Madman's Shed of the Week

[Madman]

17-23 July 2016:

Once again, Madman puts his money where his mouth is.



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Yep, I've done it again.  I've bought another car.  It's a 2011 MINI Cooper automatic in Velvet Silver Metallic.  Here's how it happened.

Madman, Jr. and I were about to go look at another Fiat 500, this time with an automatic.  I had seen it online a few days earlier and was about to ring up the dealer to make sure it was still available when my son suggested I check again for any MINIs which may have popped-up in the last few days.  I didn't think I'd find anything suitable but, after a quick search, discovered this one at a nearby Chevy dealer.  Since it was closer to home than the dealer selling the Fiat, we decided to check out the MINI first.

In short order, we were at the Chevy dealer and met the salesperson I had spoken to on the phone.  Within minutes we were on the road for a test drive.  I drove the car first and then, a few miles up the road, Madman, Jr and I switched places.  Before too long, we had both pretty much made up our minds this was the car to get.  Madman, Jr liked the MINI even better that the Fiat 500.  Sure, the 500 was cheaper, but he really fell in love with the MINI.  Hey, who can blame him, right?

Naturally, when we returned to the dealership, I had to play it cool.  I didn't want to tip off the sales guy to the fact that we both wanted this car.  I let him know we were looking at other options, including the 500, and that I'd call him back if I was interested.  We didn't even bother to look at the Fiat after that.  So I ran a couple of errands and, after a few hours had passed, I rang up the sales guy to make an offer on the MINI.  He let me know they had just slashed the price (which I already knew) and there wan't much more they could give.  So, after a little back-and-forth on the phone, we agreed to a price.  The car had originally been listed for $12,000-and-something.  I forget how much, exactly,  But I got it for $9,995 plus tax, title and registration.  So, around $10,900. all-in.

This particular 2011 MINI Cooper has the twin sunroofs (only the front one opens) and a black vinyl interior.  It's done 86,936 miles and feels tight as a drum.  Most of the specs from a red MINI I posted a few weeks back apply to this one, too, but here are the pertinent details.  16 valve DOHC 1.6 litre engine with 121 horsepower, 6 speed automatic transaxle, 28 MPG City, 36 MPG Highway, 287 grams of CO2 per mile, premium gasoline.

Madman, Jr. tells me he's already getting envious looks from his peers, which I'm sure he's enjoying very much!

So there you have it.  Hopefully, this is the last car purchase I will have to make for a VERY long time!

SOTW will return to normal service next week.

[2o6]

The Mini is significantly more reliable, too. My ex BF has a Gucci Edition Fiat 500C, and his has all sorts of issues. It has a tendency to just not start for no reason at all. And the automatic in those cars is generally dumpy.

[Madman]

24-30 July 2016:

The car that narrowly lost to the MINI.



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Last week, I wrote about how Madman, Jr and I were going to look at a 2012 Fiat 500 Pop but decided to check out a MINI Cooper on the way.  Well, this is that actual Fiat we were on our way to see before being won over by the charms of the MINI.  In the end, we never made it to the dealership selling the Fiat.  Had we not driven the MINI, the car you see above could very well have become the new Madmanmobile.  So let's take this moment to examine what might have been.

he base model Pop is motivated by a characterful 16 valve DOHC 1.4 litre engine endowed with Fiat's clever MultiAir variable valve timing and lift control technology.  Like a midget bodybuilder, the diminutive Fiat may be small but it packs some serious punch!  101 horsepower may not sound like much but, in a car this small and light, you'll be amazed by how quick it feels.  Many of you will object to this particular specimen not having the standard five speed manual gearbox.  I'll admit I had my doubts about this car's six speed automatic, too.  But, according to a lot of owners out there, its actually pretty decent.  At least there's a Tiptronic-style manual shift feature to appease those who insist upon rowing their own gears.

The auto-equipped 500 claims fuel consumption figures of 27 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway.  You will need to fill the 10.5 gallon tank with premium unleaded to get the best from it.  This 500 also emits just 296 grams of CO2 per mile, helping it achieve a LEV II (Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from the powers that be in Washington.

