Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
Leasing a used car is even worse than leasing a new car. However, I would recommend buying a used car (for cash) to avoid the initial depreciation. Let some other sucker pay for the initial deprecation (there are plenty of them out there).
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I quite agree.
I just bought a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Ultimate edition in May of this year for $15,988.
It had a mere 13,150 miles on it, when I bought it for cash;
and the balance of the 3 year / 36 month factory warranty on it when I purchased it from a Ford Mercury dealer who cherry pics good examples from dealer-only auctions.
MSRP was about $29,800 on it new.
This unit was built and put into service in April 2009 as an Avis daily rental in Los Angeles and retired in January 2010.
I paid cash and let someone else eat almost 50% of the depreciation it took after a year.
I added a cat back clone Crown Vic Police Interceptor dual exhaust, and a Police Interceptor full sze spare tire and matching stock wheel, and couldn't be happier, as it is a paid off next to new car, and LOOKS new after I claybarred it, and waxed and detailed it.
At about 19-24 mpg on cheap regular, it has run perfectly and just turned 21,000 miles and is smooth, comfortable, roomy, (room enogh in the back seat too, not only for 3 kids, but room enough back there for them to FIGHT !!), pretty safe, and spacious and I expect to keep it for years. Police and taxi versions prove its durability and toughness.
If I were you I would consider a one year old one, as true dollar for mile value, including depreciation, repairs, insurance, gas mileage, loan interest, etc. (which is the true cost of actual ownership,) they can't be beat by anything out there.
just put a pair of new, regular issue CA. alphanumeric, NON personalized plates on it.
The dealer that sold me mine just scooped up 5 more of them, in various colors. All 2010 models, identical to my 2009 one from this same dealer.
http://gridleycountryford.com/powersearch.cfm
They are extremely common in Florida where you are. The last of them (production ends by December 2010 and the St. Thomas Ontario, Canada factory will permanently close then) are beginning to be retired as lightly used rentals right now.
Think outside the box. Pick your color.