Looking at a Chrysler Pacifica

[Yzzim]

My wife and I are looking at purchasing a used Chrysler Pacifica. Currently we have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix which has been good to us, but it's time for something larger. We plan on having kids in the not too distant future and like the space the Pacifica has to offer.

My wife is also currently in school and has to drive 40-60 miles a couple times a week. The Pacifica has decent gas mileage (21mpg) compared to other SUVs.

Anyway, we've been looking online and have found a couple of the Pacifica's to be leased vehicles. I'm a little afraid to buy a leased vehicle because I feel they would be treated like a rental. Driven hard, never serviced, and just not properly cared for. Does Chrysler require 3,000 mile oil changes if the vehicle is leased? Would you ever buy a leased vehicle?

This will be the largest automotive purchase for me so far (around 20k) so I want to do it right. Would love to have a new car but don't want to take a $5k hit just driving it home the first time 😱

Cliffs:
Buying Chrylser Pacifica
See leased vehicles for sale
Buying leased OK or a sin?
.....
Profit?

 

[toekramp]

leased is smart 🙂

 

[MikeMike]

yea, it willl be a CPO. and should have a good warranty.

 

[EvilYoda]

pacifica's are great family cars...I doubt the previous owner thrashed it too much so I wouldn't worry about that...if you're so concerned, get a second opinion on the particular one you're looking at.

We got a Pacifica with GPS nav for a week-long vacation in Phoenix and then just 2 weeks ago in Miami...plenty of room for cargo, reclining and movable rear seats...not too shabby.

 

[sniperruff]

buying an off-lease is usually pretty ok.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
buying an off-lease is usually pretty ok.

How about one that's been serviced twice already? Is that normal?

05/19/2003 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake Orion, MI
Title #xxxxxxxxxx
Title or registration issued


05/29/2004 17,561 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced


01/12/2005 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake Orion, MI
Registered as
lease vehicle


02/14/2005 28,519 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced


12/22/2005 39,223 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Michigan
Listed as
a manufacturer vehicle


12/23/2005 39,240 Dealer Inventory
Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle offered for sale

 

[FelixDeCat]

>Driven hard, never serviced, and just not properly cared for

I dont care for leasing, but your statement could apply to any car. While people probably keep in mind their gap insurance, deliberate (excessive) damage is not covered, and will cost you when you turn it in. So really its just like any other certified preowned car.

Just make sure you can count on the warranty, and check it out completely. One surprise I found in low mileage was that one of the spark plugs had motor oil on it. I cleaned it off, put it back in and checked it two weeks later. More oil. Fixed under warranty. Thats how close you should check it out.

They promise a multipoint check so trust...but verify, asap.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
>Driven hard, never serviced, and just not properly cared for

I dont care for leasing, but your statement could apply to any car. While people probably keep in mind their gap insurance, deliberate (excessive) damage is not covered, and will cost you when you turn it in. So really its just like any other certified preowned car.

Just make sure you can count on the warranty, and check it out completely. One surprise I found in low mileage was that one of the spark plugs had motor oil on it. I cleaned it off, put it back in and checked it two weeks later. More oil. Fixed under warranty. Thats how close you should check it out.

They promise a multipoint check so trust...but verify, asap.

Guess I was under the impression that people would care for stuff more knowing that they own it. Under lease they're basically borrowing the car for X amount of months.

Just worried about it being driven hard the first 500-1000 miles and then not changing the oil until they hit 20,000 miles.

 

[EvilYoda]

I imagine that yes, some people might treat a lease like that, but that's more typical of a rental car mentality. I lease my GTO and regardless of what kind of car it was, I wouldn't drive it any different. I still "own" it for those 24 months and if something were to happen, I'd still be out a car and money for repairs.

And once again...it's a Pacifica. One might try to drive it hard and then realize there's no point. 😛