Having recently had the opportunity to drive the yellow Fiat 500 Sport featured in this space a few weeks ago, I discovered this little pipsqueak of a car to be much roomier than initial appearances would suggest.  The driving position still has that traditional long arm and short leg "Italian Ape" stance I remember well from my old X-1/9, but you soon get used to it.  And yes, the back seat is tiny.  Hey, this is a city car.  What did you expect?

Some people still buy into the outdated mindset that small cars are unsafe.  Don't believe it.  The 500 has a strong chassis, seven airbags and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  You're more likely to be injured in your own home than you are in the Fiat 500.

Best of all, the 500 proves you can downsize without having to downgrade.  You get independent front strut and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch alloy wheels, heated and power operated outside mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 50/50 split fold rear seats, grey fabric upholstery, leather trimmed steering wheel, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and six speakers, wireless phone connectivity, projector beam halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, four wheel disc brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, front seatbelt pretensioners, ignition immobiliser, security system, electronic stability control, electronic traction control and anti-whiplash front head restraints.

The white paint on this 500 looks very classy and the inside is immaculately spotless.  A nearby purveyor of all things shed related has listed this car for sale.  It has done only 62,568 miles and the dealer is asking just $7,695.  Yeah, that's quite a bit less than the MINI I bought but I'm still very happy with my decision.  And by no means would I rule out the 500 as a possible future purchase.

It may not have the twin sunroofs and go-faster stripes my MINI has, but this 500 is still a winner!

[MrH]

Listing grams of CO2/mile in the specs...

[Madman]

Listing grams of CO2/mile in the specs...

Care to explain why you have a problem with that?

[MrH]

It's not even listed for vehicles in the US.

[Madman]

It's not even listed for vehicles in the US.

CO2 outputs for all cars sold in the US are listed on the EPA's www.fueleconomy.gov website.

Here is the page for the 2012 Fiat 500 automatic.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=31108

Click on "Energy and Environment" and you will find info on CO2 output.  You can select either grams per mile or US/Metric tons per year.

For years, MotorWeek has been quoting CO2 output using the government's tons per year estimate which, frankly, is a pretty useless number.  This number is based on a hypothetical annual estimate of a car driven 15,000 miles a year, 45 per cent highway and 55 per cent city driving.  Since driving conditions and miles driven vary greatly, I think the CO2 per mile metric is a more realistic number to use.  MotorWeek also regularly quotes the EPA's "Energy Impact Score", expressed as barrels of oil consumed per year, another bogus number with no relevance to the way most people drive.

So I don't know where this "not even listed for vehicles sold in the US" nonsense comes from.  Clearly, CO2 output is just as relevant as MPG for many people.  Maybe you're not interested in knowing or just don't care but, I can assure you, plenty of other people do.

[Morris Minor]

Congrats on the MINI. Madman Jr is a lucky young man, excellent for bombing around like all young Madmen should. :)

In my day, I got a Hillman Imp. Not exactly the chick magnet that I'd been hoping for. 

[FoMoJo]

Congrats on the MINI.  Your little Madman must be quite happy.

[CALL_911]

Grats on the MINI. Fuck the Fiat 500

[Madman]

31 July - 6 August 2016:

The other car that lost to the MINI.



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Many of you are already familiar with my recent car shopping saga for a second family car which, among other duties, will primarily be used by Madman, Jr. to get back-and-forth to his college classes.  One of the cars we looked at before purchasing the MINI was the 2013 Toyota Yaris LE you see above.  We actually drove another identical Yaris, the one listed on the previous page about a month ago, so I saw no need to drive this one.  Still, it looked cleaner than the previous Yaris we viewed, and it wan't missing the cargo cover like the last one, either.

Although we both liked the way the Yaris drove and appreciated the good all-round visibility and easy parking characteristics, the car just didn't tug at our emotional heartstrings.  To be honest, by this point I was getting tired of car shopping and was almost ready to pull the trigger on this one.  When I asked Madman, Jr his opinion, he said "Yeah, it's okay.  It's just a little boring."  Upon hearing the B-word, I knew he was right.  I raised him well!

