Ok. So I've been out of the acr buying game for a long time. We're goin' shoppin' today sometime. Ford is offering 0% for 60 months and 1.9% for 72. Am I required to pay full MSRP to get it? I would think that they way car sales have been in the dumper and sales are down 32% over last year, they'll be dealing.

"Am I required to pay full MSRP to get it?"

I've never seen that as being a requirement, no.

But 5 and 6 year financing on a Ford? Will it last that long? 😉

Do you really want to take that long to pay for a car?

You negotiate the best deal you can and the financing is still the same. Visit edmunds.com for the best source of info regard to pricing and quality of car.

Don't go more than 5 years on a loan, not worth it.

c3s

I agree that paying for a car longer is not the best idea. But, at 2% interest, that's not bad. That's a hell of alot better than 5% or 6%. We've looked into used vehicles and even if we save $7000 over the cost of a new car, with 0% or 1.9% on a 5 year loan, the payments are not that far apart. Which is the wiser decision?

New car, gets the 5 yr 100,000 mile warranty or used car gets a 12 month 12,000.

Lots to think about, so little time. The offer expires on Monday.

So they say...

Good for you looking at Ford's.

They didn't take a bailout.

They will (until they decide to take taxpayer dough) always be my first choice until the day I die.

Can't just look at payments if it is not the same car. You might be getting a $35k used car for $25k (depending on mileage) vs. a new $25k car that is a different make and model.

I like most Ford products - daughter has an Escape.

c3s

The Escape is the car my wife likes too. We're at that age where we pretty much buy what we want now instead of having to settle. We still compare and shop, but we like our conveniences.

I find it very hard to buy a NEW veh,mainly because of the initial expense........... Vehs are so damn expensive these days,plus the depreciation.......... Last few vehs I bought 2-3 yrs old they were half or less then the orig MSRP w very low miles and warranty.........As far as financing goes shop for that as well rates are still very good on preowned as well..... My point is even if your paying low interest rate on preowned and somebody else has already taken hit on depreciation = Major $$$$ in the long term and at the time of purchase...... Most vehs regardless of manufacture build very reliable machines,of course their are XXXceptions.... Whatever your choice best of luck,and hopefully I managed to confuse your decision a lil more...... Negotiate till you get what you want either way,if going preowned and you want to purchase an extended warranty ,they are negotiable as well......... The dealer should be on his knees kissing azz to make the sale w the present enviroment...... Walk away w your purchase felling like you stuck it to the man!!!!!!

Buying a new car:

Well I like the idea if you are going to drive the car for ten years. This means you had better get something you really like. Research, set a budget, shop, test, take a break.

I love all the advice to negotiate and be tough. I agree, but do you know why a baseball player hires an agent?

The salesman has a power bill. Never forget that you are dealing with the best work force in the world, Americans. American salesmen invented the game and are great at it. If Corporate could sell cars through vending machines they would, but people getting paid sells the cars. Take your time. “What will it take for me to get you into this car today?” When you hear that ****, take a break! You will hear that this one won’t last, do you wanna chance it. Hell yeah!! Don’t let wifey fall in love. Make a deal with her that before you purchase you will come home and sleep on it. Fit the car to the budget, not the budget to the car. Be prepared to see a bigger number that what you talked about unless you qualify an “out the door” price. Tax, prep, and assorted add on can run up cost. DO NOT BUY ANY PRODUCT!! No warrantees, no paint polish, no undercoating, NOTHING! All BS.

Keep the price for the car and get the amenities you want on the car. Remember you should keep this baby for ten years.

Finance at your best deal for as long as you want. Get a clean loan with no prepay penalty, or any crazy junk. Pay the car off in five years even if you finance for six or seven. If things get tight you can make the reduced payment but pay the car in five.

If this is impossible then get a three hundred dollar beater, save some jack, when beater dies throw the keys in the woods and walk home. Repeat as necessary.

Debt will be your biggest regret if you are not careful.

Buy American, warranties are fine, cars are decent. I like Chrysler. Their van is the best and the 300 is cool and a great car.

Buy a 2 year old car coming off a lease with 2 years remaining on the warranty.

Haven't bought a car in 3 years, but what I've read the prices of used are going up and new are going down. It may make since to buy a new car if you can get it for not much more than a used car like you mentioned. I agree too, that 5-7 year car loan is generally too long. The exception would be 0% financing or other siginificantly below marked rate. You get to keep your money longer and it doesn't cost you much to do it.

I love the internet.

I found 16 dealers in the "local" area. Within 75 miles or so. I won't mind driving if that's what it takes. Not alot of inventory though. Gee, I can't imagine why. I'm close to a deal, but not there yet. Funny. I've had about 15 phone calls today, and not one "asked me for the order."

No closers. It's nice having them fight over you. It's funny. So far, I've gotten offers for a free Iphone 3G, free maintenance for 4 years (I'm thinking I have to somehow buy that) and dinner for two.

My wife just wants it over.

...kinda like sex...

if someone is willing to offer me 0% financing for an extended period of time I will finance it for as long as they will allow..... why not....?

as long as it does not affect the price. price and financing should be seperated or you are doomed.

Just make sure that with long-term financing on a new car that you get replacement and/or gap coverages, which are generally very inexpensive. I think that I pay something like $16 extra/6 months.

herfsnipe,

As you may know I am a car dealer by trade, if you need any assistance please drop me a email... topper7788 at yahoo

I am not familiar with Ford incentives, but if I can help let me know... don't forget to maximize low interest or zero interest savings you need to keep the loan open for much of the term, if you may trade early you should look at the alternative rebate which in many cases can be a better deal combined with today's low interest rates.

also, nothing thrown in is "free", the cost goes somewhere...

also, rfenst is correct, GAP insurance is a must if you are not in an "equity" situation on your loan...

nothing thrown in is "free"

aint that the truth.

I've never bothered with gap insurance but maybe because If I really needed to I could pay things off with money that while I deem untouchable is available if needed.

I just say if you get the price you want and someone wants to give you a 0% loan I will take it as long as they will offer it....even if I could have paid cash. Now if the cash price is cheaper thats a different issue.

The computer I am typing this on initially is about $600 (rebates etc comming back to make it cheaper but nt the point). I had the cash in my pocket but took their 18month interest free.....I already had the account.

I'll pay it off over 12-14 months (maybe earlier if I get tired of paying) just because I can.

I know thats not equivelent $$ but the concept is the same.

also assuming I will be keeping the car for length of loan.

I spent much of the day yesterday pouring over the different inventories and researching. I have a neighbor who is an ex-car salesman. He looks at it both ways. Save money, let the dealer make some. He said that 0% is exactly that. If Ford is offering 0%, then it will be the price of the car, tax, license, title fees, doc fees added up, subtract cash down, divided by number of months to pay. Pretty simple. NO FINANCE CHARGES looks pretty darn nice.

On a $25,000 loan at 6.9% for 60 months would be a $500 payment add $4600 to the cost of the car. Zero % is a NO BRAINER.

Yeah, 60 months is a long time, but I remember buying my first Ford pickup in 1978.

$5995.

My first auto loan. $132 a month at 12% interest. My dad about crapped his pants when he saw the contract. "Why didn't you ask me?"

"You would have said no."