Where Have You Had A Good or Bad Experience Buying A Used Vehicle?

I am thinking about looking for a used mini van!

Stay far away from Vuckers o sorry did I mispell that .

I just sold mine. Too bad, as it was mint.

JTF wrote:I just sold mine. Too bad, as it was mint.

Heh, that's what they all say

Heh heh. Ya. I know, but it's true. I didn't want to get rid of it, but it wasn't being used and was just taking up space. I struggled with the idea for over a year, but was finally told to sell or move into it. I thought about that for a bit btw.

rosencrentz wrote:I am thinking about looking for a used mini van!

How much are you looking to spend?

I have one...I'll take $17k (that's the payoff) for it..it's in good shape...2006.

Only had it for a little less than 2 years...looking to upgrade myself.

"looking to upgrade myself."

midlife crisis?.. just so you know .. no matter what THEY say.. a faster car does not give you a bigger penis.

Deank wrote:"looking to upgrade myself."

midlife crisis?.. just so you know .. no matter what THEY say.. a faster car does not give you a bigger penis.

Actually, I'm looking at either a NEW Minivan, or a Dodge Caliber (kind of a hybrid minivan).

heheheh... trust me.. you wont want a caliber... my parents own one and I drive it in the city sometimes. Not such a great vehicle for the city in my opinion, too many blind spots. Plus well... unless there is an XL version...lets just say, when you test drive it. Get in and out a few times.... take your winter coat too and get in and out a few times wearing your winter coat...

if used is what you want... my friend just purchased an 05 with 36K on it for $9000.. automatic sliding doors, DVD, air conditioning,... ie fully loaded.

I can ask for the contact information if you want apparently the guy selling them has tons.

Hmmm...I haven't driven one yet...I sat in one at the dealer though and thought it was nice.

I liked the Journey too...kind of a cross-over model, but the fuel consumption seemed high (as high as a Grand Caravan).

Oh Rosie...to answer your question...I bought mine from the Birchwood Group (out by Assiniboia Downs)...I would NOT recommend them, as I feel I got taken a bit (my own stupid fault).

Any reason you don't want to buy NEW?

heh.. considering rosie leaves his windows rolled down no matter where he parks .. maybe does not want it stolen?

If they consider a case of beer a fair trade... don't take it... hehe

Deank wrote:if used is what you want... my friend just purchased an 05 with 36K on it for $9000.. automatic sliding doors, DVD, air conditioning,... ie fully loaded.

Dozens and dozens of them from leases and u-drives coming in from Toronto.

$9K for an '05....yikes!! Who would want to buy a new knowing the depreciation. Hell, I got $2K for my old '89!!!

JTF wrote:

Deank wrote:if used is what you want... my friend just purchased an 05 with 36K on it for $9000.. automatic sliding doors, DVD, air conditioning,... ie fully loaded.

Dozens and dozens of them from leases and u-drives coming in from Toronto.

$9K for an '05....yikes!! Who would want to buy a new knowing the depreciation. Hell, I got $2K for my old '89!!!

Depreciation isn't what it used to be.

All the manufacturers are selling their new vehicles for used prices because they know the market is WAY down. 0% financing all over the place.

Yeah, there's still a small drop...but pricing these days have a much smaller margin than only a couple of years ago.

I have purchased my last new car. I will purchase one or two year old cars from now on and get much more car for the money...

new 2009 montana.. $179 twice monthly... base model..
used 2008 montana . $159 twice monthly... DVD system, tinted windows, extended wheel base, roof rack, slightly larger engine, pretty much everything but power sliding doors and power/heated seats
yup.. buying slightly used can be well worth it.

Deank wrote:new 2009 montana.. $179 twice monthly... base model..
used 2008 montana . $159 twice monthly... DVD system, tinted windows, extended wheel base, roof rack, slightly larger engine, pretty much everything but power sliding doors and power/heated seats
yup.. buying slightly used can be well worth it.

Buying a Pontiac is NEVER worth it...no matter what the savings.

HAH!

*sirens in head*
Stay away from Ontario cars! Working in the car business, I can tell you, ITS NOT WORTH IT. Unless you're a mechanic and own a paint shop to control the rust, you're blowing your money away. The best cars are in the west.

Now's the time. If you have the cash, make YOUR offer for the vehicle. The dealer will agree at the second offer.

wpg_idiot wrote:*sirens in head*
Stay away from Ontario cars! Working in the car business, I can tell you, ITS NOT WORTH IT. Unless you're a mechanic and own a paint shop to control the rust, you're blowing your money away. The best cars are in the west.

Correct.

Eastern cars are sold at auction and trucked in to Winnipeg by a lot of dealers. (including new car dealers)

Unless you get the car super cheap and / or it has only seen one or two winters in Montreal or Toronto stay away. Also these cars are usually lease returns, meaning drivers didn't spend a penny more than required to service them. Or give a dam about how they were treated. They will be missing the service history as well.

If you're after a used van buy the Honda or Toyota. They cost slightly more but it's money well spent.

Notice that neither Honda or Toyota require government bailouts...

Anyone buy a car from this dealer? They seem to be more budget type stuff - not all can afford 400/month payments.

http://usedcarswinnipeg.com/

I bought a new Chrysler extended van way back in 1990 and got 10 very good years out of it. Since then I have driven 3 other used vans and recently I bought a chevy venture from my daughter who wanted to switch out of the van. It was a 1998 Venture, which at 225,000 Kms just blew the motor, and it isn't worth the $2500 to repair it.
I have managed quite nicely with no van, except it is a little bit embarassing loaning my son's van, he just bought a used 2002 van for $5000 and one of my workers 2003 extended van.
I realize that I need a vehicle 3 days out of the month, and yet I drive everyday when I have a vehicle. I figure I am saving -$300 in the month on insurance and gas, never mind the cost of a vehicle.
There are very good prices on new and used.
My son-in-law purchased a used exteded from my auto repairman, 2 years ago for $3500. I had ordered it, but when he said he could use it, I let him take it. This was from Southglen motors, who went to an auction, and then fixed what had to be fixed. What a deal from John at Southglen. Clean vehicle and everything in perfect running order. my son in law lives in Alberta and is driving in this weekend with my daughter and 2 grandsons, in that vehicle. No repairs as yet. I do not remember what year the car was or what John had to fix. He had everything listed for me, what he paid, and what he had to fix. He took a 10% profit which is way low in that business.
I phoned him and asked what he had in a mini van, and all he has was a Venture, with 200,000 Km's. With my daughter's Venture blowing at 225,000 I don't want it.
I googled wpg used mini vans and there are some as low as 50,000 Km to 125,000 Km's 2002 to 2006 at $5,000-$8000. Seems pretty reasonable.I saw a new extended at $18,000.
In 1990 I paid $22,500. The vans are way better today.

What's with the fixation with Chrysler products? The company is on the way out of business largely because of poor quality.

Blown engines at 225K ?. I know someone with a Honda Odessy that is approaching 600K on the original motor. The van is sure tatty, but after that much use and a lot of neglect it's to be expected. But it is still running reliably.

I'm guessing you have never owned a Japanese vehicle. Pick up any car magazine. Every test ever written comparing the mini vans put Toyota and Honda at the top of the list. For good reason, they are better in every way except original purchase price and even that is more than offset by lower repair bills and lower depreciation.

I'd buy a used Toyota over a new Chrysler any day.