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[C.Ann]

.......................

 

[winniedapooh]

Hi C.Ann...I went through this in 2003. I went from dealer to dealer until I was ready to explode, lol. I knew what I wanted, Dodge or Chrysler minivan but it had to have specific things. I finally found a dealer I really liked who gave us all sorts of nice goodies (dsicounts); recent college grad, CDL license, no trade in, mfg rebate, and 1 other I forgot...anyhow when it came down to it it was 2000 more for this than for a 1 yo vehicle with 15000 miles on it. Ummm we thought and thought...we knew we were going to have this vehicle for a long while so we bought new. We also bought the extended warranty, never did before, and I highly recommend that. Saved us a bundle on something already. 36000 miles comes quick when you travel a lot. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[challada]

I have a Mazda van and can tell you the "stow and go" is a really nice feature. Our third row folds down into the floor and was one of only two models that did that when we bought it. I thought at the time that it was just a cute idea, but I find it very handy such as at Costco when you get something big, etc. We bought new and really like that.

 

[C.Ann]

..

 

[canron]

if you get a dodge caravan get the longer warrenty on the drive line you WILL PUT IN A TRANSMISSION FOR SURE!!! iv had 3 of these vans and all tarns went on them its $1,7.000 if you donnt have a warrnty but they are handy things to have

 

[pezpam]

If the only thing you need/want the extra room for is the shift up to the lake, have you considered buying something you could tow with a smaller car and unhitch once you got there? I'm not sure how the two options compare price-wise, but it might work out if you don't generally need the minivan.

 

[allboyz]

I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna! I absolutely love everything about the van. I test drove many vans but fell in love with the Sienna immediately. I would recommend it to anyone. I'm not sure how much a used one would go for but if you can find one I would definately recommend test driving it.

 

[challada]

Well, without kids and not hauling stuff except for up to the lake once a year, I would reconsider the whole van thing. They are big and bulky and frankly, gas mileage is bad. I agree w/previous poster that something small that can haul or such might be a better option. Or, how about a wagon like a Subaru wagon or such?

 

[C.Ann]

..

 

[gomomgo]

Our first house was $40K so, yeah, I have a hard time believing the price of automobiles in general. My friend's Honda was $30K! That should come with a bathroom!

If you're set on a van, check out the Mazda MPVs. They are not as big or expensive and seem to be pretty reliable. I really like the ease of folding down the third row. We switch it out a couple of times a week with no problem.

Good Luck!

 

[SUSIEQ]

Where do all of you go for your extended warranties?

Wondering the same thing myself. I'm thinking about going with AAA.

 

[babiesX2]

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan with stow and go. DH shopped on eBay and found a guy up in Illinois with very good prices. My Dh printed off the rock bottom prices this guy was offering, took it to a local dealer, that dealer matched it, and now we are happy. We use our stow and go alot, especially the middle floor compartments for grocery shopping and stuff like that. We liked the front on the CT&C better than Dodge GC, but not enough to pay $5K extra for it.

 

[winniedapooh]

As far as I know only the dealer offers the extended warranty. C.Ann I can see your reasons fro wanting a van... By the time I was done my 5 weeks of car shopping, and this is not meant to offend anyone, I hated car salesman so much I was actually becoming rude and walking away while they were talking to me. No where is that little smiley with the eyes bugging out going eeek when you need it?

 

[geetey]

As a Dave Ramsey fan, I understand where you are coming from about buying new versus used. We faced the same situation with my dh's Honda CRV. The prices were SO close we went with new and haven't regretted it! Just make sure the dealership doesn't try to add any extras on there after that firm price has been negotiated.

I can also understand wanting to sit up 'high' versus being low. My dh has a bad back and shouldn't sit in a traditional car for any periods of time (daily drive to work - to long trips), hence our CRV purchase. I drive a Toyota Sienna mini-van and really enjoy the extra space! We don't have stow n go seating but I can see the advantages - the seats in the Sienna are VERY heavy. However, it is easy to fill those two rows flat, and just stack on top of them.

My point? I think it would be wise to purchase new in this case. When you are finalizing the contract, they will offer you the extended warrenty. If you decline it (and you can), you will also receive extended warrenty offers in the mail, especially as you are approaching your expiration date. Once you hit 2 years, the offers will come regularly. We did not purchase them with the Honda or Toyota, but it is probably a good idea with the Town & Country. As someone else mentioned, you will probably end up replacing the transmission. Of course, if your son-in-law can do it, then don't worry about the extended warrenty at all!

