Buying Used Car - Does this sound like a good deal?

[EllenFrasier]

We are looking at a Town and Country mini-van. It's a 2005 with 60K+ miles on it and it looks in good condition. They are asking 11,995 for it at a dealer lot. We test drove it this morning and the dealer asked if we wanted to take it home overnight, so we did. It has a/c controls up front, right and left temp controls, rear a/c and heat controls, heated seats, leather seats, lots of power everything.
A couple things that bother me about this van.

1. He never mentioned that it was in an accident. I checked the CarFax and it was in an accident a couple years ago with damage to the rear bumper assembly and a tail lamp. Sounds like they backed into something or someone rearended them.
2. The van would not start when we went to go for a test drive - he had to charge the battery. I'm wondering how long this van as been there!
3. There are three compartments on the ceiling of the van. When opened, they look like they should hold a flat TV or DVD player, but there is nothing there. I asked him what they were for and he said for sunglass storage. I don't think so, but I didn't argue with him.

Do you think we should try to haggle the price down more because of these issues? The tires on it also look like they won't last more than a year and with winter coming we need good tires.

 

[kmvand1]

That price seems awful high, have you checked the KBB value? My sister purchased a 2009 T & C for $15k earlier this year.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

The top storage are just that storage. Some models had TV's, some had storage only. Price is way too high. An '05 should be under 10k

 

[Disney Commando]

I agree that the price is alittle on the high side. I'd do some more shopping around before rushing into anything. One thing I do is visit the lots on a Sunday when they are closed (don't know if it is the same in other states) Any cars I like I jot down the vin# and check Carfax on all of them when I get home (last van we bought I had 15 to check, after running them I was down to 3) Now if you have no tradein (you will do better selling it on your own) & can pay cash, the bargining is in your court Example- My wifes current Mini van is a 2002 Grand Caravan, we bought it 3yrs ago, the car dealer wanted $8900, I told him I'm not spending a penny over $7500.Tax & tags included, With no trade in and paying cash after going back and forth, and ready to walk out at any time, They came up with $7668 said that was the best they could do, extended my hand and said thanks for your time, he said your going to lose the van over $168, my reply your going to lose the sale over $168, Needless to say we got everything for $7500.

I guess what I'm trying to say car dealers are a high pressure environment, if you don't break under pressure, you can do well. I excel under pressure and love to see if I can break them I've went with many friends car shopping and they were amazed on the deals they got

Also near the end of the month is the best time to bargin (they all have a certian number of cars they want sold) GOOD LUCK

 

[C.Ann]

If I start talking about it, it will stir up a bunch of bad memories for me.. So - let me just tell you this.. I have a 2005 T&C with the stow 'n go seats - as well as extra package.. I have 28,000 miles on it.. I would NEVER buy another one - ever!

Please don't ask me for details.. I have finally reached a crucial point in the last 7 months or so where I don't let anger and bitterness about anything rule my life anymore.. I'm happier than I have been in years - and I don't want to relive the memories of those issues with my vehicle that I can't go back and change.. The past is the past - and that is where it will stay..

I would look for something else..

Good luck!

 

[minniefan65]

It sounds on the high side to me. Two (almost three) years ago we bought a 2005 Ford Freestar with around 25,000 miles on it for 14,000.

 

[EllenFrasier]

I've been looking on cars.com and there are quite a few vans from the same maker that are less money, so I hope to use that as a bargaining chip. I really hate haggling for lower prices, but I don't want to pay the sticker price.

 

[Belle5]

We are looking at a Town and Country mini-van. It's a 2005 with 60K+ miles on it and it looks in good condition. They are asking 11,995 for it at a dealer lot. We test drove it this morning and the dealer asked if we wanted to take it home overnight, so we did. It has a/c controls up front, right and left temp controls, rear a/c and heat controls, heated seats, leather seats, lots of power everything.
A couple things that bother me about this van.

1. He never mentioned that it was in an accident. I checked the CarFax and it was in an accident a couple years ago with damage to the rear bumper assembly and a tail lamp. Sounds like they backed into something or someone rearended them.
2. The van would not start when we went to go for a test drive - he had to charge the battery. I'm wondering how long this van as been there!
3. There are three compartments on the ceiling of the van. When opened, they look like they should hold a flat TV or DVD player, but there is nothing there. I asked him what they were for and he said for sunglass storage. I don't think so, but I didn't argue with him.

Do you think we should try to haggle the price down more because of these issues? The tires on it also look like they won't last more than a year and with winter coming we need good tires.

I wouldn't touch this vehicle with a ten foot pole!

 

[java]

Those compartment thingies are standard- we upgraded to have an entertainment package so the one in the front has a screen- the other ones are just little holders- sunglasses easy pass ect. so number 3 he is telling the truth on.

The not starting thing would bother me. I can't get onto Kelly blue book to see if that's a good price or not.

For the most part I'll say ours has been a good car. And yes I have backed into stuff- and I wouldn't call it an "accident" but I suppose if it caused enough damage to end up on a car fax I guess it should be told to you. Did you mention it to him? And what was his explanation?

