Chrysler Pacifica Prices Paid and Buying Experience

rsharp

Yes, you loose some warranty time buying a program car. but you also loose the HUGE depreciation hit you take when you drive a new car off the lot for the first time. in the case of the overpriced and option loaded '04 Pacificas that is a major factor. For example I found a loaded ($41K new) Pac with 21K miles for less that $29K. That is a lot of savings. I found a lesser equipped one with 17K miles for less than $26K. Remember the two rules of car buying: cars are always an expense never an investment, New car value drops by thousands of dollars the second you drive it away.

bjbird2

My local paper has a NEW 2004 Pacifica listed with a $3000 rebate and $5701 off MSRP, for a final price of $23,999, with 0 down. It's probably the base model, but it's still a very good deal.

parrothead3300

Bought my new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica FWD w/ "R" Package at Kernersville (NC) Chrysler Dodge on 3/28. Listed for $37,300 plus installation of hitch platform, 7-wire harness, and chrome exhaust tip. Traded a 2000 Chrysler Concorde LXi w/ 91K miles, a bad fuel pump, and a leaking head gasket. Including everything, traded for $27,500 turnkey (3% sales tax in NC). I was satisfied based on what I learned from Edmonds and Kelly Blue Book websites. Dealer salesperson - and, best I can tell, everyone else there - has never read the manual to the vehicle. They gave me some bad answers on what the vehicle could and could not do (they were completely ignorant of the EVIC programming features; thought break-in was 500, not 300 miles; insisted that 3,000 service frequency was a requirement for warranty to remain valid - it isn't; had no knowledge of PIN number for keys or key codes, either). Could go on and on, but you get the jist of it. From this website, I learned how important it is to read the manual - and I can tell you, the car can virtually be custom fit to your personal idiosyncrasies if you read the book! Thanks to all who stressed that. Have about 2500 miles on the car so far; getting about 21.5 mpg which seems great to me considering the weight of the vehicle. Using 89 octane fuel as suggested in the manual, not 87 octane. Understand the complaints about "lack of power"; it ain't a rocket, but it goes plenty fast for me accelerating into traffic streams, passing, etc. I'm pleased. The quiet is fantastic; the comfort of the driver's seat is superb; the feel of the road as you firmly glide along is just great. VERY sure footed. I love the vehicle!!

imidazol97

The engine is supposed to increase compression as the rings seat. The maximum compression on some motors is reached at about 5000 miles. That's when it might need the 89 octane most. Then after that it should need it less.

BUT it should adapt to 87 by spark retard, which most people would never notice. There's something wrong if you're getting knocking or pinging on 87.
See your dealer. It could be your gas in your area is formulated so that it causes that.

bshelljeep

I bought my Inferno Red AWD Pacifica with chrome wheels for $27,216 after the $3,000 rebate. MSRP was $33,955 and invoice was $31,140. I normally buy slightly used cars, but in this case it made sense to buy new because even the used Pacificas are so new. I just wasn't finding the typical depreciation and it didn't seem worth it to me to only get a couple thousand dollars off for a used car. One word of caution, if you are seeing used FWD Pacificas for less than $26,000 as reported in post #313, it may for the Premium, not Luxury model. The premium model doesn't come with side airbags, fog lights, auto headlights, EVIC, adjustable pedals, etc. Edmunds and all of you were invaluable to me when making my purchase. I knew much more than the salesman thanks to you and was able to buy my Pacifica and trade my jeep knowing I was not ripped off! In one case, I had a salesman say to me, "That's what you want to pay for a $33,000 car?" when I told him my price. I just walked out- I wasn't going to waste my time being treated like an idiot-it happened to be the dealer where I originally bought the jeep I was trading- their loss! Thanks again!

fms1

Bought my new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica FWD w/ "R" Package at Gillman Chrysler Dodge on 3/20. Listed for $37,820 purchased for $33,900 before rebate. Vehicle has everything except sunroof, heated seats and high-intensity headlights. Shopped around for about three weeks and sent out a number of price request. Couldn't find a vehicle that had only equipment we wanted and ended up purchasing one with more. But, I think we got a great deal and the folks at the dealership are great. Best transaction and experience I've ever had and at 50, I've had a few.

fulldomination

If i were to buy a pac with leather, sunroof, and heated seats, what would be the average price of purchase after talking the dealer down? With a car costing this much, would it be better to take zerop percent or the rebate? email me at mac_jaggy@hotmail.com

Sylvia

Please post those prices here so everyone benefits!

