The owner of five cars bought over the past fifteen years claims that it is possible to assemble a dream fleet for less than the price of one new Ford Kuga, if you learn to repair the cars yourself. The main trick, he says, is simple: instead of using garage services, he relies on home mechanics working in his yard. According to his estimate, the combined cost of all five cars turned out to be lower than the price of one new crossover.
Not all the cars manage without professionals. The Land Rover Defender regularly goes to a garage, and it is the only car in the fleet that constantly requires service work. Recently the owner paid about 2,000 pounds for a technical inspection, and this sum stands out noticeably against his other expenses. Right now two cars are off the road awaiting repairs, which shows that the system does not run without hitches and requires constant attention and time.
The author's motivation stems from his life circumstances. He works as an employee, so there is little time left for repairs, which is precisely why he has to plan the work around his own schedule. He considers moving to a more spacious house too much of a hassle, so the garage fleet stays where it is, even though there is clearly not enough room for it. He describes his approach to repairs as a way to save money rather than an end in itself or a source of enjoyment from the process.
The author admits that the physical dirt accompanying repairs does not appeal to him. What matters most to him is the result: a working car ready for a trip, not the repair process itself with his hands in oil. A hobby of this kind, as he describes it, takes money, time and space, so anyone who decides to build such a fleet should soberly assess these costs in advance. Nevertheless, for him the outcome outweighs the inconveniences: five cars he can use cost less than one new mass-market model.