Here is the best I can tell you take it for what its worth. I started out working on cars when I was 13. I toke a bonch of shit apart and then figured out how to put it back together. I also had a older freind of mine and my dad were both tech. ( so hanging out with some body that works on cars alot can help , watch them.) I Now own My own business ( Hybrid-Garage ) I went to school for it, long after I was a tech at the local acura dealer . The school is only going to get you so far I did it only for the paper trail, better pay and the diag training. The Idea you had about getting a old better car and working on that is a great idea. That is the best way your going to learn. some body telling you how is only going to get you so far, hands on and setting down and working on it with your hands is the best way to learn it.