I dreamed about the US navy cruisers and submarines while a child. I wanted to battle them and then fix them and then battle them some more. I joined the USN and was an electrician. I worked on a Nuclear submarine for 4 years. The technology and studies and discipline were tough, but when I was out of the Navy, I started work on other big pieces of machinery. I work on locomotives now and never regret my line of work.
It seems like when the economy gets tough, those suit type jobs always need someone to fix their trains for them.
Its not very difficult to become a mechanic. It just takes some physical work to do it. There always has to be someone to turn a wrench to fix something. Always someone willing to get greasy and oily, but if you can keep the submarine or locomotive going, then you are the hero.
Cars are not much different. Get a trade fixing them and you have a trade for supporting your family.
Good luck to you.