u/Middle_Dimension8410

Im deciding between two offers right now and need clear folk opinion.

Offer 1 - Gives a TS. Pay cut, Close commute (5-20 minutes). They lean more towards getting an interim, but if i don't get the interim, I get 12 months to get the TS. The job is more first come first serve too, so whoever gets their clearance first gets it.

Offer 2 - Gives a TS. Same pay, Far commute (1hr to 1hr 30 minutes). They dont even sponsor interims, they just sponsor for fhe clearance.

Ive been trying to get into the cleared line of work for a while and have no clue what an interim really consists of. Isn't it like a high denial rate for the smallest of issues? I was dropped from my last contractor due to not passing the infamous test. So I'm thinking the second option will be the best.

But what would you do?

It still drives, but it has too many problems so its going away. The major one was a misfire code coming up. It said it was cylinder one. I changed my spark plugs, ignition coils, cleaned my MAF, cleaned fuel injectors, and nothing. The thing is, I had NO symptoms of a misfire by the time the code came up.

I took the car to my mechanic, he checked all tests etc, said it was fine but there is oil in the 3rd piston. But they said its fine and drive until the wheels fall off.

A month later, I start to significantly lose power. The car starts to shake, a ticking noise starts, and smells horrible. The oil check light came on. MIND YOU, I got my oil changed at 198.7k miles, its now at 200k miles.

I basically just gave up. I need a new front and rear suspension, new brakes and rotors soon, a brake booster or master cylinder, there was something wrong with the wiring for one of the ignition coils due to the previous owner, i might as well invest all of that into a new vehicle. I need something reliable especially with my job being an hour commute. Therefore, I got a brand new Mazda 3 2026 for that deal they got going on for 1.9%.

Need a second opinion.

RIP Mazda 3 2012 😞 Reached 200k