The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: Gina on March 24, 2012, 04:29:14 AM
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gonna need to get a used vehicle, had great results with carmax last two cars......went to a car dealership and basically felt raped the way they tried to deceive me and **** me over. So I think I will stick with carmax.
Any recs on vans?
I was offered 1800 for my suv by carmax, dealership only offered 1000. See what I mean?
I want to spend really only 16000 for list price and then deduct that 1800 from it. I want a dependable minivan. I love the Chrysler Town and Country. Any ideas yall?
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Our daughter has had excellent luck with no problems with her Toyota van, about a 2005 if my memory serves me correctly. I can get you more specifics if you want.
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How about this one.
(http://www.gm-trucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/the-a-team-van.jpg)
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My step-Mom has had Dodge Caravans every since they came out. She is currently in love with "stow and go" Not sure on pricing for them.
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Having been born and raised in the Detroit area, I can say with complete certainty to stay the hell away from anything designed in Detroit.
That includes anything done by Chrysler.
Coming up on 180,000 miles on my Toyota Sienna, 2004 vintage. I will drive that thing until the doors fall off, which might be in another 15-20 years or so.
And it gets 28+ mpg on the highway, 24 in the city.
I keep getting invitations from stealers dealers to trade in my minivan to buy whatever it is they're peddling. No way, Jose.
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Our daughter has had excellent luck with no problems with her Toyota van, about a 2005 if my memory serves me correctly. I can get you more specifics if you want.
It's a basic model (A/C, power windows, but no DIV or special radio) 2006 Sienna, 98K miles.
For any van make sure the timing belt has been replaced before you buy it.
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Why purchase someone elses problems. Save your pennies until you are ready to purchase new or late model vehicle.
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Do you have to have a minivan?
I have consumed the Hyundai koolaid and love my Tucson. It's a 2010 (which is when the body style changed I think) and I love it! I get about 25mpg and got 32 on the last road trip.
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Why purchase someone elses problems. Save your pennies until you are ready to purchase new or late model vehicle.
I'll disagree with that. I bought an 05 King Ranch brand new and it didn't have too many problems, but some. Ideally, finding a rental car sale would be best. They usually sell them off under 10,000 miles and one CAN get a good deal IF they can find one. Avis used to sell them right from their rental places, but I think they did away with that. (That was MANY years ago) A broken in vehicle usually has 99% of the "bugs" worked out and the price is much better, normally.
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I'll disagree with that. I bought an 05 King Ranch brand new and it didn't have too many problems, but some. Ideally, finding a rental car sale would be best. They usually sell them off under 10,000 miles and one CAN get a good deal IF they can find one. Avis used to sell them right from their rental places, but I think they did away with that. (That was MANY years ago) A broken in vehicle usually has 99% of the "bugs" worked out and the price is much better, normally.
Fleet sales are an excellent source of newer used vehicles. Then again they are newer late model vehicles.
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gonna need to get a used vehicle, had great results with carmax last two cars......went to a car dealership and basically felt raped the way they tried to deceive me and **** me over. So I think I will stick with carmax.
Any recs on vans?
I was offered 1800 for my suv by carmax, dealership only offered 1000. See what I mean?
I want to spend really only 16000 for list price and then deduct that 1800 from it. I want a dependable minivan. I love the Chrysler Town and Country. Any ideas yall?
I'm a Toyota fan but you CANNOT go wrong with a Honda Odyssey. You may pay a little more for it but you won't regret it.
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How about this one.
(http://www.gm-trucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/the-a-team-van.jpg)
The A-Cup Team?
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I'll agree with you Gina, and have to disagree with a number of the other posters on this topic. I doubt you can go too far wrong with a Chrysler minivan, as they invented the concept. The T & C is a more deluxe version of the Caravan, with nicer trim, but the vehicles are essentially identical.
Other that being in/around the industry for a long time, I can't stomach Asian imports (even those domestically produced) for a couple of reasons.......one subjective, I admit:
1. Asian styling SUCKS......it's awful.......what I refer to as the "pagoda look", where there is absolutely no symmetry in design and they hang superfluous crap all over the units. They have no flare for uniqueness or line coordination at all......both the Japanese, and Koreans are "tone deaf" when it comes to designing (mass market) vehicles.......largely because their entire industry is still based on its early roots of attempting to mimic American (and European) styling, and doing a really bad job of it. Admittedly, I'm of the Harley Earl school of automotive styling, and as such, I can think of only a half-dozen or so vehicles of Asian origin that I considered decent looking. The rest of them I would have difficulty keeping my breakfast down facing them in the garage every morning........perhaps I take the design of a vehicle too seriously, but that's just the way I look at it......
