I can see that I am in the wrong business. Diagnosing a bad started is pretty simple with a volt meter and some intelligence. Should not take more than 15 minutes to touch the wires on the back of the starter and hit the key. Either you have voltage or you don't! That would be very easy to do, laying on my back in the middle of your driveway. Sometimes wiring is difficult to get to, but still, it surely can not be any worse than mine with front wheel drive. Replacing the starter its self can be a couple of hours, if there is a bunch of stuff in the way, but still not that difficult.
I find the biggest emotional battle I fight with mine is if I'm winning or losing. The combined total of keeping up with it, in addition to an ever evolving refurbishing is just a lot to stay on top of. Maintenance by its self, or refurbishing by its self is not all that bad.