where are all of the mechanics to repair these cars?, there are even more being finished at the body shop Options

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Would be be a great career for someone who loves Porsches!

[Chi-town]

With a trade you're not $150k in debt right out of the box (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
(The big trade schools are a rip off, find a good community college!)

Last dealer I worked for came with a $5k sign on bonus and a week's vacation up front. Laptops at each bench are standard in all the shops now.

My first year as an actual dealer apprentice I made almost $40k (1997ish)
The last year that I was wrenching I made a tick under $100k (2012)

The money is there if you know your vehicle line well and you're willing to work hard to get it.

Yes I have close to $100k in tools but if you figure I built that collection over roughly 25 years, it's cheaper than most people spend on coffee every year (you need to learn to tell the tool guys "no!" early on in your career). You also get to write them off on your taxes which helps. They're also a hard asset that really doesn't depreciate.

As for wear and tear, I've seen more than my fare share of office workers with wrist and elbow surgery from sitting at a computer all day and back issues from the same.

If you take care of yourself, know your limits, and work smarter being a mechanic is no harder than any other job except you have to use your brain and your hands at the same time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Even the fanciest cars still need a guy behind the wrench. A computer can't find squeaks, rattles, or water leaks. Even the almighty Tesla has packed shops with 4 guys per stall. They still require all the usual maintenance minus the oil change.

The mechanic position will always be there, can't say the same about an office job. (Anyone remember 2008?) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[Chris914n6]

My first year as an actual dealer apprentice I made almost $40k (1997ish)
The last year that I was wrenching I made a tick under $100k (2012)

you have to use your brain and your hands at the same time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Like a programmer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

I built websites during the 1999 boom, 50-60 hours a week busy and raked in $87k. Then it went bust and to eat I fell back on my mechanic know-how which I still do. But a web programmer today starts at $100k and all the perks you think to ask for.

That said, the real money is in owning a business. Out here someone walking on your roof costs $500/hr. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)