phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on May 6, 2011 12:21:25 GMT -5
They are both priced the same new $18K. Ford is ofering 2.9% for 36 month, 3.9% for 48 months. Mazda 3 is 0%. I would remove the financing from your downselect equation - and go to a credit union, the current rate is 3.75%, either 3 yr, 4 yr, 5 yrs. The dealers don't actually get 'free' loans, they pay the going rate - and then calculate the deal so that the interest is included in the price. And sometimes the manufacturer kicks in an incentive. In any case, the real cost of money right now is about 3.75%. Make your deal based on 'outside' financing - ie, negotiate to get the manufacturers bonus as well as the dealers offer (equivalent to the 0% offer). Then finance it at the credit union - personally I would (and do) finance 100% of the cost for 60 months. And sell the old car privately. The <$4000 cars are fairly easy to sell, the buyers usually offer cash. (With >$4000 cars, financing is often involved).
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on May 6, 2011 12:26:18 GMT -5
but AC went bad. I was quoted 1k to fix $60 part because of the labor. They would have to take entire dashboard apart to replace that one bad AC part. I hated it in a summer. Ummm - so, to avoid a $1060 repair bill you signed up for a $6000/yr car payment? ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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wewillsee
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Post by wewillsee on May 6, 2011 14:56:35 GMT -5
I've been in this boat before with the A/C problem too. The A/C in my 5 year old Jeep Cherokee went kaput and each time I would take it in they would diagnose and try to fix things. I kept until it was 9 years old. A/C problems in certain cars is often difficult to diagnose and all components are very expensive to fix. I got rid of it after spending $2,200 over two summers replacing the condensor, evaporator coil, and other things.
Pick the car you like best. I would also recommend checking out the Kia Forte. Very nice and a fantastic warranty.
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Post by rmtvbrooks on May 6, 2011 15:03:45 GMT -5
I have a Mazda5, and I love it. I've had several Mazdas over the years, and they are reliable and get good gas mileage. But you have to decide which one YOU like, because you're the one who will pay for it and drive it.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on May 6, 2011 15:04:03 GMT -5
If they're both priced pretty much the same, and you don't really have a strong preference one way or the other, I'd let fuel economy then financing decide, in that order.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on May 6, 2011 15:45:42 GMT -5
A 'hidden' cost of having your car at the shop over and over again for the same problem is the time and inconvenience. If you need the car you may need to get by a day or two with the car which may mean a rental or a 'courtesy ride' from the dealer. Could add expense and/or hours to a possibly already long work day. Yeah, you could take it in on a Saturday and kill that day (I had a friend who spent 7 hours at the Dealership waiting for work to be done... cause she kept believing them when they said 30 minutes more...) or maybe you just take a day off of work to get the car serviced? Once you get one those protracted 'repairs' going - it starts to impact your life more and more. I'm still OK with spending 6K a year in car payments if my 9 year old or older car starts having a critical (like having A/C during the summer drive to/from work) repeat problem that adversely impacts my driving. I've already gotten most of my money's worth out of the car (probably haven't had payments in 4 or 5 years). FWIW: I drove a car 4 years with a broken gas gauge after the first attempt to fix it didn't work (the origin of my contempt and hate of car dealership repair shops). I swear ALL repair places have some big old 'repair flowchart' papered up on a back wall - if you come in with an oil drip they go to the flowchart and do whatever the first 'fix' for dripping oil is (replace oil pan plug is my guess for the first 'fix' on the chart)... and they are done. I don't think any of them actually looks at the car or attempts a diagnosis. When you come back a week later because it's still dripping they just move down the flowchart - pan plug didn't work? ok check to see if filter is tight enough and we're done. and on and on. ![](http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff155/JiminiChristmas/smileys/9.gif)
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happyscooter
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Post by happyscooter on May 6, 2011 15:51:42 GMT -5
Be glad you didn't ask this on MSN Your Money. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by illinicheme on May 6, 2011 16:56:00 GMT -5
I have a Mazda5, and I love it. I've had several Mazdas over the years, and they are reliable and get good gas mileage. But you have to decide which one YOU like, because you're the one who will pay for it and drive it. The Mazda5 is DH and my current leading choice if/when it comes time to get a babymobile. (Currently TTC. We'll see what happens.) We've unintentionally ended up being a Mazda family. I bought a Mazda 3 in 2004. DH picked out a Mazda MX-5 (i.e. Miata) in 2007. Main reason we'll probably need to get a third vehicle if we have a kid is that the Miata isn't too practical for a carseat.
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on May 6, 2011 17:32:16 GMT -5
What make of cars were the little black government cars in THOR? The insignia looked like an upsidedown V in a circle.