Sure, the Yaris will probably run forever without ever needing so much as a new set of spark plugs but it lacks the charm, character and the "want-it" factor of the MINI.  In the end, I'm glad we held out for the right car and I stand by my decision.  Sometimes, you just have to go with your heart.  It's a lesson we can all do well to remember.  That is not to say the Yaris is without it's merits.  For somebody who's looking for a roomy, zippy urban runabout that promises a painless ownership experience, you can do a lot worse than the Yaris.

Let's start with the engine room.  Toyota's stalwart 16 valve DOHC 1.5 litre 1NZ-FE engine dates back to the dawn of the industrial revolution but, in a concession to modernity, it is at least augmented by variable valve timing.  This engine has been faithfully serving millions of happy 'Yota owners for years and who am I to argue with any of them?  This mill produces 106 horsepower on regular unleaded.  A five speed manual is theoretically available but most of these you will find have a four speed automatic.  Yep, count 'em.  FOUR speeds!  Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?  This auto-equipped Yaris gets a so-so 30 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway rating, which is pretty far adrift from the magic 40 MPG number many rivals in this segment like to brag about in their advertising.  Even with the antiquated automatic, the Yaris puffs just 273 grams of CO2 per mile from its little pea-shooter tailpipe, helping it to score a commendable ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from the Feds.

LE trim means you get stuff like independent strut front suspension and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, electric power assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, power operated outside mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, black and white fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin accents, CD stereo with speed sensitive volume and MP3 decoder, AM/FM/HD/Satellite radio receiver, six audio speakers, wireless phone connectivity, halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with three channel ABS, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

Oh, if you're looking for an aux outlet or a USB port for your phone, you'll find them both buried at the very back of the glovebox, behind the owner's manual and warranty portfolio, your crumpled registration document, 28 old ATM receipts, $1.27 in loose change, the mounting bracket for a Tom-Tom you no longer have, a collection of fast food napkins and a broken pair of sunglasses you forgot to throw away.  Talk about being conveniently located!  And speaking of infotainment, doesn't that head unit look as dated as this car's drivetrain?  No touch-screens here!  And yes, the cabin is made from the same rock-hard plastics you'll find on industrial equipment but that hopefully means it will last as long as the simple-but-rugged hardware lurking underneath.  Hey, what do you want for an MSRP of just $17,240 including destination charge?  Thankfully, you won't pay anywhere near that much for this metallic silver ex-rental 2013 Yaris LE five door.  This 50,972 mile example can be yours from Mr. Hertz for only $8,279.

So the Yaris is practical, sensible and reliable but just a little bit dull.  Sounds like a few people I know!  Still, it's a very good car for the money.

[Madman]

Interesting statistic.  In 2016, the average used car transaction price is likely to top $20,000.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/08/barks-bites-buying-car-new-quickly-becoming-smarter-choice/#more-1387442

[Madman]

7-13 July 2016:

Is it a real deal or just a Mirage?



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If Mitsubishi is the K-Mart of automotive brands, then this little 2014 Mirage ES is the Blue Light Special.  In terms of sales volume, 2014 was Mitsubishi's best year in the US in fifteen years.  And can you believe THIS is the car largely responsible for that success?  I couldn't, either.  Was I too quick to render judgement of the little Mistsu as nothing more than a miserable tin can of a car fit only for the financially destitute?  It was high-time I investigate further and learn more about the much-maligned Mirage.

The on-paper stats don't look very promising.  Power, such as it is, is provided by a 12 valve DOHC 1.2 litre triple with MIVEC variable valve control producing a paltry-sounding 74 horsepower.  With the standard five speed manual, fuel economy is claimed to be an impressive 34 MPG City and 42 MPG Highway.  Mr.H will, undoubtedly, want to know about the CO2 emissions, and I am glad to report they are just 238 grams per mile!    This helps the Mirage earn an LEV II (Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) certification from the tree-huggers at the EPA.  Oh, and that's running on cheapo regular unleaded, too.  An available CVT transmission helps boost fuel economy and lower the carbon footprint even further but, for sake of the driving experience, is probably best avoided.

