What have you done to your MS3 today?
- Thread starter ZoomVT
- Start date
Checked out an ST recently, might as well be a two door with those tiny rear seats and no boot.
oaklandopen
Member
Im just ready for a new car, new warranty, less cost of ownership, more gas mileage. i know i would miss the s*** out of the speed, but i also know any next car for me will not be an upgrade as far as performance is concerned. this is also the same reason why ive also checked out cars like the priusC and chevy spark. if im gonna lose performance for gas mileage i may as well go all out or not do it at all
anyway....i felt the focus hatch would have been the easiest transition as far as interior room and comfort is concerned, but i cant go for the titanium package. and of course on top of losing 100bhp id be losing xenon headlights and foglights (which would be very hard for me)
Alas, ive chosen to hold onto her for a while longer, even though i have to take care of a lot of items soon. need tires, coolant change, power steering fluid change, replace a radiator hose that is starting to crack and dry out, probably replace the egr at some point since that p0401 keeps popping up more often, etc
anyway....i felt the focus hatch would have been the easiest transition as far as interior room and comfort is concerned, but i cant go for the titanium package. and of course on top of losing 100bhp id be losing xenon headlights and foglights (which would be very hard for me)
Alas, ive chosen to hold onto her for a while longer, even though i have to take care of a lot of items soon. need tires, coolant change, power steering fluid change, replace a radiator hose that is starting to crack and dry out, probably replace the egr at some point since that p0401 keeps popping up more often, etc
^I'm with you. I've been browsing for a replacement the past couple years (vehicles of all types), but never had the guts to pull the trigger. I was actually just looking at Sparks online today, after seeing the modded ones being made for Sema. Not looking to buy one, but it is a great looking micro-car IMHO.
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I got to ride along in an ST at a private test track, it is a quick car with awesome balance. Definitely smaller than the Speed inside though.
oaklandopen
Member
noticed this....
crack in the valve stem. probably not the source of my slow leak (have 3 tires with slow leaks) but nonetheless i will probably need to address this next time i get some rubbers, which will hopefully be before winter (financially speaking)
crack in the valve stem. probably not the source of my slow leak (have 3 tires with slow leaks) but nonetheless i will probably need to address this next time i get some rubbers, which will hopefully be before winter (financially speaking)
MikeHTally
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Speed3, 2006 Chrysler 300C, 2003 Ram 1500
The ST is a slick-looking ride, for sure. NO CAR PAYMENT is a strong incentive, though. I have been lusting over the Mustang V6 'vert. Not as practical as the Speed, but I bet it's a hoot to drive. I miss my '66 Pontiac convertible.
oaklandopen
Member
In light of what is going on with the ms3 the wife decides to push me into "s*** or get off the pot mode" with a new focus. she now feels that because of this latest cracked valve stem issue the car is essentially falling apart. this is also after i told her i need new tires before winter, and am in dire need of some fluid flushes
so her thought process is that its worth it to just buy new
now im trying to figure out how best to explain to her the fine details of going from insurance/gas/maintenance costs to monthly payments/gas/insurance/maintenance(unwarranted) costs
ive yet to break down all the numbers (since i dont have the monthly payments calculated) but insurance only drops like $16/month from ms3 to focus.
the only other thing i cant possibly calculate at this point is gas costs. for one thing gas priccles are erratic at best, but i am riding the motorcycle any fair weather opportunity i get. There is no way i can average how many miles a week i put on my car now that i have the bike
i could potentially get 10 more mpgs in the focus than i do in the ms3 now. im only getting about 15% better than advertised 18 city in the speed. The cost of ownership is lower since tires should last longer, less oil for changes, less frequent changes, lesser grade of fuel which comes out to $30 per fillup (9gallon tank) instead of $50 per fillup, and should be less often anyway
Its a tough justification process
so her thought process is that its worth it to just buy new
now im trying to figure out how best to explain to her the fine details of going from insurance/gas/maintenance costs to monthly payments/gas/insurance/maintenance(unwarranted) costs
ive yet to break down all the numbers (since i dont have the monthly payments calculated) but insurance only drops like $16/month from ms3 to focus.
the only other thing i cant possibly calculate at this point is gas costs. for one thing gas priccles are erratic at best, but i am riding the motorcycle any fair weather opportunity i get. There is no way i can average how many miles a week i put on my car now that i have the bike
i could potentially get 10 more mpgs in the focus than i do in the ms3 now. im only getting about 15% better than advertised 18 city in the speed. The cost of ownership is lower since tires should last longer, less oil for changes, less frequent changes, lesser grade of fuel which comes out to $30 per fillup (9gallon tank) instead of $50 per fillup, and should be less often anyway
Its a tough justification process
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oaklandopen
Member
ms3 fillup (at time of idiot light popping on) is 13 gallons times $4 as of right now
ford focus has a 9 gallon tank, assuming the light pops on with one gallon remaining thats 8 gallon fillup times $3.50. hence $50 for ms3 fillup and $30 for the focus
ford focus has a 9 gallon tank, assuming the light pops on with one gallon remaining thats 8 gallon fillup times $3.50. hence $50 for ms3 fillup and $30 for the focus
oaklandopen
Member
And id actually be getting less miles per tank with the focus than i do with the ms3 even though it should net me an extra 10mpg over the speed. it would be like 30 less miles per tank
Can we verify that with GPS?
oaklandopen
Member
on a closed course btw 
c'mon 19psi in 6th is where its at
