acdii Report post Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) It took me a while to make a decision. I could go several ways to replace the Flex, one would be to just buy another new one, easier said than done, I only have a 30 day window once the check is cut in order to recoup the tax and license on the car, so ordering the exact car, is out. Finding exactly what I want in a 2013, not happening, though incentives and financing are great, 3K cash and 0 for 72 months on a 2013 is just unreal, finding a 2013 with what I want, not found. I could go to a 2014, incentives are not as good, but there was a price drop on the car, so incentive wise they are about equal, but financing is at 1.9 for 72, which is still not bad. However, after taking a huge hit on depreciation so fast, I decided I really dont want to go new. I only did it before because of the increased rollover cost of what I traded in. I could go to the extreme opposite and find a used somethingorother under 12K which I could pay off in under 2 years, but considering ME, I doubt I could find something I could live with for 2 years. I considered a Diesel Excursion, which would be a blast since I love diesels, and it would be like driving my old F350 again, then I remembered just how much work it was to keep that truck road worthy, and the cost of fuel and maintenance, and it would not be worth it, the fuel cost and oil change alone would offset any savings. So I decided to look for used Flex, and could not find a direct replacement and found a few MKT that have what I want and are in the same price range as the Flex for the same year. Well I found an exact match to what I want, it has the tow package, ACC, BLIS, 40/40 buckets for the second row, and center console, in an Ecoboost model. It's 100 miles from here, and since I really dont want to hassle with another dealer who I dont know their practices, and waste a trip if they are one of "those", I asked my dealer if they can procure it for me. They are working on it now. If all goes as planned, i am hoping it will be here when the insurance check has been delivered and lien has been released. Most likely it will be financed from the same bank so the GAP can be done while I am getting the new loan so no overlap. I found a 2013 Lincoln MKT in Champagne CC, with Ecoboost, Elite package, 32K miles, Tow package, ACC, and refrigerated center console. the second row seats are heated and cooled. The price difference between this one and a 2012 with 10K miles, no center console and no tow package is $2k, the 2012 I have as a backup is a certified pre-owned so it should come with a 100K Lincoln warranty. I can have a tow package minus sway control added, but cant add the center console nor the MLT and heated steering wheel the 13 has, nor the integrated remote start. Tough choices to make, one I was hoping not having to need to do again for quite a few years, but hopefully this will be the right one. The upside is, I really wanted an MKT to replace the BD Fusion, but the Flex was a great car to replace it with, and I am hoping I can have the same feeling with the replacement of the Flex. I have to admit though, the MKT is one nice riding car, better than the Flex and quieter. When I road tested a 2010 last year I was easily able to get 24 MPG in it mixed city highway. One thing I haven't decided on, length of term. I can do a 60 or a 72 month. If I do 72 month, I can take the difference between what I have been paying and the new payment and apply it to my credit cards, then when they are completely paid off, apply the balance to the car payment and pay it off sooner. I still have to run the numbers and see, but I could possibly do this and pay it off in 5 years instead of 6. I was looking for something I could pay off in 4 years, but that just wont happen, there is not much out there in that price range with what I want/need that isnt loaded up with miles. There was one that just made it, but had 97K miles on it. Edited March 7, 2014 by acdii 1 hybridbear reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Texasota Report post Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) I think I remember you describing a long trip in the FFH with 4 people. Could you get by with the FFH as your main ride and get a small, economical, and low cost car for your second car? Something along the lines of a Focus? This could save you a ton of money on initial cost and a lot on financing costs. Edited March 3, 2014 by Texasota Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
