YACT: My fiance is possibly going to buy a 2001 Ford Focus. help

[GtPrOjEcTX]

She went to the lot today with her dad. Its a 2001 SE model, 19K miles. Books at edmunds for $9720. She says she'll be getting it for $~9000 - minus $1800 for her trade in (not bad, edmunds her trade in for $1300) = $7200.

I'm weary, and she's on a take home drive test for it and is bringing it over in about a half hour or hour so I can try it out.

She has a '96 Neon now and I guess she liked the compact cars. What other options are there for this price range and 1-2 year old cars with similar mileage?

 

[Ryan]

That's about the best you're gonna get. You can also find '00-'02 Nissan Sentras in the price range

Also - is this from the ford dealership, is she getting any kind of extended warranties? Did you run a carfax report?

 

[CrackRabbit]

Focus = Crap

but there isnt alot in that price range for a 1-2 year old car. You might try convincing her to find a lightly used slighty older something or another. Remember Edmunds is your friend!

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Focus = Crap but there isnt alot in that price range for a 1-2 year old car. You might try convincing her to find a lightly used slighty older something or another. Remember Edmunds is your friend!

Dude, pull your domestic hating head out of your ass. IN that price range, you're not going to find a better car for that year.

 

[xEDIT409]

Try findin' a Malibu perhaps.

 

[Pretty Cool]

She sure can pick 'em as both the Neon and Ford Focus have poor reliability ratings(if you trust Consumer Reports). That is why they are cheap.

 

[TechnoKid]

The focus has had numerous recalls for its electrical systems, and other stuff. I'd reccomend not getting the car unless it has an extended warranty. Look at some other cars.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
The focus has had numerous recalls for its electrical systems, and other stuff. I'd reccomend not getting the car unless it has an extended warranty. Look at some other cars.

IIRC, that was just for the first model year of the focus.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: xEDIT409
Try findin' a Malibu perhaps.

Malibu = Crap Also

IMO the focus is put together a little better than the Malibu

TextDude, pull your domestic hating head out of your ass. IN that price range, you're not going to find a better car for that year.

[/quote]

Its not a mater of domestic hating, most focuses are steaming piles, your better off looking for something that would be more reliable even if its older

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX

She has a '96 Neon now and I guess she liked the compact cars. What other options are there for this price range and 1-2 year old cars with similar mileage?

Chevy Prism, aka Toyota Corolla.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: xEDIT409 Try findin' a Malibu perhaps.

Malibu = Crap Also IMO the focus is put together a little better than the Malibu

TextDude, pull your domestic hating head out of your ass. IN that price range, you're not going to find a better car for that year.

Its not a mater of domestic hating, most focuses are steaming piles, your better off looking for something that would be more reliable even if its older[/quote]

But how many are you going to find that are in good condition?

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
The focus has had numerous recalls for its electrical systems, and other stuff. I'd reccomend not getting the car unless it has an extended warranty. Look at some other cars.

IIRC, that was just for the first model year of the focus.

NHTSA TSB

Just looked through that and it seems they still had problems in 2001.

 

[cliftonite]

I see ads for 00-02 Malibus for around 10 to 12k. Wouldnt a Malibu be a better car?

 

[yruffostsif]

piss the money down the drain...get another neon

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Also - is this from the ford dealership - Yes

Is she getting any kind of extended warranties? - Unknown

Did you run a carfax report? - Not yet. Waiting to test drive it to see if it even makes it past my initial test. (never driven a focus before)

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: xEDIT409 Try findin' a Malibu perhaps.

Malibu = Crap Also IMO the focus is put together a little better than the Malibu

TextDude, pull your domestic hating head out of your ass. IN that price range, you're not going to find a better car for that year.

Its not a mater of domestic hating, most focuses are steaming piles, your better off looking for something that would be more reliable even if its older

But how many are you going to find that are in good condition?[/quote]

There are plenty out there, you just have to be decerning when you look and not jump into the first thing that comes along.

Edit: GtPrOjEcTX has your gf looked at anything else besides the focus?

 

[TechnoKid]

Also, many car manufacturers and dealers are doing major discounts on brand new cars to make room for the 2004s. Might wanna look into that.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: xEDIT409 Try findin' a Malibu perhaps.

Malibu = Crap Also IMO the focus is put together a little better than the Malibu

TextDude, pull your domestic hating head out of your ass. IN that price range, you're not going to find a better car for that year.

Its not a mater of domestic hating, most focuses are steaming piles, your better off looking for something that would be more reliable even if its older

But how many are you going to find that are in good condition?

There are plenty out there, you just have to be decerning when you look and not jump into the first thing that comes along.

Edit: GtPrOjEcTX has your gf looked at anything else besides the focus?[/quote]today was her first day looking. she went to look at a zx2, but didn't like it and was pointed to the focus, which she likes.

 

[wasssup]

why not finance a civic LX or something?

when i bought my 5-speed '03 civic lx coupe, i got it for $14.5k out the door (in march, should be cheaper now) with 0% APR financing for 60months (roughly $250/month). IMHO the civic is a better bet with its good resale value compared to the crappy resale value of most domestics...

 

[CrackRabbit]

I know this may sound kinda crazy, but you should have her check out a 2000-01 Buick Century. Decent Cars, especialy for the money paid. And its in the same price range as the Focus.

 

[KingNothing]

On the one hand, notfred bought his fiance a 2001 Focus.

On the other hand, we all know that notfred is a Ford fanboi.

Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Tret]

Try to get a late 90's camry