Porsche Mechanic as a Career Choice

[jhiggi83]

A little background about me, I am getting honorably discharged this year after 8 years of service in the Marine Corps. My background has been 4 years Contract Management and 4 years accounting. I also got a Bachelors of Business Admin while in.

I was considering going to UTI and then follow up with the Porsche program because I was getting bored of sitting in an office all day and I really like working on my own vehicles. My test scores in the military are very high in mechanical and the Veterans Admin. Aptitude test showed very high aptitude for mechanical. However when I went to talk to the Veterans Admin. Career counselor to interpret that test she said that I am best suited to a technical trade like auto mechanics but with my current qualifications I would be stupid not to stay in contract management. That I am looking at 80k a year in contract management vs 30k being a mechanic. While money isnt everything to me I do like to have enough to support my family, save for retirement and work on side projects. I have read that good master mechanics can make 70k-100K a year but I also read that those earnings figures are not realistic. I am very interested in being able to do everything on a car. I'm just looking to see if I can get different perspectives. My career counselor told me to keep mechanics as a hobby and go where the money is but I think with the proper training and years on the job I could become an expert in the field.

[aigel]

Cons for becoming a mechanic:
- tough on your body, especially once you are past mid-age
- poor work hours, often with Saturdays and poor vacation packages
- constant hustle trying to beat the book hours, either cut corners or make less

Pros
- do what you love (until the cons catch up in year two)
- chance to become a service writer
- chance to open own shop

Unless you plan for your own shop or to become a service writer, I'd listen to the career counselor.

G

[RANDY P]

LISTEN TO YOUR COUNSELOR. I can't think of a faster way to destroy your love of cars than working on cars for others-especially ungrateful owners. Body will wear out, sooner or later.

Take the course which provides the best money for your family, then use that money to buy cars that you can work on, on your own timeframe, and when you feel like it.

rjp

[Brando]

I worked for a sole-proprieter that had been in the trade for 35 years when I came to work for him. Of all the things he taught me the most important lesson was this:

"You will make a living, but it won't be a great one. You will have a strong passion for your work until you don't."

He was 55 when I started working for him. Although, he let the money he made lead him into vices that destroyed his personal life, almost obliterating his professional one. Then comes the phyiscal degredatio and damage over time.

I have to agree with your career advisor. I got out of the mechanics trade and into [digital] marketing. Less stress, better hours, better pay, and allows me to ENJOY my hobby. If your goal is to become a service writer, shop owner, or manager then go for it. You will spend the first 5 years (or less) beating the book time and meeting management's ever-increasing expectations.

The decision is ultimately yours. I am hoping others who continue service as a career chime in too.

[pavulon]

paging syncroid....come in Dan!!

[stomachmonkey]

Had a close friend who was a P-Car wrench. Worked in a high end shop with customers who had more money than sense. Did very well.

One day he was on a flight and started chatting with the guy next to him who it turned out made prosthetics.

My friend looked at his hands beat up dirty hands then at the guys and by the time the flight was over decided on a career change.

He's had his own practice for 20 years now and is a lot happier helping people live fuller lives.

[afterburn 549]

8 years in and 12 to go. Why not just Reup?
You are all most half way !

[ficke]

A flat rate car mechanic is a very hard way to make a living. It is about as far as you can be from what you are doing now. Every dime you make as a mechanic you have to earn, and you have to earn it by being faster, smarter and better than the next guy who will have your job in a heartbeat if you mess up or slow down. Very different than enlisted military where you almost can not get fired.There most likly will be no paid vacations, paid time off for errands, birthday or anything. No retirement plan. Benefits are going to be few compared to what you have had.
Listen to your counselor and work on your own cars for your own entertainment and get a gravy job for money.
I was a flat rate foreign car mechanic, over the road truck mechanic and a heavy equipment mechanic. I had my own bus. as a portable heavy equipment mechanic/welder. I was also enlisted in the Army and know that game. I told my son to join the military or get a goverment job of some sort, it sure beats working for a living.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by ficke

A flat rate car mechanic is a very hard way to make a living. It is about as far as you can be from what you are doing now. Every dime you make as a mechanic you have to earn, and you have to earn it by being faster, smarter and better than the next guy who will have your job in a heartbeat if you mess up or slow down. Very different than enlisted military where you almost can not get fired.There most likly will be no paid vacations, paid time off for errands, birthday or anything. No retirement plan. Benefits are going to be few compared to what you have had.
Listen to your counselor and work on your own cars for your own entertainment and get a gravy job for money.
I was a flat rate foreign car mechanic, over the road truck mechanic and a heavy equipment mechanic. I had my own bus. as a portable heavy equipment mechanic/welder. I was also enlisted in the Army and know that game. I told my son to join the military or get a goverment job of some sort, it sure beats working for a living.

While I don't think it was your intent, this is quite insulting to our men/women in the Armed Forces, most of who work damn hard. It's also insulting to those of us who work for the government--again, most of whom work damn hard to make your life better.

