would you buy this mini-van?

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OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
I found a great Chrysler Town & Country LSi mini-van at a local dealer.

its a 2003 and pretty much fully loaded 26,000 miles and they are asking $26,900

Kellybluebook.com says the retail value is $21,900

I did a carfax.com search on the VIN and it was a rental vehicle before the dealer got it. Other than that there are no red flags that carfax reported

I made an offer of 22,500 and the sales guy called back and said the bottom line they could go is $24,985.

So i made an counter off of 23,000, If they accept my offer would you buy a former rental vehicle?

I do plan on having a NAPA autoshop across from my office take a look at it before i sign the bottom line.
 
Ryan

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Not if they're not going to come to below the blue book value. I'd rather seach for a used Honda Oddessy or Toyota Sienna.
 
F

filmmaker

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2002
1,919
2
0
Sounds like you are on the right track.

If both you and the dealership are willing to go the $23k, then I say go for it.
 
M

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
0
76
Nice van, but I think they are trying to ream you on the price. Remember, rental vehicles often get abused in their life as such. I would have offered 22k, and told them you could go no higher.
 
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
I was thinking the same thing. however the next joe blow who comes along wont do any research and not know it was a rental and buy it at 26,900. Also a there are still 2003's on the lot and a brand new one is and easy 34K. If they do call me back and meet my price then ill get it, but im not paying anymore than 23K for it.
 
R

rml

Lifer
Jul 6, 2000
15,836
0
0
I will not buy that mini-van.

I have three friends who got different version of that van and all told me bad things about theirs.

One drove it for 3 years and have so many problems with it. It even needs to get a new engine replaced.

Besides, take a look at the resale value of that van after 3-4 years.

If you go for value, buy Honda. Honda will have 2005 mini-van totally redesign. 2003/2004 Models are at very good price now.

If you go for comfort, try the new Toyota Sienna. My friend test drove one and told me that he though he was driving a Lexus.

My 2 cents

 
AnyMal

AnyMal

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
15,780
0
76
I bought a 2003 Caravan SXT for $22,900.00 brand new. Unless you need leather, I'd consider a new Caravan instead of T&C. Essentially the same vehicle but cheaper.
 
C

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
3
0
All this was over the phone?

Go in person and you could work a better deal.

When I did sales, I wouldn't give a price over the phone. Too easy to give someone a price to shop around. Come on into the showroom and I'd work a deal...not going to waste my time and not get paid. ;)

But, at that price, no, I wouldn't buy it. No way. Sold a NEW 2003 Honda Odyssey EX for about $26,500 once. Guy got a great deal and still b!tched and moaned.
 
C

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
3
0
Originally posted by: redly1
Originally posted by: Sundog
would you buy this mini-van? No
Click to expand...

I've heard too many first hand horror stories about Chrysler transmissions
Click to expand...

I believe they've fixed that in 2001 and newer models. Older models were NOTORIOUS for needing a complete rebuild at about 100k miles.
 
T

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
I wouldn't buy it. There's only so much beating that a rental mini-van will have sustained, but why would you be willing to pay more than the bluebook, and the Kelly Blue Book at that? Look it up on Edmunds, and NADA. KBB is always highest, and all bluebooks are inherently out of date. That's why you should always pay less.
 
D

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
I'd never pay over KBB for any car. Period.

When I bought the 1996 S-10 I no longer have in 10/96, it had 28k miles on it. KBB showed a retail value of $14k. I paid $10,500 out the door with taxes and everything.
 
C

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I wouldn't pay the price for a T&C but Grand Caravans are nice..

we have 3 of them as fleet vehicles.. very nice to drive... no problems as far as I know... Chrysler transmissions do suck, but these new vans seem to be working fine... for the person who said they have cured the tranny problem... it might very well be possible.. these are new 4 speed trannies also.. not the old 3 speeds.
 
E

EvilTwin996

Senior member
Dec 12, 2000
216
0
0
uh...NO. Don't ever be reluctant to walk away. It's not like Chrysler didn't build about a BILLION of these things...

Don't listen to that car salesman about working a deal in person!! I was in the car biz for YEARS, and I ALWAYS work my deals over the phone. Here's how it works:

I find & test drive the car that I want. Then I say "thanks for the drive, I'm still shopping", and LEAVE.

After researching what these cars are worth, I phone the dealership and ask for the SALES MANAGER (he's the one with the power to make a decision, no back & forth with a salesperson). DO NOT TALK TO A SALESPERSON!!

After the sales manager comes on, it goes something like this:

"Hi, my name is _______. I was at your store earlier today, and drove your _________. I have decided to make an offer on this car, for a deal RIGHT NOW. If you accept my offer, I will be down to sign papers in X minutes. If you do not accept, you will not hear from me again. My offer is: $_________." (Offer him a few hundred less than the MOST you are willing to pay for the vehicle, to allow room for him to "bump" the price.)

Most likely he will have to call you back, as he will probably need time to check his costs on the vehicle. Expect him to "bump" the price up a little bit. This is normal. (Note: this is an actual offer to sell, which is very hard to get when standing in the showroom.) If his counteroffer is still acceptable to you, go sign. If not, tell him "Thanks, but that's too much." and go somewhere else.

I've done this many times, and it has ALWAYS worked. FYI, you WILL usually get better deals at the end of the calendar month.
 
W

Wuffsunie

Platinum Member
May 4, 2002
2,808
0
0
Originally posted by: Sundog
would you buy this mini-van? No
Click to expand...
$23K for an ex-rental? Hell no. That fact alone would turn me off right there. The fact that it's way over Blue Book value would only make me run further. Chrysler's are not worth it, IMO.

Of course that's overlooking the fact that all mini-vans are inheriently evil, second only to the SUV.

-- Jack

When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.
-- Unknown

 
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