i'd say you'll be fine after a deployment or 2 as long as you're not in any kinda crazy debt and if you are single. just don't blow all your money every friday and sat on alcohol and clubs like the rest of the privates do and you'll be golden.

 

See for me I'm a simple guy, all I'd want to pay bils wise would be Evo and basic necessities. But I know I won't purchase and Evo at E-1. I'll give it E-3 and higher when I have better grounds. If you get what I mean. Also, the Evo I'd want would be a IX but honestly could settle with any Evo.

 

I came in as an E1. Purchased a car on a loan after tech school to build credit. I waited til I was E3 and I applied for a loan and bought an Evo 8.

Wait til you're at least E3 or come in as an E3. Use your bootcamp and techschool time to save money for a down payment. And if you're credit is good enough, try for a loan. And make sure you have some money in your savings account because that's always a good idea.

As an Airman First Class. I can make my $290 monthly car payment, $210 monthly insurance, phone bill, and internet bill and not feel strapped for cash. Since we're paid every 1st and 15th of the month, my bills are split.

And I can't wait to make Senior Airman at the end of the year.

 

came in as e-3 and I saved up for mine in less than 2 years. paid 24k CASH. no payments, no ridiculous insurance, no apr. none of that bs. save up and pay cash. or save up for the biggest down payment possible. dont go out all the time. dont spend money if you could save it. figure out your priorities. going out blowing all your money on alcohol and stupid s*** or getting a car you want.

 

hey che'lu!!! nice to see another 671 rep on the forums! i'm in the military, i wouldnt suggest getting an evo for a few years. save your money, you wont have any bills....as an E1 E2 and E3, you'll be making 500-600 a pay check. granted you'll be living in the dorms and your food will be paid for. the military will take care of you, so save up your money for a few years and then by the evo! plus you'll have money to play with ie; upgrade the motor or whatever you want. i've been an E5 for a few years now, and just bought my evo a few months ago. one more thing, the military has a zero tolerance policy on member finances....which means, if you cant support yourself and the military finds out. they'll kick you out!

 

I'd have to say after looking at that chart, that you must really be focused to afford an Evo on that kind of pay.

I'd find a old DSM or Galant VR4 and play with that. You can extract similar straight line power out of them but they don't handle nearly as well.

I'm currently saving for another Evo myself. Good luck!

 

Everyones advice is kinda narrow. Which model are you looking for?

If its an VIII or rough shaped IX, definitely afordable. you can pick them up here in ELP for 15-16k. even as an e1 its manageable.
a newer X I dont think would be in your wallets best interest.
I bought my IX MR in august 06 brand new as an E3 with less then 2yrs, and while i don't regret the choices i've made I can tell you that it wasn't easy sometimes. Not only that i had a contract marriage so i was collecting BAH without having to support a family. BUT that was 36,000 dollars on top of mods, maint, gas, insurance. I saved quite a bit doing my own maintenance rather then at the dealer. but when my first clutch went out I didnt have my car for 3 months while i saved the money to replace it.
That all being said if you shop around and look for a reasonably well maintained vehicle, I'm sure you will find something in a manageable price range that will make you happy. And best of all, Not break the bank.

 

If you Join they Navy try to recruit people and Enter boot camp @ E-3 like I did. Become friends with your recruiting Chief/PO1 for every person I got they matched me with one and I was E-3 on P1 day at boot camp.

or you could get E2 prior to leaving with a Fitness test or Get E-2 while you are they after taking a history test and doing well on your PT tests

Also check out Navy Federal bank thats who I have my current evo financed with

Good luck

 

I'm in the Marine Corps, have been for 6 years and counting. I bought mine as a LCpl for 22k (16k loan, 8k down payment). 1 deployment later it was paid off. It's doable if you really want one. I'm a Sgt now and 3 deployments later all my money now goes into the car and savings. I'm deploying again in a couple months and I'm itching for the BR FF HTA86.

All in all, it'll be tough but when you put the key in the ignition it'll be worth it IMO.

 

So I'm sure google can answer this but I'd rather hear from people themselves. How can I join as an E-3 or E-2. I'm a freshman in college taking summer classes to rack up credits. Then i have fall semester as well to rack up credits. I know the recruiters will just try and get me to sign, but I want to go in with as much advice as possible. Also thank you to everyone! Great advice from every post

 

In the Marie Corps the highest you can get out of boot camp is PFC/E-2 as far as I know. That is done by referrals (which is what I did), meritorious, or college credits maybe ( I'm not sure about this).

 

@ mark depends on what branch ask you recruiter

 

When I Joined in 2008 the Navy you could get E3 with 2 people

Army was giving $5,000 for every person you go or some ammount like that

Marines is what CH53 said

Chairforce I dont know

Puddle Pirates I dont know

 

I'm most likely looking at the navy. But it would be just me, but I really would want to go in as an E-3. I'll talk to a recruiter I suppose, but if anyone else here knows anything please share. I'm hoping to have a mostly stock 9. Literally all I want in life lol along with leading a good life

 

DONT FORGET ABOUT MAINTENANCE !!!

owning an evo is not just making payments, theres alot of extra expenses