50+ am I too old for car repair?

[ThatsTops]

Is fixing your own car a young man's game or is it something I can get into? I'm healthy but most of the shop mechanics I see are younger guys, and I am thinking maybe it is the physical exertion. I could use the money I would save by not going into the shop. I just don't want to get in over my head.

UPDATE: THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT... It's been a great couple weeks learning and stretching my boundaries. I am currently on two projects, my son's front brake calipers and the convertible top motor on my summer car (the Mustang or "Beast"). If anyone is interested I am using an online repair manual for the repair steps. I also picked up a Haynes manual for the electrical diagrams.

[5000Audi]

denpends on your knowledge of cars.. anyone can learn.. go buy a hahns manual of your car and start reading

[Meback]

we only grow old when we stop playing.

[weeznah]

show all the young guys up.never to old to do what you love

[ExtraSlow]

Your years of experience will help you here.
Buy a repair manual for your car, wear safety glasses, and dive right in.
Easy stuff to start with are wheel bearings and brakes.

[scat19]

[Rat Fink]

.

[Kartelli]

My dad and I rip apart cars all the time, hes 54. I'm the one that usually breaks things or gets frustrated. I have yet to see him break anything due to his patience and casual pace.

All in all, do it yourself!!!!

[ExtraSlow]

Good tip rat fink, the Factory service manuals, if you can find them on ebay, are a goldmine of info, and much better than haynes.

[JfuckinC]

Originally posted by Kartelli
My dad and I rip apart cars all the time, hes 54. I'm the one that usually breaks things or gets frustrated. I have yet to see him break anything due to his patience and casual pace.

All in all, do it yourself!!!!

haha yep same here, dads 52 and i wont lie he gets things done quite well.. he just bought his first sled in like 20 years or something and did a tare down of the engine, replaced a bunch of shit.... im 22 and i just rip on things, he always finesse's shit apart. makes me mad haha..

[Graham_A_M]

If thats what you love doing, by all means. What kind of vehicle is it? certain types such as BMW, Audi, Benz, Porsche & VW require a lot of specialy tools. Do your homework and find out what tools are required before hand.

When ever I'm working on something that (I think) is beyond my skill I catalog everything that I've taken apart and list it so I know how to put it back together. That and, there is always a proper VS. improper way to disassemble/re-assemble something. If something doesn't make sense to you, its always great to get another set of eyes so you can see things from another view point.

[DonJuan]

Getting older just means that the toys get more expensive. So instead of modding CRX's and moms minivan. You should be modding GT2s and Enzos. LOL.

[mr2mike]

Search and join a car forum that specializes in the cars you have, then start reading and using the search button.

Older people just generally spend their time doing other things like yard and house work or golf (stereotype). They've stopping working on cars because it's not worth it. They generally own newer cars and have the warranty run it's course or feel its better worth their time having someone else fix it.

But there's lots of guys that are older getting back into car modding now their kids are grown and moved out.

I've noticed more older guys showing up for MR2 meets, etc in recent time. Definite shift going on there. They have more disposable income and can drop the big dollars on kits and tuning. Sometimes leading the way for the younger guys.

[revelations]

Never too late to do something you like. Crawling around the floor or bending over the engine might be harder than for someone who is 20, but youll develop the required body parts to do this with time.

[mr2mike]

Never underestimate stretching your lower back after spending days on days over an engine.

[5fivespeed]

What kind of car were you looking into? I think anyone could do it, patients and time will create a successful car for you.

Ray

[bourge73]

I will say never too old and dont listen to some punks on here to tell you otherwise. Cars are a passion and it never dies. Guess people keep forgetting that one day they'll be old too.

TBAY went to school there heres to the Inntowner.

[Wrinkly]

LOL we could start regular Beyond "senior" meets now there's at least two of us

[Graham_A_M]

Where the heck is the OP? Makes one post and F's off?

[soloracer]

I know of several over 60 guys who restored their cars from top to bottom by themselves. Having the confidence and ability to do it is all you need - no matter what the age.