Help me select a car

Yes... a car.

Ok so I usually come on here for all sorts of info and with the tremendous amount of sheer knowledge combined in one place I figure this is probably the best place to ask (also I am not on any car forums)

So I need a new car, but am torn between two different options when narrowing down the search.



First car:

2010 Ford Fusion
$16000 (all fees included)
46,321 Miles

Mo payments at $271/mo for 5 years
Pros: has warranty for next 4 years or up to 100k miles
Is certified pre-owned
Is newer and less miles so it is less worn in
Is well below blue-book value

Cons: cost more than I was wanting to spend

Second Car:

2005 Honda Civic
$10,135 (all fees inc.)
90,130 Miles (has had 100k maintenance)

Mo Payments at $273/mo for 3 years
Benefits: costs less
is a honda so it should last longer
already has 100k maintenance

Cons: No warranty. could get extended warranty but not sure of cost

Both prices include tax, tags, and gap insurance.
Per month cost is based on 10% down on online edmunds car payment calculator

Any advice on either car. I have had a honda accord before, but have not found too much on the fusion.

Thanks,

Thorsen

I would not buy any of those cars. I would buy a new car for $15.000 (after hard negotiated discount), e.g. a Susuki SX4 two wheel drive or a Kia Soul or something similar.

But if you want to stick with the above choice, I would opt for the younger car. The Honda has too many miles.

Btw: the Ford Fusion blue book value is appr. $12.700 (4 door SE)

And I never buy a car on credit. You pay for the car twice.

Interest rate I am getting is really low interest after all is said and done is only $1800.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into new-new cars. when I started this my price was at 9k, but it kept going up as I looked and saw issues with all the available options.

Thorsen said:

Interest rate I am getting is really low interest after all is said and done is only $1800.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into new-new cars. when I started this my price was at 9k, but it kept going up as I looked and saw issues with all the available options.

Make sure you look into the blue book first (on the net). The Fusion was worth a lot less than the asking price.

And when you buy a new car, ask to see the factory invoice. Give them $50 more than they payed for it. They make out in Yearend incentives which is probably $300 to $500 per car depending how they met their quota.

If they don't want to show you the invoice, go to the next dealer.

Last year I bought a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe at Enterprise which is a rental company.
Still under warranty with only 30K miles on it. Runs great and it is easy to get my wife in and out.
Had to get a mid-sized SUV to transport my wife with MS. Smaller cars were to difficult to get her out a low profile car.

Just for fun check out Hertz, Enterprise and rental outlets that are selling their cars below market that are still under warranty. Make sure you do a Car Facts Report.

Have fun shopping.
THW

Have you seen this Big Red Wagon



Radio Flyer Car Original Story By Mike Nederbrock for KTUU-TV - YouTube

Thanks Dennis :)

WHS, i checked blue book for the Fusion and it listed at 19,000. I can't remember the options, but mileage is low. I am going to test drive it tomorrow. I looked into a few Kia's and they were really poorly made. read reviews for the new Kia Soul and Hyundai's and found the same thing. the reviews for the Fusion were pretty good and of course the honda reviews were good.

Thanks for info guys.

Maybe it is a different Fusion model that I looked up. You must look at the prices when you would sell it - not dealer prices. Those are inflated. But you do the right thing making thorough research.

If you consider the Honda, make sure the timing belt has been changed recently. Honda recommends changing the timing belt every 60,000 miles. these are overhead valve engines. Should the timing belt fail the valves drop and the pistons rise and...lots of mayhem and expensive repairs follow. They recommend changing the water pump at the same time as the same disassembly is required, and you only pay the labor once. A Guy