Reminder - posting your email address in the discussions leaves you open to getting on SPAM lists. If you want your email address available to others, simply mark it private in your profile.

mellis

Got a 2004 Pacifica AWD last week. MSRP $35,550, my cost $29,144. Following options:

- 17" Chrome Clad Aluminum Alloy Wheels
- Power Glass Sunroof
- Infinity Intermezzo Surround Sound System
- Inferno Red Tinted Pearlcoat Paint

Mark

gfunk99

quick question,

currently, there exists a $3000 rebate on the pacifica valid until 03/31/2004. anyone know if this rebate will continue through April, will increase, disappear, etc? thanks.

lynzee

Hi everyone! I am working on a deal for a 2004 Pac AWD Inferno Red pearl Coat, Leather, Front & side air bags, Adj. Pedals,Power everything, Heated seats (4), moonroof, power rear gate, 6 disc cd/ w DVD infinity speaker system, chrome wheels, dual air, hope I didn't leave anything out. List 37,195.00 Dealer Dis. 1,711.00, Rebate 3,000.00 Net price 32,484.00
I have not yet started any dialog w/ my sales person, just wanted price to start with. Suggestions Wanted!!!! Thanks All!
Lynzee

vsroman

Ask your dealer to fax you the invoice. Compare what his discounted selling price is compared to the dealer invoice (NOT MSRP). If it is more than 300 over, your dealer is asking too much IMHO. I recently paid 400 below the dealer invoice. You can't just use the invoice on edmunds because of regional marketing fees the dealer must pay in addition to the actual invoice cost as shown on edmunds. It is usually a few hundred. If you're not in love with that particular car or getting the price I described above, read my earlier post (MESSAGE 300) and maybe my method will work for you.

By the way, that price of around invoice is BEFORE your rebate. You will actually pay around 3000 BELOW dealer invoice or even a little better. Remember, you are working from DEALER INVOICE not LIST or MSRP.

And don't forget to get the free oil change coupons!

Good Luck. It is a great car...we love it so far!

vipers969

Hello, my name is Chuck. My wife and I purchased our Pacifica about three weeks ago. I hope I got a good deal. Here is the run down:

Build date: 07/07/03
Miles: 17
Color: Silver with Dark Gray Cloth.
It is the "Luxury Model" $1,705.00 package.
MSRP: $31,230.00
DISCOUNT: ($2012.00) (At Invoice)
DISCOUNT: ($425.00) (Below Invoice)
TRADE-IN: ($17,600) (2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4)

CASH
DIFFERENCE: $11,193.00

TAX LIC: $807.00
BAL ON JEEP: $20,500.00
LESS REBATE: ($3,000.00)

TOTAL FINANCED: $29,500.00

I did not like taking a hit on my Jeep, but we seriously needed more room. I think I did pretty well with the purchase price of the Pacifica, but got my rebate pretty well absorbed by my balance owed on the Jeep.

       

 

steelydan0613

steelydan0613

I purchased my Chrysler Pacifica on January 27, 2004 . Here are the details:

2004 Chrysler Pacifica 26R Package, White with Taupe Leather, Note: the 26R package has quite a few desirable options....................

Note : I had no trade, and the dealers in Houston, Tx. were definitely willing to negotiate. I am happy to report that I purchased my 26R Pacifica with factory leather for $25,700 plus the usual t,t&L...............

The dealer was: DeMontrond.com, Conroe Tx.

DeMontrond AutoCountry, Conroe, Tx.

mzmarlo

Has anyone tried a lease to own program? I am considering it, but I have never leased a vehicle before. I know I am going to burn right through the alotted gas miles for a lease, but I want the low monthly payments that a lease offers. It seems the lease to own is one way to go, but unfortunately I am unsure if this is the be$t way to go. Any thoughts or experience?

ms_mayor

Years ago, when I got my Volvo, we did just that. No money for a downpayment, but knew we'd end up keeping the car.

