How do I afford my cars, and what are my thoughts on financing?

[@chrisryanst]

Fair play for sharing an indepth and personal view to your car financing etc

[@CarFocused]

Honesty is the best policy - hopefully it gives a good insight into how I’ve managed to get the cars I’ve got - even if they aren’t supercars!

[@simontaylor3211]

Good for you Gary. Enjoy them both mate, you’ve earned it. Just get the wife to buy an RS4 for her next car and you’ll be sorted once and for all 😊

[@CarFocused]

Haha no there’s an idea….! Would love one as a family car! Thanks mate.

[@djemmay]

Great video; good tips on the financing aspect. I’ve always used cheap loans rather than the dealer finance options as the APR is always a lot lower. The only exception was for my wife’s 18 reg Fiesta as Ford did 0% finance for 3 years. You just have to shop around for the best deals.

[@CarFocused]

Indeed! We managed to get 0% on our Toyota last year before rates went up!

[@djemmay]

@@CarFocused I haven’t looked recently at rates (as I’m not looking to change cars), but I can only imagine loans/finance/PCP/leasing have got massively up since Liz Truss/Kwasi Kwarteng messed up with their mini budget.

[@Sam-ChesterFC]

Really enjoyed the video Gary. Stripped back to basics, sitting in your garage, being open, clear and informative and most importantly - REAL. Thank you.

[@CarFocused]

Thanks mate, appreciate that 😊

[@martinalcibar5029]

Hi Gary, I've been watching your content for months and I just love it. Nowadays I watch you and I think that's the type of future I want to have, a "normal" life with the cars I like and can afford. I'm a 22 year old from Spain, owned for 4 years a mk2 Focus and its pretty special for me, never want to sell it even knowing its just a slow, old shitbox. I own a mondeo for a daily too and currently saving for 2 years for a mk2 Focus ST, I think it's enough for me and "equivalent" to me as a focus RS. Hopefuly I can make this dream true next year which I have had It since I was I child. Have a nice day and keep up with the videos!

[@CarFocused]

Hi mate thanks for watching! It’s great that appreciate what you have, and are grateful. You’ll be much happier in life like that 😊 You will love the Mk2 Focus ST, I think they are great cars 👍🏻👍🏻

[@slakka6495]

Hello Gary. Ive always got my nose in Fast Ford Mag. Prevaling wisdom amoung staff is, the greatest Focus of the lot is mk4 st with mods. What say you?

[@CarFocused]

Mk4 Focus ST is very well rounded overall package. Probably the best of the bunch in terms of a car that can rival the likes of say a Golf GTI. The Mk2 ST is great value for money though even by todays ridiculous pricing standards!

[@Throttle.Monkey]

Refreshing to watch an honest video! Something to mention, I find the cars I own outright I push harder and generally not worry about as much because I know there isn’t a large monthly payment due.

[@CarFocused]

Definitely - the RS gets driven pretty hard, A because I really enjoy it, and B because IF if does happen to break I can put it in the garage and fix it slow time without any pressure or guilt. A fortunate position to be in. Thank you for watching, I try and be as honest as I can 😊

[@CHUNKYLOZZA]

Great video and you've shown what is possible with great work ethic and partner behind you.

[@CarFocused]

I guess I’m fortunate for things to fall into place in a way (meeting my now wife) but you deffo have to put some Graft in 👍🏻👍🏻

[@FordPerformanceManiac]

I am from Greece and an UG MK2 RS proud owner. You are my favourite British YTuber

[@CarFocused]

Thank you 😊

[@burntcrumpets5616]

A wee odd in this day & age to talk openly & comfortably about money. Well done mate! Ive wondered at times how folks of my age or younger are able to afford their dream car. Obviously spoiled friends of mine explain many examples of how this is achieved (trust fund) plus not everyone is clued up on living within ones means. I told you before in a past comment on one of your videos how at the ripe age of 44 I've only just been able to afford my own dream car (mkVll FiST 2016 22,000mls) which i decided to pay outright for at a tad over £13,000 back in January. I did trade in my Fiesta S which shaved £4,500 off. Amazing deal cos I'd owned the Fiesta 3½ years & only paid £4,900 so only lost a few hundred during ownership but as you remarked the second hand market is a different kettle of fish nowadays. Only till now have i been financially able to treat myself (without applying credit, moving out of my hometown of LDN & lastly going clean) whilst living within my means though i am very fortunate that i own my cottage outright which makes all the difference in enabling me to drive around in something I've always wanted. Its lovely to see you appreciating your cars knowing how you've been able to achieve it. Honest living, supportive partner (I'm a single dude) & a healthy work ethic. Always enjoy your posts. Cheers again for this.

