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Comments
INKY
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"Turn off the trac. control." Give us a break!
If you like hard acceleration, buy a Dodge Viper.
On one hand it's always interesting to see some new people who let their feelings be known, but on the other hand it's kind of disturbing to discover that there are people who actually took the play on words in message #398 seriously. :-)
BTW, I know how a DC minivan can accelerate and how it can smoke the tires because I OWN one. I also own a Dodge Viper.
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Ok, anyone who took the last sentence about me owning a Dodge Viper seriously, just turn off your computer. ;-)
Read this if you ever wanted an accounting of exactly why Chryseler is suddenly in the red after so many years of industry leading profit.
www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b112100.htm
Pay close attention to how Gremany is pulling money from the Chrysler line to fund it's own projects, it looks like they are pulling a selective Democrat recount ploy.
This time, presumably, if a bailout is required, it will come from the Federal Republic of Germany, not the USA - since DaimlerChrysler is German by incoporation.
I'll be interesting to see how D-C reacts to the $9 billion lawsuit filed against it by Kirk Kerkorian - if it has to expend precious resources fighting the lawsuit, that much more will be drained from its focus on the market.
This is not in a matter of years but months.
Ironically, 2000-2001 may bring about a similar situation - but this time, it'll be the government of the Federal Republic of Germany that has to do the bailing.
For all that's new about the 2001 minivans, it's still the same old crisis-Chrysler.
Herd rumors that the new 2001 T&C Limited w/3.5L may have a new 5 spd auto. Anybody herd about this?
the 01 limited will indeed have an upgraded tranny to support the higher horsepressure and torque of the 3.5l, but it won't be a five speed...
eneth,
if dc continues to take chrysler's cash reserves and use it to takeover other corps, well then i guess chrysler is back to where it was some 10 years ago. it will be interesting to see this story unfold. especially in the light of recent accusations that daimler is pulling money out of the chrysler group to spend it elsewhere. i guess it is their right, given they now own chrysler. but makes one wonder, doesn't it...
-Brian
At the end it boiled down to the Acura MDX or the GC AWD. We liked the Acura MDX for style and quality control, but the rear seat is not really a seat at all -- almost no leg room -- and we didn't think that putting three squirmy boys next to each other in the middle row -- even a wide middle row -- on a long trip sounded like a good idea. And even if we shoehorned a boy into the rear seat, he would be isolated back there, with the middle row seat back like a wall between him and everyone else. So that left the 2001 GC AWD.
Ordered a 2001 GC ES AWD in early October, after comparing the MDX with the GC. Ordered 29S package, trailer prep group, supp. air bags, quads with child seat, power doors and lift gate, roof rack, etc. Had a heck of a time getting the sales manager to confirm a price, but finally in late Oct. got him to commit in writing -- sort of -- to mfg. invoice less all the advertising fees.
Called several times during Nov., but sales mgr. quit/was fired, and nobody knew anything, computer was down, etc. The usual run-around. Finally, last Wed. somebody called and said "it's here."
So I went down there and they handed me an invoice that was about $600 more than the "invoice" I signed in late October. What do you know -- the prices went up. Kelly Blue Book has the old prices, but Edmunds shows the new prices, and indeed, almost everything went up. So I waved the old invoice and said "hey, we had a deal!" Of course they tried to back out, said that prices went up, they have no control over that, all orders are subject to price increases, etc. I countered by pointing out that they dilly-dallied on the order, and anyway this was the easiest money they would make -- they make their holdback, basically, just for filling out some paperwork. Most importantly, I threatened to walk. So they agreed to do the "old invoice" deal.
Just to test me out, however, they did the old "cool the heels while the manager completes the paperwork" routine, and what to you know, when they put the paperwork in front of me and said "sign here" it was the "new invoice" price. Oops..... Total deal, with sales tax and license: $35K out the door.
So anyway, we have had the car for four days, and it is great. With three kids it is like heaven going places. We had an adventure yesterday and it is so just easy to go places and get in and out of the car. What an improvement from the back-breaking work of the sedan....
Early impressions: very quiet, can have a normal conversation with a boy in the last row. Big, roomy, plenty of space behind the last row for strollers, etc. Plenty of power, but haven't really put the petal to the metal -- don't want to do that with only 50 miles on the engine....
Quality control -- looks great so far. But just in case, bought a 100K premier warranty for $1,049.
So there you have it. I appreciate everyone's input over the last several months -- it helped us in our decision making.....
Keep us posted on any defects or "ahhhh @#$%&*!" that might happen to pop up. Or better still, options you wish you would have gotten or options you realized you shouldn't have spent the extra money on.
Go forth and soccer!!
-Brian
I see from your profile that you are shopping for a 2001 T&C AWD -- what is your thinking so far on the options, etc.?
Smoking kit
Package 29U
Power Liftgate
Roof Rack
Side Airbags
Heated Seats
Audio controls on Wheel
Traction Control
CD Changer.
I have only purchased one car before (thankfully i drive a company car) and am not sure where to start negotiations. I have seen 450 to 500 over invoice posted here. Any Hints. Edmunds invoice is $30,371, minus holdback is $29370. Should I start from the $29370???
