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Lots of good info here. Unfortunately your tool budget will need to be substantial because you need lots of stuff and often two of things. For example, I have two torque wrenches. One is a craftsman 20 - 250 ft.lb., the other up to 250 in-lbs. When your doing the oil pump, upper ball joint, oil pan or trans pan you'll want to hit the lower torque ratings. I torque everything important including lug nuts. I've got four jack stands under my cutlass now. Sometimes I jack it up to put on four (opposed) car ramps. I call that my poor mans lift. I've got two decent floor jacks. Essential for tire rotation. Gearheads78 is correct about the compressor and welder. I'm on my second of each. I've also used my sawsall, cut-off wheel, air drill, open shoe grinder, engine hoist, engine stand, and impact wrench on this vehicle. If you have a convertible you will also need a pneumatic staple gun. I have three spring compressors now because every application seems to need something different. You'll need my latest one which is an internal type with fishhook like bent retainers. A variety of ball joint, pitman arm, pulley/steering wheel pullers etc. for the same reason. I just purchased my second tube bender because the first one couldn't handle tight enough radii for the disc conversion with relocated proportioning valve. The basics also come in all varieties and unfortunately nothing fits all. Deep or shallow sockets, flexible, 12, or 6 point. Open end, boxed, offset boxed, line wrenches.... they are all necessary and all cost $. I'm not trying to depress you. You will have them all in time. Every job requires the right tool. Just buy quality when you need something new, and justify it by assuming you'll have it for life.
P.S. I've often thought that on a budget a complete metric 6 point socket set and combination wrench set will get you through most anything. (I realize I've opened myself up bigtime with that last statement)
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