripped off
 
Interweb and trying to do repairs then posting pics/reading when I run into problems. Has saved me thousands in the last 7 years maintaining my cars, i'd estimte.
 
I don't know a lot about certain types of cars - mainly LSx engines. If you find a couple good forums you can learn a ton just by reading different people's experiences/projects. I also know a good deal about other cars that are comparable, because of the competition between them. Just keep reading, that's the best start.
 
Get a nice socket set, other common tools, and a Chiltons manual for your car and go to town. I started in high school when I couldn't afford to have someone else fix my 17 yr old truck. It helped a bit that I was in shop class but I had already rebuilt the top end of the motor before I even finished the small engine section. Any time a problem pops up or you want to add something, attempt it yourself first. You can always take it to someone if you can't do it.

It also helps to keep a case of beer around to help entice a more knowledgeable friend to come help.
 
We had auto mechanics class in HS, along with wood and metal shop. Of course
cars back then had breaker points and plug changes@ 12K intervals. They were a lot
easier to work on but needed more routine maintenance..
 
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