YACT: I am pissed and disgusted. Update: I bought the Focus. :disgust; Update2: Focus wrecked @ 128k, 32k mi in 4.5mo.

Page 4 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
Have you tried looking in the local "car ad magazines" that are outside supermarkets or on autotrader/craigslist? I am pretty sure you could find something better than a Focus you don't like.
If it came down to it you could try one of the many "buy here / pay here" type places on 82nd or McLaughlin.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
You're not likely to find someone willing to finance anything cheaper (at least not as a car). To get much cheaper than that you're probably going to be outside most lenders' age/mileage restrictions.

If you really must go cheaper try a personal loan.

BTW ending up in the Focus @ 19% doesn't mean you have to stay in it. Drive it until you can afford something different & then sell it. Just make big enough payments on it that you don't end up upside down. Consider the $100 a month you pay in interest to be a rental fee.

Viper GTS
That's pretty much what I was afraid of. I didn't really think that getting a smaller loan would work like that.

I need to call my insurance company and see how much full coverage will be.

I'm really unsure about this. I don't want to end up in a worse place more or less than I am now....

 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Have you tried looking in the local "car ad magazines" that are outside supermarkets or on autotrader/craigslist? I am pretty sure you could find something better than a Focus you don't like.
If it came down to it you could try one of the many "buy here / pay here" type places on 82nd or McLaughlin.
I don't really understand what you're suggesting. You think I would be better off going into a shady little local dealership? Try and get a loan through them on a cheaper, earlier model car, with more miles?

I'm not trying to defend the Focus, I'd just like to make the right decision.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: daveymark
public transportation? Carpooling?
I'm working for a currier service company. Not exactly an option, unless I hijack the bus.
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Have you tried looking in the local "car ad magazines" that are outside supermarkets or on autotrader/craigslist? I am pretty sure you could find something better than a Focus you don't like.
If it came down to it you could try one of the many "buy here / pay here" type places on 82nd or McLaughlin.
I don't really understand what you're suggesting. You think I would be better off going into a shady little local dealership? Try and get a loan through them on a cheaper, earlier model car, with more miles?

I'm not trying to defend the Focus, I'd just like to make the right decision.



I was just saying if you wanted something less expensive than the Focus and couldn't pay cash up front you could try a local place. Older or more milage is to be expected, but you could pick out something you would be happier with than being stuck with a car you don't like.
That is all.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,208
13,801
136
Originally posted by: Eli
I dunno about this. Whoever said 19%.. was right. :Q

I'm going to get raped if I buy this car. But I don't know what else to do? Where should I look for alternative financing? I might be able to use my dad's car again tomorrow, but I'd really like to buy a car tomorrow morning somehow? Don't you have to know the car you're going to buy before you can ask a financial institution for a loan? heh.

That Hyundai looks really nice, I would much rather have that than a Focus to be honest with you, and its 1500$ cheaper. :Q

LOL. I'm supposed to go into there tomorrow to sign the paperwork. I think I'm going to tell him to take a hike. He said that 19.25% is the absolute best he could get me, and he had to push for it. I bet he tells that to everyone.. lol.

What really just irks me is that.. if I'm going to pay 6,000$ for a car.. It should be something that I like. An automatic Ford Focus SE Sedan would not be anywhere on my personal list. :(

It's a Blue automatic SE Sedan, as said.. AC, PDL, PW, cd player, keyless entry, lol.... new tires, brakes... blahblah inspection... 96k miles. I don't drive automatics damnit. I'll just tell him that I crunched some numbers and I'm just not going to be able to afford it, and ask if perhaps he has something more affordable?.

But I really don't know what to do in the mean time. Do you have to be a member of a credit union to get loans from them? :p There is one down the street... I could probably find a reliable car for like 3,000$ fairly easily. It would just be a personal loan, not an auto loan I guess?

