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looking at a 03 Grand carvan spot

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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:48 AM
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Default looking at a 03 Grand carvan spot

Looking at a 03 grand carvan sport with 90k miles for $7998 The ad says a 3.8l v6 is this ture? Any other things i should know about this year/ model?

I have a 98 Grand Caravan SE AWD now and looking something newer in better condition wonder if ill get screwed on trade in. I want $1000-$1500 trade in. It has a dent ib the pass side, rear vent window and rear a/c dont work but the fron a/c is ice cold and the rest of it is ok with 169,000 miles and a year old $2700 transmission. What do u think?


thanks, jason
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by tx77015_ls1
Looking at a 03 grand carvan sport with 90k miles for $7998 The ad says a 3.8l v6 is this ture? Any other things i should know about this year/ model?

I have a 98 Grand Caravan SE AWD now and looking something newer in better condition wonder if ill get screwed on trade in. I want $1000-$1500 trade in. It has a dent ib the pass side, rear vent window and rear a/c dont work but the fron a/c is ice cold and the rest of it is ok with 169,000 miles and a year old $2700 transmission. What do u think?


thanks, jason

I think if you are looking at spending nearly $8000 on a seven year old van, you're getting screwed anyway! Did you spend the $2700 for the transmission?
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:47 AM
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The NADA retail is $8100, Yes I did spend $2700 on the transmission

What should I pay for the van if in near perfect condition with 90,000 miles? Its at a Car Max Location near my house in Houston,Tx
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:57 PM
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the Car MAX franchise is really good at making you feel good as you get screwed. they're so good at it, you'll even appreciate the lack of lube provided.

$2700 for a trans is also a good screwing. I'd feel guilty charging that much.

The best way of figuring out a good deal is see what they are selling for on Ebay, on Craigslist, etc.

90k is irrelevant. I owned cars with 500,000 miles in better condition than ones with 34k.

At the dealer auctions, the going price on vans like what you are inquiring, sell for $3000-$5000. on the lot around hear $4500-$7000 tops. I recently sold a 2005 sport with 80k for $5800. I bought it for $2000 with a bad trans. cost me $150 to fix the trans.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 01:49 PM
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I feel $7998 is a good deal for the van. I checked around the internet at other dealers and found some for more money and some for less. They appraised my van for $1000 and thats NADA low retail in my area.

I have bought 5 cars from Car Max and know they ask more for their cars than other dealer but it seens they offer a better and cleaner product than other dealers. Also on a few of my car deals Ive been out of there in a hour and a half, its the easyest way to buy a car i have ever used.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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make sure you get the CarFax too...

sounds like you already made up your mind to buy it before you even posted. Being a dealer I know what they got in it and how overpriced this van is. Infact, my wife's personal van is an 03 town and country limited. I bought it at the auction for $800. it needed a fender headlight and bumper cover. total cost to fix was under $200. I'd sell it but the wife likes this one a lot, she won't let me.

but instead of getting hosed on a $1000 trade, why not sell you van with it's $2700 transmission out right? I sell late 90's AWD vans for $1800-$3000.

are you borrowing money to buy the 03?
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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Picked up the van today and love it its like brand new, financed it 36 montha but will pay it off sooner
I wanted this van so bad I did not want to wait
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 11:42 PM
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hopefully you'll never have problems. you do know that keeping your old van running would have put you financially ahead not requiring a loan. I guess it's the Dave Ramsey in me... I've never borrowed money except to buy my first house. been working with cash ever since.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2010 | 02:10 AM
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Cash is King!

and you paid too much, but whatever floats yer boat.

You'll love the new van and thanks for not buying
Foreign
 
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