Since I was a kid, I've been mechanically inclined. This is not because I was born with the ability, but because I was allowed to explore the world with my hands, trying to figure out how it worked. I was swinging a (real, but small) hammer at 4, and rebuilding bikes at 10. I would take apart any toy I could, and strip the electronics out to make a far less fun, but hand made toy. The amount of blisters I got from hot glue was comical. I found it fascinating and empowering to have the ability to make something better than it was, breath life into it, and know that it was me who made it that way. Anyone who fixes thing or builds things will tell you that feeling is why they do it.

I knew when I got a vehicle, it was going to be something I could wrench on, something I could modify and not feel bad if it didn't go to plan while I was learning. I also knew I wanted a manual transmission, because I had learnt from photography, if you want to master it and understand how it works, you have to do it all yourself. (That and its more fun to drive, except when you're first learning).