We had a reasonable lease payment, and since it was a Volvo (great reputation for longevity), we leased for 72 months. At the end, we had gone over miles (but not by much), and our residual ended up being $4,000 LESS than the KBB value of the car.

For us, it worked out great.

sspoert

Just decided to look into the pac. Looks very nice. I have read in past posts to avoid purchasing a pacifica before mnfgr. date of august. can anyone tell why and what to avoid. I talked to a salesman today that will sell me a fully loaded 04 for $1,000 under cost with a $3,000 rebate and 0.0% financing. can this be real, almost too good to be true. or he will sell me a 05 for $1,000 under cost period. I understand the cost was reduced, but the 04 seems to be the route to take any input soon would be appreciated. I will probably be buy one very soon.
thanks

slam

I believe the earlier production model had several recalls (Fuel System and Power Train). You can search the recalls at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm.

I would also recommend getting the VIN of the vehicle you're interested and run a search at Chrysler site for recalls at http://www.chrysler.com/webselfservice/chrysler/index.jsp?screenName=recall&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29.

I'm not sure if this was the best deal but we were able to purchase a Pac last week at 1% below invoice before the rebate ($3000 cash or $2000 cash/0% financing) with the DaimlerChrylser Affiliate Rewards program. We went with an 04 due to the incentives.

Hope this helps!

hillfla

Don't know if all dealers want you to know this but mine has been very forthcoming. I have not bought my Pacifica yet but via email and phone calls I already have a deal worked out that is 3% below invoice BEFORE the rebates. And I won't be paying any dealer fees either.
So the full deal is you get employee pricing, no dealer fee, and the incentives. The incentives are $3000 or 0% financing or $2000 with 0.9% financing.

My salesman has told me that all Chrysler dealers have been authorized by the manufacturer to offer "green sheets" for any customer. This is on 2004s only I believe.
The Green Sheet is the Chrysler employee price. The only catch is that your dealer must go get a green sheet from an factory employee. The dealer I am working with has had no problems doing this. I also talked to another dealer about 100 miles away to see if they could match. They told me they had their manager working on getting a "green sheet" for me. So see, it can be done if you ask! And the money you save is well worth it. And it also automatically gets rid of the $99 "dealer processing fee" as well.

If you want to mention specifics, tell your dealer that Reuthers in St Louis is advertising (and they have ads in the paper every weekend that states this), that they will give Green Sheet pricing to all customers.

I will end up paying $32,700 for a fully loaded 2004 AWD that retails for $40,400.

Good luck!

vikd

...Chrysler's EP price is actually 6.0% under invoice. I know this because I have a freind that is an accountant for DCC and I may be using one of his vouchers to purchase an '04 Pac. Nevertheless, youre still getting an excellent price on your fully loaded Pac! Congrats!

Regards... Vikd

hillfla

Thank you for that info. I will ask my dealer once the Pacifica actually arrives on the lot. (its lost somewhere in Canada but thats another story!). Maybe because they are offering the green sheet to an off-the-street customer that is all they can offer. Either way, I am still not complaining but if I can get the 6% I'll take it!

