OT: Update on new car(s)...back in a Ford, maybe

[Thomas Rogers]

My wife loves her new Chrysler Pacifica (I will post pics), and I continue my search for a econo-box that gets good gas mileage.



I actually think I might get back into a Ford. Made an offer on a 2007 Ford Focus SES sedan, dark Toreador red, automatic, with fog lights and spoiler, traction control and safety package.



It's a peppy little car for an i-4. And the rebates and financing now are very good $3K off). I just made an offer $3K below invoice and will see where it goes. It's from the same dealer that sold my the ST.



Thanks for all offers previously for x-plan pins. This car is on the lot, I sense they want to move it, and have history with the sales manager (he was the manager from where we leased the Mountaineer in '04, so I am looking for a no-hassle surrender).



Will let you know how it goes...



TJR

 

[Fred]

Good Luck! My brother in law has had a Focus for ~2 years now. No troubles.

 

[Scott Tanner]

I just picked up a 2007 Mercury Milan I-4... sign 7 Drive, x=plan, loyalty cash for $250/mo... 26 mpg aroung town, to and from work.. nice car..

 

[Thomas Rogers]

STanner, that's a Sign & Drive lease on the Milan for $250/mo, right?



I'm looking to put some miles on the next car so a lease isn't a great deal right now for me.



I am trying to get into the Focus for no trade, no money down, and financing for around $280/mo for 60 months. That's my target and I think I am going to get close.



TJR

 

[Tom Schindler]

TJR,



Just so you know, Toyota is 1 point ahead of Ford on whatever that three letter abreviation they use for Failures per 1000 vehicles and in some studies, they have surpassed Toyota in reliability and blew them away on quality.



That is if you put any faith in study numbers. I let my wallet show me who makes the best vehicles and I have yet to see anything last longer than a Ford.





Tom

 

[Scott Tanner]

TJR



correct, although we bumped the mileage up to 12k... we could get 15k /yr for $275..



we save 120/mo in gas over the trac...

i'm not driveing the trac in the winter anymore, saving it to tow the RV...



prolly pick up a fusion or mustang this fall for me...:lol:

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Get the Manual instead of the Automatic. Much better pep and resale value.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

SST, if it were only I that would drive it, I would get the manual in a heartbeat. But, our oldest just turned 14, so I have to assume this will be the car he will learn to drive on. Yes, I know, "make them learn with a stick", but frankly, I just don't have the patience.



TJR

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Too bad. Taught my 14 year old in a weekend. Picked it right up. Even my wife drives a stick with no problems and she learned how-to in a M3 race car.

 

[Tom Schindler]

TJR,



My father would not let me get my license unless I could drive a stick.



Do your son a favor and teach him. If you want, take a drive to Ohio and I will teach him. I prefer a manual tranny over an automatic. More reliable, better on gas, and cheaper to buy.





Tom

 

[Thomas Rogers]

It's kinda moot, they don't have any manuals on the lot, it would be a special order...they never have them.



I know the merits of learning on a manual, but I don't think it's as valuable a skill today as 20 years ago. Sure, it's nice to know, and I could teach him probably pretty quickly, but as I said, there are none on the lot anyway. It seems most of the manuals you will get from the dealer come really, really stripped.



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

SST how can you teach a 14yo? Can 14yo legally drive in your state?



I ask because there was a father last summer or the summer before that thought he would get a jump on teaching his 15yo to drive. He took her to a big parking lot...long story short, the car while driven by the girl and her dad in the pass seat went out of control, hit a young mom who was pulling her baby out of harms way, and killed the young mom.



Last I heard the father was looking at jail time.



I wouldn't advise teaching anyone who doesn't have a license or a learner's permit to drive. Not this day and age.



And that comes from someone who was driving pickup trucks from the age of 13.



TJR

 

[2]

SST how can you teach a 14yo? Can 14yo legally drive in your state?

Not sure about where laws in SSTs' state, but here in Alberta you get your learners permit at 14 and you can get your license at 16.

 

[Tom Schindler]

I can't speak for SST, but I knew how to drive at the age of 13. Large parking lots, no people, e-brake in dad's hand and not a far reach to the key.



FWIW, in that situation you mentioned...In Ohio, with a learners permit, the person with the license in the car is responsible for anything the permit holder does. The same as not having a license.





Tom

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

TJR - we have several large parking lots that are in the industrial area where there are no cars or people around on the weekends. It's highly unlikely I will get a ticket in my city when I do all the SWAT vehicles graphics. Plus, they don't patrol the parking lots in the industrial areas where I live.



Of course she is only doing a max of 25-30 in the parking lot if that. But, it gives her a chance to get the car going, out-of first up to 2nd/3rd.



Yes, I learned to drive at 13 in a parking lot too.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Caymen, You are right regarding responsibility.



The situation I mentioned the daughter driving had no license or learner's permit, which would be the case for 14 year old kids in most every state in the US that I know of (too young for a permit). So, since she was an unlicensed driver and her father allowed her behind the wheel it was pretty clear that it was negligent homicide on the part of the father.



TJR

 

[TomT]

Both my kids learned to drive with a stick. Both of their cars are manual. I believe it keeps them focused more on their driving. Started both of them out in a big parking lot. I set up an obstacle course with orange traffic cones. Had them do serpentine maneuvers, stopping and starting, and even parking. You don't need to be going fast to learn to drive a stick. Once you figure out 1st gear, it's a snap. By the time I was finished with them, I guarantee they were better drivers then half of the drivers on the road.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Again, folks, thanks for the describing the merits of leaning on a manual but as I said, I have checked ALL the surrounding dealerships and only a couple of manual and those are in black...sorry, I won't own a black car...just too darn difficult to keep clean.



There was a white one....that was the only color available other than the couple of souped up black ones (the bigger engine). The price intriqued me...only thing I would lose is the auto-trans (not a loss for me) and the alum-alloy wheels (replaced with cheapie covers).



Should be able to walk out the door with that one for about $12,300 after rebates, etc.



TJR

 

[A K]

Again, folks, thanks for the describing the merits of leaning on a manual but as I said, I have checked ALL the surrounding dealerships and only a couple of manual and those are in black...sorry, I won't own a black car...just too darn difficult to keep clean.

I'll reaffirm this belief on Thursday. I like it, but I'll never get another black vehicle. White/silver/dark metallic grey/etc. No more black.



Good luck with the purchase... maybe I'll get to see it.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

The dark red isn't that much better than black, though I am seeing...the white manual is looking better all the time!



TJR