Should I buy a 2000 Maxima with 130,000 miles or a 2005 focus with 126,000 miles?

I'm looking to buy a used car. I had my eye on a 2005 Ford Focus with 126,000 miles because I drive an hour to work and thought it would get good gas mileage. The downside to this is that the car is a 2 door hatchback and I do have 2 teenage sons so it would not be easy for all of us to fit, however I do still have a larger sedan. My dad has come come across a 2000 Nissan Maxima, which had 130,000 miles. It would certainly have more room. The downside is that the radio doesn't work, but the seller has agreed to repair or put in a new one if I want the car. The asking price for both cars is the same $3500. Which one would you buy?

The price is just about right for either car if they are in good condition. Of course you are comparing apples to oranges by comparing an economy car with the top of the line Nissan. The Nissan will of course be the nicer car to drive. The Nissan will get around 21 city and 27 highway. The Ford will get around 22 city and 32 highway. Due to the distance you drive to work and the fact that you have another large sedan I would buy the Ford Focus due to the mpg it will get. 5 more MPG will add up driving 1 hour each way to work.

I hate ford but it's better than nissan

The FORD because of LESS HEADACHES! I owned a BEAUTIFUL USED Maximan and the TIMING GEARS BROKE sending the TIMING CHAIN through the FRONT COVER! The CAM GEARSET is about $450 list from the dealership! If ONLY PROPER SYNTHETIC was used in the NISSAN< it is a GOOD BUY! BUt the FORD will be cheaper to own and olive YEARS LONGER with TOTAL NEGLECT and the use of MOBIL ONE 0W-30 engine oil linit! Get a LARGER FOCUS CAR using the CARGURUS website! <<<HINT>>>> open hood of MAXIMA and flip over the OIL FILL CAP! If you see any signs of WAXY< WAVY or CRUSTY FLAKY brownish coatings, the engine has SLUDGE baking into it! It should be REMOVED with chemicals! I love the ENGINEERING that Nissan uses, but a BAD OWNER with NO auto savvy can KILL THEM EASILY by using the WRONG OIL TYPES that fill up engine metals and gears with TAR and SLUDGE and COKE! The FORD is more forgiving!

Focus