northstar

I'm sure others have received better deals, but I wanted to pass along a nice buying experience. After studying Edmunds, I decided to make inquiries through internet sales departments, rather than going to
the lot directly. I live in the Minneapolis area.
     I received many replies, about half were actual price quotes, the
rest were an invite to call or visit the lot. I'd been pretty specific
about the vehicle and options I wanted, so there would be no reason not
to just give me a price.
    One dealership, Walser in Hopkins touted it's no-negotiation "we just give you the lowest price" way of prices.
   After talking with some other dealerships and comparing what they actually could get in stock, Walser did, in fact, turn out to have the lowest price on the vehicle with options I wanted.
   The internet sale manager did not try to sell me options I didn't want, or talk me into a higher priced vehicle.
    He treated me with respect, and did not say anything dumb
like "you really look good in that car". (Being female, that has happened in the past, to which I reply, I really don't care how I look in the car, I care about the car). I decided to buy the vehicle at a bit more than $6000 below MSRP. It was a few hundred below what Edmunds TMV pricing was for the Pacifica with the options I wanted.
       They played no games with my trade-in... their appraiser looked
it over while I was test driving the new car. The price they offered
was a few hundred above what Edmunds site estimated, and about what I
thought a dealership would offer me based on Kelly Blue Book and condition of the car. They explained their offer, and what they would be doing to my trade in to sell it. Everything they said was exactly what I would have done to the car had I kept it.
    Their offer was separate from the deal on the new Pacifica. That is, even if I didn't buy the new car, they would write me a check and buy my old car if I wanted to sell it to them.
    The finance manager was cordial, no pressure. I asked him
about extended warranty. (I brought it up.. not him. I've had horrible experiences with guys practically trying to bully me into buying the extended warranty). He gave the price, a brochure, and said I could
purchase it now, if I wanted, or anytime within the 3 yr regular warranty time frame.
       I apologize for the lengthy posting, but this was the most
no pressure, pleasant car buying experience I've ever had. The
internet salesperson (I know I'm not supposed to mention names) and
the finance person were professional, straightforward and a pleasure to deal with. I was expecting this to be an ordeal, and it was great.
If my experience with the car and servicing is just as great, I'll be one happy camper!

gatsby

We recently went to Carmax in Atlanta (about 7 hours from us) to purchase our '04 Pacifica in midnight blue with the following:

17" Chrome Clad Aluminum Alloy Wheels
Navigation System w/GPS
Power Glass Sunroof
Rear Seat Video System
Leather Seats
Infinity Intermezzo Surround Sound System
6-Disc In-Dash CD/DVD Player
Heated Seats Group
Power Liftgate
Quick Order Package

MSRP of $38,410 ... our price was $30,569 (with $3k rebate). We shopped at local dealerships for weeks, and ended up completely frustrated at the time we wasted there. We sold our van at a used Carmax dealership near our hometown, flew to Atlanta the next morning, signed the papers and drove our new car home. It was a breeze. When I told the local dealers about the deal we were going to get, they practically made fun of me for believing it ... they said it was too good to be true. I'm so tempted to drive my new car into one of their lots along with my buyers invoice just to show them!

Does anyone else have a Carmax buying experience?

ruski

just show your dealholes the CarMax website.

cmorgen

Looking at AWD Pacifica. This Pacifica has leather seats, power moonroof, power liftgate, Infinity Intermezzo sound system, 6 disc cd changer and chrome, alloy wheels.

This was the owners demo and should have about 4-5,000 miles on it. List is $37,310, invoice is $34,586 and dealership's first offeris $29,995 after rebate, plus taxes and fees.

ramzey28

The offer looks high. Seeing that most new awd pacs are selling for about 7k atleast under msrp with rebate and his car has 5k miles already on it. I would say you should look for around 27500 would be a good deal, might get them lower.

tjnb

As I see it now you can get $4000 cash or $1000 and 0% financing. Didn't it use to $2000 plus 0% financing? So now it is worse than is was before?

Hmm!

hillfla

I bought my Pacifica at the end of April and I was able to choose from $3000 cash OR 0% OR $2000 and 0.9%. I don't think they ever offered $2000 plus 0%. But 0.9% sure isn't bad!

tjnb

That is what I meant. So they do have $3000 cash back with 0.9% it sounds like

tfuder

We were in the market for a Honda Pilot, and decided we just couldn't plunk down $30K for a new car right now. Just when I'd given up hope of getting a good vehicle, I bought a Midnight Blue Pacifica - but there's a story behind it...

I found a New, 2004 Pacifica in Michigan with 326 miles on it. However, it'd been dinged in the passenger's front (broke the headlight, bumper, and fender). Turns out, someone got into a fender-bender WHILE TEST DRIVING the car! Since the car dealership realized they couldn't sell it as a "new" car anymore, they explained it to the insurance company, which totalled it, and sold it for salvage.

This car still had the window sticker in the window ("R" package with the MSRP of $31,230). It still had the tab on the glove box ("Your manuals are in here!").

