Tips on Buying Cars: trading in a car, volkswagen new beetle, new beetle

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I bought a Ford Expedition (Eddie Bauer) last May 0% financing.  Now, with high gas prices, and the fact that I put an average of 100 miles per day on my car, I am wanting to know:
I know that I am majorly upside down.  Should I just keep my car and suffer through the high gas prices or is there any way that I can trade my car, even though I am upside down, for something that gets better gas mileage (an even lower my $630 car payment)?
Answer -
Hi Kelli
You mention 0% financing shows me you bought it brand new...trade any car the first year with average miles and your loss will be approx in the 27% range...best trade time is the 3th or 4th year if been financed as the equity in most cases will match close to balance owing...any dealer can take a trade upside down and if your credit is good build a % into your new payments, and will then ask for the balance as a down payment if to far upside down...
you must figure your options...how much more in gas would it cost over the next 2 years VS how much am i loosing by trading now...the only other thing that scares me...your doing more than average miles which will lower your trade down the road to below average...
Kelli if your thinking going used then go to my website and pick up some pointers   www.usedvehiclefacts.ca  any other Q you may have or something not clear to you feel free to contact me again
  Regards
    Ray


Thanks Ray for your very kind response.
I have another question:
I think that I have decided to buy a Volkswagen New Beetle Convertable.  My question is, with my situation of being upside down (my 03 Expedition has 32,000 miles and I haven't checked exactly but I think I owe about 30,000 on it) will it be better for me to buy a New or Pre-Owned Beetle (like a low mileage 04 or 03)?
I am wanting lower payments.

Thanks again,
Kelli

Answer
Hi again Kelly
A little Beetle sounds classy...i cant guide you with price as i dont know your zip code...
OK...we want lower payments for you...Go to 2 VW dealerships with your trade and get payments on NEW...Lease will be lower...but with the miles you do only financing may work unless you are buying it at end of lease ?...the first dealer will try to close you on the spot...be strong and compare with a second dealership...
Now lets compare with used...go autotrader.com  enter you zip and see if anything you looking for in area...if so again work the numbers with your trade...
Remember when you go to the second new dealer dont disclose your numbers from the first one...unless they were lower...
a little hard to explain...but i will if you get to that stage and need help
have a good day
  Ray