 

[dyna]

Buying used car is like buyin a box of chocolates NEVER sure of what you gonna get. lol

 

[natenapril]

Buying used car is like buyin a box of chocolates NEVER sure of what you gonna get. lol

I just finished watching that movie!

I was going to suggest that I think the price is a little to high for the age and mileage. Please run the car through KBB and NADA if you haven't already to see what it books out for.

 

[cuterlt]

I just went through the used car buying thing, with some help from my Dis friends.
I would check edmunds, NADA and KBB. You will find a variety of price points. The dealer will bring out the highest (usually KBB) when negotiating, but do your research. With the issues you've cited, it sounds like the price is high, although I have not checked any of the above.
One thing I found incredibly helpful was going to www.cargurus.com. It was really helpful in not only finding the car I wanted, but figuring out what the price point was for similar cars, and what kind of deal I was getting.
Good luck! I hope you find what you want!

 

[SarahKate]

OP - your post says it all. You said there were things bothering you about the van and all of them are things that would make me RUN the other way. The cost sounds like wayyyyy too much for that van and in that year. I would want to know WHY that van has been sitting there so long without being started. And the accident thing would make me extremely leery as well! You have to go with your gut feeling, and I sense that you are truly bothered by this. Even though the dealer let you take it home, DON'T feel obligated to buy it just because of that. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Darcy03231]

When we were car shopping for a teen, she fell in love with a car at one place. Same thing, it wouldn't start and they had to put it on the charger to get it going. On the test drive the motor blew!

I'd run far far away from this van.

 

[quentina]

We are looking at a Town and Country mini-van. It's a 2005 with 60K+ miles on it and it looks in good condition. They are asking 11,995 for it at a dealer lot. We test drove it this morning and the dealer asked if we wanted to take it home overnight, so we did. It has a/c controls up front, right and left temp controls, rear a/c and heat controls, heated seats, leather seats, lots of power everything.
A couple things that bother me about this van.

1. He never mentioned that it was in an accident. I checked the CarFax and it was in an accident a couple years ago with damage to the rear bumper assembly and a tail lamp. Sounds like they backed into something or someone rearended them.
2. The van would not start when we went to go for a test drive - he had to charge the battery. I'm wondering how long this van as been there!
3. There are three compartments on the ceiling of the van. When opened, they look like they should hold a flat TV or DVD player, but there is nothing there. I asked him what they were for and he said for sunglass storage. I don't think so, but I didn't argue with him.

Do you think we should try to haggle the price down more because of these issues? The tires on it also look like they won't last more than a year and with winter coming we need good tires.

For #4, that is standard on the mid-grade minivan. I bought one with this same thing, it is the caseing to hold the tv's, they are just not there. We put our own in for $500 versus the upgrade which was close to $4000( Next price point when we were buying)

 

[Mono~rail]

I have an '05 Dodge Grand Caravan. Basically same car as the Town and Country. We bought ours new. The battery that came with the car was absolute garbage. I can't even count how many times that battery gave me problems. My dh is a cheapskate and thought jumping it off each and everytime was just fine and dandy. I finally got tired of it and went to walmart and bought a new one. Never had a problem since. The car may be driven but if it has the original battery that may be the problem.

The storage compartments are really storage compartments. We have the video system so one of ours in a screen, but we have 3 more of the storage compartments.

 

[happily single]

Not too sure if the price is too high. Use NADA as that is primiarly what insurance companies use in determining value.

As far as the accident-I'm sure the salesman didn't know about it. Either the car lot took it as a trade in or they bought it at auction. No biggie to me

As far as the battery not starting-have you ever had a car not start? Of course. Anything could have happened-the last test drive left a light on, the door open, or yes, maybe it has sat on the lot for several weeks. Again, no biggie. I know a very reputable and large new car dealer and HE has cars that sit on his lot for months.

Remember you are buying a used vehicle. Its not going to be in brand new condition. I wouldn't let the little things bother me.

 

[wmharley]

if the car is on a lot for a bit without driving, then the battery can fail. no biggie.

I'd not get that car personally.

However there is info missing.

Is this the BASE car, the LIMITED, the LX or the TOURING?

All will have various price points. Is there power slider doors on both sides?

I priced in our area the Limited and LX. Limited with power sliders was $13K retail and about 10K+ for clean trade-in.

the LX was about slightly under $12K for retail and $9K for tradein (clean).

YMMV

 

[brivers222]

The price seems a bit steep for a 2005...

The item that worries me is the lake of knowledge (or sharing) by the dealer about the accident.... I would think that would be something that they would know, especially if something is listed on the carfax.

My fiancees car got rear ended...pushed into another car and her car was in the shop for 2 weeks with front a rear rebuilds.... all carfax says is rear damage.

From what i remember the storage compartments are just storage unless you get the options with the dvd/tv screens

 

[moongirl]

To see what other dealers are actually selling similar vehicles for, search on Autotrader.com. Search a big radius so you get a lot of hits. When I search I select to show only dealers and not private party sales. KBB is a good start but that may not be what these vehicles are really selling for.