I did the corporate gig for a while after getting out of the Army, then took a pretty big pay cut to come back to work for DoD because it's better to be a part of something bigger than myself than to go to work each day doing nothing more than chasing after more and more $'s while really adding no value to the life of those around me.

Furthermore, take a look at the news; people in the military are getting "laid off" in record numbers right now.

[calimedeiros]

I think the above post was for more of a government job as man every city worker I see are down lazy and miserable people very rarely I see a good worker working as a city worker
cannot speak for military people

[yetibone]

I've been a mechanic for about 18 years so far. I started in a two bay, family owned, small 'taters repair shop that only did smaller repairs and gravy work. That didn't bring home a whole bunch of money for me, but it was enough, and also really didn't offer much of a challenge for me once my 'green' wore off. I moved to a sprawling six bay shop in '04, owned by a very callous, rather fearless, and very knowledgeable old fellow that would take in and repair most anything. Mantis tiller, to a TD18 bulldozer, and Geo Metro, to 379 Peterbilt; I learned a helluva lot from him, made a lot of cash for him, a better amount for myself than ever before, and now the biz belongs to me, and his daughter since he decided to retire to working on tractors, and equipment exclusively. Currently, my life is pretty good. I make what I need and then some, do what I love, get what I want, and put a little away for retirement every year.

I've never worked at a franchised repair shop, or a dealer because of the hyper-competitive atmosphere, and the political hierarchy that every mechanic there has to claw their way thru in that environment. Some of the pay rates, and such are not quite fair to the mechanic. Asphaltgambler can expound upon this; he's posted on that subject a couple of times and really made me appreciate where I've worked so far. I know I could have POSSIBLY made a little more money, but the two private shops I worked for payed me a decent salary, and I would rather have a consistent income instead of one that fluctuates with amount of work available. Plus, I like having a little exposure to my customers, and take a the time to explain the 'how come and how much' to people that trust me with their vehicle. I know that they appreciate it very much, too.

I'm sure some of you have noticed I've been around here more since before Christmas. We decided to close shop 'till the 5th. Since I'm currently the ONLY guy doing repairs, and I'm half owner, WITH the customer base my former boss-turn-landlord built up for 30 odd years, my days are 12 to 14 hrs long. It's still not a job to me yet, because I still really enjoy what I do, but down time is a cherished commodity for me anymore. I've got a fellow coming in to work full time starting on the 5th, so I'll be able to cut back my time there. (Yay!)

I can't help but say that there's a steep learning curve to the trade these days. Working on only one marque will be much easier than having to work on anything that stops out front, but even that isn't easy anymore. The tools necessary, and the information needed to be competent is mind boggling. I remember about a year ago Fastfred made a post here comparing his tool bill over the years to a mortgage, and that buying a house is cheaper by far. He's right.

Wear on your body is another factor, like folks before pointed out. When you have to do the job as fast as you can, and as competently as you can, because somebody else will get the privilege if you can't, then you are FORCED to overwork yourself. Like I said, I was never in a dealership environment, but in order to satisfy the the amount of business we've had, and to do so under the pretense that some customers that you have to send away because you can't be timely may not return, I've been nearly maxed out for the last 80 work days since my last hired helper had to go. I gotta say that it has progressed my age beyond my years a little bit. A fellow on the cusp of his 40's shouldn't have tired feet, sore knees, and a sore back, but I do. My hands shouldn't look 20 years older than the rest of my arms, but they do. So long as people rely on me, and I enjoy my job, I got to keep on.

If you get into the trade, I guess the biggest blanket statement I can say is be prepared to make a monetary investment, and protect yourself both physically, and financially.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by jhiggi83

My career counselor told me to keep mechanics as a hobby and go where the money is

Good advice.

You could even do work at home on weekends in your garage on other's cars for money.

[afterburn 549]

I used to own a couple repair shops..if it was me and to do all over
I would have a "high end " shop and run it like a dentist office.
Several bays, very qualified people. Porsche would be the bottom end car to come through the door
(no offence) Not that they are bottom car...but cater to the people that WANT to spend the cash.
I would over see several car bays and help here and there .
I learned this once I started working on RV vehicles .
With All play toys the owner wants it fixed, modified etc.
No crying.
With the basic car, - the owners are hardly ever ever happy to pay a repair bill.
All that said. Learn your trade and open a shop.
Get the bigger picture.
Usually there is no money exchanging just time for said money.

[syncroid]

I am a full time Porsche only mechanic. I'll give you my opinion.

I started my mechanics career in 1985. (I will be 54 this year) Before that, I was working the parts counter at a hot rod VW shop. I also did a short stint working at a Porsche dealer in the parts dept.
Working on cars is very tough on the body! I get a good laugh watching some of our customers come to the shop to work on their own car. They are absolutely spent physically after a day of it. Now try that every day!
Buying your own tools! I have over a quarter million invested in mine. I have probably helped my Snap On dealer put his kids through college! The gal that cuts my hair probably has a thousand bucks tied up in her tools...and probably makes more money then I do.
As others above have stated, You will like doing it until you don't.
Working for cars is not for everyone.
Hind sight being "always" 20/20, I should have stuck with what I was doing when I was 18. I was an EMT back then. Had I stuck with that, I would have gone on to be a Paramedic and probably be retired by now.

