Let's say you just graduated with your ME degree, what car do you buy?

[SteveSS]

My son is a month away from graduation with his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. He is a car guy through and through. I'm sure his first job will be good, not great money. What car would you buy new or used? I know he likes Mopars but who knows?

 

[DeltaV]

2017 T/A 392

 

[Bb70charger500]

Well depending on how much money he owes and so on ! I'd say a nice 71-74 charger there cheap 318 cars get good gas ins is cheap tag is cheap! But if he needs something newer I'd say a 06 ish charger with a hemi

 

[SteveSS]

He doesn't owe any money but I sure have spent a lot.

 

[khryslerkid]

I've known quite a few engineers especially mechanical, and electrical, and programmers. Guess what a large majority of them were driving?

 

[Dennis H]

No student loan, then Hellcat.

 

[DeltaV]

He doesn't owe any money but I sure have spent a lot.

Start his own business on the side while he works for someone else...is an option?

 

[coronet68mx]

For a daily driver or a weekend car, to restore or already restored?

 

[1967coronet440]

4x4 pick up

 

[PRND21]

I think I’d look for a nice low mile Dodge short bed with a 5.7, 2wd. Maybe 4wd if needed.

 

[Jerry Hall]

What car would you buy new or used?
He doesn't owe any money but I sure have spent a lot.

You gave him what he needs to provide for himself, an education. If you are going to give him a graduation present, make it something that doesn't hinder your finances more.

 

[Steve009]

Weren’t SAAB called the engineer’s car? We can only pray he does not go that route

 

[SteveSS]

I'm not buying him a car. I'm giving him a nice Seiko watch. His daily driver is an 02 Dodge 2500 Cummins.He once said something about a Scat Pack.

 

[Dennis H]

S ome
A sshole
A ctually
B ought one.

 

[33 IMP]

My best friends niece got her second degree in m.e. and bought a cruze. She needed something small and economical to deal with a long socal fwy commute. I have no doubt that at some point she will get a nice hobby car for herself. Her dad has a 56 chevy with a 454, a 69 camaro, and daily drives a 67 camaro. Her mom has a late model camaro ss, and told me today that she was seriously looking at a zl1. Her aunt, my
best friend, has an a66 70 340 challenger. Her niece has been around hot rods her whole life, it's only a matter of time.

 

[Ron H]

not sure if he is just looking for a commuter car to and from his job? Some want something semi-cool (or more) for a daily or just looking for reliable economical transport. Others are into rice grinders. Well - as an engineer, ask me how I know, he knows how to create a matrix listing what he wants, what his vehicle needs/wants are, and price range. I helped my daughter look at vehicles before she graduated. She wanted a smaller SUV as she has two dogs and a rear door that swung out instead up so she could better contain her dogs when getting them in and out of the back. I thought for our WI winters an AWD would be better; but go figure, she got relocated to Miami though a little perk here is the SUV sits higher and her street has flooded a few times and nice her SUV is further above the water. Some like me, get an education after decades having cars that were good, better, and ****. If your son is a handy sort as I think you mentioned, he may want a vehicle with some cargo space for hauling stuff for DIY projects. After having a pickup I find I never want to be without one, but for most stuff I find a smaller truck (Dakota) is fine after having a larger one before. And I like some comfort stuff so the Laramie model I found a few years ago I hope to keep for the duration. It's AWD, leather, heated seats, etc. My preference though has always been a 4x4, V8; but some are fine with a six. I have rarely bought new looking on the net for what I want with low miles and from a climate that is kind to rides. It'll get enough salt after I buy it...

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[mopar_chuck]

It depends on a lot of things.... like how far he will have to travel for work, if he is the kind of guy that will need a truck, will be living at home or moving out on his own... the list could go on and on. But before making any big purchase, I would make sure that I had a solid and secure job that I liked. When I got done school, I drove "beater" cars that were cheap so I could have some extra money for toys and also tried to put away a few dollars for a house down payment. IMO, the worst possible thing to do is go into a bunch of debt by buying an expensive vehicle.

 

[68gtxman]

Speaking as an ME myself, gotta have a performance car first. Then add utility vehicles (Jeep) and a decent tow vehicle for the future towable toys. I have a hard time getting rid of vehicles myself. Right now I have 7 vehicles: 4 Classic Mopars, a Jeep Cherokee (snow plow), a GMC Denali XL (tow vehicle) and a Acura TL fun driver. I wish the Acura was a stick shift, but oh well, it gets good gas mileage (26 average) and has 270 HP at the wheels. Plus the wife has a Ford Escape. And I got the “privilege” of storing my sister-in-law’s Subaru Forester at my house too.

 

[Darius]

Congratulations on adhering to a save/pay as you go plan Steve. Whatever he decides to get he will at least have the comfort and confidence that comes with not having to start life in a debt hole!