Aboutzach Expertise I am qualified to answer questions about any step in the car buying process as well as being familiar with the perfomance characteristics, and real world reliability of most makes and model.
Experience I have been a used car sales manager for the last ten years for a large franchise store.
Education/Credentials Joe Verde sales training.
Joe Verde management training.
Question QUESTION: OK, maybe this is a stupid question. I am planning to trade in my '94 Nissan Pathfinder with 153k miles. It is a good car, runs great but I use 4wd about once a year and I want something fuel efficient. I start a new job in a couple weeks and I need a good commuting car - 30mpg.
So far I have test drove a couple Ford Focus and Honda Civics. I am looking for something younger than 2000 with less than 75k miles or so, and less than $10k.
I guess my problem is that I have spent so much time looking at cars online that I have confused myself. I don't know if I want a Honda Civic, VW Jetta, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus...my mind is turning into mush.
So my question is do you have any thoughts or recommendations? Year 2000 or greater, <75k miles, <$10k, 30mpg, what is the best bet?
Thanks in advance.
Mike
ANSWER: MIKE,
I don't know where you are located, but, all of the cars you have mentioned would be well suited for your commuter car. If you are paying cash I would give you different advice than if you are financing a car so please let me know, and btw where are you located, if you are close enough to me I may have what you are looking for. Let me know.
but as a quick answer you can find a newer focus with a lot less miles for what you want to spend than the other vehicles you mentioned. You should be able to at least get an 06 focus with less that thirty thousand miles for around or under 10000 and buy it from a Ford dealer that certifies these cars to get great financing and warranty.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks. I'm located in Maryland, about an hour north of Baltimore. As for mayment, I am hoping to get some trade in for the Nissan, pay cash and maybe finance a couple thousand. I want to be paid off in less than a year.
Answer YEP,
that's about 2000 miles away, haha, drop on by. Keep in mind that most banks that dealerships use will only finance 7500-8000 and up, so for the best interest rate tell them you want to finance two years minimum and use your trade as your down payment. Then use your cash to pay down the balance after you recieve your first statement, then make whatever payments it takes to payoff the vehicle in a year. Good luck, let me know what you end up with.