I gotta go to bed, but I look forward to the multitude of helpful replies that will be here in the morning. ;)

:smileyholdingabighelpsign;

Sorry :(
Best bet is to try other dealerships. You're basically going to get screwed by any loan through a dealership, but that will be the easiest and fastest way to get into a car.
So you might as well find a dealership that has a car you can live with being screwed for.
You do have to be a member of a credit union to get a loan through them.
But the thing is that they factor resale value/depreciation into the loan consideration, and frequently won't give auto loans for under a certain amount.
Even with no credit, I was able to get a personal loan for $2,500 @ 10% through a credit union when I was 19.
And yes, the dealer is almost guaranteed lying to you ;)
Read this thread before you go back to the dealership
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Have you tried looking in the local "car ad magazines" that are outside supermarkets or on autotrader/craigslist? I am pretty sure you could find something better than a Focus you don't like.
If it came down to it you could try one of the many "buy here / pay here" type places on 82nd or McLaughlin.
I don't really understand what you're suggesting. You think I would be better off going into a shady little local dealership? Try and get a loan through them on a cheaper, earlier model car, with more miles?

I'm not trying to defend the Focus, I'd just like to make the right decision.



I was just saying if you wanted something less expensive than the Focus and couldn't pay cash up front you could try a local place. Older or more milage is to be expected, but you could pick out something you would be happier with than being stuck with a car you don't like.
That is all.
Yea....

What if all that fell through, tho? I don't know. It sucks because the Focus is a done deal if I go sign the paperwork, and I need a car today before 3pm.

/pulls out hair

 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,208
13,801
136
Originally posted by: EliI don't really understand what you're suggesting. You think I would be better off going into a shady little local dealership? Try and get a loan through them on a cheaper, earlier model car, with more miles?

I'm not trying to defend the Focus, I'd just like to make the right decision.

Honestly, a buy-here-pay-here might do you fine. Frequently, they're willing to work with you on payments if you have to be late or something, but they will also often ask for money down, which it sounds like might be a problem. Normally one would have to worry about the quality of the car, but I'm pretty sure you know what to look out for ;)
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,208
13,801
136
And don't forget that you will absolutely have to have full coverage insurance if you go through a regular dealership, but you might be able to slide on that through a small-time one.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
And don't forget that you will absolutely have to have full coverage insurance if you go through a regular dealership, but you might be able to slide on that through a small-time one.
How could they let it slide? They would have to protect their investment?

Looking around on Autotrader, the cheapest Focus SE Sedan I can find is around $7,000

LOL!

This is the Focus I'd be buying.

Text


I really don't think $5925 is a bad deal for this car. Find me one for that price... I just loathe the fact that it's an automatic.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
I know it'll hurt, but show up in the Tercel and see how much the dealer will be able to give you as trade-in credit. Even a few hundred will help.

I still say the truck will be cheaper then a new car, and what do you mean it has no room.... that's what the BED is for!

Edit: and most small dealerships (like my uncle's) are hurting for business - this is really a bad time for salesmen. They'll be willing to slide on insurance to make the sale.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Raduque
I know it'll hurt, but show up in the Tercel and see how much the dealer will be able to give you as trade-in credit. Even a few hundred will help.

I still say the truck will be cheaper then a new car, and what do you mean it has no room.... that's what the BED is for!

Edit: and most small dealerships (like my uncle's) are hurting for business - this is really a bad time for salesmen. They'll be willing to slide on insurance to make the sale.
I can't be putting the things that I pick up into the bed of my truck. :Q

That's just all I need to do, lose a bank's proofs or internal mail... lol

I don't know how more clear I can get. I can not afford to spend FIFTY DOLLARS PER DAY on gas alone. That is insanity.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
When you say $600 this month, is that going to increase next month? Even a car that gets 30MPG will cost you $80 per week to fill up. Add in a car payment and insurance and that is $600/mo right there.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
When you say $600 this month, is that going to increase next month? Even a car that gets 30MPG will cost you $80 per week to fill up. Add in a car payment and insurance and that is $600/mo right there.
Yeah. I'm only getting paid for 8 days this month, due to when I started and the bi-weekly pay period.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Originally posted by: Eli
I really don't think $5925 is a bad deal for this car. Find me one for that price... I just loathe the fact that it's an automatic.

I still don't think it's that great of a deal. Unless it's the difference between our areas, I got a hell of a lot better of a deal than you and I paid sticker price (i.e. no discounts and my mother knows the owner of the dealership). The fact that you have ~40% more miles is definitely not something you overlook.

Take a peek at what Edmunds lists the "TMV" of this car as:
http://www.edmunds.com/used/20...100002529/options.html

~4k as a trade-in, ~5k for private party and about ~5.5k for dealer retail.

