Buying a Ford Focus

[m3_lover]

Im 25 and I am looking for a car, I found a used Ford Focus SVT, that I really like. I got acouple of questions though.

1) I went to the bank and got a credit score of 749. The lady says that I would have no problem getting a loan. She printed out a copy of a 15,000 dollar loan at 5.9 % as a example of what I could pay. I asked some other people who have bought used cars and they had rates higher then 5.9% . Did I get the correct rate or should it be higher ? When I called the sales rep at the ford dealership, he told me that 5.9 is not a correct rate and that it is usually around 8 to 9 percent? So which is the right rate?

2) When I inquired about the price of the car, I said are there any other fees that I have to pay besides gst, pst, air tax, I already gotten a vanity plate 3 years ago so I dont have to pay to get a new license plate. The sales rep said that I will pay 69.00 to fill the tires with nitrogen. Can I decline the offer? Sounds like a quick money grab?
There was another 299.00 fee for all the paper work and administrative stuff relating to the car (includes carproof paperwork) Can I decline this offer or haggle for a lower price ?

3) The last question I have is that I have not had a ticket or accident since 2001. One accident in 2001 and two tickets (one for speeding and one for careless driving relating to the accident) in 2001. I know it is more then 6 years, so both accidents and two tickets are not presently shown on my driver abstract (I already ordered it online and it shows no history) But I got kicked off my dad's insurance in 2003 when I paid for both tickets (I can not remember if it was a 30 day suspension or 60 day suspension for losing a lot of points in one year.) Do I have to wait another year to get that suspension off my record. I have not been insured after that suspension because I took the bus to university and needed no car as my g.f drove my butt around. Will this affect my insurance rate?

Sorry for the long story, just trying to sort everything out.

[gherikill]

If the bank will give you 5.9%, take it from the bank and pay for the car in cash.



Do not pay for nitrogen in your tires. Regular air is already 78% nitrogen.

[Pete_Coach]

If the banks tells you 15k at 5.9 %, then go for it. That is a great rate. They are probably giving you a line of credit though.

Don't get the nitrogen, you will always have to be topped up with nitrogen and some places charge you as much as $20 for nitrogen top ups.]

Don't, I repeat, don't fall in love with this car. Walk away if it don't feel right. As a matter of fact, tell the sales guy to eat all the extras or you walk, then walk, betcha you don't get out the front door. Remember that you are in control. He wants your money and if you haven't slipped that engagement ring on the car, you are free to do better.

[AGR-1]

1- 5.9 is a very low rate for an auto loan from a bank, must be a personal credit line...not an auto loan. Did you look into leasin a new Focu you might be very surprised.

2- You paid for the vanity plate, once you attach the plate to a vehicle you will have to pay for the license plate charges.

[cavuu]

You do not have to pay the air tax. That is for new vehicles only.

Forget the Nitrogen it's just a money grab by the dealer as others have mentioned.

The admin fees are again a way to advertise a car low and then tack the fee on later. I got a good internet price on a used Focus and later they tried to tack on a $650 admin fee. I walked away and eventually got a better deal with no admin fee from another dealer. These and delivery costs should be hidden in the total price.

Check insurance rates here http://www.insurancehotline.com/