5 Months Gone

Here comes not-asked-for car drivel. The focus is a good, cheap car. Cheap maintenance, cheap parts. The thing to remember is that this class of car loses value extremely fast, usually faster than you can pay off esp. if you’re using it as a daily driver. When you’re paying for these cars new or almost new you have have have to get a good deal, or be able to make more than the monthly payment to make up for the loss in value. But, out of the focus, cobalt, late model cavaliers etc., I’d rake the Focus. The Rabbit is a little more, but I think out of all the cheapies Id have to take that one… but you know how I feel about VWs and parts are definitely NOT cheap in that case. -end drivel-

My friend has a Focus, she really likes it.

All that stuff would be hard with Jess gone! You gotta think that he does see though. That is a nice car.

that’s my car! lol. i have a 2007 in the exact same color. i absolutely adore it. 🙂

*HUGS* YAY for getting a new car! 😀

*RYN* Thanks for the info! I will try that on him.

RYN: Yeah, send me the ad. Negotiating is pretty simple. Keep in mind the depreciation of value… look on craigslist locally at focuses that have 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles and keep in mind that you will never be able to get that money back. With that in mind, figure out what YOU would be willing to pay for this car. Because it’s used, you have a lot of leway. They either got this in as a trade-in or they got it at an auction, either way under bluebook and they have a lot more to give than you might think. Above all try not to attach to this particular car, as with time you WILL find the car you want at a price you can live with. Also remember that the focuses underwent a body style change this year. And they. are. fugly… but people aren’t going to be paying top $$$ for this body style when they can invest a little more and get the new bodystyle. Use this to your advantage but remember that this car will depreciate faster because it’s already an “out of date style” if you will.

Do you have NO credit, or NEUTRAL credit? No credit and they will rape you for as much as they can get in interest. At NO POINT should you EVER accept an offer over 12% interest. You’re looking for somewhere between 5-9%, remember with a cheap tier car you will never make this money back. It might be best to look for a car loan with a credit union, or the bank that you have a credit card/debit card with. The dealership’s financers might be out to screw you. Let me know what I can help with, I’m more than happy to do so! I pinch pennies so hard with the cars, I have really found so many ways around expensive things and I’m happy to pass that on. Let me know your budget, and also let me see the ad for that focus, and I will note you again with more specific goods. I can tell you how much that car is actually worth.

RYN: It said it was no longer available! Is it gone or was it a bad link? Ima hop in bed, I’ll get you a reply tomorrow!

RYN: Okay. At a dealership this car is worth $12,000 and not a penny more. Private seller here has the same car for $10,000 OBO, another for $11,000 with 200 more miles. I would go to the bank for a loan, or look to see if you have a credit union (they seem to beat bank loan interest). Remember that the APR is what will kill you in the end on this car, so shop around for loans and get the LOWEST APR you can. If someone can cosign with good credit, things will be better… When I applied for the gold beetle I had 0 credit and got 7-9% at different banks, and with a cosigner we pulled it down to 5%. This is almost more important than the price of the car. If you’re doing a loan from a bank, you might want to look at cars with longer life (The focus usually starts needing major repairs at 100k-125k according to consumers) and more miles. I bought my car with 109,000 miles but because it’s a diesel, it was just being broken in. It will last to 300,000 miles easily and gets 40 mpg (when Jim DOESNT break the stupid EGR valve), and I paid $9,000 for it. Diesels arent for everyone obviously LOL but I’m just trying to make an example.

Ford and chevy are on the low side for life span, and especially their cheaper cars (the cobalt, focus, previous geos etc). Mazda’s little hatchbacks and sedans (Why cant I think of the name.. the new ones, everyone has one) seem to be holding up well but the 626 and their larger cars don’t. Hyundai and Kia have killer warranties up to 100,000 miles but crash in value so fast your head will spin,I wouldn’t even bother looking at them to be honest. Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen is going to be your best bet for a used car. Decent to good gas mileage (26-30), high resale value (low depreciation on most models), and long life spans. Honda and Toyota feel free to buy anywhere between 30-70,000 miles and expect them to last you at least 5 years if not more. Volkswagen will be cheaper, just guage resale values and figure out which cars you like (probably a Jetta, which is similar to the Focus in boxy bodystyle and is large enough to seat everyone comfortably and still be affordable initial investment-and-gas mileage wise). If you just want to spend around $14k and get a NEW car and really want something with zero or low miles,

seriously look into scion! Scions are toyotas with cheap bodies and smaller engines. They all get decent gas mileage and will have the long lives of toyotas. The scion xb, if you LIKE it, is an amazing value all around. Low initial investment, high resale value, good cheap parts and labour, and decent extendable warranties if you buy from a toyota dealership. They have several smaller cars available as well if you don’t like the “van” look. The 2006s and older get about 30MPG, the new rounder ones get less as they are larger, heavier, and I think the engines are larger as well. When I was looking at new cars, I was actually going to buy one of these. Anyway so a private seller and a bank loan will always be cheapest. Most warranties are transferrable, so no worries, just check the VIN with carfax.com before you buy it to mae sure it hasnt been in an accident. If you do want to go with a dealership, tell them your budget is $1,000 less than the actual value of the car. For instance, tell the focus guy that you were hoping to find one for $11,000 but like the look of this focus. Is there any way he can pull it down?

He will probably say, Oh no, I can maybe get 800 off the price. Sigh dramatically (LOL) and say you wish it could be more. If they don’t offer, or try to direct you to another car, leave. He will ask for your number, give it to him.. he will be obnoxious with calling you. The next day or so he will call and offer the car for less. Add 200 bucks to your offer. If he doesn’t pull it down thento $12,000 or less, thank him for his time but that you can’t afford it… hang up. Continue until you settle on a price. Then demand a good warantee bumper-to-bumper for free. Ask that the car be detailed before pickup, ask for darker tint if you need it, these things can be added on for very little. You want a good warranty or you’ll be stuck footing the bill for maintenance they should be taking care of anyway… especially on such a new car. Did I miss anything?

RYN: LMAO my flight?