[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!!