mazdeuce wrote:
The dodge website says that a strippy Caravan should cost $19,600 on the lot. That's absurdly cheap.
That's one of the reasons I bought new---- they are incredibly cheap. They call the entry level the AVP (American Value Package)-- nice cheap van, but keep in mind the sliding door windows are fixed, and only the rear most seats are Stow and Go. You'll need to upgrade to a higher trim package to get the window package, and for all seats to fold into the floor. (includes power way-back windows that pop out too)
Mine is a 30th Anniversary which combines a few features from other trim packages without going for the whole boat. My van, with Bluetooth, leather wheel and shifter coverings, power sliding door windows, rear heat and a/c, XM Radio, full Stow& Go and upgraded fabric for the seats listed at $26K and change. I bought it for a little over $22K. With low financing (2.5%) it just made more sense for me to buy new.
They all come with 4wdb, 283hp and the same chassis--- so it's just a matter of choosing options.
tuna55
UltimaDork
2/19/15 1:39 p.m.
mazdeuce wrote:
Ah crap. This might be exactly what I need. Somehow I missed that these were that big inside. Hauling the whole family in the truck is getting cramped and because I'm always there to pick up the kids I'm getting increasingly asked to ferry other kids. I basically need safe and practical. I can tickle my with the other stuff in the Grosh.
Safe, practical, huge people carrying ability, good fuel economy, can (nearly) instantly be transformed into a pickup with a cap and heated/cooled storage area.
Bonus is you can use the underfloor compartments for luggage when going on road trips with the kiddoes.
tuna55
UltimaDork
2/19/15 1:41 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote:
mazdeuce wrote:
The dodge website says that a strippy Caravan should cost $19,600 on the lot. That's absurdly cheap.
That's one of the reasons I bought new---- they are incredibly cheap. They call the entry level the AVP (American Value Package)-- nice cheap van, but keep in mind the sliding door windows are fixed, and only the rear most seats are Stow and Go. You'll need to upgrade to a higher trim package to get the window package, and for all seats to fold into the floor. (includes power way-back windows that pop out too)
Mine is a 30th Anniversary which combines a few features from other trim packages without going for the whole boat. My van, with Bluetooth, leather wheel and shifter coverings, power sliding door windows, rear heat and a/c, XM Radio, full Stow& Go and upgraded fabric for the seats listed at $26K and change. I bought it for a little over $22K. With low financing (2.5%) it just made more sense for me to buy new.
They all come with 4wdb, 283hp and the same chassis--- so it's just a matter of choosing options.
Didn't realize that, mine was used but the middle row windows are power sliders (huge windows!!) and it has power gate&doors.
Before you all jump on the "Rah rah broken doors, I see open doors in parking lots!!" beware that kids love to hit buttons, both on the van and on the fob. No issues yet in three years of ownership other than handsy kids.
Duke
MegaDork
2/19/15 1:49 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote:
That's one of the reasons I bought new---- they are incredibly cheap. They call the entry level the AVP (American Value Package)-- nice cheap van, but keep in mind the sliding door windows are fixed, and only the rear most seats are Stow and Go. You'll need to upgrade to a higher trim package to get the window package, and for all seats to fold into the floor. (includes power way-back windows that pop out too)
Mine is a 30th Anniversary which combines a few features from other trim packages without going for the whole boat. My van, with Bluetooth, leather wheel and shifter coverings, power sliding door windows, rear heat and a/c, XM Radio, full Stow& Go and upgraded fabric for the seats listed at $26K and change. I bought it for a little over $22K.
Which is exactly what I just paid for the used but loaded Concert Coach (2012/45k), so there is a wide range of offerings in that price range. Pick the features you really want, decide on a price point, and buy the newest one you can get for that money. There are a million of them out there, used and new.
Ian F
MegaDork
2/19/15 2:45 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote:
That's one of the reasons I bought new---- they are incredibly cheap.