2. Repair/parts costs for an Asian vehicle (even domestically assembled) will run an average 2 to 3 times that of a domestic manufacturer's price for the same or equivalent part/repair. This is due partially to their origins, and also to the distributor/dealer markup structure that they employ. This is particularly important if you plan to drive that vehicle for a long period of time. One can argue that they (might) require less repair than a domestic when driven for the same mileage, but the singular repair cost will more than offset this, if it even exists.
To the numbers.......someone else mentioned buying a fleet/lease comeback vehicle, which makes good sense economically. If you can find a one to two year-old vehicle that you like, that has low mileage, and a portion of the original manufacturer's warranty left on it, you eliminate the really steep part of the depreciation curve, and can take advantage of the remaining warranty if minor problems exist with the unit.
The last point, vehicle overall quality, is a bit more complicated, as there are all kinds of ways that various manufacturers and auto publications like to "spin" quality.......but the only one that counts (in my opinion) is the hardest to find actual numbers. The parameter that I use is the manufacturer's own warranty cost on average per unit. Chrysler is (depending on year) among the lowest, and ironically, if you eliminate the really high-end stuff, Honda and Toyota are among the highest. Warranty cost is the average number of dollars that the manufacturer spends fixing defects and problems on the vehicle over the warranty period. Right now, Chrysler minivans are averaging about $220, where Honda is sitting firmly at around $640, and Toyota comes in at about $380 (all figures are on their minivan lines).
I wouldn't get too fixated on what any particular dealer offers you for your trade.......dealers can "overallow" on trades, which is a way to artificially inflate the trade-in value of your unit to suck you in..........the really important figure is your total out of pocket cost when the deal is done, not the allowance on your existing vehicle.
As always.......YMMV.......
doc
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If you're looking for a used vehicle, I would recommend a later model from the previous generation. Those usually have all the bugs worked out and higher quality/reliability ratings than earlier models. A quick Wikipedia search will show you when new vehicles are introduced and what years the previous models were built.
The previous generation T&C was built from 2001 until 2007, while the current one has been built since 2008 but received a brand new engine in 2012. Personally, I would avoid fleet vehicles, rentals, and off-lease returns.
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I like MSN's site for vehicle comparisons. Edmund's has the same feature but I think the one at MSN is easier to use.
http://home.autos.msn.com/
Personally, I'd love a T&C to turn into a 1- or 2-person travel camper (http://cheaprvliving.com/howtoconvertavan.html). :)
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I wouldn't buy from Carmax. They don't allow you to negotiate the sale of your car. We are one of those people that love to talk the car down in price. The last two cars I bought, my 2010 Nissan Versa and the 2000 Jaguar S-Type were both negotiated so low, the sales manager had to get involved and say, "Okay... no more discounts, we are losing money on this now." If I went anywhere that would not work out a deal, I walk. But whenever I go out shopping, I already know what I want because I look online. Our auto mall has a website and we can search their entire inventory before we walk out the door. It makes things so much easier.
Anyway, sorry for going on and on. If you don't mind paying full price, Carmax is your place. If you want to make a deal, go to a dealership. Dealerships will almost never give you what you want for your current vehicle, but they do give you a chance to negotiate the WHOLE deal. Not just the new car price.
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Sorry, DOC I love my little Asian car :-)
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/tucson/
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/tucson/gallery.aspx I got the Limited in two tone leather trim.
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Sorry, DOC I love my little Asian car :-)
Hyundai/Kia has learned the hard way. Maybe Honda and Toyota need to take a few lessons.
I'm still looking for a decent interior design. They all look the same.
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How about this one.
(http://www.gm-trucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/the-a-team-van.jpg)
Oh wow, the 1980's version of that truck brings back memories! :lmao:
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Hyundai/Kia has learned the hard way. Maybe Honda and Toyota need to take a few lessons.
I'm still looking for a decent interior design. They all look the same.
I was sold on my Tucson once I sat in it and drove it around. I'm a little south of 5' tall so having an all electric seat/fully adjustable everything combined with being fun and to drive and easy to handle made it an easy choice. I can move the seat up (height and distance) and see better than I could out of previous cars I've owned. I went home that night to think about it and then made up my mind after a couple of days of driving others that didn't "fit" me.
Hyundai did learn the hard way. When I bought mine in 2010, there was an 8 week waiting list for the newly designed Tucson. I was able to find one a week later in a color I thought I would hate but when I saw it I fell in love with it and took it home.
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Funny you mention it, I'm in the car dealership trying to decide if I want to go to a sedan from my Infiniti FX.