Mitsubishi proudly boasts this is the most fuel efficient five passenger, non-hybrid, non-diesel, non-electric car you can buy.  That sounds suspiciously like a lot of qualifiers deliberately chosen to make the Mirage sound more appealing than it really is.  But, given the little Mitsu's low, low price, I can cut it some slack.  However, I really must take issue with that "five passenger" claim.  Sure, you can cram three people onto that back bench, especially if you don't like them very much, but it reminds me of the signs in elevators claiming they can hold 25 people at a maximum.  Yeah, it may theoretically be possible, but it won't be an enjoyable experience.

The rest of the cabin is pretty much what you'd expect from a low-cost car.  There's lots of hard, brittle-looking surfaces that look to be made from shellacked cardboard.  Then the details suddenly hit you.  What's this?  Power windows?  Bluetooth connectivity?  Electronic climate control?  Holy crap, I can remember when economy cars didn't even have a freaklin' radio!  We've certainly come a long way!

But that's not all.  In addition to those items, the Mirage also has independent front strut and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 14 inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, power operated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, cruise control, keyless entry, proximity key with push-button start, tilt adjustable steering wheel, fabric upholstery, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, piano black cabin trim, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and four speakers, front fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, front seatbelt pretensioners, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

So what's the verdict?  According to reviews from Mirage owners, performance, while not scintillating, is perfectly adequate and reliability is excellent.  The soft suspension delivers a comfortable ride, although there's plenty of body roll in the corners, which has allegedly been reduced in 2015 models.

Original MSRP for the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES was $14,195 plus the $810 destination charge, bringing the total price to just $15,005 before taxes and registration fees.  But do you want to know what's even cheaper then a new Mitsubishi Mirage?  A used Mitsubishi Mirage, of course!  You can buy this very car seen above in glorious refrigerator white with just 83,762 miles on the odometer for only $7,199.

Yep, it's more than just a Mirage.  It's very real, indeed!

[MrH]

Wow.  Only 238 grams/mile!  Screw the Yaris, this thing is 12% BETTER!

[Madman]

Wow.  Only 238 grams/mile!  Screw the Yaris, this thing is 12% BETTER!

Now you're talking.  Let's get that carbon footprint down like Charlie Brown! 

[cawimmer430]

I love how on the Mirage the engine start button is located on the left side of the steering wheel. What are they trying to say? This car was made for participating in LeMans? 

[ifcar]

A used Mirage like this one is one of the candidates for my wife's first car in the U.S. She considers my Focus to be massively oversized.

[2o6]

A used Mirage like this one is one of the candidates for my wife's first car in the U.S. She considers my Focus to be massively oversized.

See if you can get one new.



When I was looking for the Sonic, a few lots still had a few brand-new Mirages for around $9000 flat. I considered it. But then I remember how shitty the Mirage is.




(Madman, this is a terrible deal)

[ifcar]

See if you can get one new.

When I was looking for the Sonic, a few lots still had a few brand-new Mirages for around $9000 flat. I considered it. But then I remember how shitty the Mirage is.

I think the dealers around me have wised up and stopped stocking manuals, but we'd definitely check that. I did also see a new Spark advertised at just under $10,000.

[2o6]

I think the dealers around me have wised up and stopped stocking manuals, but we'd definitely check that. I did also see a new Spark advertised at just under $10,000.

The resale on the Spark will be better.



The new spark is a really nice car.

[ifcar]

The resale on the Spark will be better.



The new spark is a really nice car.

It seems that with every base-model small car, especially with a manual, there are a lot of fairly new low-mile used examples....either people who bought the cheapest possible new car and got it repossessed anyway, or people who quickly regretted not spending more. Maybe by the time we're shopping in late fall there will even be some folks who've done that with the new Spark, even despite the improvements.

