Wish I could find a Ford that was worth the price...

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Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
I mean, I find plenty of cars I like, but for the price they're just not competitive. 2010 Ford Focus SES with a 140 HP engine, auto trans, SYNC and moon roof and a few other options... quoted about $22k. Found a 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R with 177 HP engine, CVT and the rest standard also for $22k. Sure it has SYNC, sure it has a moon roof, but the Sentra has a better transmission (IMHO - I have an Altima with a CVT now and I really don't want a traditional automatic again) and more power.

Maybe I'll test drive a base model V6 Mustang and see how I like that since it's right around the same price.
 
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marvdmartian

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2002
5,442
27
91
For new cars, you're always dealing with the popularity and supply & demand. Remember when the new model Chevy Malibus came out in 2008, I think it was? You couldn't touch one for less than full sticker price, sometimes higher with the ridiculous add-on charges dealers love so much. Once the popularity died down some, they became more affordable.

Nowadays, people like Fords, and the Focus has been especially popular. Why not check out older stock, or slightly used Certified Pre-owned?
 
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GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
1,253
0
0
The next generation Focus (2013) looks like it's going to be much more competitive with much better styling, some nice engine options, and improved Ford Sync. A basic Fusion might not be too far from that price range. I'm not sure how flexible you are with money.
 
Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
Yeah... I've been considering something used. After I got the Altima I told myself that would be my last brand new car. But I kinda like leasing... to me, the extra money I pay for leasing a brand new car vs. buying a slightly used car is worth it to not have to worry about things like replacing brakes, tires, batteries... doing scheduled maintenance like transmission and cooling system flushes/cleanings etc.

This time I thought I'd step down to a lesser model, but get more options and end up with about the same kind of payment.
 
Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
GoatMonkey said:
The next generation Focus (2013) looks like it's going to be much more competitive with much better styling, some nice engine options, and improved Ford Sync. A basic Fusion might not be too far from that price range. I'm not sure how flexible you are with money.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to keep the payments around 300-350 per month, and I can put a few grand down if I need to, but I'd prefer not to.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
The Sentra SE-R is shit, have you driven it? That's why its discounted so much.
 
punjabiplaya

punjabiplaya

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,495
1
71
I didn't know they were still making SE-Rs. I thought it was just a sticker for wannabes.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Loaded economy cars doesn't make sense in the first place, due to the obvious that you've already noticed : it brings you into the range of cars that are dominantly superior, like the '11 Stang V6.

The current Sentra is pretty underwhelming. The CVT, just like the one in the Rogue, is not a winner. The 5-speed in both the Focus and the Sentra is pretty good though. The real fail with the Sentra is the weight and handling. It feels heavier than the Altima, and the rear suspension is something called Torsion beam axle, and it's just total ass. It's okay for puttering around town, but it's garbage when you compare it to Civic, Focus, even the Corolla.

I expect Nissan might significantly update the Sentra next-gen, who knows. Next-gen Civic should be here soon as well.

I have a Focus Coupe (08), and I deliberately got the lightest/simplest/cheapest one I could find. The drivetrain doesn't get any better with the SE/SES, the stock stereo is pretty good (ipod jack + mp3 playback), I don't need NAV, I don't like cheap leather, and power windows/locks seem almost pointless on a compact coupe. About the only thing I would have liked in the options was the moonroof, but I'd probably rarely use that.
 
Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
Good info Arkaign, thanks for that.

I'm considering buying my Altima more and more. I may invest in some better tires (I've grown to HATE the Continentals that came stock), do the 30k mile maintenance and I've gotta get a new cord for the AUX input to use my iPod again. I got a cheap $6 one and eventually the little wires inside broke as the ends got bent by hanging off the face of the stereo.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
The Altima is a pretty good vehicle, and definitely superior to the Sentra. If you're happy with it and get a good deal on it, that might be best. The devil you know > the devil you don't, and if it's been really well cared for that adds to the peace of mind factor.
 
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CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
$22k for any compact economy car is nuts, as others have said. That'll get you a brand new Fusion with several options if you shop around, or a Mustang V6 as you mentioned.

If you can't find a Ford that's worth the price, you're either not looking hard enough or your local dealerships are really screwing you over. Used Fusions especially are a steal - an 07/08 4 cyl SE with ~20-30k miles can easily be had for 11-12k or less. That's a lot of car for the money.
 
Jeff7181

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
11
81
Arkaign said:
The Altima is a pretty good vehicle, and definitely superior to the Sentra. If you're happy with it and get a good deal on it, that might be best. The devil you know > the devil you don't, and if it's been really well cared for that adds to the peace of mind factor.
Click to expand...

The only reason I'm not that interested in keeping it is that there's a deep metal knocking noise when the engine is cold (been sitting all night, temp below 60 F, gets worse the colder it gets) and the dealer refuses to acknowledge that it's a problem. My power train warranty ends this year so if they're not going to fix it, I don't want to keep the car and have to deal with replacing main/rod bearings or worse.

*EDIT* There's a bunch of forum posts around the Internet about that noise I'm talking about and most indicate that it's an exhaust manifold heat shield. I find that hard to believe since that's just a flimsy piece of aluminum... doesn't seem like it would be capable of creating such a deep, solid metal sound that I'm hearing.
 
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Pocatello

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
9,754
2
76
I wouldn't buy a Focus for more than $20K, it's an OK car, but there are better choices.
 
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