The price? $12,600.00 I have to get it fixed, but the parts actually aren't that bad (except the healight assembly), and I've got friends who do body work. I figure, after it's all fixed and painted, I'll have about $16K or $17K in it.

I'm so excited I can't sleep - I test drove one at the local dealership (it had 343 miles on it...haha), and just loved it. It's technically going to be my wife's car, but I can see us taking LOTS of road trips in it (since she likes for me to drive when we're together, and being a control freak, so do I...LOL).

I know that, since the car will technically have a salvage title, I get no warranty on it - that's the only part that sucks for me. The TSB's and Recalls still have to be fixed by the dealer, and I'll just have to put aside what I saved doing it this way to cover any unexpected mechanical breakdowns.

lee_w

Wow!!! Sounds like you got a great deal! Those are the kind of bargains I like! Hope you can sleep soon?

atxboy

On Sat 5/15 I had something happen to me that I would not believe but for having to go thru it. I rec'd a quote from the internet manager of a chrysler dealership in San Antonio Tex. I had previously dealt with this person when he was in fleet sales and he recalled my name and offered me an 05 Pacifica with sunroof, power liftgate, leather, 26T pkg, chrome wheels for $27.1 K (he offered to give me the $3000 off the 05 that was being offered on the 04's-the $3000 was off invoice). With CHrysler financing I would have paid $26.1K + TTL-one hell of a deal. He talked to the sales mgr at the dealership informed him of the deal and told him I'd be down to buy the car. I called the sales mgr, told him I was coming, referenced the internet mgr's information and headed down to buy the car. Of course once I showed up no one at the dealership wanted to honor the deal-this despite me having a printed copy of the email indicated the car by stock number, sticker price, and the details of the offer along with the name of the sales mgr and the conversation b/w the sales mgr and internet mgr. They tried to sell me the 05 at $1500 off invoice and the internet financing and then tried to sell that as matching the $3000 off-apparently they didn't think I could add since this meant I'd be paying $1500 more for the car than what had been promised. They then tried to steer me towards an 04 without the sunroof, power liftgate, and 6CD changer and offered to discount about $6500 off sticker but still more than an internet offer I had received from another dealership in San Antonio for an 04 for a similarly equipped car. I asked that they come down at least $600 more (which would match the price of the car at the other dealership) effort, and the fact I would be getting a vehicle with fewer options than that promised. They refused so we walked out.

All this despite them reading the email and the sale mgr referenced in the email knowing what had been originally promised. I've now decided not only not to buy a Pacifica or any other chrysler product in the future but I'm writing a letter to the dealership, the corporate offices and whoever else I can think of the complain about this treatment. I'm also considering legal action given the apparent deception and failure to honor a written offer. ABsolute worst experience with a car dealershop. No wonder chrysler is losing money and their vehicles are sitting on the lot unsold. Do not buy from Ancira Chrysler Jeep, Hwy 281 North in San Antonio. I mention the location b/c there's another Ancira delearship in San Antonio (IH-10) that has been good to deal with and I don't want people to confuse the two. I've written the internet mgr to update him since he had asked that I let him know how it went after I visitied the dealership and tried out the car. I'm sure he'd apprecite the sales mgr's comments that the internet guys just sit in their offices and don't know what's going on on the lot. What a bunch of losers, don not buy from them.

I've now decided to buy a Honda Accord EX-V6 sedan-at least I know it's reliable, trouble-free, and holds its value. I was willing to forego all that b/c I really liked the Pacifica but after this experience they can consider me another future non-chrysler buyer! Sorry for the long post but this is just unbelieveable....

steelydan0613

Sorry you had a bad experience, but it sounds like sour grapes to me, and you could have made a deal somewhere else. I got a nice deal and was treated fairly by DeMontrond Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Conroe, Tx.