Not trying to tell you what you should or should not do. The above is only my hands on opinion.

[yetibone]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I used to own a couple repair shops..if it was me and to do all over
I would have a "high end " shop and run it like a dentist office.
Several bays, very qualified people. Porsche would be the bottom end car to come through the door
(no offence) Not that they are bottom car...but cater to the people that WANT to spend the cash.
I would over see several car bays and help here and there .
I learned this once I started working on RV vehicles .
With All play toys the owner wants it fixed, modified etc.
No crying.
With the basic car, - the owners are hardly ever ever happy to pay a repair bill.
All that said. Learn your trade and open a shop.
Get the bigger picture.
Usually there is no money exchanging just time for said money.

Oh, good God Yes!

There's an RV sales and service place that rented the building at the top end of the road my shop is on. They'll only work on the coach, and don't get involved in any chassis, driveline, generator, or prime mover repairs, so they found us a couple of weeks after setting up shop, and have established a very good relationship with me. They've sent me tens of thousands of dollars worth of work over the last 3 years, and BOY HOWDY, can a fella make some GOOD money working on RV's. Seems like the repair bill to a class A RV owner is but a drop in their personal bucket!

Of course there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on an RV that's easy to work on, especially on a front engine class A.

[look 171]

Jhijji,

I am not a mechanic but am involved in the trades. I started out as a furniture maker during college. It was my first love. I went after it and eventually became a general contractor / cabinet maker at a very young age. Somewhere along those early years, some wise old fart told me that I have talent, but use my other talent and run it like a business and quit screwing around cutting lumber for other people. I listened, did it and never regretted any part of it. As a business owner, I can chose to make things when I want, or have someone do that for a fee. I still enjoy making one of a kind cabinets, but the business and phone calls had taken a lot of the fun out of the creative part in me.

Around here, there are many Porsche shops that are doing really well. These shop owners are sure not hungry, I tell you this. Pcars are jammed packed in their lots waiting to be worked on. Their employee, well they make a good living.

I would learn the tricks of the trade, then open up my own shop and take a calculated risk. That's a huge step.

[Rick V]

I did not read all the posts but hear me when I tell you, find something else to do for a living. I have been a pro wrench for over two decades and I have stripes to the floor. Not to sound arrogant but I am one of the most factory trained mechanics ( I refuse to say tech) you will ever meet. I spent a couple of years wrenching for Porsche and while there is a certain high held head when you say you are a Porsche Mechanic there are better products to make money on.
The old saying is find something you love, make it your job and you will never work a day in your life, the truth is find something you love, make it your job and you will detest that which you used to love.
It is toxic work, it will destroy your body, it will cost you well north of 60K for tools, and every turn someone will be looking for a way to pay you less and less every single year. DO NOT GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY.
You have been warned.
If you would like to talk about it, just pm me and I'll give you my phone number.
If I sound a little jaded then I managed to pass on a little bit of how I feel.

[911dean]

I think you'd be better off if repairing cars was your hobby. My Grandfather started a repair business in the 50's and my father took over the business and was a mechanic for 50 years. My dad probably average 70+ hours a week over those 50 years. He hides it pretty well, but his body has to feel like hell. My brother now owns and runs the business, he no longer works on cars. He's too busy running the place.

I was an HVAC mechanic for 20+ years. I got burnt out and didn't know what I was going to do when my current job fell in my lap. I can tell you this, my joints sure feel a hell of a lot better. I now have a very good understanding of why my father wanted me to be a college grad. I sure wish I was. There is a lot better way to make money. The trades are getting harder by the day to make it.

[slow&rusty]

Don't make your passion your daily grind

[ficke]

Originally Posted by gacook

While I don't think it was your intent, this is quite insulting to our men/women in the Armed Forces, most of who work damn hard. It's also insulting to those of us who work for the government--again, most of whom work damn hard to make your life better.

I did the corporate gig for a while after getting out of the Army, then took a pretty big pay cut to come back to work for DoD because it's better to be a part of something bigger than myself than to go to work each day doing nothing more than chasing after more and more $'s while really adding no value to the life of those around me.

Furthermore, take a look at the news; people in the military are getting "laid off" in record numbers right now.

It might seem insulting to point out the fact that a mechanic only makes money when he produces a service, most people do not want to pay a mechanic while he goes to school, to the dentist or doctor, vacation, sick, etc. I have been both a mechanic and an active duty serviceman and my experience is that a mechanic or trades person works hard for money with little benefits or appreciation of service compared to government employees.
Tradesmen work damn hard to make YOUR life better.
There is a reason the government is overloaded with people wanting to work for it and there reason there is a shortage of trades people. Read the responses to this thread and you will get the idea.
I told my son to work for the government, I did not need to explain why, he saw what I did, what it did to my body and he went Army and never looked back.