Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I had a Focus rental a couple weeks ago and had the same thing. I assume it was due to the auto Start-Stop-- engine was "stopped" when at a standstill, then "started" when I got going again.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

This one kept running when stopped, just stumbled when it got going again. May have just been that car, but I think I've read reviews with the same complaints. just my .02

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

The focus I drove was a newer one, 2012, didn't have any issues I noticed except being really dirty, like close to unacceptably dirty for a car on a lot.

Otherwise, fun to drive, good gas mileage and great interior and features. No weird stumbling issues at all.

Im going to stop at a ford dealer to check a few out and see a fusion or two.

Subaru is also still on the list.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Yeah... Honda's been making our lot a fucking disaster! They're building a new service department, which has left a giant dirt patch next to us. Detail comes out every morning and sprays the cars down. When this gets covered again by dust and turns in to mud. So they basically go from dirty, to clean for about 10 minutes, to muddy.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I am am interested to see what you end up going with, Dave. I am in about the exact same boat... want to replace my old POS with a 1-2 year old car in that 16-20k mark.

So far my short list is:

New Focus hatch
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
Mk VI Golf 2.5 (am a sucker for the Lamborghini engine)

Let me know if you run across anything that surprises you (in a good way) while out test driving cars.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Will do!

I meant the inside more than the outside, you could tell plenty of employees drive it and never clean it...get it detailed up for next time I come back, hard to tell if I would want that particular one with how dirty it was.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I know I have asked this before, but I will ask again since it relates to this thread.

I need to get approved for my loan now so I can seriously look for a car.

Was planning on doing a credit union or at least talking with one, so I can get setup for the amount etc. Then go buy a car.

I am leaning towards the Hyundai sonata, half way decent looking car, drove nice, decent features and roomy and still 35mpg. Seems like a win win.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^Did you try the kia version? I think its a lot more badass looking and from what car & driver said comes with a lot more features standard.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

If you're still interested in the one we have, we work with about 50 different lenders, banks and credit unions. Typically speaking* when you work with a dealer who uses multiple lenders you get a better rate than you would as a private person. We can beat or beat just about any rate.

*I've seen someones personal credit union beat our rate about 4 times in the 9 months I've been here. One was a bank employee, another was a loan against her 401k.

If you'd like, Dave, I can get some basic info from you and I can see what kind of financing I can find you.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

PM me, if you want to try and get some basic info :)

Aaron, I have not yet, haven't had time with all the other shit going on lately. Last weekend was track weekend and this weekend is the cruise, been busy.I will though before I buy.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Have you driven a TDi yet?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Nope. Haven't had a chance to test anything else

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

PM sent

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

You might like that TDI and if you don't drive that much the maintenance costs might be easier to swallow!

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember him saying he does do quite a bit of driving? I think that's part of why gas mileage us a factor.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

What maintenance is higher than a gas car? oil is every 10k per factory. there is a timing belt at 100k. The jetta, golf don't have uera (sp?) tanks.

If you get the DSG trans, it has a fluid and filter change, like anyother twinclutch trans.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^My best friend I lived with for the last 8 months had one, but he drove 50k miles in 2 yrs, hence why I said if you don't drive that much.

You can't just go to fleet farm and get the oil and filter you need and he would show me the costs of the maintenance they did and it was rediculous.

How is your TDI?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Take a deep breath....

I don't have one, but have been looking into them for my wifes next car. I'm not claiming to be an expert, I'm just going off the research I've done to better inform myself before diving into a car I am not familiar with, partly from edmunds.com, which is a pretty creditable resource. And other TDI webpages, with DIY how-to's and so on.

Looks like an oil change is about $50-$60 for oil and filter. BUT thats every 10k. So that seems about on part with a normal car, which is usually every 5k or less. You can buy oil at Auto parts stores.... those are hard to find! Trans fluid for the DSG, as said before is expensive yes, but it is that expensive on all cars with DSG type transmissions, but they also dont perform like a normal auto.

And its going to be ridiculous costing if you take anything to the dealer to have it done! Also just thought I'd say I'm coming from maintaining an Evo ($30-$35 every 5k for oil), which isn't a Ferrari, but is definitely more costly than a normal car. VW is a german car, you have to know its not going to be as cheap to maintain as a 15 year old honda or domestic. Also new VW's come with 3 years 36k mi maintenance free, so that saves some money if you buy one less than 3 years old.

Murlo, sorry for thread jacking. Please carry on with your DD purchase.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^No worries, as long as we talk about possible purchases, a little back and forth works for me :)

Carry on...

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

BTW, the last focus sold tonight. That might help make your decision a little easier.