[@CarFocused]

Thanks for watching and also for the comment. You did well with the residual price on the zetec s - with the used car market being so strong you bought it, and sold it at the right time! Glad you’ve got your dream car, enjoy every minute behind the wheel 👊🏻

[@blade8768]

Real great advice and fair play to you, im 31 with two young kids and i own my own house with my partner, always owned my cars outright, granted my first car was a 1989 honda prelude that i paid £800 the first year insurance was double what i paid for the car 😂 had that for 3 years, then i moved onto a 09 honda civic Type R had that for two years before i had to sell due to buying the house smashed all my "life saving" on the deposit and needed to free up some cash, drove the mrs 0.9 clio around for 1.5 years then had company car with a new job, before buying another 09 civic type r again outright, i have always been to scared to get loans finance ect as i have seen so many people get into trouble after taking out loans they can't really afford, but now understand most people are not sensible when it comes to money or not good with it, loans can be a good thing used correctly, and i will be taking my own out to buy my cupra 290 with the mrs backing shes is the one who said you can afford it just go for it! A good woman definitely needed 😅

[@CarFocused]

Haha with the wife’s approval it’s always a blessing 😂 I’m reviewing a stage 1 Cupra later this month so stay tuned for that 👌🏻 Thank for watching!

[@dayoh9775]

Great little clip Gary -work hard and everything shud fall into place well done on your choices 👍👍

[@CarFocused]

Thank you 😊

[@andrewgabbott102]

Great video Gary. Totally honest and informative. Keep up the great content. Wish you'd kept the ST longer though.

[@CarFocused]

In hindsight, so do I 😂 Thanks for watching 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CF-hq3tr]

Thanks! Great content. Ive just speced up a mean green focus st with track pack, was just about to pull the trigger. This has made me have a rethink. Love the RS! Would love one.

[@CarFocused]

These are like 40k now aren’t they brand new??

[@CF-hq3tr]

@@CarFocused nearly £38k with the track pack. Do you think it's worth it?

[@philiphawkins4684]

Always a balance between paying off more of that mortgage or having a nice car.. as long as the asset (car) doesn't depreciate then your effectively paying only the extra interest on the savings you would have put Into the house.

[@LR180]

Awesome video! It’s wicked to hear you be open and honest on how you done it! Work hard play hard!

[@CarFocused]

Thanks matey, just seems right to be open and these things with the people that watch my videos 😊

[@dtulip8]

Great video. I lease my daily drivers as I like the comfort and reliability of a new car, but both my fun weekend cars are owned outright.

[@CarFocused]

Yea it’s not a bad thing to do if you can get a good deal 👌🏻👌🏻

[@Birmingham_racing]

Newest car i bought was a 4 year old diesel golf in cash from dealers with warranty. I would consider finance but rather get a personal loan since it gives me a lot more power over the money and where I buy it from etc

[@CarFocused]

Exactly - so much more flexibility plus it makes selling privately way easier.

[@alivekicking6247]

I get a really affordable 5 year personal loan that I know I can afford each month. Then I keep my cars for at least a couple of years after they are paid off. My mk1 Cupra R, I bought brand new and kept it for 14 years and a 180,000 miles! My mk2 Cupra I had for 6 years, and I only had my Cupra 300 a month or 2 so far. My Caterham actually sold for more than I purchased it for. Had that about 2 years I think.

[@CarFocused]

That’s a good way to do it. Kind of like reverse saving so to speak, just with some added interest. Loans are deffo the best way to buy cars though if you can’t afford to buy them outright. I do love a Caterham 👌🏻

[@lanehogger1532]

Good for you. I bought my 3 year old 520d touring with cash. It felt so good and I’m 47😂 Saving up for its replacement which will be in approximately 5 years 😅

[@CarFocused]

Haha that’s awesome mate - well done!

[@keithstapleton7805]

There’s two types of Porsche owners, one lot love driving and the other lot love themselves!

[@CarFocused]

Very true 😅

[@jamesbrowne7601]

Been following you since you had your mk7 fiesta st because I’d just brought one in 2016 saw you once on the A14 around Brampton hut in your blue RS.

