Air Force or military in general.... concerns Evo's
im an e4 in the Navy(CB'S). been in for 2yrs and 4 mos now.went on my first deployment(saved a bunch of money i.e. hazard pay,BAS,BAH,per diem,etc.)got a loan for a little over $21k from navyfcu. bought my first EVO, paying a little less than $500 bucks/mo.insurance $125 mo.driving an AWD monster? PRICELESS.
But any way. Shouldn't u get a bonus for joining? Use that as a downpayment and get the car of ur dreams...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: FL
Thing is i dont know if air force does signing bonuses... my recruiter never explained it to me... I dont even know the whole deal even..all my air force info. had to be researched by me and talking to others in the service... only thing i did is take my asvab and i might be going to meps this tues and wednesday... but yea im searching here online and Evo 8's are pretty cheap $15,000 - low $20,000 not too bad ill probably get one when im an E-3 or e-4 saving all through...
Most of the career fields did away with Signing bonuses...with the war, there are lot of cut backs. Only certain career fields gets signing bonus. Most jobs, if you sign up for six years, you'll put on Airman First Class (E-3) upon graduation of tech school. 15,000-20,000 isn't too bad...350 to 400 a month depends on what interest rate you get. Remember, insurance for an 18 year old male isn't going to be cheap, I'm going to take a stab at 200 a month. Just be smart man. You have no idea how many times I had to council a troop on his/her finances. You don't want to go down that road with a supervisor.
dude...we all make the same. I've been over there a couple of times, last time I was in Bagram with the 10th Mountain Division...we make the same. Base pay, BAS, tax free, hazards duty, BAH if you live off base.
And I'm a cop in the Air Force aka Air Force's Army...we do exactly what you guys do, just shorter tours. 6+ month tours but hell lot better than 12-18 months like you guys. We also carry M9, M4,M16, M203, M249, M240...among others. Not all air force is a BOB.
But, buying an Evo as a first car brand new to the AF is a pretty bad idea...like everyone says...you only make about 1100 a month after taxes...you figure 400 a month on car payment (that's 20,000 loan for 5 years) 150+ for insurance plus gas...that's over half of your paycheck. Save up for a good size deposit. Get a POS for cheap and drive that while you save up money and see where you're at before you just jump into an Evo.
I've been in almost 6 years....I'll be out in 18 days to be exact. I'm SF, I used to love it but it's not for me anymore. If you don't want to be a cop, make sure you come in with a guaranteed job. My suggestion, don't come in as a cop. Law Enforcement mission is going away within a few years with not sooner. Your mission will be security, deploy and train. I'm getting out to be a cop cause that's what I like to do.
After working my 14 hour shift last night, the whole squadron came in in our service blues (you'll learn what that is soon enough) and got a nice 2 hour *** chewing from the capt and senior. It came with the job...so DON'T COME IN AS A COP!
Best of luck to you. AF was a great ride, I don't regret it, I'm just ready to move on.
And I'm a cop in the Air Force aka Air Force's Army...we do exactly what you guys do, just shorter tours. 6+ month tours but hell lot better than 12-18 months like you guys. We also carry M9, M4,M16, M203, M249, M240...among others. Not all air force is a BOB.
But, buying an Evo as a first car brand new to the AF is a pretty bad idea...like everyone says...you only make about 1100 a month after taxes...you figure 400 a month on car payment (that's 20,000 loan for 5 years) 150+ for insurance plus gas...that's over half of your paycheck. Save up for a good size deposit. Get a POS for cheap and drive that while you save up money and see where you're at before you just jump into an Evo.
I've been in almost 6 years....I'll be out in 18 days to be exact. I'm SF, I used to love it but it's not for me anymore. If you don't want to be a cop, make sure you come in with a guaranteed job. My suggestion, don't come in as a cop. Law Enforcement mission is going away within a few years with not sooner. Your mission will be security, deploy and train. I'm getting out to be a cop cause that's what I like to do.
After working my 14 hour shift last night, the whole squadron came in in our service blues (you'll learn what that is soon enough) and got a nice 2 hour *** chewing from the capt and senior. It came with the job...so DON'T COME IN AS A COP!
Best of luck to you. AF was a great ride, I don't regret it, I'm just ready to move on.
wow, Sp's have always been the blacksheep of the Air Force. I'm in aircraft maintenance and i fell like out job sucks (depending on mission). i havent had a recall in service blues but we have been close to that. congrats on moving forward.
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
I was on my way out when I got my Evo. Army 5 years. I have a perfect driving record and was 29, married when I got my IX. I still pay 231 for 2 cars.
I pay 146 a month for my bike Insurance I would drop to 207 on the Cars if I changed over to the same place but I would lose out with how much I paid to set up my bike. I am going to wait 2 more months then change over. the Initial Premium screwed me.
I pay 146 a month for my bike Insurance I would drop to 207 on the Cars if I changed over to the same place but I would lose out with how much I paid to set up my bike. I am going to wait 2 more months then change over. the Initial Premium screwed me.
Heh, I was/am in the exact same situation, just a little more time in. I put on SrA last month, but currently do not drive my Evo IX. It's in the states with my parents where they drive it to keep it running (2-3 times a week, grocery shopping, etc..) while I finish my tour over here in England.
If you REALLY want to start your Evo payments in the right direction, I would leave your car back in the states with your parents (if possible) and go overseas ASAP. Currently RAF Croughton has a COLA that is stupid-high (I've seen as high as $950, low as $780, but it usually covers around $825). I called USAA and got a quote as soon as I got over here to see if I could drive my Evo in England, but that was a definite no-no. If you have any points at ALL on your history, don't expect to be driving your Evo over here, at all.
