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In the summer of 2007 I had just sold my 2004 Mitsubishi Spyder GTS (that depreciated more than I suspected it would), and was in the market for another car. One of my golfing buddies was in the same boat and and was looking at the Mustang GT convertible. Ultimately, he bought one at a cost of just over $31,000.
Although I liked the Mustang I wanted something a little different and settled on a 2005 Thunderbird with 12,000 miles on it. I wanted Aztec gold or Bronze and settled on a Bronze I found that I negotiated down to $28,900.
This week my golfing buddy announced that he was selling his Mustang with 38,000 miles on it and was surprised to learn that the retail value was only $21,500 or $19,600 as a trade in on the new car he is looking at. Obviously he didn't like the sound of a $10,000 loss.
Since my T-Bird now has 49,500 miles on it, we have driven our cars about the same amount in the past couple of years. According to Kelly and some other sources, my car now has a retail value of $26,735 and just for kicks I checked out the local Ford dealer on the trade price for a new GT convertible and got a preliminary number of $26,500.
That means I have lost $3,400 over the same couple of years. I have no desire to dump the T-Bird but I like the economics of the decision I made. I also think I have enjoyed the 'Bird more than I would have liked the Mustang.
Bronzebird
Although I liked the Mustang I wanted something a little different and settled on a 2005 Thunderbird with 12,000 miles on it. I wanted Aztec gold or Bronze and settled on a Bronze I found that I negotiated down to $28,900.
This week my golfing buddy announced that he was selling his Mustang with 38,000 miles on it and was surprised to learn that the retail value was only $21,500 or $19,600 as a trade in on the new car he is looking at. Obviously he didn't like the sound of a $10,000 loss.
Since my T-Bird now has 49,500 miles on it, we have driven our cars about the same amount in the past couple of years. According to Kelly and some other sources, my car now has a retail value of $26,735 and just for kicks I checked out the local Ford dealer on the trade price for a new GT convertible and got a preliminary number of $26,500.
That means I have lost $3,400 over the same couple of years. I have no desire to dump the T-Bird but I like the economics of the decision I made. I also think I have enjoyed the 'Bird more than I would have liked the Mustang.
Bronzebird
Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.
15AGAIN has over 93K miles on it and I purchased new in 2001 at sticker price. I retired in 2004 and my retirement would not be near as much fun if I did not drive 15AGAIN to all the events and travels. I will be 70 next year and am planning a road trip to the northwest US along with an Alaskan cruise next August. Right now I have no health problems and will continue to travel until I do have problems. Using David A numbers, the fun, enjoyment and the friends made 
"PRICELESS".
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