I also think car shopping is going to be fun - until I actually start shopping. Then it is just a pain!

Good luck!

 

[4formickey]

take your price qoute and shop around. The dealers are not giving away anything,get what you want.A new van for $18,000 is great. Mini vans does not burn that much more gas than cars and they come in handywhen you need to haul something.The dodge is good only if you get the grand caravan.hyave oyother coimpanies that offer extended maintaince policies, check the web. I need the location of that dealer

 

[C.Ann]

Well - you're not going to believe what I did! We found that one of the major car dealers in this area was open for a few hours this afternoon so we decided to wander over there while the Open House was going on here..

I bought a mini van!! Not a brand new one though - the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country - because I was able to get quite a few more bells and whistles (plus the stow and go seating) for $16,000(the haggling started at $18,000).. What really clinched it for me though was the fact that it's a certified used vehicle (it was a company vehicle) and it came with a free 8 year/80,000 mile extended warranty plus towing/roadside assistance (flat tire; gas delivery; battery jump; lock-out service (keys locked in car; frozen lock; etc.); towing service (no matter where I am); car rental allowance; the CARFAX vehicle title history report; 3 free oil changes; 3 free motor vehicle inspections; and a free car wash whenever I bring it in for anything.. With the amount of driving that I do I seriously doubt that I'll reach the 80,000 mile mark before the extended warranty runs out.. The mileage is a tad high for a 2005 - 20,000 miles - but with the extended warranty, I'm really not worried about it..

It drives real nice - the stow and go seats are a breeze to deal with - has an am/fm stereo with cassette and CD both - heated mirrors; trip odometer and trip time; outside temp guage; power outlets in the front and back for DVD players and such; and a whole bunch of other things that I can't remember offhand..

Lots of safety features - ABS brakes; dual air bags; driver knees air bag; passenger air bag sensor; etc.

It's a very dark blue with a nice pin stripe down the sides.. Interior is med. gray seats; charcoal gray dash and such..

The weirdest thing about the whole deal though is that after my son-in-law haggled them down, I looked at the paper where it lists the "birthdate" of the car and it was 12/03 - which is my late DH's birthday! A sign maybe? I guess I'll find out soon.. I go to the bank tomorrow to pull the money out of my savings and barring any delays with the insurance company, I should have it back home here tomorrow night..

 

[babiesX2]

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[allboyz]

Well - you're not going to believe what I did! We found that one of the major car dealers in this area was open for a few hours this afternoon so we decided to wander over there while the Open House was going on here..

I bought a mini van!! Not a brand new one though - the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country - because I was able to get quite a few more bells and whistles (plus the stow and go seating) for $16,000(the haggling started at $18,000).. What really clinched it for me though was the fact that it's a certified used vehicle (it was a company vehicle) and it came with a free 8 year/80,000 mile extended warranty plus towing/roadside assistance (flat tire; gas delivery; battery jump; lock-out service (keys locked in car; frozen lock; etc.); towing service (no matter where I am); car rental allowance; the CARFAX vehicle title history report; 3 free oil changes; 3 free motor vehicle inspections; and a free car wash whenever I bring it in for anything.. With the amount of driving that I do I seriously doubt that I'll reach the 80,000 mile mark before the extended warranty runs out.. The mileage is a tad high for a 2005 - 20,000 miles - but with the extended warranty, I'm really not worried about it..

It drives real nice - the stow and go seats are a breeze to deal with - has an am/fm stereo with cassette and CD both - heated mirrors; trip odometer and trip time; outside temp guage; power outlets in the front and back for DVD players and such; and a whole bunch of other things that I can't remember offhand..

Lots of safety features - ABS brakes; dual air bags; driver knees air bag; passenger air bag sensor; etc.

It's a very dark blue with a nice pin stripe down the sides.. Interior is med. gray seats; charcoal gray dash and such..

The weirdest thing about the whole deal though is that after my son-in-law haggled them down, I looked at the paper where it lists the "birthdate" of the car and it was 12/03 - which is my late DH's birthday! A sign maybe? I guess I'll find out soon.. I go to the bank tomorrow to pull the money out of my savings and barring any delays with the insurance company, I should have it back home here tomorrow night..

That is great! Congrats!

 

[gomomgo]

Congrats! You got your price and a car that you are really excited about! Way to go!

 

[challada]

YEA! I am so glad you got everything you could want AND an even lower price! The best of both worlds! CONGRATS!