Built vs. Bought pre-purchase decision

[Bear_Stang]

Good morning,

I plan to retire my 05 focus for a new car in 12-18 months. I love my Bullitt, but I need to make a more rational decision for my normal use car. My focus is my daily that I have some fun in every now and again, but legroom has been an issue since purchase (14 years ago). As such, I am seriously considering an ecoboost mustang as a replacement. Unfortunately, ford released the HPP to tempt me so now I am left with a decision:

Purchase a new ecoboost and do some light bolt ons - adv power & some training

or

Purchase a new HPP ecoboost and trust ford - adv warranty

or

Purchase a low milage used 18-19 ecoboost bolt my heart out - adv moar powa? & lots of training

As this purchase is a bit away, I planed a price cap of 31k, but the 2020 HPP prices are already dropping so that is not helping my decision at all. All options would be an improvement in power / legroom over my focus, but the more I research this decision, the more I get a bit dizzy. I am actually tempted to go ranger because I would not have to make this decision.

Thoughts, comments, ideals on life?

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[kent0464]

Good morning,

I plan to retire my 05 focus for a new car in 12-18 months. I love my Bullitt, but I need to make a more rational decision for my normal use car. My focus is my daily that I have some fun in every now and again, but legroom has been an issue since purchase (14 years ago). As such, I am seriously considering an ecoboost mustang as a replacement. Unfortunately, ford released the HPP to tempt me so now I am left with a decision:

Purchase a new ecoboost and do some light bolt ons - adv power & some training

or

Purchase a new HPP ecoboost and trust ford - adv warranty

or

Purchase a low milage used 18-19 ecoboost bolt my heart out - adv moar powa? & lots of training

As this purchase is a bit away, I planed a price cap of 31k, but the 2020 HPP prices are already dropping so that is not helping my decision at all. All options would be an improvement in power / legroom over my focus, but the more I research this decision, the more I get a bit dizzy. I am actually tempted to go ranger because I would not have to make this decision.

Thoughts, comments, ideals on life?

The HPP is already at your $31k cap here in VA, with your 12-18 month timeline you should be able to get an end of the year deal on one that’ll probably kick the price down significantly, for example there’s a new blue 19 EcoBoost on a dealer lot near me for $21k.
If you are seriously considering a new ranger, I’d throw the F150 into the mix, the 3.5 GT EcoBoost, A10 and aluminum body panels make the F150 a delight to drive. I got my 17 F150 brand new for $31k and at 6’4” 220lbs it’s got plenty of leg room.

 

[SouthernCyclone]

Good morning,

I plan to retire my 05 focus for a new car in 12-18 months. I love my Bullitt, but I need to make a more rational decision for my normal use car. My focus is my daily that I have some fun in every now and again, but legroom has been an issue since purchase (14 years ago). As such, I am seriously considering an ecoboost mustang as a replacement. Unfortunately, ford released the HPP to tempt me so now I am left with a decision:

Purchase a new ecoboost and do some light bolt ons - adv power & some training

or

Purchase a new HPP ecoboost and trust ford - adv warranty

or

Purchase a low milage used 18-19 ecoboost bolt my heart out - adv moar powa? & lots of training

As this purchase is a bit away, I planed a price cap of 31k, but the 2020 HPP prices are already dropping so that is not helping my decision at all. All options would be an improvement in power / legroom over my focus, but the more I research this decision, the more I get a bit dizzy. I am actually tempted to go ranger because I would not have to make this decision.

Thoughts, comments, ideals on life?

Rumor is Ranger Raptor is coming with the new 2020 Ranger on the Bronco/Ranger platform. The previous generation Ranger Raptor was not available in USA. IF your thinking Ranger.

 

[Bear_Stang]

Rumor is Ranger Raptor is coming with the new 2020 Ranger on the Bronco/Ranger platform. The previous generation Ranger Raptor was not available in USA. IF your thinking Ranger.

Damn it all! I know that hennessy is making the velociraptor, but i did not know ford was gonna try to pull the euro-raptor off stateside.

 

[Bear_Stang]

The HPP is already at your $31k cap here in VA, with your 12-18 month timeline you should be able to get an end of the year deal on one that’ll probably kick the price down significantly, for example there’s a new blue 19 EcoBoost on a dealer lot near me for $21k.
If you are seriously considering a new ranger, I’d throw the F150 into the mix, the 3.5 GT EcoBoost, A10 and aluminum body panels make the F150 a delight to drive. I got my 17 F150 brand new for $31k and at 6’4” 220lbs it’s got plenty of leg room.

Thanks for the suggestion, but i want to keep the daily down to 4 cyl. Lower warmup times and better fuel eco are considerations for this purchase.

That being said, i understand that leaning into the boost in any vehicle will nibble away at fuel eco and motor life.

 

[Blue Moon]

How much do you like wrenching?

 

[Bear_Stang]

How much do you like wrenching?

I can't make a job out of it with my skill level.

I had to keep my chevy / gmc multicolored truck running through high-school (back when gas was just over a buck). If I remember correctly, the most complex thing I did was replace the steering column, rack, and master cylinder. Back then the internet was an infant so I used chilton's manual for most if not all of my repairs. I am not a skilled mechanic, but I love learning new things... Keeps my brain fresh and out of trouble. I feel like I missed a lot of knowledge by keeping my focus stock. Of course, back then I was just starting my career and I did not have a lot of free time to wrench so... I think I made the right decision.

 

[prostovovatt]

I had lots of fun modding my ecoboost (had two ecoboosts actually), test drove a few gts and owned a couple Boss 302s.

My next Mustang will be an ecoboost (hopefully the hpp but well see)

 

[Faceme]

your not going to save that much more on gas going to a modded ecoboost. Dont really understand your reasoning.

 

[Bear_Stang]

your not going to save that much more on gas going to a modded ecoboost. Dont really understand your reasoning.

You are right that constantly laying into a boosted 4 banger does not save you much, but a light peddle on my "good boy" days will result in better fuel eco for in town driving. Warm up times should also be shorter.

 

[Faceme]

You are right that constantly laying into a boosted 4 banger does not save you much, but a light peddle on my "good boy" days will result in better fuel eco for in town driving. Warm up times should also be shorter.

I see,
but i think a ford focus would be faster, more nimble, and have better fuel consumption.

 

[Bear_Stang]

I see,
but i think a ford focus would be faster, more nimble, and have better fuel consumption.

Legroom issues in focus. I tried test driving the 2018 and recognized that I had more room in my 04.

 

[Interceptor]

Buy a new or slightly used manual Eco boost, install a Cobb tune or Ford tune. That will be all the fun you need. Traded my prem. manual Eco i used for a comuter with 36k in 16 months. Car was a really fun car. I traded in on a 5.0 that I leave parked under a shed.
Eco boost are fun commuter cars.

 

[Bear_Stang]

Buy a new or slightly used manual Eco boost, install a Cobb tune or Ford tune. That will be all the fun you need. Traded my prem. manual Eco i used for a comuter with 36k in 16 months. Car was a really fun car. I traded in on a 5.0 that I leave parked under a shed.
Eco boost are fun commuter cars.

So ford or cob over the roush for an older used eco?

 

[Interceptor]

Cobb is the go to, and if you won't more check with Adam or Ryan for custom tunes, both have great customer feedback.
A stock Cobb's will perform as strong as HP Eco, but you will not get performance suspension package. Really don't think you need it for a commuter.

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