i should graduate next year, and get like, a job that pays, or something

[IThaJokaI]

I agree with Epstein and Tim... few bumpers, 1-2 sets of wheels, a shit load of tires, and go have fun, make sure to run out of tires and or bumpers before turn 17 though.

[Matt Vassallo]

Originally Posted by Epstein

Honestly, I think you've got it all backwards. If USF EE's are seeing 39-55k, you should be expecting the bottom of the range. The job market is absolute crap, plus you've got no experience. Same shit happened to me in 2002. It took me 4 years to catch up in salary to my peers. By the way, we have a hiring freeze right now, so sorry!

For the love of God don't buy a BMW. Talk about a trap for the newly employed; buying a car that you couldn't even cover in a year, before taxes. For the same money, I'd rather have my 08 Element and 06 Altima and not be called a prick in a 135i.

How much to put in your car? How about a starter and whatever to get it running, plus some tires to have fun with. Get yourself established first. Get a daily driver that's paid for and reliable. Put 10k in the bank. You might not want to buy a house now (even though it's a great time to get in), but 3-5 years down the road you might. And 20% down doesn't grow on trees.

And all 20k into an S13 will get you is a bunch of headaches and an empty wallet. Trust me.

See you in turn 17!

Well every single FSAE member'd USF engineering graduate doesn't seem to have a problem getting ajob at all, so we'll see what happens when it happens haha.

[presidential]

Don't hex yourself in this job market. Nothing is a sure thing.

[Matt Vassallo]

no lift into turn 17 = death = sure thing hahaha

[longfellow2]

Originally Posted by Matt Vassallo

no lift into turn 17 = death = sure thing hahaha

Video of when this happens or BAN

[Matt Vassallo]

lol no thanks i prefer living haha

[ProjNightshade]

Originally Posted by Matt Vassallo

Well every single FSAE member'd USF engineering graduate doesn't seem to have a problem getting ajob at all, so we'll see what happens when it happens haha.

I graduated in Dec. 07 and I didn't find the right job til June of this year. It took a shitload of work to find one with the economy and the fact that the recruiters that came to UMiami weren't structural firms. I feel pretty damn lucky. I'm an EI'd structural engineer working for Jacobs phosphate/petrochem division in lakeland. My starting salary was 50k with straight line OT.

I'm living in a nice new 2/2 apt, and slowly working on an RB swap. My s14 is my dd and the only vehicle I own. If you're going to do anything, get a cheap dd. And like everyone always says, save up about 6 months of bill-paying money before you do anything drastic.

All that is just my .02

[Matt Vassallo]

Originally Posted by ProjNightshade

I graduated in Dec. 07 and I didn't find the right job til June of this year. It took a shitload of work to find one with the economy and the fact that the recruiters that came to UMiami weren't structural firms. I feel pretty damn lucky. I'm an EI'd structural engineer working for Jacobs phosphate/petrochem division in lakeland. My starting salary was 50k with straight line OT.

I'm living in a nice new 2/2 apt, and slowly working on an RB swap. My s14 is my dd and the only vehicle I own. If you're going to do anything, get a cheap dd. And like everyone always says, save up about 6 months of bill-paying money before you do anything drastic.

All that is just my .02

good call. congrats on the joerb.

[Mars_302]

IM gonna go with #2. And acutally buy a small little truck that can pull the 240 on a tow dolly down to sebring. Its always much funner beig able to go the full nine when you race and not to have worry about how you are going to get it home if you blow or smash it

[boostin13b]

Originally Posted by Matt Vassallo

Well every single FSAE member'd USF engineering graduate doesn't seem to have a problem getting ajob at all, so we'll see what happens when it happens haha.

A lot has changed just in the last couple of months. I know my company has a hiring freeze as well even though we have spots for a few people. Epstein is right though, typically after you graduate it will take some time before you get up there in pay unless you are able to slip into a very rare but good spot in a company. Timing is a large factor when it comes to landing the correct job. Most businesses like to see degrees plus 2+ years experience working in that particular field. With the company I work for, I am already making more than a base engineer with a bachelors degree and I don't graduate until 2010 just because of my work experience and abilities.

On the car note, if it's already plenty built, the idea of putting cash away is your best bet. Throw some dough to the ride, put some away, take a vacation and celebrate years of hard work for your degree. If your planning on competing heavily with the car it becomes a different plan and you may want to budget your build accordingly.

[S14_Silvia_SE]

haha, dont care what you say, but i got a good job now and my plan is to sell my s14 and get an e46 m3 for a DD, and im set on it, been my dream car since like 02', and ill get my hatch track presentable for beating the shit out of, good luck either way in what you decide

[vertigo]

Originally Posted by S14_Silvia_SE

haha, dont care what you say, but i got a good job now and my plan is to sell my s14 and get an e46 m3 for a DD, and im set on it, been my dream car since like 02', and ill get my hatch track presentable for beating the shit out of, good luck either way in what you decide

So you are going to buy a 7 year old car, with 70k+ on it, for 30k?

[ProjNightshade]

Originally Posted by Matt Vassallo

good call. congrats on the joerb.

Thank you sir.

and good luck in your job search. Jacobs does EE and ME. And we're still hiring. There is a slow ramp up in my tiny office (~100 people) to hire new people. I guess you can hire when your company did like $5B in revenue last FY. Haha.

[S14_Silvia_SE]

Originally Posted by vertigo

So you are going to buy a 7 year old car, with 70k+ on it, for 30k?

nah actually you can find 03's with 50k for around 18-20k

[vertigo]

Originally Posted by S14_Silvia_SE

nah actually you can find 03's with 50k for around 18-20k

link me to one 03 that sold @ that price.