The kind of experience you had, while unfortunate, is repeated daily at other car maker dealerships across the country. I really like my Pacifica, and I am still trying to imagine how you went from the Pacifica to a Honda Accord. What happened to the Pilot/Odyssey twins? I fail to follow your reasoning here, other than you were so mad you couldn't see straight..............

atxboy

Sour grapes? No, how about a response to poor customer service. You may have gotten a good deal with your car but I did not like how I was treated at the dealership I dealt with. As for going to the Accord-I have a 2 door Accord now that has been trouble free and a joy to drive. I was originally considering an Accord sedan when I saw the rebates on the Pacifica. Agreed it's a nice car but it is sluggish and it's a Chrysler (more prone to recall and problems than a Honda and lower resale value). That said, after dealing with this dealership I've decided to do what most consumers should, spend my money elsewhere and with a different product. My wife has a new Toyota 4Runner so I didn't have to buy a bigger vehicle-thus, the Accord will suit me just fine. Again, glad you worked yours out but don't you dare refer to my reaction as sour grapes. It's called consumer choice and a response to poor service and a failure to abide by an offer.

bjbird2

Chrysler is not losing money. they're actually one of the bright spots in the DC "partnership". The new models (Pacifica, Crossfire, 300, PT convertible) are selling relatively well. The dealers can't keep the 300's on the lot, a similar situation to the PT when it was introduced.

ruski

so again, why were you looking at a Pacifica? Just to find something negative to post about it?

I mean you don't need another SUV-like vehicle because your wife already has a 4-runner. And you want something small and somewhat quick, like your Accord.

It sounds like you arrived to the Chrysler dealer with prejudice.

atxboy

You aren't obviously paying attention or don't read very well-I went in to buy the vehicle. it was only after getting screwed around by the dealership that I decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Again, if I don't believe a business has treated me fairly as a customer, then I go somewhere else. Since the PAcifica wasn't a "gotta have or I'll die vehicle" then it was very easy for me to go buy a top of the line Accord without the hassle I got at Chrysler. We have since talked to general mgr of the dealership who has apologized profusely and offered to make it up to us. Nonetheless, as I said originally, treat me badly as a customer and I spend my money elsewhere. That's all my post was about-bad customer service by a Chrysler dealership. If you happen to read the road test about the PAcifica you'd notice that they also experienced poor customer service. Hopefully it's not a widespread issue for Chrysler dealerships. Best of luck to you PAcifica owners who had a good experience but I will not be driving a Chrysler product anytime in the forseeable future. As for me looking for something negative to post, I have better things to do than simply wait around to post bad things about chrysler. We owned a 99 T&C before trading it last week for the 4Runner. Had nothing but good things to say about it or the dealership we delat with when buying it. But this last experience left a bad taste in my mouth. And unfortunately they pulled this scam on an attorney so right now I'm off to write to the corporate HQ about this matter.

imidazol97

I'll bet DC headquarters is going to get right on that dealership to straighten out how they negotiate with customers...

They'll probably send an investigator out!!!

Grin.

If you think DC is unresponsive, wait until you have a problem with your Honda!!! Go read the customer service complaints in the various Accord discussions here.

bjbird2

The service I've received at our local Chrysler dealer, Goeke Chrysler in Noblesville Indiana, is better than the service at the local Infiniti dealer, and the VW dealer, all of which I bought cars from. The buying experience was very good at the dealer, and they keep following up with perks like free car washes at the premium local car wash, and free oil changes even though they gave me 3 years of free oil changes when I bought the Pacifica. The dealer also had a premier night for customers when the 300, PT convertible and Crossfire convertible were introduced with live music, food and wine, free newly minted silver coins and 24 hour test drives.
Little things, but they all make the experience more enjoyable.

therasmus

Hello, I have been living overseas for about 7 years and just recently retired from the Air Force and I am living in Germany. I am looking at buying a new Pacifica and i am getting a quote of $31,348 AWD 2004 model, i also have include smokers package $27.00, Power liftgate $372.00 and Leather interior $829.00. I also would get a $3500 rebate, so all together: $29,076 (minus the rebate), well you think thats what i am getting........wait!! the overseas Army Air Force Exchange car sales is also adding
$449.00 for Ziebart "Overseas Vehicle Protection" (What is this??, how much does this cost you guys back in the states??) $680.00 for U.S. Inland Freight Charge (Again, what does your dealership charge??), $195.00 Stock Storage Charge, $175.00 Customer Delivery Charge (Show Car), and on and on and on for a total of $2880.00 So much for my $3500 rebate!!! What a joke. Please give me an idea of what you pay other than just the price of the vehicle. Thank You

Robert

minicoopercat

Been there--tried that. You don't need the Ziebart Protection, that's a money making add on that buyers in the US probably don't have a clue about. $680 inland charge is about normal. You can probably question the storage charge, not sure about the customer delivery. Probably another money making scheme. Tell them you will clean it yourself. Where's the other $1300? Shipping maybe?

tfuder

I have to agree with atxboy... I mean, it'd be different if they just said over the phone "sure, we can do that, come on down!" But he had it in writing, and they still wouldn't honor it?

