My Turn -- Car Shopping

As I said, I am not a real fan of Ford either Shel, but to be fair, a Probe is actually a Mazda that is branded Ford.

 
I know it is .. which is the only reason we wrote the probe problems off as just that particular car and decided to get a ford again.  He got a new Focus ZX3 and didn't expect to have any problems with a brand new car.. but even in the first year of having that car, it was in the shop a few times.  Thank GAWD for the warranty (although the last couple years problems have been post warranty[:@]). His new focus was in the shop at least 4-5 times in the first 2 1/2 years of ownership, my 2 1/2 year old PT Cruiser has never been in the repair shop. ***knocking on wood right now...lol***
 
The used probe didn't have problems till the limited warranty ended (of course....[8|]), but then on top of breaking down the mazda parts needed weren't stocked and would take forever and were damn pricey.  Between all the repairs and the high profile tires, that probe cost us a pretty penny.   LOVED that car though![]
 
Anyway, all that aside, if I HAD to pick a car for me based on your 3 options.. I WOULD still likely go with the Ford, despite my feelings about the company and their quality.    AND lets not even discuss the incompetence of their repair people....[8|]

i would go with the gto. i love the new body style.

the only thing i have to say is... red is like a HP magnet, watch your speed! []

edit: [sm=crossfingers.gif] that it has a manual transmission. []

The only good thing I can see about leasing, assuming the vehicle is not for business, is that you can drive a nicer car than you can afford to buy.

 
Yep, that what people do.  We actually leased it because it was such a good deal at the time (GM had major specials) 3 - year lease for $155 a month.  We replaced it with a end of year model vehicle that we actually bought new for less than the blue book value...[]

ORIGINAL: cyclefiend2000

i would go with the gto. i love the new body style.

the only thing i have to say is... red is like a HP magnet, watch your speed! []

edit: [sm=crossfingers.gif] that it has a manual transmission. []

 
I am leaning toward the GTO myself, although the Monte Carlo SS is also a very sporty looking car.  Then there is the really fun and potential chick magnet, Mustang.   Grrrrrr.
 
The GTO shares the Corvette engine.  Not that it is as fast as the Corvette, of course, because the Pontiac is heavier, but I will say, the GTO will go from 45 to 85 in like no time and, if you turn the traction control off, she will smoke the tires for as long as you stay in the throttle.
 
And who said car shopping sucks?  That has to approach blasphemy.  []
 
 

And who said car shopping sucks?

the shopping is the fun part. it is the dealing with the salesman that sucks! [8D]

edit: i cant wait until i get old like billy and can afford a fun, fast car! []

Then there is the really fun and potential chick magnet, Mustang. Grrrrrr.

trust me... they would run as soon as they saw you in the drivers seat! [sm=rotfl.gif]

You have to remember that '05 was the Anniversary Year for the Mustang.  It is the year that they debuted the new body style, modeled after the 1965 Fastback.  My dad is a Mustang junkie -- he had the '65 and when he got wind from his brother (works at Ford dealership) that Mustang was coming out with the Anniversary Model he immediately put in his order for the GT -- and he still had to wait seven months for that car.  FWIW, they do hold their value very well.  They were selling on eBay for a good $20,000 over sticker price when they came out.
 
My dad's matching pair of Mustangs are his pride and joy.  He carries a picture of them (posed together) in his wallet.  He shows them off more than pictures of his kids or grandkids.....
 
I will say that the GT is a super fun car to drive.  Even better than the '65.

ORIGINAL: cyclefiend2000

Then there is the really fun and potential chick magnet, Mustang. Grrrrrr.

trust me... they would run as soon as they saw you in the drivers seat! [sm=rotfl.gif]

You really think his wife will let him drive it? Just think of all the heads she'll be turning in the Mustang...

You really think his wife will let him drive it? Just think of all the heads she'll be turning in the Mustang...

good point.

how much do you trust your wife? [][]

I've got a 2002 Monte Carlo SS.  I love it.  If I had to do over again, I would go with the 4-door though.  The 2-door looks more sporty, but the back seats are torture to get in and out of. 

the shopping is the fun part. it is the dealing with the salesman that sucks!

 
 
Bradley, the last car I bought was an awesome experience.  We were only casually looking and the guy hands us the keys and says "go take it out for as long as you want".  we come back, he says "did you like driving it" we said yes.. he said "you wanna talk numbers?" we said "we will look at them"... then 5 minutes later the guy hands us a piece of paper with a number that is actually almost $3,000 LESS than the sale rice they were offering on the car  (so a total savings of close to $6,000 based on all the options we wanted  on that particular car).
 
DH andI looked at eachother, then looked back at him and said "we will take it"... and from the moment we drove on the lot, to the moment we were driving my PT cruiser off the lot, it was LESS than 1 hour.... and absolutely NO hard sales from anyone on that lot. It was an incredible experience I must say and I would go back there in a heart beat next time.

Then there is the really fun and potential chick magnet, Mustang. Grrrrrr.

 
Sweetie have you even bothered to LOOK in a mirror lately??? []
 
AND i am with Kelly on this... Joyce is gonna look hot in that car.. better watch out![] 

I work for Ford and I'd say that if mileage is a consideration look at the GM cars.  GM tends to have as much BhP or more and still get 10%-25% better mileage.  That should lower operating expenses as wel.

our last car shopping experience wasnt horrible. the guy was nice enough (of course he was about to get one hell of a commission.). car salesmen always seem like they are hiding something though. (maybe i am paranoid?)

our first car shopping experience was a nightmare. i cant tell you how many times i wish we would've walked out and bought the car someplace else. if you live in the atlanta area, do yourself a favor and avoid gwinnett place honda. i even hated their service department. we finally switched to lanier honda (mall of georgia honda now i think) for all our service.

I work for Ford and I'd say that if mileage is a consideration look at the GM cars.

 
btw Ed.. I hope you know dear,  that I mean NO OFFENSE to you or your coworkers.. I am sure you all are quite competent![]