Econmancer

2010 Focus SES invoice price:

$17,489 +$725 destination charge

Options and invoice prices on my Ford Focus:

Power sunroof, upgraded sound system (401A Rapid Spec) $1,036

4-speed automatic transmission $709

Heated leather seats $704

Total invoice price for this Focus in 2010: $20,663

Used sticker price in 2012 (w/38k miles): $13,998

Options not included on my Ford Focus, with invoice prices:

Remote engine start: $363

Cargo mat: $63

Rubber floor mats: $66

Hood deflector: $74

The Home Alone post got me thinking about prices in movies.

I thought of the scene in The Running Man (1987) where one of the characters is buying a $6 drink from a vending machine and she runs out of change after putting a handful of coins in the machine. The movie is set in the near future of 2017, so drinks from a vending machine being $6 at that time is plausible. The character even says “Six dollars, geez, this place” shows that the high price is still notable in 2017.

Depending on the drink, I’m paying $.60 for a can or $1.25-1.50 for a bottle. Our local grocery store has a machine that sells generic drinks for $.35. The college campus has machines that sell energy drinks, juices and chilled coffees for around $3. I’m sure $6 drinks in a vending machine already exists today in some places and will still exist in 2017. So the movie is in line with current prices, no problems yet.

The part that seems quaint today is that the machine only takes coins.

In April I sold the SAAB 9-5 and purchased a 2010 Ford Focus. I guess this will be the end of my SAAB posts.

It was a good car and I enjoyed it. But it was 12 years old and the worry of future repairs (along with the current shortage of some SAAB parts) made me realize I should sell it while it was still running good. I found a Focus with all the features I loved in the 9-5 (minus the beautiful turbocharged SAAB engine) and the Focus has the added benefits of being smaller, newer, cheaper to maintain, and better fuel mileage (it takes regular, my 9-5 was never happy unless it had premium). So here is the new car:

I can still do my best to assist with SAAB questions. I just won’t be able to run to the garage and check a physical 9-5 to make sure my memory is correct. Meanwhile, expect occasional economics posts and posts about the Focus.