That is basic, you will need to go below and enter all the options (just check every box, to me it looked like it had everything when comparing the autotrader listing). For my zipcode, these are the numbers I got (trade-in, private, dealer):

$3,396 $4,352 $5,298

Like I remarked, the mileage really brought the price down (Edmunds lists a $-1,266 for the mileage).
 

Need4Speed

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 1999
5,383
0
0
personally I think your best bet is to get a personal loan for 2500.00 with a co-signer...that will give you a pretty descent interest rate and avoid the hassle of having to get collision insurance...then hit up your local autotrader or swapsheet and grab an old honda civic or accord. That will easily last you a couple years until the loan is paid off.

sell the toyota privately and cut your losses now while you still can.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Aikouka
Originally posted by: Eli
I really don't think $5925 is a bad deal for this car. Find me one for that price... I just loathe the fact that it's an automatic.

I still don't think it's that great of a deal. Unless it's the difference between our areas, I got a hell of a lot better of a deal than you and I paid sticker price (i.e. no discounts and my mother knows the owner of the dealership). The fact that you have ~40% more miles is definitely not something you overlook.

Take a peek at what Edmunds lists the "TMV" of this car as:
http://www.edmunds.com/used/20...100002529/options.html

~4k as a trade-in, ~5k for private party and about ~5.5k for dealer retail.

That is basic, you will need to go below and enter all the options (just check every box, to me it looked like it had everything when comparing the autotrader listing). For my zipcode, these are the numbers I got (trade-in, private, dealer):

$3,396 $4,352 $5,298

Like I remarked, the mileage really brought the price down (Edmunds lists a $-1,266 for the mileage).
Hmm, yeah, ouch.

This is what I get:

$3,782 $4,800 $5,828
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
When you say $600 this month, is that going to increase next month? Even a car that gets 30MPG will cost you $80 per week to fill up. Add in a car payment and insurance and that is $600/mo right there.
Yeah. I'm only getting paid for 8 days this month, due to when I started and the bi-weekly pay period.

What about finding a Civic HX like This?

It gets 37/44MPG. I know it's morally iffy, but I'd get the Corolla running and then find a dealer with an HX and trade in the Corolla and finance the rest. If you wanted, you could dump the truck and use that to put money down, as well.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
I guess I'm going to go buy that piece of sh!t. I feel like I don't have any other choice. I need to be ready for work in 5 hours, and I just don't think I have enough time to dick around with other dealerships.

I'm going to have to ask for more hours to be able to pay for this. I hope it works out.

I feel like I'm in a cartoon, headed into a giant train tunnel... I hope the train isn't coming.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Once you have the Focus you can deal with the Tercel on a more reasonable schedule.

Once you have that running you can either sell the Focus or sell the Tercel & put the money towards the principal on the Focus.

You might consider selling the truck as well, a combination of the truck + Tercel would probably cover the majority of the Focus and save you hundreds on interest.

Oh and a paid off car loan will look great on your credit, so the next time you go applying for credit you'll be in much better shape.

Viper GTS
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Once you have the Focus you can deal with the Tercel on a more reasonable schedule.

Once you have that running you can either sell the Focus or sell the Tercel & put the money towards the principal on the Focus.

You might consider selling the truck as well, a combination of the truck + Tercel would probably cover the majority of the Focus and save you hundreds on interest.

Oh and a paid off car loan will look great on your credit, so the next time you go applying for credit you'll be in much better shape.

Viper GTS
I traded the Tercel away. I had to, as they wanted money down. They weren't happy that I had no cash. They gave me $1,000 for the Tercel, or so they say.

It doesn't even have a tachometer. This POS better be reliable for me, or I'm going to drive it off a cliff.

 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
God, this thing is a piece of sh!t. I HATE automatics. :|

It feels like a slug. It supposedly has 110HP, but it feels like it has about 10 ftlbs of torque... maybe 20 at around 4,000RPM. :roll: I kid you not when I say that my Tercel at least felt more peppy, but I don't really have much of a doubt that it, with all of its 86HP, would have toasted this automatic Focus.

Oh well. A/C is nice. That's the only thing I like about the car, lol. Oh, and it has a CD player.

Woopie. :disgust: