Only once have I paid to have something done to a car. It was a new muffler on my old car. That was a bit over a year ago, and I didn't feel like doing it myself in the middle of winter without a garage (or paved driveway). I went to a local place near my work that people had recommended. They were super nice and not at all pushy (it was a 25 year old car; I'm sure they could have found plenty of work it "needed"). Reasonable pricing for what it was, and they were able to do it while I was at work a few blocks away.
Everything else I do myself, all maintenance and repairs. Everything from oil changes to replacing my buddy's head gasket in his Geo Metro on the side of the road in November. Parts online from IPD or FCP for my Volvo-specific stuff (or the parts counter at the dealership for really esoteric things like oddly shaped $7 small hoses), and Autozone and the like for random little non-critical things. The internet tells me how to do things.
I did get almost-screwed once by a mechanic. The brakes light came on in my old car and it was stupid cold outside (sensing a theme here) so I on a whim went in for their "free brake check". The place was well-reviewed, and seemed reputable. They told me after inspecting the car that it was unsafe to drive, that I needed new front pads and rotors, new rear shoes, drums, and cylinders, and that it would cost me around $800 "to make it safe to drive". I gave them a metaphorical middle finger and left. My dad was alarmed when I told him about it, so I took it to his house and we looked at it. Front brakes were fine, at 70% wear, no damage to rotors. Rear brakes were good, at around 40% wear, with perfect drums and cylinders. There were also cobwebs over the drums and everything. The mechanic didn't even actually look at the rear brakes. How shady can you get? And the guy seemed all friendly and into my car and asking me about it (It was an '88 Chevy Sprint, so pretty distinct and weird). Disgusting.