I'm with you - I'd be shouting it from the rooftops. I sincerely hope it's a single dealership (and I'm sorry this experience has soured you on Chrysler completely). There's an old saying that I always remember when I do business, "If you treat someone well, they will tell 4 people. If you mistreat them, they will tell 10 people." In my experience, the first number only goes up a little when you're treated really well, but the second goes up exponentially when you're treated very badly.

I had a single (very, very) bad experience with J.C. Penny department stores about 8 years ago. I haven't set foot in one, since, and I've asked my wife to not shop there, either (and she usually doesn't, but she wasn't pissed at them as much as I was). I make sure to tell everyone, whenever something regarding the subjects of credit, department stores, or customer service comes up in conversation (like now...haha).

But I must stress, please try to not think bad about the car, the manufacturer, or other dealerships in general, because of the way you were apparently screwed by this one dealership.

L8r

drwilsc

You were simply the victim of the old 'bait and switch', one of the oldest in the book. It is a stretch to have it in writing, usually it is only a verbal contract. While it is a dirty tactic, you weren't the first and won't be the last.
I can certainly understand not wanting to deal with that dealer again. However,the logic of never buying a Chrysler again eludes me. There are good and bad Chrysler dealers, and good and bad Honda dealers. On a different day you may have had a Honda dealer pull the same stunt.
I must say suing someone over car buying negotiations is a new one, but not surprising in our litiginous culture.

cece

I am a Seattle gal, and want to know what to expect for discounting here in the Seattle/Tacoma area? I see currently there is the $3,000. rebate, but would like to know if the dealers are going much lower. The east coasters seem to be able to achieve up to $7,000 off. Can I expect something similar, or not?

claud

I found at 4 dealers(Elk Grove, Livermore, Walnut Creek, Gilroy) who agreed on the phone to $500 less than Invoice price(not MSRP) and then subtract the $3000 rebate($4000 if you finance only until 06/01) for a 2004 on their lot(not an internet search and transfer from another dealer)I got mine last night and paid $29866 for a car that had a MSRP of $36970. I also found a web site of a dealer offering discounted genuine Chrysler extended warranty and prepaid maintenance. Do a google search on "chrysler extended warranty" and you should get a hit titled "official Chrysler auto extended warranty" Look at his prices to see what is available before you negotiate with your dealer.
If you go to Chrysler site and do a dealer search, you can see the inventory of all 5 star dealers and most of the cars have the sticker available to view so you can find the car you want if you put a little time into it. Then talk directly to that dealer. You may have to drive a bit or you may be lucky and find it nearby.

claud

I found another Chrysler dealer offering discounted warranty and he is cheaper than the first. www.eservicecontracts.com

cece

I purchased a new Pacifica from a dealer here in the Tacoma area. It was from the Costco recommended dealer. Starting price was $100 over MSRP, then deducted $4,000 off, which ended up to be about $7,000 under MSRP. We are having a trailer hitch and backup sensors added, which the dealer is handling for us. We were treated very well. This was a much nicer experience than the one we had with another dealer in another area, which was selling a used one with 20,000 at only $2,000 under what I would have paid for the without the add ons. That did not make sense, considering warranty, and tire issues.
We are very happy. Hope this helps others.

hillfla

Hi cece-

I would be interested in hearing what you think of the backup sensors once you get them installed. How they look, etc. I have been wanting to get them installed on my Pac, but some of the comments I have heard about them is that they don't look integrated with your back bumper when they are installed after-market. Thanks!

mzmarlo

Would you consider this?
http://mobilevideo4less.com/cameras.html
It seems like the way to go!