Attempting to fix my own car

I recently bought a car, which I have been considering for some time. There are lots of reasons against getting a car that older and wiser friends and relatives were keen to remind me of!
Some of the reasons they have told me I shouldn't get a car are:

• Insurance prices in the UK are ridiculous, particularly if like me, you are a young lady without a no claims history
• Parking around here is ridiculous - not only difficult to find a space outside your own house, but also about £2 an hour
• Petrol, thanks to the rise in VAT and extortionate oil prices, is also very expensive
  
• If something goes wrong with the car, it's usually very expensive.
  

Ok so these are valid points that can't be ignored. The first 3 points I can't really argue with, and have had to accept the frustrating costs of parking, petrol and insurance so that I don't have to get the bus everywhere any more. On particularly busy bus journeys, I would have paid £100 for someone to lend me a car so I could leave the bus and drive myself home!

However, the last point, I disagree. It's so easy to buy UK car parts cheaply online these days, I reckon I could at least by the parts myself and ask a friend to fix them for me that going to the mechanics, or I could be brave and have a go at fixing things myself after some thorough research on the internet. I don't think it would be difficult as I have a little Ford KA and there must be loads of info out there about fitting ford car parts. There's also a Ford garage just down the road in case I get stuck, I guess they could always come and tow me there after I've meddled and caused chaos under the bonnet!

Luckliy (touch wood) my car is running fine and the moment and I haven't had any reason to consider fixing it myself. However, when the inevitable strange noises start I'm going to be brave and see what I can fix myself and save myself a whole load of money on the garage costs.

Wish me luck!