1st real DIY (for a car that is) i was about 18, and i had to replace the alternator in my 83 celica. nothing went horribly wrong, it was just a pain in the ass and took most of the day. i pulled the old one, put it in my backpack, rode my bicycle to napa where i got a new one, rode home, installed it, and went mtn biking that same day! next was the water pump on the celica. that one took forever! next was the timing belt on my 88 jetta...then the pedal mounting bracket (shudder). i also have plenty of random DIYs, headunit install, etc. and now i'm here. yay.