I started working on bicycles, then motorcycles before I had a car. My father taught me the basics but he wasn't interested in anything with an engine so I was on my own pretty quickly. Skills I've gathered over the years have turned me into a general fix it guy. I'll tackle anything from the HVAC system to dish washers and laundry equipment to electrical in the house. Over the years, I've saved many thousands repairing things that would have just been discarded or required a costly service call. Like the other commenters, the first thing I do when beset with a fix it job is search YouTube for the video. There's always at least one. A goldmine of DIY advice.  ... View more

Start small. Start with broken lawn mowers and weed eaters. Try fixing those things and see if you like messing with the mechanics of engines. If you hate getting dirty, then you've got your answer. If you don't mind a constant grime in the cracks and crevices of your fingers, you may have a future playing in the car world.   One other suggestion... When it comes time to get your first car, get the best condition car you can possibly afford, even if it's not the car you want to drive. It's far better to drive around in a beat up Toyota than to have a broken MGB that you can't afford to fix sitting in your driveway.  ... View more

My ideal car collection would feature a gated 360 Spider (have that), a classic American muscle car like a '67 Vette and a spare 360 Spider to use as a parts car.   ... View more

Probably one of the best "tools" to keep the younger generation, and especially boys, engaged with cars is the video game "Grand Theft Auto." ... View more