Cars need a lot less maintenance nowadays than they used to, and a lot of the maintenance they do need is not something that you can do yourself. It is often said that cars today are basically computers with wheels. All new cars sold in the US since 1996 are required to have an accessible OBD-II port (On-Board Diagnostics). You can buy an inexpensive device to check the diagnostic codes if you get an engine check light, but the equipment you would need to do any serious troubleshooting or tuning can cost more than the car itself.
The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer’s schedule for changing oil, filters and other fluids, but given your projected usage, you (or your car) might die of old age before you need to replace a spark plug. You won’t save much money doing the ordinary things yourself, but it can be interesting, at least for a while.
I’d suggest looking for an introductory course in auto repair at a local technical school. It will be well worth your while if you actually do decide you want to do your own maintenance.
