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Old 01-03-2011, 07:48 PM   #1
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Traded off my pickup

Dave wasn't interested in it, so we traded it in and got a little car. Ford Focus. More or less basic transportation - but, it is more fun to zip around town than the bigger vehicles are.

$18.5K MSRP $12.5K out the door.

Really a strange color Natural Neutral Metallic. Sort of a light tan/Light gray/Light green metallic. My wife likes it, but to me it sounds like Metallic Blah. Can't see the color when I drive it.

I'm figuring that when gas hits $4 I'll be paying less than I was at $2.50.

For an economy car, it has more computing power than the first moon mission.

Mike

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Old 01-03-2011, 07:59 PM   #2
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Re: Traded off my pickup

What...you didn't get one of those electric cars Mike With Jerry as our new governator I'd figure you'd be able to get some kind of huge rebate.

Really though, glad you found something you like and will work for you and the wife. What are you gonna do for haulin stuff now?
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Old 01-03-2011, 08:03 PM   #3
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Re: Traded off my pickup

None of those environmentally challenged electrics for me (the batteries are a potential disaster). Good ol' gas powered car.

I have another pickup. And I could always put stuff in my RockCrawler trailer behind the van. Take the lid off for really big stuff.

Mike
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Old 01-03-2011, 08:07 PM   #4
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Re: Traded off my pickup

got to agree there but to each their own I guess. Personally I can't figure how most survive W/O a pickup or nice little trailer.
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Old 01-03-2011, 08:19 PM   #5
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Re: Traded off my pickup

Mike,

FWIW, I've had Ford Focus a number of times as a rental car. Really like it. Ford Fusion is pretty sweet too.


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Old 01-03-2011, 08:35 PM   #6
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Re: Traded off my pickup

I had a Focus as a loaner when my van was in the shop. I kinda liked the 30+mpg. The new one has SYNC (for my wifes cellphone) and Sirius satellite radio and all kinds of neat stuff. And it is nice and small and easy to park (unlike the SMB)

Mike
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Old 01-03-2011, 10:34 PM   #7
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Re: Traded off my pickup

Congrats Mike. Sounds like a big discount. Any tips on negotiation? I am going to help my sister buy a new car this month and it has been awhile since I did this.

steve
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Old 01-04-2011, 10:05 AM   #8
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Re: Traded off my pickup

Steve,

The big dealers have an internet arm. After you decide on a vehicle, get an internet price. Watch the newspapers for sales and specials. Then check a couple of dealers and be prepared to walk if they don't come down. And be prepared to spend several hours (4-5) while they try to screw you. Test drive more than one car. Even more than one that is identical (except color). We didn't like the red one, but it's nearly identical sister in blah color was much better. And the Fiesta we drove actually drove much nicer than the Focus we bought. It's never fun. But, first you have to have a handle on what exactly you want. We wound up with the SYNC system we didn't want, but it was on the car on the lot and taking an in stock car was a $1500 rebate better than ordering. And then I say, don't let them pressure you into buying options or a higher priced car just because it is in stock.

Sometimes dealers will cut a better deal on a car they order special for you, because they don't have to sit on it and pay interest on a car waiting for a buyer.

Last time we had a dealer come down $1000 from his lowest possible price when we got up to leave.

Your best defense is to know what you want and what it should cost. The dealer has to make a profit, and I don't mind that.

Good luck,

Mike
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Old 01-04-2011, 10:37 AM   #9
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Re: Traded off my pickup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Can't see the color when I drive it.
Maybe the CHP and toll booth cameras and red light cameras won't be able to see it either! But, I'm assuming, that won't be a factor for you anyway!
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Old 01-04-2011, 11:49 AM   #10
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Re: Traded off my pickup

While I tend to drive slower than most, I noticed that the little Focus goes faster than the SMB does on the same roads. I thought being closer to the ground would make it seem faster and slow me down but the opposite is true.

Mike
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