[kilpikaarna]

Buy an old car. When problems start appearing, learn how fix them. I feel most "car guys" got started this way in their youth, out of necessity.

Get something cheap to learn on at first, before spending the time and money on a "classic". Something fairly common, so you can find info on repair online (forums/youtube). Get a Haynes workshop manual for it.

Make sure you have access to a garage space with a lift.

[dharmab]

The lift is optional for most tasks if you're young enough your back won't hurt- I built my autocross car in my parent's garage on jackstands, including cutting out and replacing everything from the trailing arms back. Only thing that a lift was truly needed for in that car was the clutch and flywheel swap.