Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Northeast 99SVT 2 sell or not 2 sell????

I don't know what to do?

I LOVE my car 99svt(silver)
But it's got BIG highway miles (84,000ish)
and needs a few small things.

I commute like 90+ miles a day.
I still owe a bit on it.(close to bluebook value) Money has been tight. So I was looking into some new cheaper cars while this 0% crap is going on.
I like Ford and get a freinds and family discount (not that big a discount really but 800 or 900 for a 16 to 17k car saves me haggling woes) So that leads me to the focus ZX5 and the Mazda Protage´5. 4 doors for kids in car seats, and I would like a hatch for occasionally hauling my drums and crap. (I like the look of the hatches as well) Wife has a focus wagon(auto) and I like it alot. Technically they'll make a wagon with a 5speed but I'd never find one in dealer stock. And they cost a little more. Drove the ZX5
and it's nice. But I don't know If I can stand giving up the power and handling. Havent driven the Protage´5 yet. It's supposed to be sprung tighter and hence handle better. This may be the compromise car as I love the twisties, more than the drags? Not as sweet a deal though.


I don't know if I can sell it in time for the incentive crap. and would probably lean towards the focus because it's now 0% for 5 years with a 5yr 100k warranty. (protoge´5 is only 0% for 4 with, I think 50K warranty?)

What to do?

What do I ask for it?

Anyone interested?

???????

Tough call... My brother has a protage, drives very nice, great handling and decent ride. Not the pickup of an SVT. Drive it a lot before you buy to make sure you would be happy with it. I like the focus but i dont believe it is quite as tight a car.

Repair bills are usually less per month,when averaged, than payments. Even if you keep the car out to 200K with two major repairs you would still pay less per month. With that in mind, if you replace the SVT, you will be paying more for a car you like less.

You got the deals backwards.. The Protege is 0% for 5 years, with $0 down and no payments till next year. Focus is 0% for 4 years. Protege has a 3yr/50K warranty, while the Focus has 3/36, which they're extending somewhat.

My g/f was in this situation in August, and she bought the Protege. Interior and exterior, it's a MUCH better car than the Focus. And we too got the X-plan (S-plan for Mazda) pricing. Drive 'em both and see what you like.

My honest opinion? If you're going to be putting crazy miles on your car, buy a beater with a warranty. I know someone that got a 1 year old Kia with 12K miles for $2000! Depreciation is your friend.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/news/detail/index.asp?ID=219&bhcp=1

Scroll down to the 2002s
Ford changed it since then but don't seem to be advertising it hard. And last I heard all foci come with 5yr 100K warrenties as part of the incentives. (and all 2003 foci as well, to counter the image of the focus being unreliable, caused by the bad press about the numerous recalls.)
I guess they sold the bulk of the left overs so they aren't as in your face with the ads?

Yes the protoge was 5yrs but the protoge5 was 4 I say was because the allentown dealer is out of them and won't be getting more. I'm gonna hit the mazda site and see if there are any anywhere within reach, but I probably wouldn't do it anyway at 0% for 4yrs vs. 0 for 5yrs.

Officer Cartman do you know someone from Hertz in Joisey by chance? That's how I'm in on the X & S plans. just a hunch?

I could use the money saved to make the focus handle like(if not better) than the protoge5. I suppose?

At this rate I probably couldn't sell it in time anyway?

Wow, didn't know they changed the deals again.. This was back in August when we bought her car. Anyway, the company I work for (Comcast) offers the X & S plans.. But they're non-transferable. But I convinced the sales rep that I would be able to get one for my g/f, but if he made me go through the trouble of getting it, he'd have to wait another week for the paperwork to go through. Since he wanted a quick sale, he did it w/o any paperwork at all

Check other Mazda dealerships.. We had to do a dealer trade with another dealership to get the one we wanted (Black ES with every single available option). And if it's not in the cards, then go for the Focus. Though I have a feeling Mazda will do this deal soon on the 2003s, as car sales aren't increasing all that fast.