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formerexpat
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Post by formerexpat on May 6, 2011 17:49:57 GMT -5
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azphx1972
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Post by azphx1972 on May 6, 2011 18:07:41 GMT -5
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on May 6, 2011 21:36:29 GMT -5
...passed a silver Mazda 3 on the highway today... thought of you... and molly reminded me... we had our insurance estimate premiums on 3 possible cars once when we were shopping around, and on a 5yr horizon, the "more expensive" car was cheaper... ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on May 6, 2011 22:38:19 GMT -5
...passed a silver Mazda 3 on the highway today... thought of you... and molly reminded me... we had our insurance estimate premiums on 3 possible cars once when we were shopping around, and on a 5yr horizon, the "more expensive" car was cheaper... ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I have thought of contacting my insurer too, I'm wondering how much more I would have to pay. Phil - I will look at the credit union and see how much I can get the car for if I bring my own money. I could wait and fix the AC, thruth is I will have to buy a car in the next 2 years for sure. I think I've been pretty good, I haven't had a car payment in over 6 years and even tho I could pay more for a car I'm only considering vehicles under $20K. I guess this is YM ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png)
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on May 13, 2011 21:38:29 GMT -5
Decision made! I'm fixing the AC one more time, it will cost me $760. The mechanic also suggested other things I should get done but I will wait on those, the bill could get up to $2K. I said "geez I'm probablly better off getting new car" he said"well, it's up to you but your car is very well taken care of and you could drive it 100K more miles"
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schildi
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Post by schildi on May 14, 2011 0:01:40 GMT -5
Given that you could fix the AC for far less than 18k, This is a weak comparison. The $18K would return more than a working A/C, no matter how you look at it.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on May 14, 2011 21:50:48 GMT -5
Decision made! I'm fixing the AC one more time, it will cost me $760. The mechanic also suggested other things I should get done but I will wait on those, the bill could get up to $2K. I said "geez I'm probablly better off getting new car" he said"well, it's up to you but your car is very well taken care of and you could drive it 100K more miles" ...go, Galant, go! ![](http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff155/JiminiChristmas/smileys/heart.gif) ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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share88
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Post by share88 on May 15, 2011 0:19:32 GMT -5
Despite what consumer reports said the year I bought a mazda, it was easily the worst car I've ever had. Maybe I just got a lemon and all that but I will not buy another.
I see you've decided to fix the current car - good job!
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achelois
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Post by achelois on May 15, 2011 8:46:25 GMT -5
; he said"well, it's up to you but your car is very well taken care of and you could drive it 100K more miles"[/quote]
Phil iS moonlighting as a mechanic?
I have a Mazda5 as well. Anybody else have difficulty with the headlights at night?
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mesquite77
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Post by mesquite77 on May 15, 2011 20:23:34 GMT -5
Have you looked at a 2009 Mazda 3?
We bought a full loaded (the only thing it didn't have was bluetooth for the phone, I put that in last month for $70), '08 Mazda 3 with 17k miles last July for $13k. Still looked and smelled brand new - but saved $4-5k from the new price.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on May 15, 2011 20:27:14 GMT -5
I have a 2002 ford focus that I've driven for almost 10 years now. I had to have the transmission rebuilt at about 100K miles (in 2007) to the tune of $1500. I haven't had much trouble other than that, but I won't buy another focus. The gas mileage is great though.
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cme1201
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Post by cme1201 on May 15, 2011 20:31:57 GMT -5
The Focus and Mazda 3 are the same platform. Ford owns Mazda NA.
They are priced the same, what more are you getting buying a vehicle that is one year older for the same dollar amount? What is the milage difference?
If you get the 2011 go for invoice-holdback-rebate.
This is coming for a guy 7 years in the car business, from salesman upto sales manager/business manager
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Post by clt4528 on May 15, 2011 21:25:32 GMT -5
For me the main factors would be: how does the car feel, will I be happy still driving it in 10 years, can my family / friends / pets / etc functiion in this car? How do mileage compare? Average annual repair bills / maintenance track records for these models. Have you asked the ford if they can match the 0% offer - if you tell them that is the only thing stopping you from getting your car with them they might make it worth your while. I live in an area where AC is not a requirement, but I imagine it could be a real necessity in some area. Also do either dealer give any perks - several in our area give free car washes every time you stop in or discounted oil changes or some other promo ? (DH drove past the dealer everyday for work and so got a weekly car wash for free for our one car for 3 years).
