Ever seen a deal you just couldn't pass up?

"Blathering Seagulls" (blatheringseagulls) 01/14/2016 at 16:54 • Filed to: focusst

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I just pulled the trigger on a certified 2014 Focus ST (ST3 w/nav & moonroof) with... wait for it... 515 miles.

That’s right. 515. Not even broken-in yet. Got it for $23,000.

My 128i Owner’s Choice turn-in date is in a month, and I realized that my e28 project was beyond my ability as a novice mechanic. This is basically a $9,000 discount on a new ST. How could I refuse?

Justin Hughes > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 16:55

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I’m envious! I’d consider one for myself, especially at that price.

BeaterGT > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 16:57

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Easily. Look at other cars under 20 grand :)

RallyWrench > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 16:59

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Not bad at all. I bought a running ‘72 240Z out of a field on my lunchbreak for $700 once, but that’s about it for screaming deals.

TheHondaBro > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:03

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Yeah... But the DEA prohibits me from speaking about it.

they-will-know-my-velocity > RallyWrench 01/14/2016 at 17:04

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The real MVP

Blathering Seagulls > RallyWrench 01/14/2016 at 17:09

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As someone who’s overwhelmed by a vintage project, I bow to you in awe.

Blathering Seagulls > BeaterGT 01/14/2016 at 17:09

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But then I’d just end up with an M3 basket case!

Blathering Seagulls > Justin Hughes 01/14/2016 at 17:10

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I’d considered one back before I got my 1-series, but I couldn’t refuse it a second time... Not with most of the initial depreciation already taken care of for me.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:20

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If it still has the new car smell, it’s new enough for me, congrats!

RallyWrench > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:21

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Oh, that one overwhelmed me too. It did run, but it needed everything. I already had a project at that time too, one I still have. I didn’t need the Z, but how could I not?

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:37

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YES. This will be my 1st car!!! http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto/538811…

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:37

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My alfa.

$400 got me a gtv6, which has a 2.5 v6, it had a blown timing belt. A 3L alfa 164 engine that “ran when removed” and 12 wheels.

best $400 ever.

Blathering Seagulls > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you 01/14/2016 at 17:49

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Very cool! I know precisely nothing about Beetles, but that looks great!

Blathering Seagulls > RallyWrench 01/14/2016 at 17:54

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I think the best lesson that my e28 taught me is that EVERY vintage car “needs everything,” even if it runs and drives. Time, she is a cruel mistress...

thedevilinside > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:55

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Welcome! Mine’s a ‘14 ST3 as well, no moonroof

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 17:58

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That’s a steal for a fully loaded one. Great color too, but it’s almost worth getting it wrapped right away since the OEM paint is incredibly thin. I’ve already accumulated an infuriating amount of rock chips in 1 year of ownership.

Blathering Seagulls > thedevilinside 01/14/2016 at 18:12

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Thanks! Any advice/insights for a new owner?

Blathering Seagulls > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed 01/14/2016 at 18:12

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Great tip, thanks!

AM3R shamefully returns > RallyWrench 01/14/2016 at 18:21

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This old guy in my office drove to work in his Alfa today, I didn't even know he had one. He tells me his 7 series is in for a warranty repair and had to take the Alfa because his 280z wouldn't start for some reason... I threw out a random offer to buy it and now I may possibly have an S30 (I'll find out tomorrow after work!)

thedevilinside > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:22

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Uhhh, not really. Some people complain about torque steer of course but I have no complaints. Issues I have had were the TSB/recall, tailights rubbing on the paint, and strut bearings going out. They changed brake size in the middle of the year so it might be good to know which you have. I think 3/31/14 was they switched sizes on build dates.

Oh, ya. They come with summer tires stock so if you live somewhere with a winter you’ll probably want to swap the tires out.

I’ve only done 40k miles but still plan on keeping it for years to come.

AM3R shamefully returns > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:23

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$20k gets you a fantastic E46 M3. C’mon man!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:24

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Muh pickup

RallyWrench > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:29

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Yup. I’ve owned 2 E28s and may soon own another, actually. My project is a ‘68 2002.

Blathering Seagulls > thedevilinside 01/14/2016 at 18:30

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Damn, that looks MEAN! I’m picking up some winter steelies/Blizzaks (I’m in Chicago; it was hilarious to test-drive when it was 5 degrees out), and the car is actually at the dealer for a couple of weeks before I can turn in my 1-Series, so I’ll make sure they get all the TSBs done.

RallyWrench > AM3R shamefully returns 01/14/2016 at 18:31

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Oh man, keep us posted! Not a bad backup car he has.

Blathering Seagulls > AM3R shamefully returns 01/14/2016 at 18:32

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I know... I know I know. But I don’t have a garage, and my e28 has taught me that I should avoid needy cars until I have a better setup. Wrenching outdoors in Chicago in the winter is NOT FUN!

