[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]

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]

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.

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

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]

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.

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

 

[DuSpinnst]

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

Yea, my mom wants to be able to "borrow" my second car in case hers has to be serviced or something and my dad's VUE is not available.

I suspect that the Z4 will be sitting in the garage a LOT.

 

[Astra RL]

The grand cherokee is a good choice
Are you enjoying your 2 liter bottle cupholders in the back seat? they are probably the largest cupholders I have ever seen.
any pics yet?

 

[chaseabryant]

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.

That makes quite a bit of sense! You may have to talk to your mom about borrowing the BMW every once in a while during the winter...

-Chase

 

[DuSpinnst]

That makes quite a bit of sense! You may have to talk to your mom about borrowing the BMW every once in a while during the winter...

-Chase

Only if she gets new tires. The Eagle RS-A's she has are garbage in snow and ice.

 

[mbukukanyau]

Turbo X sportcombi