Focus and F-150

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: kam327

You're forgetting (or omitting) the most important thing. While you're paying for all that other stuff, you're also paying off the principle. Like thousands of dollars a year. If you finance $200k @4% / 30 years, you're paying $950 a month. But after 10 years you've paid $43,000 towards principle. So if you sell in 10 years for what you paid for it now (unlikely it wouldn't have gained value in 10 years), you'll still pocket $43,000. If you had rented the same house those 10 years, you'll pocket nothing.


Our house is roughly that and with taxes is $1198 a month. I could have rented a similar 3 BR apartment in a decent neighborhood for around $1000 a month.

Had I stayed a renter but invested the $20k we put down on our first house, I think I would have made out better in 12 years than the $45k we made when we sold the house.

So yes, I'd have no house but I'd have $$ in the bank for other things. So it's not "wasted money" as I would have the same or more.

 

[cptbarkey]

i test drove a 13 manual and auto hatchback this weekend. the manual trans was awesomee.

the dual clutch was good too, i liked the way it shifts, except shortly after returning to the dealer i smelled very obvious clutch burning smells. it could just be it breaking in, but i quickly crossed it off my list.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Ford's center consoles lately have reminded me of Optimus Prime

This is why I prefer a Corolla. At least I can set down and instantly know where everything is. That dash reminds me of the Mazda 5 I drove.. took 30 miles to figure out how get everything working. Could of been Boston traffic though. Give me the standard dash layout!

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Ford's center consoles lately have reminded me of Optimus Prime

This is why I prefer a Corolla. At least I can set down and instantly know where everything is. That dash reminds me of the Mazda 5 I drove.. took 30 miles to figure out how get everything working. Could of been Boston traffic though. Give me the standard dash layout!


With the exception of radio tune, I figured everything out pretty quickly. That was the only thing I had to figure out. Everything else is easy and right where it belongs imo. Headlights to the left of the wheel, normal 3 dial HVAC, etc.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i test drove a 13 manual and auto hatchback this weekend. the manual trans was awesomee.

the dual clutch was good too, i liked the way it shifts, except shortly after returning to the dealer i smelled very obvious clutch burning smells. it could just be it breaking in, but i quickly crossed it off my list.



Yeah. They do that the first day or so, I noticed it on other test drives with brand new ones. But after the first day, it doesn't do it anymore. It's just the first couple miles that it does it, same as with bedding in brake pads. I can launch mine from a stop brake torquing it (comes with launch control) and there is no smell.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Congrats on the car OP, i'm sure it'll be nice

Dont' let everyone on the board bring ya down, your young and living at home. Enjoy that while you can

 

[MK2]

Congrats on your car. Interesting thread, keep it coming guys. I'll try to read Nick's previous car buying adventures later.

 

[pbm]

This thread has turned into 2 separate threads...one on the car...one on the +'s and -'s of home ownership.
I think renting rather than buying a home is madness...of course it's better to buy when prices are down...

As far as the car...I love the new Focus.
I rented a 2012 and the mpg's were better than in my 2011 Cruze. I get 32-34 highway in the Chevy while the Focus was 36-38.
I know the Cruze has lowered the final drive for better economy in the 2012-13 so that may be a wash now.

Nick: What are your thoughts on the Cruze vs. Focus?

If I get a Focus it will be a stick.

PS: The Cruze's 6 speed A/T can be pretty weird too....

 

[sciphi]

Cruze fuel economy is very transmission-dependent. The only time I can get 34 mpg in my Eco manual transmission is when it's plowing through snow or I'm constantly hammering on it in city traffic. The rest of the time it's low 40's, and 50+ mpg regularly on the highway. Same 1.4T engine, just a different transmission. I've averaged 43 mpg in 50k miles of driving.

Chevy did change the final drive for the 2012 Cruze AT, and some folks are reporting 40-42 mpg highway on long trips with their 2012 LT automatics, with 38-39 mpg in their normal commutes. If you look on Fuelly, the 2012's get better fuel economy than the 2011's.

If you like the Cruze except for the fuel economy and want a stick, the Eco MT is the undisputed MPG king in the Cruze lineup. A 1LT or 2LT manual will be more fuel-efficient than a comparable automatic. Whether it makes sense for you is a different story.

Sorry for the OT, Nick!

 

[SatinSilver]

1. Cavalier: 7-09 purchased; 13 months owned

2. 11 Focus: 8-10 purchased; 10 months owned

3. 11 Cruze: 6-11 purchased; 12 months owned

4. 13 CX-5: 6-12 purchased; 8 months owned

5. 13 Focus: 2-13 purchased; ? months owned

 

[Nick R]

To be fair, I wasn't the one who purchased the first focus. My mom was, I didn't have much say in the decision. She financed it, I just made the payment on it.

 

[SatinSilver]

I was interested in seeing how long some of the cars were kept since someone posted some links earlier and I remembered some of the previous threads. Thought I would do some compilations.

Sometimes its a good feeling just to see how long you can keep a car. Either time or mileage wise.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Well Nick at least we know that Summer months your family gets the "itch" for the most part.

Looking at my last few purchases; (most recent)

Last vehicle May 2011 2011-new *

June 2009 2004-GMC Sierra used *

Jan 2007 07-Subaru Outback new

Sept 2004 05-Toyota Corolla new *

Dec 2001 99-Ford Taurus used

April 2000 2000-Chev Silverado new

March 1998 98-Honda Accord new

Nov 1995 96-Chev C1500 new

Nov 1995 95-Ford F150 replacement for 1994-F150 that was destroyed in Feb 2005. Took 9 months for Ford to replace.

Sept 1994 94-Ford F150 new

Feb 1989 90-F150 new

Aug 1986 86-VW Jetta new

* = still own. So 11 vehicles for 2 drivers (did not include my Daughter's POS 1999 Contour which is gone and she does not drive) over 25 years.

So no pattern for months... Seem to be all over the place.

Interesting how much we put into vehicles...

Take care, Bill

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I just saw the picture of the Focus' trunk. That's HUGE!

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

I usually get rid of cars when I've gotten sick of it. Not because of lack of maint. or needing repairs.

It's been 10 years for me and the e30. Boy I'm sick of it!!