[@CarFocused]

I think I remember you telling me when you saw me? Thanks for following though it’s been a while now so really appreciate that 😊

[@tracieoliver2307]

Great video and you've come across very honestly! fair play to you and your dear wife you have a great ethic and of course a young child and if you can afford it why not have something you both like and enjoy! well done!!

[@CarFocused]

Thank you 😊

[@markb68]

Hello Gary, a bit different but still a great video. Simple format, honest and straightforward which sums up both you and your channel mate. 👍🏻

[@CarFocused]

Thank you Mark, like to keep things simple and bullshit free where I can haha.

[@blueovalneal]

Big thing is we’ve been very spoilt with the mk2 prices. Not many cars appreciate like these have!

[@CarFocused]

Good old RS tax!

[@powellj27]

Great video same thing I did to finally own my focus RS Mk3.

[@CarFocused]

Great feeling isn’t it! Patience is a virtue as they say.

[@TapDancingOnYoFace]

one of your better videos nice one

[@CarFocused]

Thanks!😀

[@Ireland103]

Well said and well done....both are amazing cars and of course the RS is classic

[@CarFocused]

Indeed! Was such a good day when it was paid off too!

[@1881Gordon]

This is a nice refreshing video. an honest appraisal of how you go to where you are now. Nice to see you acknowledging a good wife! Ironically, I see, judging from the sign hanging in the top right of the video that she's not welcome in the 'RS Cave' Garage.. LOL 😃 Great, insightful video .

[@CarFocused]

😂😂 thanks mate!

[@PhoenixNLx]

Still a very nice MK2 RS mate. Good for you to own one! Got me 2 focusses in front of my door. 1 1.6 ecoboost wagon for vacation and family stuff and 1 MK3 RS for the weekends (as 2nd car). I both own them myself, never had any loan for it. Its still a bit tricky to get a loan i think. 2.6% is a good rate though! Take good care of that RS and it will be a fortune later on! Is there something with your video's btw? They look a bit washed out and i think because of the camera this video flickers a bit.

[@CarFocused]

Hi mate thanks for watching! That’s a nice pairing you have! Yes it’s because I now have LED lighting in my garage and my camera phone doesn’t like it, which is annoying!

[@louishamilton225]

Great video! Definitely an interesting topic which a lot of people don’t really cover Still got a year to go on my agreement, can’t wait till it’s paid off :D

[@CarFocused]

That will fly by mate and soon enough you’ll be the proud owner 👌🏻😀

[@marksmith7191]

Brilliant video . Admire your honesty. Enjoy 👍👍

[@CarFocused]

Thanks Mark! 😊

[@ianwalton5156]

I never get into debt for anything other than property & that's what I'd recommend because you never know what's around the corner, life can throw some nasty shit at you

[@CarFocused]

I think it’s ok so long as you buy smart and ensure the car can always cover the finance / loan if needs be. But it’s obviously better to be debt free 😊

[@ianwalton5156]

@Car Focused you've obviously not been where "nasty shit" sticks, good for you. The reality is though with finance the car or items bought with it aren't legally yours until the last payments made therefore the creditor can take it off your hands for the most spurious of reasons. My wife is a business banker & she could tell you some real horror stories, suffice to say we as a couple never go down that route.

[@CarFocused]

@@ianwalton5156 I use bank loans mate, so the car is owned by me rather than the finance companies. I find it gives you way more flexibility in terms of modifying, selling and in most cases you get a better interest rate. I’ve seen some horror stories with financed cars though.

[@rich9774]

I dont even own a Ford but just like watching this channel 😂😂😂😂 I think its because the dream of owning a fast Ford when I was a teenager still gets to me....and I own a honda....😂

[@CarFocused]

Haha we’ll appreciate you watching the videos, I think everyone of a certain age either had a fast Ford back in the day, or wanted one!

[@hairycornflake8580]

Does working class exist anymore? I couldn't bring myself to be labelled 'middle class'. You're lucky to have what you have but you appreciate it. Not everyone does sadly. The amount of people who buy nice things, wreck them and then move on are the type that piss me off. Stay lucky.

[@CarFocused]

I came from a working class background and was definitely working class in my younger days. It’s the best way to be as it gives you an understanding and appreciation for he value of things. I’m pretty protective over most things I own, like you say it’s annoying when you see people taking things for granted and not looking after them 😢 Unless it’s Mark Mccan, I can forgive him!haha.

