I concur with you on having the right tool. As a do it yourselfer, before I start doing a new task on a car, I find out if any specialty tool is needed. If so, then I analyze cost of tool vs cost of paying shop to do it vs how often will I use said tool. As an example, if the Snap On rep sells the tool for $450, and the local MB shop will charge me $500 for the job, I would probably buy the tool and have it there for next time.

I don't have a problem with buying the "specialty" tools on an as needed basis. I have had to do that when I have worked on Fords, Nissan, VW, etc.