Well, for those that were following (I don't know why anyone would follow anything I do) my little tyre mini-saga (lasted about a day), it's finally come to an end.
I didn't get the RE730's or the Pole Position S-03's that I was debating over, and didn't end up moving up to 225's like I had originally thought of.
I ended up getting Kumho 712's. 205/55. I'm damn glad I did. I mean, for $296 shipped, and arriving in 3 days, you couldn't beat the deal with a stick.
Only problem I've encountered so far... mounting them. It wasn't the most fun thing I've done yet. The sidewall is damn stiff, moreso than the FZ4's I took off (of course, that is probably because I was taking off used tyres, and putting new ones on that had never been mounted).
So... I only have about 10 miles on them, so I'm taking it a little easy until they settle in. But already I really do like them, and with 340 tread, hopefully they'll last me longer than the one year that my olf front FZ4's lasted (right front was bald as hell. Less than 1/32 left on it).
So.. sorry this was probably pretty boring for all you new guys out there, or those who don't know who the hell I am (geez, I've only been around for 3 years now), but you didn't have to read this far if you weren't interested .
Yeah. I'm a student in a local college for Toyota/Lexus auto mechanics. It's a 2 year auto program, dealing strictly with Toyota and Lexus, called T-TEN (Toyota Technical Education Network).
So basically, I get lots of tests out of the way that most technicians at dealerships have to take to become "master" certified in that specific manufacturer.
There's 15 tests neccessary to become Toyota Diagnostic Master Technician, we take 8 of them in the T-TEN program.
We also get pertinent information that will help to get ASE (Automotive Sevice Excellence) certified. I don't remember how many tests there are.
There's a required internship that goes along with the whole deal... 820 paid hours in a dealership (Toyota preferred) or independant garage.
There's one more kick. If you complete the T-TEN program, pass at least 4 ASE tests, and go to a Toyota dealership... you get a $2500 tool scholarship from Toyota, not the place you work, the big guys; as a "thank you" for going through the program.
With that said. I managed to land a job at a Toyota dealership about 5 miles from my house last week. Neet-0? Yep. I went in to talk to the service manager about 3 weeks ago, told him I was in T-TEN, he said call back in 2 weeks. I called back, said "Hi, my name's Erik, I talked to you about a job about 2 weeks ago..", to which he replied, "Yeah, you're all set to go. When do you want to start".
No interview, no application, no resume.
So... in answer to your question--yes. I work at a dealership, and have access to any machine I need. Including the press that I'm going to use to put in all my Energy Suspension bushings, whenever I order them.
The only drawback to the program... you have to supply your own tools. Which aren't cheap. I bought an all metric tool set through Snap-On corporate (not the funky guys that drive the trucks), a set that is set up for the T-TEN program in specific. It's about $4000 in tools, I got it for $1800 and change. 60% off any tool set is a nice deal. Now I have to buy a bottom and top box, which I also get 60% off of, which will run me about $1400 for both... retailing for about $3000 total.
I can then take those boxes, trade them in to a Snap-On dealer (teuck driver), and for what I paid 40 cents on a dollar for, trade in for 75 cents on a dollar (they don't know I got it at the price I got it at). Take that money (about $2500 or so), and buy a bigger box in about a year (Snap-On boxes hold their value like a damn Honda).
oh ok...thats interesting. I have a couple of buddies that did something similiar and they're techs at a Nissan/Infiniti dealership now. So sometimes i try to go borrow their tools and equipment.
good luck to you!
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93 Prelude SI w/ stuff
96 Nissan 240sx SE
www.houstonprelude.com
It's really a cool setup at school. It's a nice new multimillion dollar building... we get cars donated (96 and newer only ) from Toyota (yeah.. we do have a 93 limited edition supra TT, 2 turbo mr2's, a few neeto 94 german spec celica's, etc). Plus we have all kinds of tools/machines there to use... just lots of stuff. It's really the only way to go if you want to make some good money. After school's done, I'll have so much more knowledge than I would if I just would've went to work at a dealership. Even after the first semester, I've learned a pile of stuff.
Plus... we have the #2 rated T-TEN program in the country.
-Erik
edit--all the other cars besides the ones I mentioned are 96 or newer.
Things are going extremely well. I'll actually have money again. Which in turn means... I can mod my lude, again, finally. Just wait until you guys see whats coming up. It'll spin you heads.
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) from Toyota (yeah.. we do have a 93 limited edition supra TT, 2 turbo mr2's, a few neeto 94 german spec celica's, etc). Plus we have all kinds of tools/machines there to use... just lots of stuff. It's really the only way to go if you want to make some good money. After school's done, I'll have so much more knowledge than I would if I just would've went to work at a dealership. Even after the first semester, I've learned a pile of stuff. 
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