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I'm a Toyota fan but you CANNOT go wrong with a Honda Odyssey. You may pay a little more for it but you won't regret it.
My husband's old boss had an Odyssy that he absolutely LOVED. I don't have a Honda anymore but we have had several, my mom has had a few, my brother, cousins and both aunts have/had a Honda as well. I love the Honda Accord I use to have.
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My husband's old boss had an Odyssy that he absolutely LOVED. I don't have a Honda anymore but we have had several, my mom has had a few, my brother, cousins and both aunts have/had a Honda as well. I love the Honda Accord I use to have.
i Heard them there Japanese cars last for 100's of yrs. What's up with that :lmao:
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i Heard them there Japanese cars last for 100's of yrs. What's up with that :lmao:
:p
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We've had Datsuns (now Nissan), Toyotas and Hondas. No problems with any of them.
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I think I'm going back to a sedan. My husband is in there making the deal. I don't like to do that so I'm sitting outside the office, it stresses me out. I'm excited as this car is pretty dang cool for a sedan.
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It's a basic model (A/C, power windows, but no DIV or special radio) 2006 Sienna, 98K miles.
For any van make sure the timing belt has been replaced before you buy it.
For any HOnda for sure. I have a Pilot though and I"m taking it for it's (due) timing belt replacement--actually I pushed the envelope a little, but it's time--I plan to keep her going strong for another few years through the first teenager driving(and needing) a vehicle. Good thing though is she'll be ready to roll at the weekend to the beach :-) I have a Pilot and my ex has an Odyssey and we still own a RAV4(96) that's still running but about to give up the ghost. I can't speak highly enough to any of these cars, but in between all this we owned a caravan and an american truck. Both were POS. I'd never buy an American made van ever again(transmission went at about 60K).JMO though
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Do you have to have a minivan?
I have consumed the Hyundai koolaid and love my Tucson. It's a 2010 (which is when the body style changed I think) and I love it! I get about 25mpg and got 32 on the last road trip.
Yep, when we were first together..the ex had a Hyundai of some kind...it was actually very reliable :cheersmate:
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For any HOnda for sure. I have a Pilot though and I"m taking it for it's (due) timing belt replacement--actually I pushed the envelope a little, but it's time--I plan to keep her going strong for another few years through the first teenager driving(and needing) a vehicle. Good thing though is she'll be ready to roll at the weekend to the beach :-) I have a Pilot and my ex has an Odyssey and we still own a RAV4(96) that's still running but about to give up the ghost. I can't speak highly enough to any of these cars, but in between all this we owned a caravan and an american truck. Both were POS. I'd never buy an American made van ever again(transmission went at about 60K).JMO though
My husband has a Ford F-150 Raptor and it rocks.
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My husband has a Ford F-150 Raptor and it rocks.
Yeah, I'd go with the truck again..that's why i left it out of the never buy discussion :-) I think we were just on the unfortunate end there of a bad vehicle. The van, on the other hand, we were far from the only ones with trouble with transmissions in caravans in our own family/friend circle no less. I think American companies make good trucks..to me, that's ultimately their thing. The vans--was not pleased with at all. Good luck with the car hunt. :cheersmate: I'm planning on shopping next year for a used economy type of car that I am using partially for me to drive around here and there when the gas is outrageous, but ultimately for the oldest to use once she gets her license. :-) :panic:
I wuvs my Pilot though. :-*
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I got to make a comment/observation about automobiles.
It's become fashionable to bash american made automobiles and sing the glories of the far superior Japanese Autos. why is it you can find many 20+ yr old american made models on the road and have to look high & low to find a 10 yr old Japanese made auto on the road ? Seems to me if what people say is true you'd find just as many if not more decade or older Japanese vehicles on the road.
Truth be told those so called superior Asian vehicles have a life expectancy of maybe 100K and it's the rare one that goes beyond.
Yet people say marketing doesn't work. :whatever:
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I got to make a comment/observation about automobiles.
It's become fashionable to bash american made automobiles and sing the glories of the far superior Japanese Autos. why is it you can find many 20+ yr old american made models on the road and have to look high & low to find a 10 yr old Japanese made auto on the road ? Seems to me if what people say is true you'd find just as many if not more decade or older Japanese vehicles on the road.
Truth be told those so called superior Asian vehicles have a life expectancy of maybe 100K and it's the rare one that goes beyond.
Yet people say marketing doesn't work. :whatever:
I beg to differ. Our Japanese cars and trucks lasted well beyond 175K when we replaced them. I know, because I sold them after about 10 years to private parties who told me what great vehicles they got. My wife drives a 2003 Honda CRV, and there is no problem with it, nor has there ever been a problem.