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RoadToRiches
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Post by RoadToRiches on May 16, 2011 9:19:17 GMT -5
but AC went bad. I was quoted 1k to fix $60 part because of the labor. They would have to take entire dashboard apart to replace that one bad AC part. I hated it in a summer. Ummm - so, to avoid a $1060 repair bill you signed up for a $6000/yr car payment? ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Yes, considering the car needed more work, like new struts all around, new fuel pump, new brakes and that AC part...and also considering that it had over 180k miles on it, I thought it was just simply put a time to get a replacement. KBB put a whopping $1100 value on my car at that time lol You can only polish a turd so much Phil.
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on May 27, 2011 17:33:33 GMT -5
I fixed the AC on my car and is working like new! I'm so happy right now. I cost me $770 but of course it wasn't without some drama. I took it in last week and then they called at the end of the day telling me it was going to cost me around $1200, I went there and I said that they should honor the quote, they said that there was no way to know that they needed more parts so I told them that I wasn't going to get it fixed and that they should reimburse me for the part they had already ordered but they had already put that part in!! So I said "so you are leaving me no choice but to fix the car", you should've called me before putting that part in and they said they just didn't have time to call me.
Anyway, after much discussion they decided to eat up the labor on this and just charge me the quote.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on May 27, 2011 20:54:27 GMT -5
<<< I fixed the AC on my car and is working like new! I'm so happy right now. >>> ...glad to hear it... ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) ...and glad to hear they ate the labor... imo, it was the least they could do, considering... ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png)
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Post by commentator on May 28, 2011 1:08:56 GMT -5
0% or near 0% interest is a myth. The interest charge is built into the price of the car.
Here's my advice for anyone considering the purchase of a new car.
Step 1 - determine which automobile is best for your needs.
Step 2 - get the best cash price you can from the dealer
Step 2a - sell your old car at CarMax if they offer a better price than the trade in offered by the dealer
Step 3 - if you don't have enough cash, borrow it from a credit union
Step 3a - don't tell me you're not a member of a CU. Everyone qualifies to be a member of at least a couple.
If your credit is too lousy to get a good rate of interest from a CU, roll the windows down on you current car and tough it out.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on May 28, 2011 15:00:52 GMT -5
0% or near 0% interest is a myth. The interest charge is built into the price of the car. Here's my advice for anyone considering the purchase of a new car. Step 1 - determine which automobile is best for your needs. Step 2 - get the best cash price you can from the dealer Step 2a - sell your old car at CarMax if they offer a better price than the trade in offered by the dealer Step 3 - if you don't have enough cash, borrow it from a credit union Step 3a - don't tell me you're not a member of a CU. Everyone qualifies to be a member of at least a couple. If your credit is too lousy to get a good rate of interest from a CU, roll the windows down on you current car and tough it out. ![](http://us.social.s-msn.com/s/images/emoticons/thumbs_up.gif)
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on May 28, 2011 15:13:35 GMT -5
It sounds more like this is one of those "repairs" where a shop does it, and it works for just long enough that you can't blame their efforts, and then it breaks a different way.
Mathematically the $2k is certainly cheaper than a new car, but I'd hate to flush $2k down the toilet only to have it stop working shortly afterward. Can you find a mechanic that has a long guarantee on the work? Or is this just going to be one of those cases where $2k will rent you another month of AC before needing more repairs.
I had a friend sink well over $7k in 8 months into a car that I told him to before that first repair. He dumped it in the end. $7k would have made a LOT of payments.
But you never know...
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on May 28, 2011 15:20:14 GMT -5
...:::"What make of cars were the little black government cars in THOR? The insignia looked like an upsidedown V in a circle.":::...
They looked a lot like that new Acura crossover thingie that is like a flat SUV. Perhaps the Acura version of the Honda Crosstour?
Smart S.H.I.E.L.D. buying American.
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on May 28, 2011 16:17:02 GMT -5
It sounds more like this is one of those "repairs" where a shop does it, and it works for just long enough that you can't blame their efforts, and then it breaks a different way. Mathematically the $2k is certainly cheaper than a new car, but I'd hate to flush $2k down the toilet only to have it stop working shortly afterward. Can you find a mechanic that has a long guarantee on the work? Or is this just going to be one of those cases where $2k will rent you another month of AC before needing more repairs. I had a friend sink well over $7k in 8 months into a car that I told him to before that first repair. He dumped it in the end. $7k would have made a LOT of payments. But you never know... I guess we will find out. $760 will buy me another year anyway, I just need it to work for the next 3-4 months. Instead of putting $300/400 into a car payment I can put it in a brokerage account for a year. I did it at Mitsubishi dealership and they'll guarantee it. The other thing is that I didn't have to dip into my savings, I had an overage from last month's budget and this month I just didn't spend much.
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