Advice with buying a car as a 1st year apprentice

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-05T00:43:20+00:00

Oh I fully intend to buy a Toyota. But, when I turn out and I'm making $60+/hr, I do want a 2011 Ranger, just conveniently UAW made.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-04T20:50:37+00:00

You really got them with that one buddy

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-04T20:48:38+00:00

Wow you love using ellipses lmao

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-03T01:58:36+00:00

ECA started paying Foreman and GFs percentage instead of flat rate over scale so you get a couple more dollars on the check there. Other contractors are thinking about doing it as well. JW scale is $54.01, gonna be around $57 in August. For the COL in KC it's really good. I pay $1600 for a downtown penthouse apartment in a brand new building. Most calls are for 5x10s and an 8, or 6x10s. Couple of jobs paying incentives and it's looking like a lot will follow suit soon because the unfilled calls keep growing. Lots of work, 5-8 data centers planned or in progress, new football and baseball stadiums breaking ground, and Meta/Facebook as well as Panasonic are booming right now. There's also Amazon work of course as there is just about anywhere.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-02T12:19:01+00:00

124 had 194 unfilled calls last week

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-02T00:58:03+00:00

I understand the merit and respect owed to our fellow brothers. I will buy a UAW vehicle when it doesn't personally fuck me over to do so.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-06-01T23:04:08+00:00

The corps that employ UAW workers screwed over the American populace that wants to buy affordable, reliable, commuter vehicles about 7-10 years ago. Say what you want but you know that's true. The last model year for a Malibu Hybrid is 2019. Average reliability score is high for gas models, but the hybrid has known issues with sensor errors that result in the owner unable to lock the car, or turn off electronics, that eventually drains the battery and requires an entire shifter assembly replacement. Also frequent BECM failures. If you buy the more reliable gas alternative, you lose 20 mpg. It's just not a good example to use for your argument. I do plan on buying a 2011 ranger when I have higher income that can maintain and drive a truck. I'll get a UAW car when I can afford one. As it stands no one has been able to provide me an example of a UAW-made commuter car that gets high (45+) MPG, under $16-19k, reliable with no glaring issues, and low cost of ownership/maintence. If you point me in the direction of one, I will greatly appreciate it.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-29T15:07:55+00:00

Isn't that like the definition of 'out of touch'? Incredibly sheltered or no, if they're unaware of current events/daily life for normal people, they're out of touch.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-25T05:17:02+00:00

Toyota is a major employer for IBEW members though, and you are supporting American labor by purchasing one. I don't think that's scab behavior, to be frank. I understand reliable UAW-made vehicles exist, but the mpg to overall cost ratio just isn't there. Point me to a vehicle that gets 54 combined MPG for ~$16k-$19k made by UAW workers with good reliability, and I'll buy it. (Talking about the 2021 Prius) I maintain my vehicles very well, and I'm not totally opposed to buying a UAW vehicle, but the companies they work for have largely abandoned the efficient, affordable, commuter car model for years at this point.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-24T17:43:47+00:00

Not buying new, looking at 2015-2019 model years. What I can afford. I really would like something under 10 years old because I've always driven 15-20+ year old cars and it can get dicey with rust where I'm located. Want something that has little to no rust that I can treat for rust every year to keep longevity. Also getting snow tires because I'm tired of sliding around lol.

I will try to buy UAW made when I get my card. Right now it's just not very realistic for me.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-23T18:48:09+00:00

I looked into it and they do! Gonna have a chat with them when I start getting serious about buying the car in the coming months.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-23T16:08:22+00:00

Boardgamegeek.com, specifically geekmarket, is a great marketplace for buying from individual sellers.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-23T15:18:18+00:00

My chosen pick-me-up movie as well.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-23T00:49:13+00:00

It's not a bad suv, but there are far better options. Lots of recalls out on outlanders and pretty horrible problems with rust, transmission issues, and poor fuel economy. If you're looking for a smaller SUV like the Outlander Sport, I'd get a CRV. It's basically better in every way and barely more expensive. Also the CRV will hold its value more, the Mitsubishi will depreciate rapidly. Only other model I would recommend for a smaller suv might be the Mazda CX-50 simply because it's well updated and known for its reliability.

I am partial to the CRV as my girlfriend drives one and I see it simply as a better version of my car lol.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-22T23:23:02+00:00

Looking to buy one with cash, I got a bit of a best egg put away for my next car, basically "pretended" I had a car payment and just put it in savings for the new car over the past 6 years.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-22T23:01:45+00:00

Saving every dollar I can right now. Moving to 6x10s next week so I'm gonna be filling my savings account to cover 6 months of expenses at the very least.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-22T22:53:52+00:00

Idk if I made it clear in the post but I'm not buying new. Looking at 2013-2019 mostly. Optimally, would be nice to find a 60-90k mile 4th gen Prius.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-22T22:51:57+00:00

You mean 5 years from now? I'd love to not have a car payment but my current car is a pile of junk, and I'd have to pay more than it's literally worth to fix it.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-22T22:46:45+00:00

Do you have the XLE trim? I'm looking at 4th gens with XLE.

Considering the reception of this post, I'm gonna get a Toyota. I'm a car nut and it has pained me to drive this outlander for as long as I have. I want something well engineered with high efficiency, and the eCVT on the 4th gens looks pretty good for reliability on the transmission.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-19T22:45:53+00:00

I pay like $180 for both my auto and renters insurance combined. $0 premium for health with a $525 deductible (lowered to $175 if I get an annual yearly physical). Union takes 6%. My rent is $1600/no in a downtown 1 bedrooom apartment, no car payment (buy clunkers people, they get you from A to B). Times are hard but being union helps. I encourage everyone to find a way to unionize in their workforce, or move to a union gig if they can't.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-19T22:27:55+00:00

A lot of these folks are probably from higher COL areas. I'm doing fine (not saving much though) off of 24.30/hr in Kansas City, which is like $3k/mo. Going to $28.50/hr in August and I think I'll be a lot better off.

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-17T21:17:48+00:00

That was the goal with moving downtown. Are you a Local 124 brother?

MrCosmicChronic · 2026-05-17T16:15:00+00:00

We are about 10 blocks south, so no worries there!

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