"Im not paying $65k for a Ford!!"

[RAPID_BA]

A mate of mine called me up saying he was going out to look for cars. He knows I love cars and it was a good chance to catch up anyhow.

He said he has about $65k to spend..

He said at this price looking at a euro car, its really a compromise between luxury and performance. At first I suggested the BMW 3 series, apparently their is a turbo diesel model that goes ok for about that price range. He immediately agreed and said he test drove it last weekend..

We started throwing about different models and makes and then I suggested, what about one of those new FPV supercharged GT's?

HE scoffed at the thought and said "Im not paying $65k for a ford". Why would you want to drive a ford when you can get into a BMW or lexus or Audi for the same price. Yes it might not have the same performance but its about quality. In a few years time, the BMW will be highly regarding and hold much of its price where the Ford will be ready for the scrap heap.

He sort of made a point. I love the FPV GT, supercharged car, it ticks all of my boxes but I had to ask myself Would I want to spend $65k on a Ford?

Not just ford he scoffed at the idea of paying $65k for a subaru, ford, holden, mazda, Mitsubishi etc etc. Kep going to the point, but you can step into a BMW or a Merc? Why would you want the cheaper make?

What are your thoughts. Im thinking Ford sales although a sparkling product have this perception that people want more of a brand name for their $65k

[bingoTE50]

Well what would he get in BMW guise. Not too much. If buying a BMW and size was not an issue ,maybe the 125 Coupe. 0-100 in 6.5 manual not too shabby. A small Audi ? A Reanault Megane Sport. At the end of the day servicing and depreciation is going to hammer his budget.
I would buy a two year old Euro or Aussie performance car and keep some of my 65k for other things.

[munners]

Spending $65k on a new car does not mean its going to be high class Euro. $65k buys you a new workmate landcruiser troop carrier with steel wheels and hose out interior.

Its funny how you see someone cruising arouund in a nice Merc or Bimmer and think they must be doing ok to afford a nice car like that but how many Landcruisers do you see runing around? They can easily be $100k

Munners

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Well what would he get in BMW guise. Not too much. If buying a BMW and size was not an issue ,maybe the 125 Coupe. 0-100 in 6.5 manual not too shabby. A small Audi ? A Reanault Megane Sport. At the end of the day servicing and depreciation is going to hammer his budget.
I would buy a two year old Euro or Aussie performance car and keep some of my 65k for other things.

Spoke about that car but he has a young child and said he needs 4 doors. Audi doesn't deliver much performance in that price range in a a4 but a3 maybe with 2.0L turbo or maybe VW golf R.

He honestly things he is not getting $65k worth of car if he buys a ford or holden, subaru, mazda etc etc. He just thinks for that price you can't accept ho hum quality. (I don't really agree with the ho hum quality statement)

He would rather buy an entry level tag watch that a fully spec casio watch. I mean everyone thinks like that a bit, would you buy a hyundai for $65k? Even if it was offering all you want? Its still a hyundai and perceived as a cheap car. Some people think like that about ford. Pay ford prices for a ford car

[EFFalcon]

get new mates

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

get new mates

THIS........

[Russ]

Has he considered a new VW Golf R or even a GTI and change left over for some mods ?

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...Cr=0&R=1134165

Edit - you have obviously but has he

[lockieoc]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

get new mates

LOL

Also, the old man just handed over $70K on a Mitsubishi Evo X MR, and it is worth Every. Single. Cent.... but its only a Mitsubishi??

[Mr Hardware]

After spending a weekend in an Audi A4 Turbo, i can fully see why people will pay $65k for a mid-sized front-drive 4cyl.
I know if i was ever mad enough to drop $65k on a depreciating asset then i'd have a tough time deciding between a mid-size euro and a big-bore local barge.

But also what munners said. Just because you're dropping $65k doesn't mean it needs to be something showy.

[RAPID_BA]

I should clarify my mates position. He is not short of a dollar and has owned cars such as Audi S4, Mitsubishi GTO (back in the day), BMW M3, Subaru STi.

I suggested another STi to him, but he looks at the Sti as if its just a quick billycart, offers no refinement or luxury, he loves his audi/BMW and thinks ford is a throw away car after a few years.

I dont think the Ford GT is such a bad car, quality or otherwise. But I am a fordman.

[SM1DY]

Sounds like he is a brand snob

[RAPID_BA]

I would pay $65k for a new Ford GT supercharged car. It ticks all my boxes, I would not spend any more on any other car.

Just need to start saving.

But many would just never do it...for a ford.

[Ryan]

Honestly not too many other cars around that price range would interest me. If I had 65K it would be an FPV, or HSV.

[XWGT]

I encourage you to tell him to buy the Audi..
Then report back in 4 years time on the river of tears over ridiculous servicing costs and horrible trade in values.

