To sell or not to sell........that is the question

I am in the process of evaluating my car situation; I currently have 02 Dodge Dakota and 13 Kia Forte. Having a truck is nice and although most people hate Dodge trucks, on this site, I have been happy and knock on wood have had little to no issues. The Forte is again a great vehicle, but I hardly use it, I walk or bicycle to work. Even in the harsh winters, I can walk to work, but I have been looking for another job so the availability to walk to work will change. Before these two cars I had a Kia soul that was pretty close to doing everything I needed and cheap but it was not sporty which turned me off. I also had to use a trailer which I can do it, but don’t like too.

The Truck Pro’s • Fits Kayaks, karts, skis, and anything else I need to move. • 4wd, winters are brutal in Erie. • 4 doors, plenty of room fits 4 adults comfortable

Cons • Manual transmission (truck is an auto) • Takes away the room in the driveway • Not that fun to daily drive/park • Will need some maintenance if I continue to drive it. • MPG 11-13

The KIA Pro’s • Sporty • Reliable • Manual • Full of options • Cheap $135 a month 1 year left on the lease.

Cons • Cannot tow or fit Kayaks, karts, skis, and anything else I need to move. • I had to purchase snow tires (Fine in the winter but needs snows) • I hardly drive it • Not economical for a family • It is a lease so adding a roof rack wiring it for a trailer is not an option.

So I thought of a couple scenarios of trading in my car and a truck for a newer or used vehicle that can accomplish both the truck and car duties. One of my limitations is the KIA is a lease and would require the dealership to pay the residual value, so far only one dealership made me an offer of $1k under the residual, which I was insulted seeing that the KBB value is $3-4k more. I think selling it solo is not an option unless I can do it privately. Any advice on potential vehicles to trade for?

I have been looking at the Mazda3, 5, & 6 Hatchback, problem is that manual transmission are hard to come by and they would have to take my two vehicles in on a trade.

Also have been looking at wagons and other hatchbacks with low mileage. I am trying to have as little to no out of pocket expense as I am assuming I will have to purchase a trailer, snow tires, and roof rack.

Right now I have a trade offer for my truck for a four door Focus SVT that is supercharged. He said there is an idling problem not sure, if that is the only thing wrong and there is a little bit of rice in the interior, and it is a red car with a black hood. I prefer a stock configuration and would probably try to sell and remove the supercharger and return to stock. It only has 66k and according to the owner has a clean title. It could turn out to be a nightmare because of the rice; I will have to put some money into it, and try to sell the Kia, which I have been unsuccessful.

I'd sit out the lease on the Kia. Returning a lease usually works out more expensive or the same cost as if you had kept the lease until its end.

I thought you couldn't really "trade in" a leased car as it's not yours, unless you bought it from the leasing company first. And the end of the day they're basically renting you the car for a fixed term.

BoxheadTim wrote: I'd sit out the lease on the Kia. Returning a lease usually works out more expensive or the same cost as if you had kept the lease until its end. I thought you couldn't really "trade in" a leased car as it's not yours, unless you bought it from the leasing company first. And the end of the day they're basically renting you the car for a fixed term.

There is a buyout price, I think what turns off the dealers is that it is not a negotiable price.

Agree with Boxhead. Especially at just $135/month, sit on it and use it when you can. You'll spend more getting out of the lease early.

As far as I know, a supercharged SVT Focus is stock.

I'd hang onto the truck. Sure, it needs some work, but (I'm assuming) it's paid for and it does all your workhorse duties. Drop insurance coverage down to liability only, if you're comfortable with it, too save a few monthly dollars.

Then get whatever car fits your other desires, without having to compromise, to cover workhorse needs.

Duke wrote: As far as I know, a supercharged SVT Focus *is* stock.

Nope. They weren't supercharged.

Swank Force One wrote:

Duke wrote: As far as I know, a supercharged SVT Focus *is* stock.

Nope. They weren't supercharged.

I stand corrected. I have only seen a couple in the metal, and all the examples I've seen were supercharged. I assumed that was OE.

Having come from Erie area originally, 4WD sure can come in handy with the lake effect snows. I know there was more than once my mom wouldn't have made it home without the 4wd when we lived there.

The focus would be a cool car and I bet you can de-rice it at the local JY. I'm sure with the money back from the SC, you could make it a nice car. Can you just buy it outright?

bmw88rider wrote: Having come from Erie area originally, 4WD sure can come in handy with the lake effect snows. I know there was more than once my mom wouldn't have made it home without the 4wd when we lived there. The focus would be a cool car and I bet you can de-rice it at the local JY. I'm sure with the money back from the SC, you could make it a nice car. Can you just buy it outright?

He is asking $5k, given that I paid less for the truck that is what makes the deal appealing. I have to get rid of my Kia if I pick up the focus and it is hard to sell a car when there is $13.5k due on it.

To me a lot would depend on what supercharger is on the Focus. PowerWorks is good, the others are not so good. Air to water intercooled vs. non-intercooled and a bunch of other details.

Hal wrote: To me a lot would depend on what supercharger is on the Focus. PowerWorks is good, the others are not so good. Air to water intercooled vs. non-intercooled and a bunch of other details.

supercharged with the procharger intercooler kit. New blow off valve. Has bigger injectors, posi traction in the front end, sct tuner. Like I mentioned I would like to make it stock.