My Chevrolet Decision (READ IT ALL BEFORE VOTING)

[TonytheTiger]

I voted the camaro, but becuase i think the camaro will be a better buy but if think that the camaro will mess you up financialy go for the corvette, corvettes are sexy anyways.

[Lex]

If it's going to be a daily driver get a Camaro. I think that it would be easier to live with every day. I'm not saying that Corvettes are bad cars, but I think they're better second cars.

[Inspector 17]

Blur, I think if I were you I would wait until I land a job and then repost this question then. I would stick with your car that you have as long as you can. I can tell you this from experience. When I got out of college, I went and bought a brand new truck (traded in my older truck for it). I had college loans to pay off and now a brand new car payment. I hated the truck. I ended up driving it for a little over a year and traded it in because I couldn't stand to drive it anymore. I traded it and although the dealer was good to me, I still took it in the end. As I think back to my younger days, one of my biggest regrets is buying that new truck and not waiting longer. I could have paid off my loans a lot sooner and not taken such a hit on the truck. There will be lots of Vettes and Camaros around if you wait a little longer. If you do decide to buy, either one would be great. I would compare the cost of insurance on both, space in both, comfort of both, etc.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by camaropete

Blur, I think if I were you I would wait until I land a job and then repost this question then. I would stick with your car that you have as long as you can. I can tell you this from experience. When I got out of college, I went and bought a brand new truck (traded in my older truck for it). I had college loans to pay off and now a brand new car payment. I hated the truck. I ended up driving it for a little over a year and traded it in because I couldn't stand to drive it anymore. I traded it and although the dealer was good to me, I still took it in the end. As I think back to my younger days, one of my biggest regrets is buying that new truck and not waiting longer. I could have paid off my loans a lot sooner and not taken such a hit on the truck. There will be lots of Vettes and Camaros around if you wait a little longer. If you do decide to buy, either one would be great. I would compare the cost of insurance on both, space in both, comfort of both, etc.

The job will be a big decider. As I've said, my saving habits will be religious whether I make $1B next year or $1. I have plenty of driving to do in this Subaru before it dies. I don't have a lot of worries with loans or any of that because I've worked through school.

[Inspector 17]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

The job will be a big decider. As I've said, my saving habits will be religious whether I make $1B next year or $1. I have plenty of driving to do in this Subaru before it dies. I don't have a lot of worries with loans or any of that because I've worked through school.

Cool. Well, then my vote is for the Camaro. But I have been waiting for this car for a long time. And good job for making the savings come first. Make sure you start contributing to a 401k as soon as you get a job.

[OverAnxious]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I am a college student who will graduate in December 2008. I am seeking employment right now, and I drive a car that I did not choose. I will not get specific on this point.

My 2 dream cars are the Camaro and the Corvette. I love them both. The Corvette is a symbol of performance and prestige, and the Camaro is a legend with functional aspects. They are both glorious machines.

In this catastrophic economic period, I am having a terrible time finding employment with a company that promises any level of upward mobility, job security, or relation to areas that I have experience. It is becoming apparent that I will have to broaden my employment options even further than I already have. I have sent out hundreds of applications and interviewed multiple times in person. If you know an employer between Topeka and Kansas City, please contact me. I'll owe you.

In any case, my Camaro SS will be trimmed of features to make it affordable. I like cloth and stripped cars that are made for performance. An older Corvette may not be as fresh or new as a new Camaro, but it will be classic, perform, and turn heads.

Assuming that I don't land a job that earns me what would be necessary to get a Camaro before 2012, should I continue waiting until I can someday get a $30k Camaro, or should I take possession of a slightly used Corvette at a price around $20k after I can afford it?

As a disclaimer, I want to point out that my savings goals are very high. I expect to eat carefully, go out minimally, and work hard. Within reason, I could save a lot of money. I have a lot of ambition when it comes to work, and I've always outperformed my job expectations. My primary concern is that I won't be able to find a job that pays well within a year of graduation, hindering my ability to get a fifth generation Camaro at all. I love this car, and I won't leave this community either way. I just want to get feedback on the possibility of getting something used instead of something new.

Looking at your savings goals, I do not see planning to buy a $30K car before you have secured employment much less saved enough to pay cash or close to it for this car.

Reading your post sounds like you are on the right track. Buy a nice used car, as much as you can pay cash for and keep saving. That would be the smart thing to do

[MerF]

Why are you geographically limiting yourself?

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by MerF

Why are you geographically limiting yourself?

My girlfriend and I are moving in together next year. We will be moving to a place so she can finish school. I'm not going to get a job in New York if I live in Lawrence, Kansas.

[MerF]

Ah. Love is as good a reason as any...but as one who watched many separate from the Navy, and then did it myself...the #1 killer for them getting the job they wanted was being dead-set on having to be in a certain geographical area. Don't believe me? Expand your search on monster.

