Lots of great comments. Many that confirm my thinking and some that are expanding my thinking. Ideas like getting a wrench roll with some common combo wrenches. Also Including some torx and hex bits. Torx are more common and needed to change some light bulbs.
...As more than one suggested it may be used for non auto applications. Why limit yourself for only a few dollars. You never know When you are helping someone fix their snow blower, lawn mower, or assemble a grill. What ever!
In my original post I just threw out a few possibilities that quickly came to my head. Who knows what it could be? Who knows what kind of car I will be driving in two years? It is all an educated guess to cover the basics...
...Lots of ways to go and lots of options. That 200 pc Husky set is a great deal...
...I love tools and I will likely buy more stuff than I set out to do. That is the danger of looking for ideas on the Garage Journal.
You’ve
completely changed the parameters and with that the advice changes
I have 3 tool scenarios.
1) Emergency repair kit.
Consists of tools to do the job on the side of the road. I have stuff like radiator hose tape, wire, vice grips, and stuff for specific repairs.
2) Junkyard tool box.
Consists of any tools I’d need to remove anything I’d want. Pry bar, breaker bar, flip lug sockets, tin snips, sockets, trim removal tools, etc.
3) Travel tools.
Consists of a packed 3 drawer tool box and three 14” tool bags. I have pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other mechanical tools in the box. In the bags I have everything from a multimeter, power tools, a caulk gun, a pipe wrench, and we’ll you get the idea. I have fishing trays with wire nuts, screws, nails, electrical tape, etc.. Zero of the travel tools are my home tools either. I take them to my father in laws farm, or his vacation home, or to my rental. I can just grab and go.
The reality is, unless you go with a real travel tool setup, you’re never going to be able to do everything you want for others.