Good Value In A used Car
 

I am looking for a car primarily for my 16 year old daughter and am considering either a 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 ST with 59K miles for $6,995 (Kelly Blue Book retail Value is $10,695 in excellent condition) or a 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS with 104K miles for $6,695 (Kelly Blue Book retail Value is $9,345 in excellent condition). I’ve driven the Subaru and think it looks solid. Both cars are for sale at a local Subaru dealer (they get some credit for having a sales manager that is a serious Porsche guy) Any thoughts about either of these cars, i.e. true cost of ownership, reliability of either, or alternate suggestions, etc?

Thanks.

Mike

Get the fire extinguishers out. Here goes, I purchased a 94 Jetta (5sp) to drive back and forth to work knowing that the oldest daughter would be driving soon. Excellent shape, and prior to her "purchasing' the car from me it was perfect. Really ran excellent, and in fact my last ticket was in it. (90 in a 75). Lasted about 1.5 years (for her) until it was totaled (speed? carelessness? lack of attention?) pick one. Insurance was high(she was paying), and maintenance seemed to be constant.

Her replacement..2001 Saturn SL2 AUTO. (she and the Ins. Co. paid) Still going strong with no problems after 4 years, with no leaks, no oil usage, or huge problems. 85000 miles.

The second and third daughters also got 1999 SL2's with Auto's. Maybe I'm just lucky or picky, but no problems with them either.

One of the daughter's wanted the ION, found a 2004 with just 37,000 miles. Again, picky or just lucky? No problems to date. (8 months)

Mom and Dad bought the first cars for all the kids. They (girls and the boy. but that's another story) had to pay ALL maintenance, insurance, fuel, tire, and any other cost.

These Saturn's are certainly not the best cars in the world, but they have proven (so far) to be cheap to operate and insure, and have been very dependable. There safety rating is average to good, and after selling one of them (99 SL2) the return on investment wasn't terrible. (Paid 6k, got 4.5k three years later, and even in this market a sign in the window was all it took. Less that two weeks)

My .02

Karl
88 targa

While my 14-year-old daughter was strapping into the 911's 5-point harness the other day, she told me she should have the hooliganized 911 when she starts driving.

She thinks it would be a great car for Driver's Ed.

Mike, those might end up being reliable and inexpensive to maintain, but if I were you, I would go with "history" if you want reliable, etc. ... look at some used Camrys and Accords.

the subaru is one of the safest cars you can get, the A pillars are indestructible.

I am leaning towards the Subaru although the miles are a concern for my wife. I am inclined to think that 100K on a Subaru, assuming it has been well maintained, is not much wear at all. Regarding the maintenance, it is current with most having been done at the dealer.

Mike

We just bought our 17yr old son a 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 with the Zetec engine, Summit Racing ss exhaust, SVT spoilers, etc... Very well maintained and a very nice looking car (for what it is) for $3250. The insurance is cheaper for him to drive this car than for him to be a driver on our cars...Check the insurance costs, as they are significant!

Just don't buy a 911s. Er 912e I mean.

I got an 02 Subie Impreza wagon when I decided to get a daily driver. Had to get a wagon to haul kids soccer, karate, and stuff around. AWD rocks! Oh, I got my Impreza Outback Sport for $5k with 100k on it.

You'll take the heads off soon.....

Whaddaya mean? ARe there underlying issues with the Subaru?

Mike

I wouldn't pay $695.00 for a ford focus.

Do a little search on head gaskets for the Subie 2.5 boxer engines. I'm not suggesting they're bad cars, but you will join the head gasket club. At least the 2002 you're considering usually has external problems, not internal (where coolant and oil mix to destroy bearings and cause wear).

http://www.subaruheadgasket.com/

http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=488157

We looked at a 2000 Honda CR-V with 82K a 2001 CR-V with 95K and a 1999 Subarus Forester with 95K. The 2000 CR-V ran smoothly; the 1 cosmetic flaw I found was a dent in the fender which was starting to show some rust. The dealer agreed to remove the rust and paint, but not remove the dent. The 2001 CR-V was no where near as nice as the 2000. The Subaru was about as nice as the 2000 CR-V for about $3K less. Comments about the 2.5 head gasket issue are causing me to back away from the Subaru and go for the Honda. We are not talking a huge amount of money: $8.5K for the Honda; $5.5K for the Subaru. I just don't want to end up with a big @ss lawn ornament no matter what I spend. Am I over worrying the head gasket issue and how can I best address my concern?

Thanks.

Mike

Wouldn't the price difference allow for maintenance? Could pay the dealer to do the HG for less than the difference, let alone an indie shop. If they are comparable otherwise, add $1500 for the HG and timing belt, know you are good to go for a while, and drive on