[2o6]

It seems that with every base-model small car, especially with a manual, there are a lot of fairly new low-mile used examples....either people who bought the cheapest possible new car and got it repossessed anyway, or people who quickly regretted not spending more. Maybe by the time we're shopping in late fall there will even be some folks who've done that with the new Spark, even despite the improvements.

If you don't have your heart set on a new Spark, there are tons of cheapo old Sparks. I found a few private-party examples for as low as $6500...

[ifcar]

If you don't have your heart set on a new Spark, there are tons of cheapo old Sparks. I found a few private-party examples for as low as $6500...

Yeah, also on the list.

[Madman]

See if you can get one new.



When I was looking for the Sonic, a few lots still had a few brand-new Mirages for around $9000 flat. I considered it. But then I remember how shitty the Mirage is.




(Madman, this is a terrible deal)

Those $9,000 Mirages were most likely the hairshirt-spec DE trim. (MSRP $12,995 + $810 destination charge in 2014)

The car I profiled above is the lavishly equipped ES model.

The DE lacks cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather shift knob and steering wheel, fog lights and alloy wheels.  The DE also has cheaper looking upholstery, too.

[2o6]

It also has 83k miles.






This isn't a very good deal.

[BimmerM3]

Those seats look disgusting.

[MrH]

Those seats look disgusting.

Yeah, those are pretty bad.  One reason leather is better for used cars.  Less likely to retain some strangers farticles.

[Madman]

14-20 August 2016:

A Spark of genius!



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Since a few of you brought up the Chevy Spark as an alternative to last week's Mitsubishi Mirage, I thought I'd check out what used ones in my area are going for these days and post the pick of the bunch here.  This 2014 Chevrolet Spark 1LT isn't the cheapest one I could find, but all those cheaper ones were the base model LS trim which is just a bit too basic for my tastes.  If you want to avoid feeling like a complete pauper, you need to go for the mid-level 1LT trim at a minimum.  Like the Mirage, the Spark is a five-door city car that aims to pack the maximum amount of space inside a minimal footprint.  So, how does it compare to the Mirage?  Let's find out!

First of all, can you believe the Spark's short, narrow but tall hatchback body encloses 86.5 cubic feet of interior volume?  That just slightly bests the Mirage, which has 86.1 cu.ft. The Spark also has 1.5 cubic feet more interior volume than a Ford Fiesta, a car in the next-higher size class.  Unlike the five-seater Fiesta or the Mirage, however, you will only be able to seat four in the Spark as the middle of the back seat is occupied by a storage tray and a single cupholder.  Sparks sold overseas have accommodation for three passengers across the back seat but US-bound Sparks are made to hold just two super-sized Americans.  But don't think for one minute this is some poverty-stricken penalty box.  All Sparks have air conditioning, power windows and 15-inch alloys as standard.  Decadent luxury, indeed!  Step up from the aforementioned LS model to the swankier 1LT trim shown here and you'll get the MyLink multimedia system with six speakers, steering wheel audio and phone controls and cruise control.

What you don't get on any Spark is a CD player.  You can't even order one as an option.  Okay, I know CDs are going the way of the eight-track, but some us old farts still listen to them.  Sparks sold overseas come with a CD player, so it's not like there's any technical reason why Chevy can't stick one in the dash.  Come on, Chevy.  Some of us geezers like small cars, too!

Lift the Spark's stubbly little hood and you'll find a 16 valve DOHC 1.2 litre four cylinder engine with variable valve control and a variable intake manifold helping to generate 84 horsepower on regular unleaded.  Although you really should get the five speed manual in this car, somebody ticked the box on the order form requisitioning the new-for-2014 CVT automatic.  When fitted with the CVT, the 2014 Spark delivered 30 MPG City and 39 MPG Highway, a 2 MPG improvement in both City and Highway driving over the four speed slushbox offered the previous year.  2014 CVT-equipped Sparks emitted just 264 grams per mile of CO2, down from 279 grams per mile for 2013's four speed auto Spark.  The 2014 Spark earned a ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) rating from Uncle Sam and can be run on regular unleaded, too.