Blathering Seagulls > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/14/2016 at 18:34

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thisthreadisuselesswithoutpics.gif

AM3R shamefully returns > RallyWrench 01/14/2016 at 18:34

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Will do! He showed me one cell phone picture and I fell in love. He says it usually runs great and is rust free (almost tough to believe).

AM3R shamefully returns > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:35

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I totally understand, I'm in northern VA without a garage.. I really just can't work on my car from December-March.

thedevilinside > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 18:40

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I just have Rally Armor mudflaps, lights I mounted up, and the wheels are Team Dynamics. Thinking about an exhaust but I don’t have a ton of money to put into it right now so I am happy with how it is.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 19:10

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I found my leftover 2013 RS brand new with 51 miles on it right at the end of the 2014 calendar year. It sat on the lot for almost a year and I walked out the door with it for just over $18k INCLUDING tax/title/fees etc. Nearly 25% off sticker on a brand new car. :)

Gotta love those leftover manuals sitting in the back of the lot haha!

bryan40oop > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 19:33

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CPO? Did it come with the premium care warranty?

If so, thats honestly better than buying a new one.

Trust me, I work at a ford dealer. The premiumcare pays for itself.

Caliper goes out at 60k miles. Haha, covered pay deductible on your way.

Sat nav goes out? 2k to replace? No says I, premiumcare, covered.

70k miles? Window won’t roll up? Needs a motor/regulator? here’s my deductible, fix away.

Luckily I get Extended Service Plans at cost so when I bought my GT 5.0 I went ahead. I don’t want/need any unexpected repairs. Given I’m probably 3 years from being out of bumper to bumper, but still.

I do / see enough out of warranty repairs to chance it.

Blathering Seagulls > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 01/14/2016 at 20:17

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Love the wheels! I’m thinking about putting some bronze/gold Konigs on the ST. The stick-shift discount is truly a treasure. I saved many thousands on my 128i for the same reason. They were practically BEGGING to get it off the lot!

Blathering Seagulls > bryan40oop 01/14/2016 at 20:32

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It can, but I haven’t decided on whether or not to get it. Seeing some of the threads about transmission issues, I might spring for it—and your recommendation seems to suggest that I should!

Blathering Seagulls > thedevilinside 01/14/2016 at 20:34

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I think that’s the genius of the “sound symposer.” I know it’s only audible inside the car, but it soothes my need for engine noise without the price of an aftermarket exhaust! I’ll probably get one eventually anyway, but still.

Axial > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 20:51

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How do you think I wound up with a ZR-1?

$14,000 and it’s only a state away? BRB, buying car...

I almost did it again for a 1988 Fiero GT. Lots of miles, but looked damn clean and was only asking $4500. Easy to afford, but...ugh, good sense won out. This time.

Blathering Seagulls > Axial 01/14/2016 at 21:29

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Probably a good call on both.

bryan40oop > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 21:30

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A certified pre-owned has to have premium care esp. I thought you said it was certified.

But if it’s not, put it this way. If it has a touch screen, especially the first generation, it will go wrong. Part is ~$800 warranty cost, labor about ~$150-$300.

1 visit and the ESP (extended service plan) almost pays for itself.

But premiumcare is the only way to go. There’s no hassle to the customer/dealer like with every aftermarket warranty. But the other reason I say this is because of little things. The focus/escape are the two worst built vehicles ford produces. They’re plagued by little things (usually electrical). Little expensive things.

Manufacturers keep pumping more & more features into cars, and they have to cut cost somewhere.

That being said, I’ve yet to see a single ecoboost engine need repair other than the f-150 3.5 ecoboost.

And I mean any engine repair. No injectors, no turbo, nothing.

But wheel bearings & tie rods go bad. And it’s always nice knowing it’s covered under warranty when they do.

Blathering Seagulls > bryan40oop 01/14/2016 at 22:13

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Yeah, it’s certified, so it has whatever that comes with. They were also offering an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty, which I thought was called Premium Care? I’ll have to double-check. They did mention that they would pro-rate the cost if I sold it early, so I’m considering it strongly.

bryan40oop > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 22:24

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If it’s a certified pre-owned it’ll have premium care. Otherwise they’ve done something shady. But if it’s got premium care it’ll be ford branded extended service plan. Just avoid any aftermarket crap they may sell.

Justin > Blathering Seagulls 01/14/2016 at 22:36

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You just bought someone’s old race car. It was trailered to the track and raced for every one of those miles.

Either that or it was in the shop a lot. I mean a lot...

Blathering Seagulls > Justin 01/14/2016 at 22:45

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I wonder about both of those things. It didn’t seem to have any wear that would indicate a hard life, but then 500 miles might not have been enough to leave visible marks. It’s under warranty either way, so fingers crossed.

6Cylinder > Blathering Seagulls 01/15/2016 at 00:37

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No way! I would have done the same thing man.