Alright, so we currently have the Transit Connect and the Fusion, right? First a little history. We first got the Fusion to replace the '04 Aviator as THE family car for trips and stuff when we go places all together. At the time we also had a pretty low option '13 Focus as a commuter car. It was a proud moment bringing the Fusion home though because we were an all-manual family. The Fusion made an excellent family car, great trunk space and SUPER comfortable for long trips. So, fast forward to the Focus's lease ending. We'd been researching the Transit Connect, and thought IT would make a great family vehicle. Plus we'd regain the hauling capability we had with the Aviator. Begin lease on the '17 Transit Connect. End of standard time we generally "own" our cars for the Fusion comes and goes. We did have to buy the Fusion rather than lease because it had been sitting on a lot for 6 months. We decide to keep it. '14 was the last year Ford offered a manual in the Fusion, and there was really nothing available that would do its job better. The first paradigm shift.
Second paradigm shift, Ford sh**cans all the car models we might've been interested in.
And that brings us to today. I think when the lease ends on the TC, the wife would like to lease another one. I on the other hand, believe now is the time to go after a Focus or Fiesta ST. I'd been hotly anticipating the ST's release back in '13, but decided not to get one at the time because the lease rates on them were not good, so they didn't really fit our pattern of lease 2-3 years and then "release". We liked doing that because it kept us under warranty, and the payments were reasonable to maintain long term. BUT... the dreaded end of coverage has come and gone on the Fusion and the world has not ended. So, maybe we can do this. In all fairness, I feel that the Fusion made a BETTER family car for us than the van, and it is being underutilized now. It's more comfortable on trips than the van, and really has all the space we need. And we hardly ever haul stuff in the van. I think the time has come to go back to owning cars for the long haul, and having Fusion + commuter car. Only the commuter would have a little more fun baked in, an ST.
This is about a year out, unfortunately because the van's lease goes that long. It will be very difficult to find a NEW ST at that time, I think, although maybe not impossible. But perhaps if we go used, that will be easier to swallow.
How do I convince the wife this is the way to go? I just found out the ST's stability control is totally defeatable making it possible to again whip sh**ties in the winter. Something I always disliked about the previous Foci. ESC would kick in and kill the fun. This is important to me. Anyway, finding that out, has me wanting one more than ever!
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