In addition to the aforementioned items, this Spark 1LT gives you independent front strut and semi-independent beam axle rear suspension, power operated outside mirrors, 15 inch alloy wheels, rear lip spoiler, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, air conditioning, auto-locking doors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, grey fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, touch-screen stereo with AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite radio receiver and speed sensitive volume control, six audio speakers, wireless phone connectivity, OnStar telematics system (subscription required), halogen headlights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security system with alarm, electronic traction control and electronic stability control.

This former Hertz rental car is painted in Summit White and comes with only 30,325 miles on the odometer.  Two years ago, a Chevy Spark 1LT with automatic listed for $14,995 plus $825 destination charge, for a total MSRP of $15,820.  Today, Mr. Hertz will let you drive it away for the bargain price of only $8,278.

Okay, so it's more expensive than last week's Mirage but it has fewer miles and, if anything goes wrong, there's a Chevy dealer on every corner.  Is it worth the extra $1,079 over the Mirage?  I'll let the CarSpin Peanut Gallery decide!

[Madman]

SOTW Update!




The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES from two weeks ago has just had it's price cut from $7,199 to $6,989.  $210 may not sound like much but it gets the price down below the psychological $7,000 threshold.

[Madman]

21-27 August 2016:

Focusing on the numbers.


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When Ford introduced the current Focus for the 2012 model year, there was some concern as to whether consumers would be willing to pay more for a vastly upgraded and much improved car compared to the previous Focus, which sold almost exclusively by virtue of being cheap.  Well, as history has shown (and as I had correctly predicted at the time) the answer was an emphatic yes!

US sales of the Focus shot up to 245,992 units in 2012 compared to 175,717 in 2011.  That's a 40% increase!  The new Focus became the eleventh best-selling car in America for 2012.  By the end of 2015, the Focus still managed to shift 202,478 units for the year.  That's not bad at all for a car in it's fourth model year.  However, due to growth in the rest of the market, the Focus had slipped to number twenty-three on the 2015 US sales chart.

So what does all this mean to you?  Well, now that the Focus is no longer the newest kid on the block, prices for used examples have become temptingly attractive.  And, speaking of attractive, cast your eyes upon this Sterling Grey metallic 2012 Ford Focus SE 5-Door hatchback!

Ford's all-new-for-2012 Focus was a massive leap forward from the cheaply made, aesthetically challenged also-ran that preceded it.  In an instant, the Focus went from zero to hero, bringing sublime driving dynamics and a boatload of high-tech features to a segment better known for blandness and sparse equipment levels.  Beneath the stylish sheet metal lies a 16 valve DOHC 2.0 litre Duratec 20 direct injected, Ti-VCT inline four, promising 160 horsepower.  When fitted with the optional, and much more common Powershift automated dual clutch transmission, the Focus delivers 28 MPG City and 38 MPG Highway on regular unleaded.  CO2 emissions of just 287 grams per mile help the Focus earn a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from Uncle Sam.  If you are so inclined, you can also run this car on E85, although fuel economy will not be as good.

SE trim means you get four wheel independent suspension, electric power steering, alloy, power operated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, auto-locking doors, power operated windows and door locks, tilt/telescope steering wheel, grey fabric upholstery, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, metal look cabin trim, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and speed sensitive volume, four audio speakers, halogen headlights, front fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security alarm, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, electronic traction control and electronic stability control.

Sterling Grey Metallic is popular on the Focus, and it really looks good on this car.  If you wanted to buy this Focus SE new in 2012, the base price was $17,500 plus a $795 destination charge.  Add another $245 for the multi-spoke alloys and $1,095 for the six speed Powershift automatic and you're looking at $19,635 before state and local taxes, title and registration.  But you won't have to spend anywhere near that amount four years and 60,005 miles later.  That's because this very car is being offered by a nearby purveyor of all things shed related for a very reasonable price of $7,500.

No matter how you crunch the numbers, that's a good deal!