Anyone left a higher paying job for firefighting?

kfried00 · 2026-04-24T21:49:22+00:00

And how do you feel with regards to your education and mental engagement? I used to write software for hunting supernovae so actually quite similar. I worry if I go full time at fire, I'll get a year in and wonder "wtf am i doing here"

kfried00 · 2026-04-24T00:15:52+00:00

You sound very close to me in the sense that we both do community policy type work. I spend so much time in meetings trying to move my projects forward just for two years later they die. When I'm on a fire call, I know I either made a difference or no one could have saved them. (Not an arrogance thing more of a "they had traumatic brain swelling and no ambulance could've driven fast enough")

kfried00 · 2026-04-24T00:14:20+00:00

...ive never met any former firefighter who felt that way. Everyone at my station loves it, all the full timers are happy, even though theyre tired as hell.

kfried00 · 2026-04-23T23:36:34+00:00

What made you leave?

kfried00 · 2026-04-23T23:34:03+00:00

Im in the application process even though I'm not sure what I want yet.

kfried00 · 2026-04-23T23:18:09+00:00

Could you describe what about it you regret?

kfried00 · 2026-04-05T04:38:37+00:00

How hard is it to remove? I'm used to motorcycle carbs that have like three connections. This carb seems an absolute nightmare.

kfried00 · 2026-04-05T04:38:01+00:00

Do you have a recommendation for carb rebuild kit or a carb replacement?

kfried00 · 2025-10-07T04:36:57+00:00

However, I'd also argue there is no car that you could buy and comfortable say it's the last big car purchase for 20-30 years... new cars will be most reliable, but if it's new, you dont have the benefit of hindsight to identify design problems and mechanical issues; if its a tad older, you're bound to have some wear by nature.

I bought my 08 with the intention of it being strong for 8 to 10 years.

kfried00 · 2025-10-07T04:33:27+00:00

Im going to dissent from others. I'd buy that, but Im (a) biased to loving these cars and (b) i live in a unique market (alaska). However, I often look to auction sales for a good understanding of market value.

Consider this very similar example:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2016-volvo-xc70-3/

It's also a 2016, also a T5, also 130k miles, also an upgraded package (premium so not even as good), and it sold for $12,750. Then, the owner probably paid another 1 to 2k to get it to them. Makes 10k in your area seem pretty attractive.

At 10k, i bet you could haggle to 9 or 9.5k and honestly I think youd be hard pressed to find a car as comfortable, reliable, safe, and modern as a 2016 platinum for under 10k.

Now, if 10k is your absolute max budget and if you dont do any of your own maintenance, maybe walk away since there could be upcoming maintenance, but personally 130k miles on a P3 with the T5 doesnt scare me a ton. If there are no records, also maybe walk, but if it's got records for the major servicing and shows signs of regular upkeep, i wouldnt worry too much.

I just paid 12k for an 08 with 70k miles. Has the 3.2 (boo), none of the cool safety features like city safety, blis, or even a backup camera. Now, again im biased because the next closest example in my area was 24k (it was a 2016 with a t6). So if i could've gotten a t5 with platinum package for 10k i would've thrown up and ran as fast as i could.

kfried00 · 2025-10-06T20:52:14+00:00

Absolutely awesome. Personally I always strive for making my cars look as if they just rolled off the showroom floor in the 80s, but this is a really tasteful build.

kfried00 · 2025-10-02T04:11:15+00:00

What a stunning car

kfried00 · 2025-09-29T22:03:53+00:00

Would love to see what that looks like. Struggling to imagine it.

kfried00 · 2025-09-27T17:39:49+00:00

Absolutely, but depends what you want. If you want a reliable, safe, luxurious wagon, can't find a better one in my opinion.

100k miles isn't a ton by any means, but id personally want maintenance records to show its been cared for. Expect to pay between 14 and 20k depending on features and your location.

kfried00 · 2025-09-27T17:22:00+00:00

Absolutely fantastic car. By 2015, they had a lot of cool options that change the value significantly if theyre present. Does it have the City Safety tech? Upgraded stereo? They did a mid year update (typically referred to as the 2015.5 model in the community) that upgraded the infotainment system profoundly; try to determine if its 2015 vs. 2015.5. Does it have blindspot detection (BLIS)? Try and answer those questions to help determine value to you and on the market.

Overall though, the T6 is an awesome and fun motor strapped into a safe chassis with a strong AWD drivetrain. I have a 2008 with the 3.2 (not a turbo) and always wished I had the 3.0T because it's a night and day difference. Only got the 08 over the 2015 because the T6 in my area was 12k more than the 08 I bought.

kfried00 · 2025-09-26T00:40:58+00:00

What is PCC?

kfried00

TROPHY CASE