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2008 Minivans - READ ONLY

1261 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Hyundai Entourage, Mazda MAZDA5, Kia Sedona, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Van

#933 of 1261 Re: Exactly [ateixeira] by mfletou1 Nov 30, 2007 (10:50 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 30, 2007 9:00 am) EXCELLENT analysis, atexieria...   You are totally spot on and I think a lot of people miss the point you are making. And not only was poor han's timing off in terms of pricing, he also got a somewhat inferior vehicle because of the powertrain switch, which prompted CR to move the Sienna 2 points ahead of the Ody (93-91--both exceptional scores).   Han should try CarMaxing his van--he'll get a better price.   I made the same calculation, which is why I went with the ody. Vehicle MSRP is around $32, give or take a few hundred depending on dealer added accessories. Reading the prices paid forums on this board prompted me to start investigating minivans when we decided that's what we wanted--I was initially surprised that the Ody was being moved with such big discounts. Like many other dumb consumers, I assumed that Honda products wouldn't see those kinds of discounts.   When I started shopping in early October, my first round of quotes on the Ody were around $26.5. Just a month later, I ended up paying $25.2, which I determined was pretty much the floor in Ody prices (time will tell if I was right, but you also have to factor in diminished inventory--in my case, there were only 4 vehicles left in my color preference in my DC tristate area).   And to further back up your case, there's an Ody identical to mine at CarMax only used with 11k miles, and they're selling it for $29k. (yeah, I know, CarMax, but since I sell my cars to CarMax, I see that markup on my end too).   In that time, we took a hard look at the Ody AND the Sienna. I knew that the Sienna wasn't as good a deal, but I also knew that at some point in the future, it would become a better deal. So I figured that if we liked the Sienna substantially more, we would go ahead and pass on the great-deal Ody, and wait for Sienna prices to fall. I didn't want to end up with a vehicle I didn't entirely want, even if it was a better deal (like you and the DGC).   As it turned out, even if all money was equal, we actually preferred the Ody EX-L to the Sienna XLE. The price difference, of course, was huge--about the same as the price difference between an 07 Ody and an 08 ($4k or so).   If I wanted a Toyota, I would certainly wait. If I wanted a DGC or CTC, I'd wait for two reasons--#1, a product that new that has a $1500 rebate is a sign that demand is not as high as the manufacterer would like, and it is very likely that the rebate will increase, and #2, first year of a new model, I'd wait to see what the problem areas are if possible (sometimes its not, I need a hybrid pronto last year for HOV lane reasons and bought a Camry Hybrid in the first year--just took a chance).   Anyway, great post, I hope others take your advice.
#938 of 1261 Consumer Reports posts move to by KarenS HOST Nov 30, 2007 (12:03 pm)
Consumer Reports/JD Power Rankings   This is the last time I'm going to remind everyone that this discussion is about 2008 Minivans. Any further off topic posts will be moved/deleted without notice.
#939 of 1261 Re: Price Tracking [maryh3] by dennisctc Nov 30, 2007 (1:12 pm)
Replying to: maryh3 (Nov 30, 2007 10:35 am) But there are incentives!! $1500 rebate is not anything to sneeze at.   That's really not much. I'm spoiled by my last Dodge purchase.....$4500 EC discount, and $3500 rebate and some dealer incentive was worth $9000 off $29k sticker. Also, I'm thinking maybe the Buick Enclave CUV.....test driving it really shocked me - It was the most impressive car I drove since my BMW 3 Series. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Nov 30, 2007 1:29 pm) maryh3 (Nov 30, 2007 1:47 pm) ateixeira (Nov 30, 2007 1:53 pm) artgpo (Nov 30, 2007 5:48 pm)
#940 of 1261 Re: Price Tracking [dennisctc] by ateixeira Nov 30, 2007 (1:29 pm)
Replying to: dennisctc (Nov 30, 2007 1:12 pm) Voila, dennis, brilliant timing.   Kudos.   $20k for a van that stickered at $29k is amazing. Depreciation almost doesn't matter, you didn't pay anything for it to begin with!
#941 of 1261 Re: Price Tracking [dennisctc] by maryh3 Nov 30, 2007 (1:47 pm)
Replying to: dennisctc (Nov 30, 2007 1:12 pm) Well you probably won't see $4500 rebate in the near future. Probably $3000 in the summer. I was aware of this but I did not want to wait forever. Got a good enough deal -- about $7000 off of MSRP. Got lots of trips planned in the near future so what the heck - enjoy my van. If the darn thing comes in on time!! When I first started looking there was only a $500 rebate. I had to decide between putting the $550 into my current van for its fuel pump verses donating it for a small write off and buying off the lot. Made the right decision because the rebate has gone up $1000, I learned about the EC program and got a number, now I can sell my van for more than the tax write off etc. I'm happy even knowing I could have done better if I waited even longer. I was afraid I would prefer the 09's too much and wait again!!    The one thing about "values" though that does surprise me though is the value that options hold. When younger I thought that the base models would hold their relative values better than the top of the line model with all the add-ons. But it does not seem to follow my previous thinking. Options hold their value and they hold up the relative value of the vehicle itself. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Nov 30, 2007 1:53 pm) artgpo (Nov 30, 2007 5:48 pm)
#942 of 1261 Re: Price Tracking [maryh3] by ateixeira Nov 30, 2007 (1:53 pm)
Replying to: maryh3 (Nov 30, 2007 1:47 pm) You bring up a valid point - some times you just need a car now.   One example is if you're about to end a lease, and need something to get to work the next day. Then you have less flexibility.   Even if you have a car now, there is the risk that something on it will break. Imagine paying several grand to rebuild a transmission while you're waiting for the rebate to increase.   I think $1500 is a good discount, so I can't blame you for not waiting any longer. In fact, your deal should make the people that bought theirs sooner a bit jealous.   Looks like right now Honda has the biggest discounts on their 07s. Then Dodge's discount on the 08s, followed by the smallest discounts on 08s from Toyota.   Of course, when Honda runs out of 07s, the 08s will probably have no discounts at all.   It's all in the timing. Replies to this message: artgpo (Nov 30, 2007 5:48 pm)

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