Looking for 2 used cars...

[azasadny]

This may seem strange to post here, as you folks are spread out all over the globe, but some of you may be "local" to us and may know of something...

Beth's lease is almost up and we want to replace her leased vehicle with one that we own as well as get our daughter a good car for her last year of high school and starting college (commute). After my car is paid off in 10 months, we'll have substantially less $ going out in monthly payment as we're trying to "downsize".

We're looking for 2 reasonably priced (cheap) used cars for Beth and Becky. Something like a 2006 Ford Focus would be preferred, but we're not too picky. Anybody know of two good, used "American nameplate" cars for sale? Our local mechanic will only work on cars with American nameplates, so that's a factor for us to consider. If we get a used Mazda 3, our local Ford/Mazda dealer will work on it for us and they are very good to us, so that's an option.

If we get a foreign nameplate vehicle, I'll have to drive it to Tab Tanner in Findlay, OH for him to work on as I trust him and he's a great mechanic. Driving a "broken" car 75 miles to Findlay, OH isn't really very practical so the domestic nameplate vehicle will probably be the one we go with.

You folks have connections everywhere so I wanted to check here...

Thanks!

[Rot 911]

What's your price range? Stick or automatic?

[ckelly78z]

I'm in Findlay, Ohio......where does Tab Tanner work out of and does he own Porsches ?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by azasadny

This may seem strange to post here, as you folks are spread out all over the globe, but some of you may be "local" to us and may know of something...

Beth's lease is almost up and we want to replace her leased vehicle with one that we own as well as get our daughter a good car for her last year of high school and starting college (commute). After my car is paid off in 10 months, we'll have substantially less $ going out in monthly payment as we're trying to "downsize".

We're looking for 2 reasonably priced (cheap) used cars for Beth and Becky. Something like a 2006 Ford Focus would be preferred, but we're not too picky. Anybody know of two good, used "American nameplate" cars for sale? Our local mechanic will only work on cars with American nameplates, so that's a factor for us to consider. If we get a used Mazda 3, our local Ford/Mazda dealer will work on it for us and they are very good to us, so that's an option.

It would be good to know the price range and other criteria

I can buy them at an auction near you if you'd like. Depending on the price range, it might be cheaper than going private party. And certainly cheaper than dealerships.

But as always, advice is free

[azasadny]

Thanks! We're trying to only spend $5k per car, which, of course limits our selection. We're looking for basic transportation, not anything fancy. A 2006 Ford Focus would be perfect...


ckellyl78z - Tab's shop in Findlay, OH is called "Autobahn Garage" and he works on all German cars. He's the best!

[Nostril Cheese]

Hyundai

The upside is that you wont have to take it to your "american only" mechanic

[azasadny]

At this point, We're trying to stick to automatics, but I'll look any anything reasonable. A guy I know at church has a 1999 Toyota Avalon for $2k and it needs wheel bearings, the downside is that I don't know a good "foreign car" mechanic near us.

We bought our son's 2002 Ford Focus hatchback for $3200 several years ago and it's been a great car for him/us. Two more like that would be exactly what we're looking for...

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Thanks! We're trying to only spend $5k per car, which, of course limits our selection. We're looking for basic transportation, not anything fancy. A 2006 Ford Focus would be perfect...

Something like this Art?

2007 Ford Focus SE Wagon
2.0L Automatic
Power windows/locks/mirrors/remote
Cruise, ABS

Was a GE Fleet Services car, obviously used by Xerox
Brand new Firestone tires
No previous paintwork, no accidents
Xerox stickers have been removed, car detailed
Grade 4.2 of 5.0 (amazing for age/miles)
MI car since new, located at Manheim Detroit (Carleton)
116K miles

Runs the morning of the 10th
Should be just under $5K

[kaisen]

Here's one offered by a dealer in Eastpointe, MI

2005 Focus ZX4 SES
Moonroof, alloys, spoiler
Power windows/locks/mirrors/remote

111K miles

They want $4K

Photos:
Large Photos

[kaisen]

Window sticker from that white wagon (above)

[ckelly78z]

That doohicky next to the stereo knob looks like a snomobile pull start.....now that's basic transpotation when it's pull start.

