What about them, which year, which engine etc etc ?

CR just came out with the yearly "Car Issue", useful for anyone interested in getting a "new" (or used) car. Whole issue is dedicated to cars, reviews just about every major make and model.

Ford Focus ZX3

Love it to bits.

I would have liked a Toyota Rav4 or a Hyundai Santa Fe but after the experience I've had with insurance quotes I think I'll wait a year or two for one of those. Had a Vauxhall Corsa in the UK and still say it was the nicest car to drive. Wish I had one over here.

Avoid a Hyundai (or a Kia) like the plague. Resale is appaling.

If you like the ZX3 and want a small SUV, try the Escape. Best selling vehicle in it's class. Hardly ever see one in the workshop. I have had 2 for demos and loved them. Sold one to my neighbour and he is still talking to me a year later.

Thanks but I think they look a bit boring. Too boxy. I'm happy with the ZX3 for now, but I'm sure something new and groovy will have come out by the time I'm ready to buy again.

Thanks for the advice on resale TRPardoe! What do you think about the Toyota Tundra's?

Never driven one so have no personal comment.

I know that the chassis is not "professional grade". No contractor around here would buy one. The chassis on the 2004 F-150 is bomb proof. Best in the business.

Difficult to draw direct comparisons without knowing exact specs.

You can compare vehicles at carsdirect.com

Is this a new campaign by Ford - get everyone to post on all the forums singing the praises of their "ve-hic-uls" ?

So far, at least, I have never done commerce with anyone from this forum so if it is a campaign it is a failure :-)

That's because we are not as gullable as some Americans and can see through your cunning plan.

Damn. It's working.

...must...buy...a...Ford.....

We've been here two months and have bought two cars. Hubby wanted a minivan, so we bought a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport model, lovely colour and we love it. This past weekend we bought a 2003 Hyundai Accent, didn't think I would like that much, but again we got a great price. My biggest tip (that I got originally from here - thanks whomever suggested it) was research cars on cars.com before you go buying and for crying out loud haggle, we got both our cars for 2 to 3k cheaper than what they wanted because I researched and knew what they were really worth! Also, we went with Geico insurance initially, just to get our car home (even though we paid cash) and they were extremely expensive, we ended up going to State Farm and it saved us $1500 a year! Caligirl, when you get over here, you will not believe the amount of research you need to do. Will be interested to see what prefix number your hubby will get from social security, another nightmare we are encountering. The best of luck.

When we first got here we bought a Honda Civic thinking it was a sensible buy. Its cheap and nasty and we can't wait to ditch the damn thing, we have had Honda's before (but never a civic) and won't make the civic mistake again.

I just bought a Dodge Ram pick-up truck and it is without a doubt the best thing I have ever driven, I absolutly love it, the wife likes driving it too but things it is a boy toy and would prefer something sensible and girly when we sell the civic for her.

The only downside to the truck is that it sucks gas like crazy and with the idiot Bush in power and the gas prices jumping like mexican beans it is getting frustrating to fill the tank every couple of days.

Does anyone else understand why, if the USA occupies a country with vast oil reserves, the price of gas has shot through the roof in the last six months?

Patrick

Bush and Cheney are saving up to build their holiday homes - or maybe buy their customised Humvees.

Thanks for the confirmation of something I posted in another thread. Dodge trucks have appalling gas mileage.