Also, you got someone real good helping your resumé? I got a good feel for them now and may be able to offer some advice, especially since this last job-change was done completely online from 1,000 miles away.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by MerF

Ah. Love is as good a reason as any...but as one who watched many separate from the Navy, and then did it myself...the #1 killer for them getting the job they wanted was being dead-set on having to be in a certain geographical area. Don't believe me? Expand your search on monster.

Also, you got someone real good helping your resumé? I got a good feel for them now and may be able to offer some advice, especially since this last job-change was done completely online from 1,000 miles away.

I've had some resumé help. My dad was recently seeking employment and used a career counselor to help him. He applied that advice to his own paperwork, and I basically copied his work.

[MerF]

Cool. Me resumé went through about 20 revisions from the manager of Lockheed Martin that was in charge of the civilians in the office I last worked in when I was in the Navy. He'd chop it, I'd re-do it. He'd chop it again I'd re-do it again. Finally he said it was acceptable, then promptly offered me a job. That was pretty cool. I got a LOT more hits of the revised resumé but still took the Lockheed job.

I was able to apply the lessons learned to this job search and although it took 3 months and over 100 resumé's flown around I got a great job.

Something just occurred to me, your resumé is a lot different then mine I bet. You don't have a heck of a lot of experience I imagine, but you have education. I was the opposite...so there probably is different technique to writing yours.

[PsyDoc]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I am a college student who will graduate in December 2008. I am seeking employment right now, and I drive a car that I did not choose. I will not get specific on this point.

My 2 dream cars are the Camaro and the Corvette. I love them both. The Corvette is a symbol of performance and prestige, and the Camaro is a legend with functional aspects. They are both glorious machines.

In this catastrophic economic period, I am having a terrible time finding employment with a company that promises any level of upward mobility, job security, or relation to areas that I have experience. It is becoming apparent that I will have to broaden my employment options even further than I already have. I have sent out hundreds of applications and interviewed multiple times in person. If you know an employer between Topeka and Kansas City, please contact me. I'll owe you.

In any case, my Camaro SS will be trimmed of features to make it affordable. I like cloth and stripped cars that are made for performance. An older Corvette may not be as fresh or new as a new Camaro, but it will be classic, perform, and turn heads.

Assuming that I don't land a job that earns me what would be necessary to get a Camaro before 2012, should I continue waiting until I can someday get a $30k Camaro, or should I take possession of a slightly used Corvette at a price around $20k after I can afford it?

As a disclaimer, I want to point out that my savings goals are very high. I expect to eat carefully, go out minimally, and work hard. Within reason, I could save a lot of money. I have a lot of ambition when it comes to work, and I've always outperformed my job expectations. My primary concern is that I won't be able to find a job that pays well within a year of graduation, hindering my ability to get a fifth generation Camaro at all. I love this car, and I won't leave this community either way. I just want to get feedback on the possibility of getting something used instead of something new.

My advice is for you to wait...and I know it will be hard to do as many of the recent grads have a "have it now" mentality; they do not seem to be able to delay gratification. You might be in this group; you might not. Given the economy and time of year, I think you will find obtaining employment difficult. If you are willing to go "anywhere" for a job, then your chances are likely better.

What is your current financial plan? What percentage of your earnings, when you find employment, will go to entertainment (e.g., dinner, movies, lunches, etc.), food, rent (including water, electricity, cable, etc.) clothes (including any dry cleaning expenses), vehicle related costs (e.g., gas, maintenance, insurance, etc.), contributions to a 401k, and savings? Not to mention paying off student loans, if you have any. Paying off your student loans should be one of your top priorities...buying a Camaro should not.

[seeknay2000]

Originally Posted by in a hurry

if I were you, I would wait on both ,get something dependable+economical till you get out of school, dont make the same mistakes I made, they will still be here.Save your money. imo.

I agree - you don't have a job and the economy could still take a turn for the worse - at least wait until you get your job. Even if it's not your dream job just the financing will be a lot easier with an income.

If you feel you have to get one I would say Camaro simply because it's new. Buying a $20K Corvette would be nice, but insurance will be higher and if something breaks you could be in trouble (it's possible corvette was driven pretty hard). At least with a new V6 Camaro you know you're going to have a good 80,000+ miles before anything major needs to be repaired. Plus if you want a headturner you can always add twin turbochargers, performance exhaust and some flamethrowers on the back when you get a job - that'll be sure to catch someone's attention!

Job wise - have you considered leaving Kansas and moving to a bigger city? I know a lot of my friends are recent or upcoming college grads and are having trouble finding jobs - you might have to move if it's possible!

[DGthe3]

Blur, you're pretty much in the same financial situation as I am. I'm looking at 2011-2012 for the Camaro. But you said your alternative is a used corvette, why not a used Camaro? There will be SS's re-selling in the low 20's in a couple years. Also, would you be willing to wait an extra 6 months or so to buy a Camaro? You will have waited 5 years already at that point, whats another few months?