But not for long.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-rise-of-the-dollar50000-minivan/ar-BBhLhCP
If you want a Dodge GC, buy one now as they'll be gone after 2015. It'll be a sad day.
Mrs. Deuce has the day off tomorrow. I'm taking her on a 'date' to go pick up the new back door for the Grosh. Maybe we can stop by the dealer and look at them. Pretty romantic and stuff.
tuna55
UltimaDork
2/19/15 3:24 p.m.
mazdeuce wrote:
Mrs. Deuce has the day off tomorrow. I'm taking her on a 'date' to go pick up the new back door for the Grosh. Maybe we can stop by the dealer and look at them. Pretty romantic and stuff.
If you want her to buy one, have her hold a bag or two of groceries and holding hands with a kid or three and then show her the key fob where you can open the doors and hatch.
The only time she grocery shops is when I have all the kids on the other side of the country.
The V wagon has the hatch opening button and it's rad.
Ian F wrote:
Joe Gearin wrote:
That's one of the reasons I bought new---- they are incredibly cheap.
But not for long.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-rise-of-the-dollar50000-minivan/ar-BBhLhCP
If you want a Dodge GC, buy one now as they'll be gone after 2015. It'll be a sad day.
Sweet! Mine will be a collectors item......maybe I'll just put in in a bubble in my garage, as it's sure to go up in price. I mean it's really a lot like a Hemi Cuda......really. Only my van handles much, much better!
Dave
New Reader
2/19/15 4:22 p.m.
I put a partially built Locost in the back of my old minivan.
A 4AGE motor in the back.
Also towed a Lada Niva about 600kms with it
As I sit here in the postpartum room with our newly arrived second born, I can't help but search craigslist for used Chrysler minivans.
Great deals to be had! Found a 13 TC fully loaded with 10k miles for under 20.
In reply to bastomatic:
Congratulations! No better time to shop then when mom is to exhausted to say no!
In other news, the lack of an eighth seat in the Cry-co vans is really bothering me. Now I'm looking at Honda Odysseys.
Thankfully he has been sleeping very well. Unfortunately mom is wakeful enough to say no. For now.
Duke
MegaDork
2/19/15 7:28 p.m.
bastomatic wrote:
As I sit here in the postpartum room with our newly arrived second born, I can't help but search craigslist for used Chrysler minivans.
Great deals to be had! Found a 13 TC fully loaded with 10k miles for under 20.
Holy crap, that's a ridiculous bargain. What's the deal with it? Seriously, under $20 large, that's solidly $5000 below market value. Asking price on '12s like that is $25k. Buy it.
Oops it's a 2012. Anyway there's a '14 with 15k miles also available under $20k in my neck of the woods. Also a cheap low miles Routan.
On a related note, what do we think of the Eurovan? I doubt I could convince my wife, but I've always wanted a Westie.
Duke
MegaDork
2/20/15 8:43 a.m.
I drove a Eurovan once and was not impressed, but I frankly don't share the VW van love that some people have. It was very plain inside and down on power. About the only advantage it really had was a high roofline with lots of headroom. Plus at this point you're looking at keeping a rare, 20-year-old VW product together and functioning.
Ian F
MegaDork
2/20/15 8:55 a.m.
In reply to Duke:
Agreed. I see a lot of VAG products around here and those are rare. If VW-USA Corporate would have risked putting a TDI engine in them to give folks a reason to chose one over the much better priced US offerings it may have had a chance, but no...
The Routan didn't get (wasn't even an option) the stow-n-go seats. The only redeaming attribute is a slightly nicer dash. I see quite a few around here and just wonder, "Why??"
Duke
MegaDork
2/20/15 9:51 a.m.
The Routan always seemed to me like it was most of the disadvantages of a VW put together with most of the disadvantages of a Mopar product, but priced much higher. I think I've seen 2 in the metal. Again, rarity is not your friend here.
At the prices available I would have a hard time not going with a slightly used Town and Country. Or a more than slightly used one even.
Wonder why nobody did a pop-top roof on one. They even came with swivel seats for a couple years.