I'm about to finish my 4th year of college and the only thing that keeps me from doing what I want to my DSM is money (or lack thereof). There's perhaps "smarter" things to spend your money on when you're in college, but if cars are your passion (and I'm guessing they are since you're going for auto tech), then I say at least get a car you can have fun with.

I only worked while taking classes for one year so any saved money from summers funds necessities. If I actually had a steady income while in school, I'd definitely spend a lot of time and money on my car though.

Most people have to choose between social life, sleep, and good grades. Toss a DSM into the mix and it gets tough just to make progress in both school and on your car. If you have a full time job then that will make it even harder. I would find a solid running 1g and keep it bone stock. If you feel the itch to wrench down on it, give it insane amounts of maintenance. Then when you have the cash it'll be ready to go

Take my word for it, I'm just "finishing" a year long build while in college full time. I love my car, I don't regret doing it at all, but next time I wouldn't take on a such a big project when my mind could have been better focused on school and work.

Alex7747 said:

Fixed

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Very much agreed.

WES_393 said:

Most people have to choose between social life, sleep, and good grades. Toss a DSM into the mix and it gets tough just to make progress in both school and on your car. If you have a full time job then that will make it even harder. I would find a solid running 1g and keep it bone stock. If you feel the itch to wrench down on it, give it insane amounts of maintenance. Then when you have the cash it'll be ready to go

Take my word for it, I'm just "finishing" a year long build while in college full time. I love my car, I don't regret doing it at all, but next time I wouldn't take on a such a big project when my mind could have been better focused on school and work.

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+1 on that.

At THE Ohio State University, I haven't had much time or space to work on a project car. I actually sold my talon because of those reasons. I miss it though. If you do have the time, not sure of your major, then go for it!

Bud92gsx said:

If it keeps you off drugs, and you keep your grades up, and also have the funds.Then yes go for it.

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Implying drugs are bad

WES_393 said:

Most people have to choose between social life, sleep, and good grades. Toss a DSM into the mix and it gets tough just to make progress in both school and on your car. If you have a full time job then that will make it even harder. I would find a solid running 1g and keep it bone stock. If you feel the itch to wrench down on it, give it insane amounts of maintenance. Then when you have the cash it'll be ready to go

Take my word for it, I'm just "finishing" a year long build while in college full time. I love my car, I don't regret doing it at all, but next time I wouldn't take on a such a big project when my mind could have been better focused on school and work.

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Yeah well i want to make something of myself, so im trying as hard as i can to gt good grades and learn as much as i can about cars. No, i'm not a nerd I just want to better myself, I came to college to learn and get a good career doign what I want...not to party.

Zdrummer15 said:

I'm about to finish my 4th year of college and the only thing that keeps me from doing what I want to my DSM is money (or lack thereof). There's perhaps "smarter" things to spend your money on when you're in college, but if cars are your passion (and I'm guessing they are since you're going for auto tech), then I say at least get a car you can have fun with.

I only worked while taking classes for one year so any saved money from summers funds necessities. If I actually had a steady income while in school, I'd definitely spend a lot of time and money on my car though.

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Thanks for the input man, yeah money is the problem, ive been looking for a job to take my mind off things and keep me out of trouble, so maybe i can do that and save up some extra money.

TSIturbo91 said:

All that money will be invested. Not really blown away. Just be careful when getting the car and search for all the things to check before getting a DSM. Wish I had done my homework before I invested in mine. Transfer case locked up at highway speed and I went spinning out of control. If I had checked it for a bad seal I could have avoided that 400 dollar tow.

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Yeah, i dont want that, and im sorry about yours. So, since ive never had a dsm before ill have to be really careful...

You seem to have the funds, if you have the no how, tools, place to work, and most importantly TIME, then go for it and it will be an experience you'll definitely cherish!
Just make sure you keep your grades up otherwise the DSM gods will punish you and make your car break!

Im in college and have had a project car throughout. Just take it very very slow. And as long as you dont go bigger then a 16g it shouldnt drain your wallet all that much and still be plenty fun to drive.

Also set yourself a limit to the minimum you want in that account. Like you have 7k now, set your limit at a safe 3k. You hit that limit then buying car parts takes a break for a while.

Also plan a mod list that allows you to slowly upgrade without any down time. Keeps money in your pocket and a smile on your face. Boost always cheers me up haha.

I dumped most of my savings into a 2g talon. Im a junoir at NIU. When its running its an absolute blast! When its not (like it has been since the beginning of winter break) youll earn a bachlors in DSM's in less than 4yrs!

School+limited funds+girlfriend requiring those limited funds=2g talon still not running!

If your wondering if a DSM is the correct investment for you, take a test drive in one! Preferably an AWD! My roomate has an 04 wrx, so naturally i had to have something faster, and he kept complaining that my crotch rocket wasnt a fair match up

His WRX is stage 2, but my Talon doesnt care!

I have found my DSM to be a crash course in turbo tech, engine mechanics, and electrical system equipment I would not have learned otherwise. I am a better mechanic now than I was before this car. I am also a poorer mechanic. These are not the type of engines you can take any shortcuts on and expect it to run for very long. As said above, if you have a garage and the RIGHT tools to do the work, plus a metric butt ton of extra time to roll around in grease and dirt, then they are awesome cars that are a blast to drive. If you literally can not afford to sometimes have to spend entire days working on it, it will cause you more grief than drinking Mexican river water. Also, do not expect to EVER get the money you spend on a DSM back out again. You are paying for the privilege to drive it, like paying rent.

College is all about managing your time wisely. I focus on school during the week and turn wrenches during the weekend. I'm now into my junior year and have never had any issues, although I am alot poorer than when I started . Just take your time with it and you'll be golden.

I have 2 dsm's and im in my 3rd year of college started my gsx my first year of college. Not alot of spair time but i manage it alright. I went to college for auto body 2 years now and 1 year of auto restoration so i redid my gsx and bout to redo my gst aswell. Besides its always fun when ## car is back in running order to cruize threw campus and turn a few heads.

Too easy to get distracted by a frustrating project car when you should have your nose in the books.
Besides, a good driving DSM is alot more fun than a heap of parts. No way would I buy a project as my first DSM,, especially in school, when you need a clean ride to drive girls around in.