iroebuck
New Member
My name is Isaac Roebuck, I'm an engineering student from West Michigan, and I'm looking into getting a decent, higher performance daily for once I graduate high school in a few months.
...I know, when you read that you probably immediately think I'm looking to spend daddy's money on a new car for graduation. But I assure you this is unfortunately not the case. I actually work as a CNC programmer at a local tool & die company, and I'll be starting collage to study mechanical engineering in the fall of this year.
My goal is to build a fairly sizable down payment working over the summer, as my position will allow me to work up to 70 hours a week in the busiest periods. I'll probably be looking to buy around October and finance the remainder to start building some solid credit. The collage I'll be attending allows me to work half of each school year in a paid position and earn credit for it, which should make it possible to maintain a reasonable car payment.
That said, as I'm nowhere near a full blown engineer yet and far from a six figure salary, budget will obviously still play a major factor in my purchase. With current gen 2013s and 14s starting to come down in value, they seem to be finally entering my reach and I project that I will likely be able afford a somewhat lower end example if everything goes to plan. I like that generation specifically because I love the post facelift styling, and also because this is likely to be my daily for quite some time I want to get as new of an example as I can.
I hope to become an involved member of the SHO community through the buying process and especially after purchase.
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Introductions out of the way, I think a bit of my vehicle related background would be in order. These are my three most notable vehicles that I have owned.
Starting with my current daily:
As you can see, not exactly in prime condition, some TLC needed but still a damn solid truck, easily the best vehicle I have owned to date. It just works as a vehicle, every time and does that exceptionally well. She's been to **** and back and still keeps haulin' like there's no tomorrow. I try and go easy on her these days but she's had a hard life in general. Was issued a cert of destruction in Louisiana in '05 after sustaining flood damage in the wake of hurricane Katrina...hence the name. That's also why it's spent the last 14 years systematically having each and every part of the electrical system replaced piece by piece.
Next, my very much failed project:
Picked it up for a grand last summer, literally almost anything you can think of was in perfect condition, except of course the engine, It had "some sort of head/gasket trouble". Nothing to be very surprised about and I was prepared to pay for the head replacement. However the machinist that inspected it cleared it of cracks, before I found out that he determined this via eyeball inspection. Turns out it had a crack in a valve seal on the #2 cylinder, causing a misfire by fouling out the plug when it dumped loose water and oil onto it. Next thing I know the oil pan is a vat of chocolate milk and that was the end of any plans I had for it. Probably just going to liquidate it in the spring by any means necessary. Should'a bought a Ford I guess, lol.
Finally, my last marginally successful performance car.
Long story short, it was a Foxbody. Modded to the teeth, dilapidated from 25 solid years of brutal abuse, requiring far more investment in cosmetic repairs than it will ever be worth, and still fast as ****...so yeah...a Foxbody. Probably made about 320(ish), thing was scary but couldn't help but love the **** out of it. Alas, blew a head gasket due to a faulty temp gauge and water pump. Didn't have the time or resources at the time to deal with it so I sold her off. Got a grand out of it, still I'd say not bad considering I only paid $1650 for it with a working engine. Oh, and "Leijonna" is Finnish for "Lion", thought it was fitting, especially if you actually heard it run.
Well that's about it. If you've made it this far, you're much more patient than I am, thanks for having me in the community and I look forward getting more involved in the future.
...I know, when you read that you probably immediately think I'm looking to spend daddy's money on a new car for graduation. But I assure you this is unfortunately not the case. I actually work as a CNC programmer at a local tool & die company, and I'll be starting collage to study mechanical engineering in the fall of this year.
My goal is to build a fairly sizable down payment working over the summer, as my position will allow me to work up to 70 hours a week in the busiest periods. I'll probably be looking to buy around October and finance the remainder to start building some solid credit. The collage I'll be attending allows me to work half of each school year in a paid position and earn credit for it, which should make it possible to maintain a reasonable car payment.
That said, as I'm nowhere near a full blown engineer yet and far from a six figure salary, budget will obviously still play a major factor in my purchase. With current gen 2013s and 14s starting to come down in value, they seem to be finally entering my reach and I project that I will likely be able afford a somewhat lower end example if everything goes to plan. I like that generation specifically because I love the post facelift styling, and also because this is likely to be my daily for quite some time I want to get as new of an example as I can.
I hope to become an involved member of the SHO community through the buying process and especially after purchase.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introductions out of the way, I think a bit of my vehicle related background would be in order. These are my three most notable vehicles that I have owned.
Starting with my current daily:
"Katrina" - 2004 Ford Expedition - Edie Bauer - 5.4L - 4x4
As you can see, not exactly in prime condition, some TLC needed but still a damn solid truck, easily the best vehicle I have owned to date. It just works as a vehicle, every time and does that exceptionally well. She's been to **** and back and still keeps haulin' like there's no tomorrow. I try and go easy on her these days but she's had a hard life in general. Was issued a cert of destruction in Louisiana in '05 after sustaining flood damage in the wake of hurricane Katrina...hence the name. That's also why it's spent the last 14 years systematically having each and every part of the electrical system replaced piece by piece.
Next, my very much failed project:
1998 BMW 328i - E36 - Sport Cabrio
Picked it up for a grand last summer, literally almost anything you can think of was in perfect condition, except of course the engine, It had "some sort of head/gasket trouble". Nothing to be very surprised about and I was prepared to pay for the head replacement. However the machinist that inspected it cleared it of cracks, before I found out that he determined this via eyeball inspection. Turns out it had a crack in a valve seal on the #2 cylinder, causing a misfire by fouling out the plug when it dumped loose water and oil onto it. Next thing I know the oil pan is a vat of chocolate milk and that was the end of any plans I had for it. Probably just going to liquidate it in the spring by any means necessary. Should'a bought a Ford I guess, lol.
Finally, my last marginally successful performance car.
"Leijonna" - 1993 Ford Mustang - LX - 5.0L - 5 Speed
Long story short, it was a Foxbody. Modded to the teeth, dilapidated from 25 solid years of brutal abuse, requiring far more investment in cosmetic repairs than it will ever be worth, and still fast as ****...so yeah...a Foxbody. Probably made about 320(ish), thing was scary but couldn't help but love the **** out of it. Alas, blew a head gasket due to a faulty temp gauge and water pump. Didn't have the time or resources at the time to deal with it so I sold her off. Got a grand out of it, still I'd say not bad considering I only paid $1650 for it with a working engine. Oh, and "Leijonna" is Finnish for "Lion", thought it was fitting, especially if you actually heard it run.
Well that's about it. If you've made it this far, you're much more patient than I am, thanks for having me in the community and I look forward getting more involved in the future.