Set up a web cam, I wanna watch....

[AMGC63]

Maybe ask your "mates" to join and share their own thoughts first hand to save you the trouble of recounting their experiences for them every time?

Maybe it will give them some realistic perspective....

[ACEz]

Tell him to take it for a test drive

[Carby]

Ha badge snobbery as it's best!

There's no way I'd put $65K on an imported car! Be it Bimmer, Benz, or an Audi. You'd be getting a small car at the low end of those marques range of cars, suffer higher maintenance costs and at selling time it's a guess how much people will pay for a low end Euro. You do get a better build quality, but this does not mean that the car will last longer.

I'll take an Aussie made car, made for our conditions every time , given your mates situation. Hope the badge on his Euro gives him as big a smile as a GT, F6, GTS would give me after a drive...............

[kinksta]

So many people look at someone, oh wow he drives a Merc, or wow it is a BMW, he must be loaded, but they don't realise it is the base model. lol

[HULK EF]

How about a top of the range FG G66E Turbo? MK11

All the performance and lots of luxary.

Oh and yeah, Brand snobery at its best.. Surpirsed your actauly giving his question "time of day" except to stir on here.

[blueoval]

If ya mate is such a brand orientated person, I would tell him to stick with Jap cars. They still have decent specs, go pretty hard (turbo variants) and still are within his affordability range. Something like a Subaru Liberty GT by STi or 3.0R. Or consider a Lexus is250 or something.

[V8XTasy]

Merc quality has slipped significantly in recent years, BMW is not so hot either. I'd stick with Japanese brands if spending that amount of money.

[|Nate]

Maybe he should get an F6-E or GT-E, they'd tick his "Posh" boxes surely... ??!

[JC]

So he won't pay $65k for a Ford, I presume because they use them as Taxis....What brand do you reckon taxis are in Europe? Lots of mercs etc. At the end of the day, the chose is his, but I would be looking at a car that fits the bill for the price he has, and not just limiting to specific brands - which is exactly how I ended up in a Mitsu 380.

[blueoval]

I think he needs to do his research more than write off a brand based on ignorance. Ford has improved immensely over the years with good componentry. They have a lot to offer. As far as I am aware though, if he is looking for customer service at a dealership, that's where it may differ the most between ford and a Euro/Jap dealer. I may be wrong but I find Ford are more difficult to deal with when it comes to warranty issues. It also happens to other brands too. I think reading a lot on these forums about unhappy people dealing with Ford may have gotten to me. lol. Happy to be corrected.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by AMGC63

Maybe ask your "mates" to join and share their own thoughts first hand to save you the trouble of recounting their experiences for them every time?

Maybe it will give them some realistic perspective....

Agreed 100% get him to join so he can tell us what he wants, ironic his budget is around the price of a GT give or take
FWIW if you don't see any value in it why buy it I know if I had 65k to spend on a car it wouldn't be a falcon.
As for trade in values Id say they (euros) would hold their value better then a GT or any Aussie for that matter.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I should clarify my mates position. He is not short of a dollar and has owned cars such as Audi S4, Mitsubishi GTO (back in the day), BMW M3, Subaru STi.

I suggested another STi to him, but he looks at the Sti as if its just a quick billycart, offers no refinement or luxury, he loves his audi/BMW and thinks ford is a throw away car after a few years.

I dont think the Ford GT is such a bad car, quality or otherwise. But I am a fordman.

It should be said that if I, among with a high majority of people here, had owned the cars that you mentioned he has owned, I would feel I know cars well enough not to have to ask mates what car I should buy.

[TZENU]

Is he in real estate?

I have a mate who is saving up for a FPV as his weekender - he is a commercial real estate agent for one of the biggest mobs and he hates that fact that its either BMW or Merc and above, even senior management encourage the younger agents to look at BMW and the like...

[Poetic Justice]

That's typical real estate agents for you. Apparently success is not success without a German vehicle.

My old man (also a real estate agent) has a 370z which replaced an F6.

[Polyal]

I mentioned this in another thread, somewhere along the line it became uncool to buy a "luxury" local car.

My mum did the same thing, I told her to get a G6E, but no, she gets a new C220. Yeah it looks nice etc, is it worth the $70k (once optioned)...hell no.

I remember as a kid, growing up in the 90's, everyone who had a company car had a falcon or commy, usually a berlina or fairmont and then statesman/fairlanes for higher up. This doesnt seem to happen that much anymore.

[Poetic Justice]

I'd say there used to be a lot more company uniformity in company cars back then though. I get numerous people through the doors here (Toyota) that their boss has said no worries, you can have a company car, your budget is $xx, go find whatever you want that fits the budget.