Im having trouble deciding on what car to get... within the next 10 days
 

I am stuck between these cars:
NEW:
2012 Fusion S or SE - ($22,175/23,295 with auto, fees, taxes, and $3000/$5500 FACTORY REBATES applied)
2012 Focus Sedan S - (20,551 with auto, fees, taxes, and $500 REBATE)

USED:
2012 Focus Hatchback SE - ($16990 + taxes = $19k with both taxes -dealer)
2007 Altima 2.5S ($14000 + tax = $14890, private, 1 tax, NO WARRANTY)
2010 Fusion SEL 2.5 ($16000 + tax = 16960, private, 1 tax, powertrain warranty until 2014)

Now, my goal is to buy the car with the best balance between age, depreciation, and price, and I was settled at the 2007 Altima for $13k at the dealer, but they wanted to tack on fees, etc, plus taxes, it was almost $16k, so i said fuk it and choose something else as all altimas around that year cost $12-14k + 2 taxes, from dealers, so about $14600 after taxes.

I was planning to achieve my goal by buying a used car in the year 2009+ so that most of the fast depreciation is gone, but Im having trouble finding a good car (4 door sedan or hatchback with good MPG and interior quality with good styling - NO accord or camry or mazda6).

But, I see now since April 1st, they offer $3000 Delivery allowance on Fusion S and $5500 on Fusion SE, but adding automatic costs another $1200 plus Fees $1600 + taxes on top which makes it from MSRP of $16999 - 17999 to $19800 and 20,800 BEFORE taxes, so it is very pricey still.

Now i found a used 2010 Fusion SEL for $16000 and with tax its only $16960 with warranty left over which is nice. I AM saving over new, but it is 2 years old already and the price is still a bit high for my budget.

ALSO, i found some 2012 Focus SE Hatchbacks for $16987 + dealer tax = $19025, which to me is a good value and im willing to spend this much because the car is new (probably a fleet car b/c they have 6 of these) and has almost full warranty with low K's and when it was new it STILL COSTS $24,639 with auto, fees, taxes added on. and it is a savings of $5k.

So.. in the end, i am still confused as to which of these cars i should pick. I am most concerned about spending as little as possible and loosing as little as possible when i decide to sell it in a few years because i want to buy a used 2011+ v6 mustang or something later.

I am reluctant on the 2007 altima because it has no warranty left and it is only $5k from a new (pretty much) and redesigned Focus that should hold its value better ($1k per year of "newess" is worth it to me - 2007 to 2012 is 5 years so $5k extra is worth it). but the Altima started at $24k + fees and taxes, so it is also a good buy..

SIGH... i need to study instead of wasting time choosing which car

I know you didn't mention it but what about a newer used VW GTI?

no euros im in winnipeg, theres no one to fix it

i dont have a garage here and i also no tools. Im used to repairing my 1980 gti in vancouver but here i want something more reliable

that already screams buy used not new
i would probably go with the used focus of the 3 listed, for reliability and hassle-free

just my 2cents

Not considering Subarus? The Imprezas might be in your price range, and the AWD might come in handy.

I would personally stay away from fleet vehicles. Having worked at a car rental company before, let's just say you wouldn't want to know how they get flogged, or what kind of stuff people leave behind in their rental cars...

^ I agree with you there lol...

look at the base model jetta's. 5 speed, has power everything and 115hp. starts at $16,000. if you want automatic and ac then add $2000 but still a great deal.

i dont want a vw because very few people here drive them and they arent as reliable. plus 115 hp is so little for 16k...

no subarus because gas mileage is poor

as for fleet vehicles... i dunno man, they are maintained according to the dealer schedule and they are cleaned before they sell them so its not much problem to me. if they drive them hard then thats good, because if anything is wrong ill seee/feel/hear it when i test drive them.

so just with my choices of cars, which should i go for? USED 2012 focus seems to be good value, but how about USED 2010 or 2011 FUSION?

Private sales are still subject to 12% tax. It's the same amount as dealerships. Officially it is still called PST, but was increased from 5% to 12% when HST came in.

edit: just read you are in Winnipeg. Stuff above applies to BC. The 2010 Fusion's aren't great on fuel either, family member has the 4cyl and it gets 10-11L/100km. Pretty close to what an Impreza will get.

I'd go with the 2010 Fusion SEL 2.5.

if I were you i would do this. Narrow it down to the cheapest 2 vehicles (up-front cost) on your list. Go test them both out in person, see if you can haggle even more.

Use whatever you saved to put towards possible future repairs/gas. Everything on your list are reliable vehicles, you really can't go wrong. Besides, at the end of day you'll be glad to still have $$ aside for rainy days.

But you got a VW logo for your avatar! :fullofwin:

On a serious note, I would go for the altima.

will ship out my 08 mazda 3 with 45k for 16.5k . fully loaded.
send me a money request on paypal :)

try this out How to buy a car. [VIDEO]

I won't pick Fusion since the new model is just around the corner.