Starting the search (Winter Car)

[DuSpinnst]

So today the search for a deal on a Winter car begun (Corvette will be garaged from mid-November until mid-April). I visited a Chrysler dealer (since they are my customer at work and I have to go to CTC a Chrysler vehicle is preferred as I don't have to walk a bazillion miles in the winter to get inside).

So I was looking at Jeep Grand Cherokee's, Commander's and Dodge Dakota's. All of them where costly for leases, even with supplier discounts and rebates up the yin-yang.

I am going to talk to the guy at the Chrysler dealer again, and if he can explain to me how he quoted me $100 over what they have in the paper ($40 of the $100 is probably lease loyalty I don't qualify for, but the other $60 alludes me) then we might have a deal.

If not, the search will continue.

[CadiEldo67]

You have much better taste in winter vehicles than I do. I was going to settle on a 2000 Chrysler Sebring LXi (Loaded w/ 150K) for $1500 and call it a day. In the end, I drove one of my parent's vehicles. I would go with either the Grand Cherokee, or possibly a new Liberty, although I haven't checked those out yet.

[DuSpinnst]

I looked at good condition used vehicles (5-8 years old) and I found that anything I liked (condition wise) was in the $8-10k range. Which is $225-$275 for a 36 month period (I figure a car that old, and the use I'd get out of it would last 3 years without significant investment). So I started looking at leases (because I'd rather have a new car).

Liberty's have good rates, but they have NO dead pedal (we have one at work as a pool car) and thus my left leg gets extremely uncomfortable.

I am trying to get a GC 4X4 for around $225-$250 a month with $0 down (other than first payment, taxes, fees, etc)

[lio45]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I am trying to get a GC 4X4 for around $225-$250 a month with $0 down (other than first payment, taxes, fees, etc)

Wow.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by lio45

Wow.

The guy quoted me like $340 for it when I walked in the door.

I'd really like a $150-$200 a month lease, but those deals don't seem to be out there with what I qualify for.

A 10-15 year old sub $5000 beater won't cover it. I refuse to drive something older and cheaper than my (former) 1997 Grand Am.

[rmodys]

Well I think you should buy something fuel-efficient and keep it down here in Sunny Florida for me to use when it's not winter... I dunno, just throwing it out there.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Decomissioned police force Impala!

[DuSpinnst]

I pick up the GC tomorrow

$275 for 36 months, 10,500 miles/year. Not as good of a deal as I'd like, but considering the sticker was $31k and the residuals blow on Chrysler's I think it is good enough.

[BrickTamland]

Damn...

If I hear about you or your dad buying one more car, I'm gonna just...I don't know; be jealous.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Damn...

If I hear about you or your dad buying one more car, I'm gonna just...I don't know; be jealous.

I think we are done for a LONG time. So no more new cars here until at least 30 months from now.

[rmodys]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I think we are done for a LONG time. So no more new cars here until at least 30 months from now.

LOL is two and a half years a long time to go without getting a new car? You guys are crazy! Or maybe that's the jealousy kicking in...

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by rmodys

LOL is two and a half years a long time to go without getting a new car? You guys are crazy! Or maybe that's the jealousy kicking in...

We've gotten new cars pretty consistently since the mid-90's. My mom got a 98 Regal (in 1998), then my dad had a 99 S-10 (in 1999), a dad got a 2001 Aurora (in 2001), mom got a 2001 Alero (in 2001), I got a 2004 Malibu (in 2004), dad got a 2005 Envoy (in 2004), mom got a 2004 530i (in 2005) I got a 2007 Saab (in 2006), dad got a 2006 Saab (in 2006), then the 4 cars we got recently in 2007-2008

[chaseabryant]

so... Why did you choose something so big and gas-hungry? I know that the price wasn't anything too bad, but why not something like the Caliber, Magnum, Nitro, or even a Wrangler....

I mean, yes, they aren't the most fantastic, (actually, I really like the Magnum to be honest) and they aren't as gas-hungry as the Grand Cherokee. Honestly, it is just your winter vehicle, and the Corvette's cool-factor more than makes up for the not-so-coolness that comes along with some of the others.

I know you probably have your reasons, but something this expensive just sort of doesn't make sense since it is a vehicle that may not be used for months at a time...

-Chase

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

so... Why did you choose something so big and gas-hungry? I know that the price wasn't anything too bad, but why not something like the Caliber, Magnum, Nitro, or even a Wrangler....

I mean, yes, they aren't the most fantastic, (actually, I really like the Magnum to be honest) and they aren't as gas-hungry as the Grand Cherokee. Honestly, it is just your winter vehicle, and the Corvette's cool-factor more than makes up for the not-so-coolness that comes along with some of the others.

I know you probably have your reasons, but something this expensive just sort of doesn't make sense since it is a vehicle that may not be used for months at a time...

-Chase

Nitro was out because it has a bazillion blind spots, no dash, and no dead pedal.

Wranglers are EXPENSIVE!

Caliber is only bearable with the Manual, and while I would have gotten one (a Manual that is) my parents preferred that I didn't. Also it has no telescoping wheel, and the seat is a tight fit.

Magnum, I like, and I looked at them. But versus the GC I saw no advantages for the Magnum and a lower ride height and a general lack of AWD models (on the lot).

GC comes with a power seat standard, and the EVIC system in the dash, power one touch up/down windows (the Corvette doesn't have one touch up which is annoying!), and apparently 1 year of free Sirius.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

...my parents preferred that I didn't.

That's a very good reason. Can't argue against that.