Just a note on craftsman:
Dont know if its still this way, but it used to be. Craftsman doesn't (or atleast didnt) actually MAKE any of their tools. Craftsman is just the name Sears put on it, Sears would contract out the making on the Craftsman tools to whoever won the bid, and those manufacturers make the tools to their specs. Sears had some basic specs, but it was mostly up to the manufacturer. So, some of the issues people have had with craftsman tools while other (including myself and my father) have had almost none, is probably due to the fact that over the years they have given the bid to different manufactuers, and hence the differing quality.
Overall, i have some craftsman tools, and my dad has so many i dont think i can count that high (his "toolbox" is about 10 feet long with probably 40-50 drawers of tools) and i have almost never experienced a problem with them. I like them, and thats what i will probably end using my whole life.
That said, dont forget the allen wrenches, torx bits, and hex head wrenches. You'd be surprised how many things on your car and around the house require allen or torx heads.
and the greatest invention of all.... DUCT TAPE!! Seriously, i have it in my tool box, and it has been a godsend many a times. Even if you just need to hold something for a few seconds while you put a screw in or something, tape it, put the screw in, and take the tape back off. More uses than i think anyone will ever know.