[@crazybaker1]

Thanks mate for letting us know your sad news, 😔 yes you are totally right, I started buying Ford Escort RS's in 1980's and still have 1 of them, apart from 7 others, I work 24,7, and if I had the time to drive them would be great 👍 but unfortunately most are garage gueens 😢 the very good value 😂 laters Steve

[@CarFocused]

What sad news are you referring to mate?

[@crazybaker1]

@CarFocused having to move on the other RS Focus, I remember going to pick up my 3rd Focus RS mk3, when on the youtube someone was going on about their engine, and that was the first time I watched you, and I turned up to pick up the car and I said to the dealer I am not going to bother, and walked away, it always seems interesting to see how you gone from car to car, I did the same thing as well with a numbers of RS models when I was 30, my house was like a car dealership, and sad thing like you happened selling them, but we still want to buy more 😀 I sold my RS1600I DDG133Y which I had from new and moved into a Focus RS Mk2 and with 5,000 miles, cost me £27,000 did we think this type of car would be over £50,000 now, my first new Escort RS Cosworth cost £19,000 in 1992, I will have to make a video on this on my other channel 😀Laters Steve

[@martync8724]

Hiya, enjoying your videos. What do you do for insurance with more than one high performance car to own?

[@CarFocused]

Admiral multicar 👍🏻👍🏻

[@davestevens8374]

As always great content do love that focus of yours Truely stunning

[@CarFocused]

I’m so grateful to own it 😊 Thanks mate

[@davestevens8374]

@@CarFocused yes makes you feel humbled when you can assess your life and find yourself in a great position Family you always wanted Loving wife Dream car Dream job Currently have 3 out of the 4 working on getting my business back up and running as not feeling this current job used to being my own boss have been for over 22 years until covid

[@CarFocused]

@@davestevens8374 all the best with it mate. I’m sure you’ll get to where you want to be 🤞🏻👌🏻👊🏻

[@chrisbaxter5041]

Great video keeping it real

[@CarFocused]

Cheers Chris 👊🏻

[@x58evo2puma7]

I have two cars one 500hp focus rs and the other a diesel cars the diesel is my daily drive and the focus is my nice day car

[@CarFocused]

Good setup mate. Ideal really when you have an RS 👌🏻

[@x58evo2puma7]

@@CarFocused yes mate the rs I don’t drive every day but soon up for sale getting something different I had a 400hp fiesta st trade that in for the rs

[@Birmingham_racing]

At least with the rs you're not losing any money it's a good investment

[@CarFocused]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@jwb4bb]

Cars get faster once they are paid off, dragging payments behind slows it down! #dadjoke

[@CarFocused]

Can’t beat a Dad joke 😂

[@stevejolley8876]

Yeah sell the cupra and get a low mileage mk2 ST it just happens I know where there is a nice one for sale 😉

[@CarFocused]

Haha I would love it mate but I’d be after a facelift car 👍🏻👍🏻

[@stevejolley8876]

Never liked the dash on the facelift but each to there own I suppose

[@LMAO2510]

What do you do for work ? 🙂

[@WoodhouseF15]

Great video 👍🏼

[@CarFocused]

Thank you!

[@andrewhumes4163]

If you can afford to pay a grand a month for a shit-box Focus estate on an interest free credit card over 6 or 7 months - I’d put the £27 grand Focus down as a deposit on a Maserati and you’d have that paid off in 5 years at a £1,000 a month?

[@CarFocused]

Well that was before we had our son - monthly childcare payments now fall into that gap 😂

[@andrewhumes4163]

@@CarFocused Children are a way higher priority than cars. In a few more years let’s hope you have plenty more of both! 🙂

[@MrSonicAdvance]

Borrow money for an appreciating asset. Save up for cars.

[@hdmk213]

Wow you've had a lot of cars 😂

[@CarFocused]

I’ve had lots! In fact the RS is the longest I’ve ever kept a car since I passed my test in 2003!!

[@deanrapp3815]

Your minted mate

[@CarFocused]

If only 😂

[@johnjackson2349]

Its easy affording a nice car, simply ask your wife and kids to move out 😂

[@CarFocused]

😂

[@fiveplates]

A good honest video but why do you have confederate flags in your garage. Pretty offensive.

[@CarFocused]

Thanks! It’s an old motor oil advertising plaque I picked up somewhere a while back. No idea it could cause offence 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MrCas282010]

Hi mate are you able to msg me at all please, need some advice and help