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Purchasing Used Vehicles

1678 messages,  Last post on Jun 07, 2012 at 6:51 PM

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Messages Page 164 of 168

#1629 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [orlando_m] by mcrrt

May 23, 2011 (9:31 am)

Replying to: orlando_m (May 23, 2011 6:44 am)
Thanks for your input, Orlando!

#1630 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [plekto] by mcrrt

May 23, 2011 (9:37 am)

Replying to: plekto (May 23, 2011 7:52 am)
Thanks for your reply, Plekto
 
I do like the Odyssey (and to a lesser degree, the Sienna), but they are quite spendy, even used.
 
The GC/T&C twins, while unexceptional, are plentiful, well-equipped (compared to a similarly priced Honda or Toyota), and their heavy depreciation works in my favor.
 
We've been driving a 2003 Venture for almost 8 years now; we've grown accustomed to "unexceptional".
 
The main concern I have about the Chrysler vans is that my wife and I can't afford a ton of downtime for repairs.

#1631 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [mcrrt] by qbrozen

May 23, 2011 (9:58 am)

Replying to: mcrrt (May 23, 2011 6:27 am)
We bought an '08 back in January.
 
Not sure what teething problems you are referring to. No issues in the service history of ours or since we purchased it. And, depending on which model you buy, the drivetrain has been around for ... oh... I dunno.. . must be decades. We bought the limited, however, which has the 4.0 and 6-speed, which is a relatively new drivetrain in '08. Again, though, no problems for us so far.
 
Given the cost difference, the '08 is the way to go, IMHO.

#1632 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [mcrrt] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

May 23, 2011 (10:01 am)

Replying to: mcrrt (May 23, 2011 9:37 am)
I had a T&C (2003-ish) and it was fine. Not special, but it worked for our needs, and honestly, the seats and seating position were so comfortable for me, it was like driving in my living room. Lots of things to knock about Chrysler, but that was one comfortable minivan.
 
Not sure what warranty is left for 2nd owners of Chrysler vehicles right now, but if there's anything left, it will be on the 2010 rather than the 2008.
 
I'd be inclined to stay away from ex-rentals of certain models, especially the smaller cars - those, in my mind, are more likely to have had a multitude of short-term, around town driving rentals, and they're the cheapest to rent... not very practical for long journeys with families.
 
I'd think a minivan would largely be rented by families for long trips. One would hope that that group of people would be more likely to take care of stuff rather than trash it. You never know.
 
Then again, you never know about ANY vehicle, for sure. I'd guess that rental companies at least do regular maintenance to preserve their investment. I'd be more inclined to go for the rental in this particular instance.

#1633 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [qbrozen] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

May 23, 2011 (10:02 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (May 23, 2011 9:58 am)
Oh... I thought he said roughly the same price.

#1634 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [kirstie_h] by mcrrt

May 23, 2011 (10:30 am)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (May 23, 2011 10:01 am)
Kirstie,
 
You make an excellent point about the type of use a rental van would see, compared to say, a rental compact car.
 
I'm leery of an ex-rental from the standpoint of the numerous drivers it has seen, but I'm also concerned that an "off-lease" vehicle had only the bare minimum in maintenance (since the user planned on returning it at the end of 2-3 years).
 
Oh, the decisions....
 

#1635 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [qbrozen] by mcrrt

May 23, 2011 (10:46 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (May 23, 2011 9:58 am)
Gbrozen,
 
Thanks for your reply.
 
Sounds like you got one of the "good" '08s. From what I've read, the '08s had a high failure rate for brakes and A/C, as well as numerous recalls.
 
The advantage for me going with an '08, is that (in my local market) the same money that will get me a 2010 ex-rental with cloth interior will get me an 2008 with leather and dual DVD.
 
Similar money in a Honda or Toyota gets me an '07 or '08 with cloth, more miles, and no power anything....

#1636 of 1678 Re: Which would you choose to purchase? [mcrrt] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

May 23, 2011 (10:42 am)

Replying to: mcrrt (May 23, 2011 10:30 am)
Hey, it would not hurt to ask both sellers if they have maintenance records. Some leased vehicles are maintained very well, and that's probably true if it's a company lease - they usually pay for the maintenance.
 
There's always a gamble with used vehicles, but asking questions might help. Oh, and of course looking at & driving each vehicle! Never know if there's a feature or two in one of them that might push you toward one over the other.

#1637 of 1678 Re: Dead car two days after purchase [euphonium] by isellhondas

May 23, 2011 (11:24 am)

Replying to: euphonium (May 19, 2011 1:45 pm)
You are a better person than I am. Unless the person who bought my car was a friend, the total repair bill would be on them.
 
Likewise, if I buy a used car and something breaks the next day, I wouldn't ask or expect the seller to participate UNLESS it was something they jury rigged to work for a week.
 
Anytime I sell one of my cars, I fully disclose everything that I am aware of. If that scares them off, so be it.
 
I even write up a short document that I have them sign that says the car is being sold strictly AS IS.
 
I've never had a problem.
 
If I was buying a used car that uses a timing belt, I would make sure to ask when it was replaced. If there is ANY question or if I get a blank look, I assume that it hasn't been done and if I do buy the car, it go's into the shop ASAP.

#1638 of 1678 press request by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

May 23, 2011 (12:34 pm)

Have you held off on a car purchase because you're waiting for a better deal? Or did you go ahead and buy because you assume car prices could just rise even further this summer? An Associated Press reporter would like to talk with you. Please send your contact information to Aaron Lewis at predmunds.com

Messages Page 164 of 168

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