Any and All advice would be appreciated. We are expecting our 2nd child this month and need the room.
Thanks
The engine heater also helps preserve engine life by keeping the oil thinner so it reaches the top of the motor quicker upon start-up. Not to mention the car warms up in less than half the time it does without it.
I am also really appreciating the built in "booster" seat option for the kids. A child MUST be in a booster seat until 4'9" AND 80lbs.!! Notice it is 4'9" AND 80lbs., not 4'9" or 80lbs. Most parents mistakenly only use a seat belt after about four years of age. A fatal mistake when involved in an accident.
If you do not have a built in booster in your new van and your child is too big for a car seat; but under 4'9" 80lbs. run, don't walk to the nearest variety store and buy a booster seat!!! It'll be the cheapest life insurance you'll ever buy.
The tow package is a good option too. It includes the heavier cooling and alternator systems.
Happy trails with that new van. Let me know if you have any good info!
-Brian
Do not, I repeat, do not start down from their "sale" price!! Give them $500 over what their actual cost is. I believe you said it was $29370.
If you scroll up to response #351 and follow it through to about 360 or so, you will see how I negotiated for our van. We paid $604.00 under invoice!
I ordered it 11-07-00 and found out today it is in. Little, less than a month. Not too long to wait.
Do not fall for their tales of woe, no matter how convincing they sound!! Pay no "loyalty" fees, no "document prep" fees, and no "advertising fees." You should only pay applicable sales tax and registration. Nothing else. If they insist you pay the "loyalty" fee or document prep fee then tell them to take it out of their bottom line, not your bottom!!
Let me know if I can be of further help.
direct email is landshrk@internetcds.com
-Brian
Thanks for the post. I am heading in to the dealership this morning, hompefully we can come to a deal!! They have a several LXis on the lot and the salesman himself said things have been slow due to the election/market and all. I will let you all know how it goes.
Anyway I am just venting!! There are plenty of dealers and TC LXis out there. I will be patient!!
dosman...
Sorry about your unhappy experience with your dealer. Go elsewhere. Ordering a van is perhaps a better way to get a better deal.
Don't cave in!!
I was planning on ordering the load leveling and wondered if I needed both. I have 4 kids so the van will always be full!
Also any comments on paint color...are the darker colors (ie.patriot blue) noticeably hotter in warm weather than the lighter(silver)ones?
Have you had it on snow yet?
Anybody have T&C awd snow stories?
Also, was this a DC warranty or some other aftermarket warranty?
Dosman: Don't negotiate. Dictate. A fair price on a domestic is invoice less any rebates or financing deals. Make the dealer understand that you are a serious buyer--you will buy a van, and soon--and that your price is invoice. If the dealer doesn't do business on that basis, fine, let's not waste each other's time and move on. You will find a dealer willing to do this deal--I guarantee it.
I'm curious because I have it on my 300M but have never used it.
I plug the extension cord into a regular timer, (the kind you buy to plug your lamp into so the crooks think you are home when they see the light come on) which is set to come on at 4:30am. I leave the house at 7:30am. This seems to allow enough time for the oil/engine to fully heat to the maximum the block heater will allow. You may have to experiment with your car.
I used to leave it plugged in all night till I figured out the thing works fairly quickly.
There you have it. Your semi right about Oregon being fairly mild. It can be cold as a rat-[non-permissible content removed] in some parts of the state; but, where I live it isn't too bad. It has been hovering in the mid 30s during the day and high 20's at night. Cold enough for me though.
-Brian
I only speak for the GMC truck I put the block heater on. I know it has a coil which lives in the 7 qt. capacity oil pan of the truck. I am unaware if it has a coolant heat as well, although that would make sense as the temp gauge is up a little when I start the thing. I shall go investigate the matter.
I guess I surmised that all such block heaters were created the same. Thanks for the correction.
-Brian
factory as everyone I know of just heat the cooling
system. I had one on my diesel GMC and thats what
it heated. It was nice cause like you said I had
instant heat when I turned on the defogger in the
morning.
But it sure would be nice to add both and have the best of both worlds.
Got the extended warranty via Edmunds aftermarket seller.
Good luck!
You will have to get used to the occasionally scratching noises (usually from ice) underneath though. Just as a precaution, in deeper snow, keep maintain your momentum so that you won't bog down. Make sure that you're aware of the lengthened stopping distances on slippery surfaces though. I had an unpleasant (and expensive) experience with a curb and black ice two winters ago.
Good luck and have fun!
Drew/aling
Edmunds.com Townhall host
Is this a worthwhile option, or not? I have not seen one yet. My dealer claims backorder.
I confronted the dealer with why they were trying to charge me $405 more than what we agreed to, and they said that Edmunds is wrong, and that the invoice as shown to me is the price we agreed to. Am I being jerked around? What are DPA and PPA fees? Are they from Chrysler, or something the local dealer has to pay to another parent company in Houston. I was told they had something to do with advertising?
If they are invoiced from Chrysler, then why aren't they listed by Edmunds?
Get a better product from elsewhere...!
Although I have read horror stories about Chrysler minivans, not one person I know has had any problems. Our 99 GC SE with 22,476 miles has had zero problems. Perhaps I am lucky.