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Chrysler Pacifica vs Saturn VUE

13 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2006 at 2:32 PM

You are in the Chrysler Pacifica Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Pacifica, Saturn VUE, Car Buying, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [steelydan0613] by ponggod

Feb 25, 2006 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: steelydan0613 (Feb 25, 2006 5:24 am)
steelydan, thanks for your detailed response. You make a lot of points that I agree with. One thought you triggered in my mind is that the main reason I began looking at SUVs is that I want to have something larger for when we take road trips, something we tend to do several times per year. As for the day-to-day, the wife and I generally car pool (in her small car), so I expect my next car won't be used so much. Considering this, the Pacifica is looking better. It surely will be a more comfortable and practical vehicle for highway trips and the lower gas mileage it gets will be less of an issue since it won't be driven quite as much. My current car, Buick Regal, typically gets about 27 MPG on the highway, so I don't mind trading 5 MPG or so for extra room and comfort on the road.
 
I got a quote of $22,700 today for the VUE which I will use as a bargaining position on the Pacifica. If I can get within $2,000 of this price, I'll definitely go with it.
 
- Robert -

#5 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by steelydan0613

Feb 25, 2006 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 25, 2006 4:40 pm)
ponggod, Let us know how it comes out.....I would say you are dealing smart!

#6 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by steelydan0613

Feb 25, 2006 (6:09 pm)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 25, 2006 4:40 pm)
Robert, I did not get my best offer from the first Chrysler dealer I talked to, so shop around. My best offer came from DeMontrond Chrysler /Jeep in Conroe, Tx. , and they obtained my new 2004 Pac from a dealer in Galveston, Tx. They drove it to Conroe, and I picked it up there.
 
I would shop around, You are in the driver's seat, so to speak!
 
I will also say their service department was excellent, and it was worth the drive. My 2004 Pacifica came with a "loaner car" for 36,000 miles, so that made it easy to make the trek to Conroe. I don't know if that program is still in effect or not. Ask the dealer , it was called "Premium Care" in 2004, and it applied to Chrysler Crossfires and Pacificas..........

#7 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [steelydan0613] by ponggod

Feb 26, 2006 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: steelydan0613 (Feb 25, 2006 6:09 pm)
That's not a bad idea. So far, I've only talked with Archer Chrysler on Southwest Freeway simply because it's the most conveniently located dealership for me. My thinking is that when it comes time for any kind of necessary service, I'd prefer to deal with the people from whom I purchased it. Nevertheless, I think I'll use Edmunds' tools to submit a quote inquiry from other Chrysler dealers in the area. It surely can't hurt!

#8 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by steelydan0613

Feb 27, 2006 (11:52 am)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 26, 2006 5:34 pm)
That was the first place I called , they were nice, they let me drive the car for two days, but they wouldn't deal with me like DeMontrond did. Try Champions Chrysler , they have two locations in Houston and seemed eager to deal, DeMontrond basically was willing to match whatever and they found the right color/leather seats...........
 
I bought two years ago, so things could be different now...........

#9 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [steelydan0613] by ponggod

Feb 28, 2006 (9:37 pm)

Replying to: steelydan0613 (Feb 27, 2006 11:52 am)
Today I received an intriguing quote from the Internet sales manager with Lawrence Marshall (yeah, Hempstead is way out there!) They quoted me $22,890 which includes leather interior, but not just any leather. Apparently for the "a la carte" leather upgrades (as opposed to the leather packages) they have some custom upholsterer in Houston do it for $1395 and it's supposedly much higher quality - he said this company does this for BMW and Mercedes dealers too. Furthermore, they can get it in the Magnesium Pearl (kind of a charcoal green) which is one of the less common colors that I like.
 
The trade-off, of course, is that this low-ball price doesn't come with the best financing offer, but I can trade some of the rebate back for better terms - add $1500 for 2.9%/60 mo. or $3000 for 0%/60 mo. At the very least, this will give me good bargaining ammunition.

#10 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by steelydan0613

Mar 01, 2006 (5:40 am)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 28, 2006 9:37 pm)
Sounds good, I called them too, and they didn't have much then, "Bubba" told me they were "mostly into trucks," and I agreed....Hey, get them to buy you and your wife a BBQ lunch if you do buy out there!!!!!!!!

#11 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by pisulino

Mar 04, 2006 (8:19 am)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 24, 2006 9:23 pm)
I don't know you have made your purchase already.You have received good feedback already, and I would just add a few questions and suggestions.
 
Why are you looking for an SUV first of all? do you want this to drive to work everyday? is't for long drives only? for safety reasons? just for the hell of it?.
 
The VUE will release the Hybrid in 2007 and then will be totally revamped in 2008.
Are you planning to keep this vehicle for a long time? in that case go for it.
 
Compare insurance prices, resale value, (if you will sell car within 2 to 3 years) servicing costs (some cars have expensive service schedules).
 
Gas is a very small part of the total cost of ownership. The biggest one probably being depretiatin and purchasing options that you will never use. I will put DVD and Navigation systems as an example. These options are rarely used and then they become obsolete in 2 to 3 years and then you have to sell the car with this proprietary stuff in it.
Those options probably cost you $3000 that you will never get back....that's a lot of gas.
 
Just my 2 cents and good luck with your new vehicle.

#12 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [steelydan0613] by ponggod

Mar 13, 2006 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: steelydan0613 (Mar 01, 2006 5:40 am)
Hey, S-Dan
 
I'm finally back to report my purchase a week ago Monday of a brand new Pacifica! I got the Magnesium Pearl (kind of a charcoal green color) from Champion Chrysler. Their quote was the best and they had the color I wanted. I liked some other colors equally well like the Linen Gold and Butane (light) Blue, but I went with this one because it's far less common. In fact, I probably like the Butane Blue the best, but it's not offered in the base model.
 
The quote I got was about $22.2K with leather (the aftermarket kind which is supposed to be better), a price that included the current $3000 rebate offer. But, I ended up doing something I never expected to do - I went with the lease. On a lease, they increased the rebate another $1000 plus the financing rate for the 3-year lease term was just a tiny fraction over 0%. Furthermore, there's the additional (but unlikely for me) option that if I just don't want to keep it after 3 years, I can walk away from it. All in all, it just seemed like a no-brainer. The payments are super low and having the $11K available to pay it off 3 years from now shouldn't be an issue.
 
So to sum it all up, $21.2K + leather + 0.03% interest = one happy customer!
 
- Robert -

#13 of 13 Re: Pacifica vs. VUE [ponggod] by fred222

Jun 02, 2006 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: ponggod (Feb 25, 2006 4:40 pm)
One thought you triggered in my mind is that the main reason I began looking at SUVs is that I want to have something larger for when we take road trips, something we tend to do several times per year.
Look at a minivan. We went from a 1995 Suburban to a 2006 Odyssey and feel that we have not lost any room and the Odyssey actually may be more comfortable.

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