please help me pick out a car

[Ian]

I don't know if it works the same way in the US or the rest of the world, but in the UK a car loses around 2/3 of its value in the first 3 years. So if you buy a new car, you're basically p*ssing money down the drain.

3 years? How about 3 minutes after you drive off the lot?

[jase]

3 years? How about 3 minutes after you drive off the lot?

Of for certain yes -- if you must buy a new car, buy a demonstrator

Personally I buy older cars at around 7 years old for around $2000 or so and run em into the ground -- nice cheap motoring hehe.

They'd probably last a lot longer in the US as well -- it's nearly always rust that gets them in this cold, wet country

The number of cars that have ended up on the scrapheap because they've failed the annual MOT test due to a small hole in a hard-to-reach structural area (and therefore uneconomical to pull apart to repair) where the engine etc has had another 100K in them -- hmph

My last one failed because of a 0.5" hole underneath the rear sill -- it wasn't even structural, it only failed because it was within 6 inches of one of the rear seatbelts... as the repair was going to cost $300 (due to most of the backend of the car needing to be removed to get to it) and the car was only worth $200 it had to go great car that was as well, never had to lift a spanner to it in the 40K I had it for.

[Action Jackson]

The Stratus wasn't a bad car at all. It was meant to compete with the Accord at the time.

Speaking of cars, I'm about to take deliver of a new Protege5 [otherwise known as the Familia ? in Europe] tomorrow.

Liteonrules, if you see a dark blue P5 zipping around Pittsburgh, you'll know it's me.

[jase]

Speaking of cars, I'm about to take deliver of a new Protege5 [otherwise known as the Familia ? in Europe] tomorrow.

A what? What manufacturer is that?

[Ian]

It's a Mazda. Boone has a Protege5 too. They're nice cars.

Here's the 2004 Protege5, better known as the MX Sportif:

[jase]

Looks like a Mazda 2 or possibly 3 from that picture. I agree, Mazda are nice cars -- the new Mazda 6 (not sure if that's what it's called in the States) is one hell of a bargain.

The modern Mazdas are based on European Ford floorpans IIRC.

[Ian]

Yeah, its essentially the Mazda 3. We don't have a Mazda 2 over here.. I've seen those little cars.

[UALOneKPlus]

I agree with Jase compeletely. Unless I'm buying an exotic car, buying used is much better than new...

[liteonrules]

i checked on kelly blue book and my car's worth:
FROM DEALER: $5,000
FROM PRIVATE PERSON: $3,365
SO FOR $1,950, I received a awesome deal
i am getting everthing checked on saturday by my local mechanic and i will post any problem but still i got a deal.

the body is perfect, tiny scratches, tiny dings and dents, paint still glossy and beautiful. i was very lucky
new transmission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Action Jackson]

Hey if it still runs then it looks like you got a great deal on that car.

[manni]

Ford Focus is still very good car, it's few years old model but one of the best cars in the class to drive. New diesel versions are very good, excellent torque combined with good fuel economy.

[Action Jackson]

The Focus is a good car.

But here in North America, the 12 or 13 recalls swayed me away from it.

[liteonrules]

my mechanic checked out my car and not a darn thing wrong with it, everthing the seller said was true and i am glad that i made this decision to buy a used 1996 dodge stratus for $1,950 rather then spend $12,000 after taxes and fees on a new hyandai elantra which is still a good for a great price but i saved $10,000


i wanna thank everyone for their help,knowledge and opinions