Just hit 30k miles

[Zhan]

And thus I'm needing to do the 30k mile tune up.

My Dad called Mazda this afternoon (Classic Mazda South in Orlando, FL) and they quoted him $200 for the basic tune-up and $400 for the premium. Unfortunately, my Dad didn't understand what the guy said so I dunno the difference between basic and premium.

But anyways, I'm wondering what parts of this tune-up I can do myself. My family's not really short on the money part, but I love getting more experience and skills. Plus, I could install some more preferable aftermarket stuff (better tranny oil, spark plugs?). However, the caveat is that I don't want at all to screw the car up and end up not being able to drive it.

About me, then. I'm a 17 year old high school senior, and while I've done a decent amount of research on automobiles for fun, I haven't done any real work on a car besides watching my friend and his brother install his coilovers. Now, this friend will hopefully and probably be able to help me out (I don't think I have the confidence to do any maintenance without someone experienced supervising/helping, anyways), and he's basically learned from his father who is a bus mechanic for Disney.

So. What can I do?

Edit: Also, can anyone post some suggestions on what are the best/most reliable options? Like what spark plugs, engine oil, etc. I'm definately searching, but it's confusing with many opinions and no real general consensus, and like I said I have no experience (yet!) with this stuff.

[ChopstickHero]

If you want, you can probably change the spark plugs, coolant, oil and filter,tranny fluid, and rotate tires by yourself. You can leave the rest up to them, whatever that is.

[Zhan]

Thanks, Chopstick. I'll go check my manual later and post what they want for the 30k maintenance.

Also, can anyone post some suggestions on what are the best/most reliable options? Like what spark plugs, engine oil, etc. I'm definately searching, but it's confusing with many opinions and no real general consensus, and like I said I have no experience (yet!) with this stuff.

Edit:
The manual lists at the 30k mile maintenance:
Inspect drive belts (tension)
Replace engine oil
Replace oil filter
Inspect cooling system
Inspect idle speed
Replace air filter (I have a K&N, so I'm good here)
Inspect fuel lines and hoses
Replace spark plugs
Inspect a bunch of chassis and body stuff and AC

Thing is, I got an inspection about 3k miles ago when we bought the car, so I don't think I need to bring it in for inspecting those things, do I/

[Puckpimp71]

$200 for that? That's about 20minutes of work with about $100 worth of stuff and that's if you buy Redline Synthetic, some nice iridium plugs and a K&N. I'd do that myself...

[Zhan]

I'm definately doing some of that myself. My friend and I are gonna go to a shop tomorrow and get some engine oil, an oil filter, and maybe the Redline and sparkplugs (ZRF7F-11?) but I doubt the latter two are available. Then on Thursday do most of the work... And then I'm putting in a SRI that the previous owner left me uninstalled.

I hope this all works out.