[azasadny]

Eric,
Those are exactly the kind of cars we need. I'll find out this week when we will be ready to buy, but we'll need at least one car very soon! Thank you!!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Art, I would take a used Mazda3 over a Focus all day long. The new Focus is a very nice car, but the previous style is inferior in every way.

[Christien]

Go with Eric - it's the best way to buy a used car. I do the same kind of buying for people north of the border, and that's how I buy all our cars. Never once had an unsatisfied customer. Buying from the auction is usually the safest way to buy a car sight unseen - the only thing better is a PPI by a mechanic you know and trust. And the auction is at least 20% cheaper.

[azasadny]

Guys Thanks for the advice. At this point, I'm more concerned about meeting the budget than selecting a car based on other factors. I can get a Ford Focus worked on here and it's much more difficult with any foreign-badged car... trust me, I've been driving a Mazdaspeed3 since 2/2007. Our local mechanic is fantastic and his shop is within walking distance (come in very handy!) but he does not work on foreign-badged cars.

If I can get two Ford Focii and stay below my budget, then we'll be able to use some of the $ we previously used for lease payments to keep the cars in good repair, not to mention the insurance savings. My wife lost her full-time teaching job in the spring, so we're doing the best we can and WE MUST lower our monthly payments... Beth is substitute teaching and the local school districts really like her and she's well qualified, so we're hoping she will land a full-time teaching position, but that hasn't happened yet. I'm working at Ford as a salaried employee, so having a few Fords in the driveway would not hurt... Thanks!!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Mustang GT?

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by azasadny

but he does not work on foreign-badged cars.

He must not want to splurge on a set of metric sockets.

[azasadny]

Onre on the many ironies in his "I don't work on foreign cars" policy is that the "American" cars he does work on use metric fasteners and most are made in Mexico. He'll work on my mother's 1999 Chevy Prizm, which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla, but he won't work on a Toyota Corolla. It's part of the "union mentality" around here that has people put "Buy American" bumper stickers on their Dodge/Chrysler vehicles that were purchased when Daimler own Chrysler... Stupid is as stupid does...

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Onre on the many ironies in his "I don't work on foreign cars" policy is that the "American" cars he does work on use metric fasteners and most are made in Mexico. He'll work on my mother's 1999 Chevy Prizm, which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla, but he won't work on a Toyota Corolla. It's part of the "union mentality" around here that has people put "Buy American" bumper stickers on their Dodge/Chrysler vehicles that were purchased when Daimler own Chrysler... Stupid is as stupid does...

For what it's worth, I can give you a recommendation for an excellent shop that services Japanese vehicles. Not in Wyandotte, but closer than Findlay. I have a friend that lives in Wyandotte and takes his E30 BMW to a trusted shop in the area. I can find out if you like.

The shop I recommend:
Datsun Doctor: Japanese Auto Repair, Waterford, Michigan -- Celebrating 25 Years in Business!

First class owner.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by BReif61

He must not want to splurge on a set of metric sockets.

Nah, the domestics just piss you off by throwing in the random metric or torx fastener.

Originally Posted by azasadny

Onre on the many ironies in his "I don't work on foreign cars" policy is that the "American" cars he does work on use metric fasteners and most are made in Mexico. He'll work on my mother's 1999 Chevy Prizm, which is a rebadged Toyota Corolla, but he won't work on a Toyota Corolla. It's part of the "union mentality" around here that has people put "Buy American" bumper stickers on their Dodge/Chrysler vehicles that were purchased when Daimler own Chrysler... Stupid is as stupid does...

I enjoy the flag waving domestic fans that drive a car made in Canada or Mexico. Then they complain about Japanese cars that are made in America.