I wouldn't pee on the best part of a GM product, and I never liked any Chrysler Corporation vehicles. Our 1997 Ford F150 is still going strong for our son after 180K.
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I beg to differ. Our Japanese cars and trucks lasted well beyond 175K when we replaced them. I know, because I sold them after about 10 years to private parties who told me what great vehicles they got. My wife drives a 2003 Honda CRV, and there is no problem with it, nor has there ever been a problem.
I wouldn't pee on the best part of a GM product, and I never liked any Chrysler Corporation vehicles. Our 1997 Ford F150 is still going strong for our son after 180K.
yes yes we all have heard the glories of Superior Japanese autos. Doesn't explain the absence of these vehicles on the nations highways & biways.
By the way a 2003 Honda CRV isn't even a decade old,where are all the 1993 or older Hondas Toyotas etc. Sure you see the occassional one but not in the numbers one would expect of such a superior automobile.
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yes yes we all have heard the glories of Superior Japanese autos. Doesn't explain the absence of these vehicles on the nations highways & biways.
By the way a 2003 Honda CRV isn't even a decade old,where are all the 1993 or older Hondas Toyotas etc. Sure you see the occassional one but not in the numbers one would expect of such a superior automobile.
No absence of them and other foreign vehicles around here.
And how did I know you'd quibble about the 2003 CRV? It's only 9 years old, not the 10 that you require.
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No absence of them and other foreign vehicles around here.
And how did I know you'd quibble about the 2003 CRV? It's only 9 years old, not the 10 that you require.
actually I was making the observation of 20+ yr old vehicles. No one is arguing their presence. the point of contention is those superior asian vehicles should be around a lot longer and in vastly greater numbers than the inferior american made vehicles. Anecdotal evidence aside the eyes and applied logic prove otherwise.
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Any ideas yall?
Get yourself a copy of the April 2012 edition of Consumer Reports Magazine. They rate used vehicles as well.
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I got to make a comment/observation about automobiles.
It's become fashionable to bash american made automobiles and sing the glories of the far superior Japanese Autos. why is it you can find many 20+ yr old american made models on the road and have to look high & low to find a 10 yr old Japanese made auto on the road ? Seems to me if what people say is true you'd find just as many if not more decade or older Japanese vehicles on the road.
Truth be told those so called superior Asian vehicles have a life expectancy of maybe 100K and it's the rare one that goes beyond.
Yet people say marketing doesn't work. :whatever:
We have a lot of 10+ year old foreign cars (not just Japanese cars) on our roads here. My car is a 12 year old British car, runs like it's brand new. Most American cars are crap these days. Most, not all.
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Truth be told those so called superior Asian vehicles have a life expectancy of maybe 100K and it's the rare one that goes beyond.
That explains two of the Toyotas in my driveway each with over 100k.
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I am now the owner of a sedan. Woo hoo! I'll post pictures of it in the Spa.
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That explains two of the Toyotas in my driveway each with over 100k.
Well Toyota must have sold at least twice as many as that in the last 20 yrs or so,ya reckon :???:
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Well Toyota must have sold at least twice as many as that in the last 20 yrs or so,ya reckon :???:
You DO realize that Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" program took a large percentage of 10 to 20 y/o perfectly serviceable high-mileage vehicles (both imported and domestic) off the road, and distorted the entire used vehicle market.
It will require a decade of normal consumption for that segment of the market to return to a normal state....
doc
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You DO realize that Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" program took a large percentage of 10 to 20 y/o perfectly serviceable high-mileage vehicles (both imported and domestic) off the road, and distorted the entire used vehicle market.
It will require a decade of normal consumption for that segment of the market to return to a normal state....
doc
Yes I was. There are reports that a large portion of those "clunkers" were not destroyed as required but turned around and sold for cash off the books. Don't know how true the story is but I can believe it as those vehicles could be sold for little or nothing and still provide a profit.
Couple months back one of my employees bought his daughter a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria in pristine condition for $1000. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if it was a cash for clunkers car.
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bought a 09 Dodge Grand Caravan yesterday with 48k. It's white with black interior and was a fleet vehicle. I love it! It's got swivel and go.....so captains chairs all turn and there is a table that can be set up in the back
got it at Carmax
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Congrats, Gina! :-*
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bought a 09 Dodge Grand Caravan yesterday with 48k. It's white with black interior and was a fleet vehicle. I love it! It's got swivel and go.....so captains chairs all turn and there is a table that can be set up in the back
got it at Carmax
Supposedly the number 1 selling mini van. People that have one swear by them. I don't see the appeal myself. To each his/her though. Enjoy the new toy.
