How to score.....a donor

[Innkeepr]

At first we were searching for a good donor, prices were far from what I wanted to spend. I started collecting parts for the build, knowing it was going to be a year or so before I ordered the 818.
When my son turned 16 he wanted a sports car (like most teenagers), but not a Scoobie. We found a 85 RX7, and over the winter replaced all the suspension bushings and added zerc fittings, new shocks,struts,rotors, calipers, master cylinders (clutch,slave and brake) new tires...and all was well in the teenagers world.

Fast forward 9 months.... fear becomes reality.
My son was heading out early in the A.M to take his SATs, and fell asleep at the wheel. I am thankful this was a divided highway, as the concrete divider stopped him from the oncoming traffic.
The "cat eye" reflectors literally cut a perfect 2 inch wide by foot long holes in the drivers door and rear quarter panel, no other damage - except his ego, and maybe his shorts (he wont say).
Body shop estimates ranged from 1K to 1500. I saw an add for an 04 Impreza RS for sale, talked to the owner, and made a deal. It has 220K on the car, new head gaskets, radiator, heater core,water pump,timing belt,brakes/rotors,
tires AC works, and in really good shape.
It was a daily driver for work, 90 miles a day. He had owned it since it had 60K on it, and had all the receipts for the work.
Only drawback to the car is its an Automatic.

I bring it home, and the wife looks it over, then looks at me and says "you just back doored a donor didn't you"?....yup.

The boy is still torn between college for computer science (local) and the Military. The recruiter said his scores were high, and qualified for Crypto, which he is interested in. Ball is in his court now, either way I will support his decision.
As for the car, he loves it ? and said "Mom was right, I should have bought this instead of the Mazda". Now I have an ej207 & 5sp trans sitting in the garage with some other parts, and the donor being driven until I purchase my 818C.

Wife is still shaking her head, and I'm still grinning.

Be safe,
"E"

[WIS89]

E-

Great story on scoring yourself a donor. Even more pleased to hear that your son is OK!!

As far as your son is concerned, and regarding the fork in the road; to paraphrase Yogi Berra, why not both? Has he considered a ROTC scholarship? He can major in Comp Sci, get a degree, then become an officer leading the finest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines the world has ever known! I strongly recommend leading Sailors or Marines, although there is no bad decision. We need good officers to lead these awesome folks, and maybe your son could be that awesome. Perhaps it is something worth considering. No matter his decision, I wish him well.

I hope the new donor works well for all of you!

Regards,

Steve

[Al_C]

I agree with Steve. Among other things, I've been a head hunter in the high-tech field. I can tell you from experience that the college degree will make your son's life much easier from an employment perspective down the road whether he chooses the military or not. Now is the time for him to pursue a degree - and if he can do that with an ROTC scholarship, all the better. If you'll permit me to offer my two cents, I'd strongly encourage your son to take the college route now. Thanks for considering my (and Steve's!) perspective!

[alpine227]

I agree with Steve. Among other things, I've been a head hunter in the high-tech field. I can tell you from experience that the college degree will make your son's life much easier from an employment perspective down the road whether he chooses the military or not. Now is the time for him to pursue a degree - and if he can do that with an ROTC scholarship, all the better. If you'll permit me to offer my two cents, I'd strongly encourage your son to take the college route now. Thanks for considering my (and Steve's!) perspective!

Pains me to say it as an Army ROTC instructor, navy or airforce for computer science. Although the Army's counter electronic warfare functional area is growing much more robust. I went a third route enlisted in the national guard and went to school on GI bill, tuition assistance and ROTC stipend.

Well played on the donor.

V/R

John

[Innkeepr]

Thanks guys, he is seriously looking into the Navy, either before or after college. He will be the first to "Go Navy" as the family has been in all other branches.
As far as his Impreza goes, he just realized that the money put into the RX7 plus this purchase, he could have picked up a good used WRX.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Thanks guys, he is seriously looking into the Navy, either before or after college. He will be the first to "Go Navy" as the family has been in all other branches.
As far as his Impreza goes, he just realized that the money put into the RX7 plus this purchase, he could have picked up a good used WRX.

It's just not building a car, IT'S AN ADVENTURE


https://youtu.be/Tc9g2tagYms

[Allen@AJW]

Being Military myself I'd recommend the Military and then school so he won't have to deal with that debt. However I know there are some great loan repayment programs out there.

Well played with the donor! Good luck!

[Boil]

Another consideration is a 4 or 6 year hitch as Enlisted, then transfer to Reserves/Guard for college while also doing the ROTC thing, then back to Active duty & an OCS slot. A lot of Enlisted/NCOs have more respect for an Officer who was once a grunt.