what is a good scan tool?
 

Everyone keeps talking about how cheap scan tools are getting. I could probably use one now, I'm having a lot of trouble with my car idling, and I work 1200 miles from where I live. Don't really know if there's a shop I can trust in Louisiana.
Any advice would be great!
Thanks
Mike

Damn! You've got one helluva commute! What year car you got, and where you at?

The local Auto-Zone, or O'Reily's, or Pep Boys (or similar auto supply house) should be able to guide you to the correct scan-tool. Course, the first thing you need to get is a good manual on your car ....

O'Reily's has a few for sale down my way, and I am sure others. Between $100 - $200 ish is ball parky. I think I have seen them at Harbor Freight too at less. I would not be worried about one from there.
I do a lot of my own work, One of the better ones will get back to the S car level of logic and still be good for OBD-II wich would get it through a few more years of used and new cars. One good use will pay for it in not having to buy expensive parts that did not fix things or get you through a smog test.
Not cheap such as a $2.00 Digital Volt Meter, but still if you do most of your own work, a good deal in my book.

I recommend that whatever you get be capable of real time data readout (O2 sensor voltages, TPS voltage, etc). May cost you a bit more but it's worth it in the long run