I'm a newbie to working on cars. My dad has a whole bunch of tools but they're all mixed up and old. I wanted to get myself some basic tools. What exactly are the most vital tools needed to work on cars. Also, can anybody here reccomend any good sets that aren't too expensive.

 

get yourself a nice set of socket wrenches. 1st

some Philips and flat head screw drivers

and some zanio and you should be all set for a good future for your car.

 

Yeah sockets are your basic tool that you will use a lot, aside from screwdrivers. With tools though, you get what you pay for...so try and get a quality set from the start.

 

a clicky turny thing is always good. i just bought a whole bunch of tools because my dad's tools are disorganized. i bought a set of screwdrivers. i have 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrench with metric sockets. don't buy standard. also have 3/8" and 1/2" rachets. regular open ended wrenchs too. vise grips are nice to have. that's your "basic" toolbox. i still need little odds and ends. and buy craftsman, lifetime warranty.

 

Sears had a great mechanic set with 80+ pieces... great socket set, all sorts of scewdriver-bits... nice craftsman stuff... somewhere around $70. This was two weekends ago (memorial day?)

Wait up for Father's day sales.

 

I got a nice set of turny-clicky things, but make sure you get metric since all foreign cars use metric socket sizes. Even our domestic-built Acura.

Sizes around 8-12mm seem to be fairly common on parts of our car.

 

Craftsmen baby! I hear if any of those tools every break or what not...you can take them back and they will replace it for you. Definitely go Sears...

 

Sockets/Ratchets
Breaker Bars
Extensions/Swivels
Screwdrivers
Torque Wrenches
Loctite/various RTVs

That's a good start, then add as you need.