SpitfireS

The best Bang-for-your-Buck DIY maintenace is tighting your throttle cable to spec.
Cost $0
Effect can be huge, like an extra 20hp (that was lost in the first place)

starchland

coolant is good to do if its never been done. Not hard to do.

darcyw

You can do nearly everything yourself with a little confidence and tools...and the service manual. For less than the dealer's price, you can do it yourself and then own the tool.

Be brave, young skywalker.

darcy

g0g3tt4

nuff said.

BirdShot

There are things that I still take to a mechanic on my cars (a recent BMW clutch), but I have never started a job myself and not been able to finish it. The key is to have the right tools for the job. As long as you are informed about what the job entails and have all the right tools to accomplish it, its really not hard to do these things yourself. You will have to spend some money before you can save it though, you need a good jack, jack stands, general tools and job specific tools (and don't forget celebratory beer)

Besides the money you save, what is really cool about DIY is the feeling of accomplishment you get from it, knowing your car is running great because you make it that way. I agree with an above post, be brave.

I am not a mechanic, I work at a desk, but I can change timing belts, wheel bearings, overhaul ignition components, change fluids, replace brakes, and generally fix issues that arise. I have saved thousands of dollars doing this and at the same time boosting my ego. A man's man works on his own car