However on a good note, living on-base and hitching rides/buss up to Lakenheath/Mildenhall for your big-base needs is not bad at all. For the past 1.5 years or so I've been paying about 950 a month into the car, and had enough money to put 10k into a CD while I was on leave from the money I saved up while being over here. I plan on refinancing the car (22 years old, almost clean driving record) when I return to the states on July 1st.
You can do it, but you'll definitely have to manage the crap out of your money as well as expenses as a lowly Amn-SrA. If you intend on driving your Evo right after Tech School, good luck- you'll definitely need it.
If you REALLY want to start your Evo payments in the right direction, I would leave your car back in the states with your parents (if possible) and go overseas ASAP. Currently RAF Croughton has a COLA that is stupid-high (I've seen as high as $950, low as $780, but it usually covers around $825). I called USAA and got a quote as soon as I got over here to see if I could drive my Evo in England, but that was a definite no-no. If you have any points at ALL on your history, don't expect to be driving your Evo over here, at all.
However on a good note, living on-base and hitching rides/buss up to Lakenheath/Mildenhall for your big-base needs is not bad at all. For the past 1.5 years or so I've been paying about 950 a month into the car, and had enough money to put 10k into a CD while I was on leave from the money I saved up while being over here. I plan on refinancing the car (22 years old, almost clean driving record) when I return to the states on July 1st.
You can do it, but you'll definitely have to manage the crap out of your money as well as expenses as a lowly Amn-SrA. If you intend on driving your Evo right after Tech School, good luck- you'll definitely need it.
I'm an E-7 in the Army and as of the 22nd of this month I will have been in for 20 years. Of course being a senior NCO affords me the opportunity of making more money, but just like many of my fellow military members have mentioned getting deployed is a great way of making more money. It is possible to afford an Evo as an E-1 but requires some discipline and self-control. Your best bet is to have a large down payment saved up so your monthly payments aren't so high that you can't afford other things. Your insurance payments can be found out by calling around to different insurance companies and getting quotes. It has already been mentioned but USAA is a good one to try. As far as your maintenance costs as long as you aren't burning up the clutch and other like items then it is no different than any other car. The biggest difference is our fluids cost a little bit more than most.
Good luck in your choices. If you need some advice from somebody who has been there and done that just let me know.
Good luck in your choices. If you need some advice from somebody who has been there and done that just let me know.
Account Disabled
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: SL, UT
dude...we all make the same. I've been over there a couple of times, last time I was in Bagram with the 10th Mountain Division...we make the same. Base pay, BAS, tax free, hazards duty, BAH if you live off base.
And I'm a cop in the Air Force aka Air Force's Army...we do exactly what you guys do, just shorter tours. 6+ month tours but hell lot better than 12-18 months like you guys. We also carry M9, M4,M16, M203, M249, M240...among others. Not all air force is a BOB.
But, buying an Evo as a first car brand new to the AF is a pretty bad idea...like everyone says...you only make about 1100 a month after taxes...you figure 400 a month on car payment (that's 20,000 loan for 5 years) 150+ for insurance plus gas...that's over half of your paycheck. Save up for a good size deposit. Get a POS for cheap and drive that while you save up money and see where you're at before you just jump into an Evo.
I've been in almost 6 years....I'll be out in 18 days to be exact. I'm SF, I used to love it but it's not for me anymore. If you don't want to be a cop, make sure you come in with a guaranteed job. My suggestion, don't come in as a cop. Law Enforcement mission is going away within a few years with not sooner. Your mission will be security, deploy and train. I'm getting out to be a cop cause that's what I like to do.
After working my 14 hour shift last night, the whole squadron came in in our service blues (you'll learn what that is soon enough) and got a nice 2 hour *** chewing from the capt and senior. It came with the job...so DON'T COME IN AS A COP!
Best of luck to you. AF was a great ride, I don't regret it, I'm just ready to move on.
And I'm a cop in the Air Force aka Air Force's Army...we do exactly what you guys do, just shorter tours. 6+ month tours but hell lot better than 12-18 months like you guys. We also carry M9, M4,M16, M203, M249, M240...among others. Not all air force is a BOB.
But, buying an Evo as a first car brand new to the AF is a pretty bad idea...like everyone says...you only make about 1100 a month after taxes...you figure 400 a month on car payment (that's 20,000 loan for 5 years) 150+ for insurance plus gas...that's over half of your paycheck. Save up for a good size deposit. Get a POS for cheap and drive that while you save up money and see where you're at before you just jump into an Evo.
I've been in almost 6 years....I'll be out in 18 days to be exact. I'm SF, I used to love it but it's not for me anymore. If you don't want to be a cop, make sure you come in with a guaranteed job. My suggestion, don't come in as a cop. Law Enforcement mission is going away within a few years with not sooner. Your mission will be security, deploy and train. I'm getting out to be a cop cause that's what I like to do.
After working my 14 hour shift last night, the whole squadron came in in our service blues (you'll learn what that is soon enough) and got a nice 2 hour *** chewing from the capt and senior. It came with the job...so DON'T COME IN AS A COP!
Best of luck to you. AF was a great ride, I don't regret it, I'm just ready to move on.
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Manitowoc, WI
We are a military family, my hubby and I both drive Evos. Our payments range from 350 on his and 400 on mine. Insurance isnt bad really, we go through USAA and it is about 140 a month with far from perfect driving records (no accidents though) and my only being 20 years old so I think were actually doing quite well on insurance. Good luck.
Before you decide to do anything talk to a financial specialist on base. They can set you up a budget and let you see what to expect on paper. I will say even with only a car payment, insurance and maintenance/upkeep, it is gonna be tough for you, and i wouldn't recommend it until you have a few years in. This is coming from an E-6 in the Navy and the only bills I have are my car $550 and insurance $170 and of course rent....I couldn't have done it as an E-1 to E-3 for sure