Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Need some advice about buying a mini van

Mmmm... Mazda5 or maybe MPV with the 3L Duratec.

Although if I had a crap load of kids, I might go with the Honda. Beats the hell out of a 78MPG Suburban.

i don't particly care about chevy's but if you can link me to the 78mpg suburban i might take another look

A friend of my parents went from a '97 Windstar to an '05 Sienna and he has already had more problems with the Sienna than he had with the Windstar. However, none of them have been major.
He now wishes he would have gotten the Chrysler with the Stow-n-Go though.

Ok had a long day at the dealership's. I did give Honda and Nissan another look.

Nissan has 2%apr on 60 months. MSRP was $41,xxx and dealer cost was $43,495. All they would come down was to $39,400. So with gap protection, extended warranty and TTL(tags,title,licenses) it was back up to around $43,500 + the 2%APR = $45,747.60(No used on lot or to be found that filled my wants)

Honda has no special financing offers. MSRP was $39,800 dealer cost was $41,695. They came down to $36,200. So with gap protection, extended warranty and TTL it was back to around $40,300 the best APR they could offer was 5%. So total was $45,630.60.(And they would have to order it 3 month wait and once again no used on lot or to be found that filled my wants)

Chrysler has the 0%APR + $750 rebate for owner loyalty. MSRP was $37,650 dealer cost was $39,145. They came down to $33,849(plus running boards, wing, uconnect, door entry guards) so with gap protection, extended warranty and TTL it was 37,999.86 and no APR. (story posted earlier about the used T&C)

So long story short I bought the T&C. Out of the three dealers I went to today the Chrysler people were the most willing to sell a vehicle. Could be they knew more so than the others that I was a serious buyer and not just looking around. But with the price drop and the extras added in free I could not pass it up. They said the extras would cost me nearly $1,300 if I bought them. So I see that as total price around $36,699.86. All and all I am more than happy with my purchase I feel I go the best van for my family and at the best price. Thanks to all who have posted and helped me out.

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Mmmm... Mazda5 or maybe MPV with the 3L Duratec.

Although if I had a crap load of kids, I might go with the Honda. Beats the hell out of a 78MPG Suburban.

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Think he meant 78MPT. That is Miles Per Tank!

Congrats on the new van! Looks like you negotiaged a pretty good selling price, below invoice before rebates.

I have a 2005 T&C Touring (no options) on a lease right now and absolutely love it. Best riding vehicle I've owned. Front seats are comfortable for my 45 minnute commute and I once drove for 9 hours straight (one stop for fuel/food) without any back problems. The middle seats are fine for a few hour trip, but the rear is better. There is more torque under 4500rpm than the Odyssey, but short one gear. Everyday driving is more than adequate and it cruises efortlessly in the 80-90mph range.

I have put about 19k miles on it in 14 months. We've had zero dealer visits, although we got a RSB/recall for an AC line repair that it needs to go in for. I wouldn't buy a DCX vehicle before about 2003 for their transmission problems, but wouldn't have a problem buying most of them now. Their trany quality has increased tremendously in the last few years by both internal (my wife works in powertrain durability) and external tests & quality reports.

I have two pickup trucks and still use the Stow N Go more often for cargo except for heavy or dirty stuff. We had a Pacifica for about 6 months that we liked to drive better, but it pales in comparison to the cargo space and usefulness of the sliding doors now that we have a kid. The minivan is overkill most of the time, but a mid-sized sedan with similar equipment wouldn't cost any less.

I won't get into the Ody & Sienna. They are both excellent vehicles. There are some exclusive features on all three of them. Resale percentages are higher, but maybe not compared to actual selling prices with DCX's historicly large rebates. I would have taken a serious look at the 2007 Entourage, though. Great value. I think it's a new benchmark in many areas for minivans, but not offered with as much equipped as your new T&C Limited.

Sorry I missed this post earlier. I wish I could have given a little advice. DCX is bringing a new minivan out for 2008 that I would have waited for. That's one reason why I leased. I also would have chosen the cash rebate instead of the 0% finance rate. The difference in payment on $35k is a couple bucks more, but there are many more benefits that I won't explain now since your deal is done.

BTW, my sister has a 2005 T&C Touring, two coworkers have 2005 a DGC SXT & T&C Touring and my brother got a crazy lease special ($3300 OTD 2y/24k) on a 2006 T&C Touring. One has had a couple problems with the A/C and a bad dealer, but otherwise flawless.

I hope you make many memories in your new van.