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Didn't Chrysler have a lifetime engine/transmission warranty on '08 and '09 models? I don't know if that applies to fleet sales, but it might be worth asking a dealer about.
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I looked it up Gina, I saw the table and swivel seats. It looks cool!
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My brother purchased two cars from Carmax and is very satisfied. One is a Hyundia SUV and the other a Buick sedan.
For those that have been in the military, USAA offers a free buying service which is fantastic. I bought my new Infiniti sedan and the discount the out of state dealer quoted me would have been laughed at by my local dealer. They even delivered the car to me.
You might even be able to afford a new vehicle if the price is right and the interest rate is low or zero. Never hurts to give it a try. I hate going into the dealership so I do all my shopping on line.
Before you buy any vehicle, you need do your homework. Find consumer maintenance reports on that vehicle. Know what the dealer's cost is on a new car plus discount/incentives or the blue book value on a used car.
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Also arrange for outside financing before hand. That essentially makes it a cash deal to the seller and should afford them more wiggle room on price negotiations. On a new car purchase a cash offer should cut about 10% off the top and then you can Talk them down more from there. Let them know that if you don't get the deal you want you will walk.
I saved about 15K on my last car on a cash deal. It helped that the dealer was going out of business though.
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Didn't Chrysler have a lifetime engine/transmission warranty on '08 and '09 models? I don't know if that applies to fleet sales, but it might be worth asking a dealer about.
They did.....but only for the original owner, it's not transferable. However Chrysler will reinstate it for subsequent owners for as little as $350, depending on model.
doc
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Didn't Chrysler have a lifetime engine/transmission warranty on '08 and '09 models? I don't know if that applies to fleet sales, but it might be worth asking a dealer about.
Yes. My 2008 Jeep has a lifetime powertrain warranty (got to get it inspected every five years) but I don't know if it's transferrable or not.
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They did.....but only for the original owner, it's not transferable. However Chrysler will reinstate it for subsequent owners for as little as $350, depending on model.
doc
ohhhhh how would I look into this?
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Supposedly the number 1 selling mini van. People that have one swear by them. I don't see the appeal myself. To each his/her though. Enjoy the new toy.
It's so spacious! And that is a plus when you have alot of kids. Now they can't touch each other. I don't have to hear Jeep hit Victoria and she cries and then hits Jeep and he cries then they get into a :catfight: in the back and my oldest son screaming at them "Good God! Stop it!" and his high pitched girl voice makes it worse while hubby is just in his own world. Only bad thing is I can't reach them to give them a good ole :asssmack: when they are bad.
I do think there is a hidden target on it. Seems everyone is trying to hit me in it :tinfoil:
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It's so spacious! And that is a plus when you have alot of kids. Now they can't touch each other. I don't have to hear Jeep hit Victoria and she cries and then hits Jeep and he cries then they get into a :catfight: in the back and my oldest son screaming at them "Good God! Stop it!" and his high pitched girl voice makes it worse while hubby is just in his own world. Only bad thing is I can't reach them to give them a good ole :asssmack: when they are bad.
I do think there is a hidden target on it. Seems everyone is trying to hit me in it :tinfoil:
More space for kids just means more space to fight/quarrel in :lol:
Eleven yrs ago or so I bought my first brand spanking new car in many a yrs. had it for less than 6 weeks and got t-boned at an intersection when a middle aged woman in a mini van ran a red light. Before that I had joked with friends about keying my car a little on a fender or something so I could get beyond worrying about the first blemish on my new ride. I got over it :naughty:
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Who says minivans can't be fun?
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=78InPT4iqlw[/youtube]
I actually like this red Dodge. If I had to get a minivan, it would probably be that model.
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Who says minivans can't be fun?
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=78InPT4iqlw[/youtube]
I actually like this red Dodge. If I had to get a minivan, it would probably be that model.
Instant smoke screen! I like it!
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I actually like this red Dodge. If I had to get a minivan, it would probably be that model.
THAT is a tranny destroyer!
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Meh a little bleach on the road and/or tires and grannies Oldsmobile can smoke the tires :fuelfire:
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Meh a little bleach on the road and/or tires and grannies Oldsmobile can smoke the tires :fuelfire:
In high school, I dragged just about every Chevy in town in my dad's Super 88 Olds. My parents could not figure out why a new car needed tires in just a couple of months. :whistling:
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In high school, I dragged just about every Chevy in town in my dad's Super 88 Olds. My parents could not figure out why a new car needed tires in just a couple of months. :whistling:
I needed them because I would run into curbs and off the road :whistling: