I do want stow n go, I just figured the AVP was the cheapest one, and adding in 2nd row buckets was a simple swap or an option the AVP had. I didn't really think it through and I'm now realizing it was a pretty dumb thought. I just need to get an SE. It would be the same price anyways.

This dealership we're going to advertises there "No negotiations required" "Perfect Price". It list's an SE for $18,609. Sound's about right. We'll see how it goes.

 

Actually, I'm confused now. It lists an SE, but if you read through the options it says "Quick Order Package: 29D American Value Package". So, is it actually an AVP and NOT an SE? I'm doing some research and the other dealerships say it too, lists an SE and then says AVP quick order package...

Also listed is another SE for $21k with 17" wheels and some different options.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadwell1020

Actually, I'm confused now. It lists an SE, but if you read through the options it says "Quick Order Package: 29D American Value Package". So, is it actually an AVP and NOT an SE? I'm doing some research and the other dealerships say it too, lists an SE and then says AVP quick order package...

Here's a link to a 2013 GC with full 100% second row stow and go with a MSRP sticker of just $22,190. This is what you want and it clearly does exist. The autotrader website will let you see the vin# which contains the intelligence about seating and options. With $4K off it puts you in the low $18k range. There is a vin decoder on the internet for dodge cars. do a search to find it and perhaps figure out which character of the VIN causes the 2nd row stow and go to be deleted. Here's the autotrader code for this van with the right seats: AT-14482775

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...40273013&Log=0

Hopefully you can figure out what combination of model designation plus package options provide the full stow-and-go in a lower priced GC. You sure as heck don't need to pay $22K or get the 17's option to get full stow and go lol.

I think the most important thing to understand is you need to be getting $4K off the msrp total sticker if it's a very basic van with sticker is around $22K. As sticker prices rise, the discount should rise to become an even LARGER percentage of MSRP (more dollars off). This is because dealer markup percentage is much higher on options. If the sticker price is $27K instead of $22K, figure about half of that $5K premium is additional dealer profit margin that you can bargain to keep in your pocket (shoot for a $6500 discount instead of $4K).


Do yourself a favor and don't buy the wrong van to save a few bux. They can't be affordably upgraded after sale. If you found an SE loaded up with 17" wheels and big brakes for $22K, then some decent SE's must be out there without 17's for under $20K. You are clearly confused about what options are necessary to get the proper seats, so more study will be needed to avoid wasting money. Clever advanced searches with key words on the autotrader website will find the optimal pricing for these vehicles so you can visit your dealer armed with KNOWLEDGE. Don't get buffalo'd.

 

Yes, there's been tons of discussion here about how it "looks" like a GC without 2nd row stow-and-go might be converted. However the fact is that with all the threads and interest, nobody has actually done it. This simply tells me that it's much harder and more expensive to convert than it seems lol. If customers haven't figured this out in 6+ years, then it isn't feasible. Some salvage yard owner with torches, air grinders and mig welder might have completed the swap, but I still can't find his post lol.

 

duplic

 

Take the time to install your child safety seats. You won't regret. Also, if you are tight on budget, you can check the Chevrolet Orlando. It has good fuel economy.

 

Well I thought we were looking at new ones. We ended up looking at a 2011 Dodge GC Express. 63,000 miles. They're asking like $15,000 and change. It's a former leased van.

Is that a good deal or a bad idea? We really can't afford brand new at $19k with taxes and everything added in. We need it to be in the $300-$350/month range.

 

You should expect to spend $12k-$14k depending on the condition of the van. Your best option would be to wait, and save for $4000 down payment for a new GC. You are asking for trouble if you buy a used van that has not been properly maintained. Some drivers tend to abuse leased vehicles.

 

Sounds about $3K too high. The basic problem is the best 1/3 of it's life is gone plus the all-important factory warranty, so it should be at least 1/3 cheaper than new ($18.5K x (200K mi-63K mi)/200K mi = $18.5k x 0.66 = $12K). Lease vehicles tend to see low oil level and other forms of neglect. It can be OK, but adds risk. You may soon wind up dumping $2K into it for repairs that would not be needed on a new one. This makes it even less attractive. The cost of ownership will definitely be higher than owning a new one. You appear to be budgeting for payments while totally ignoring the out-of-warranty service costs on a used vehicle, which may, in time, approach the $4K difference in cost between the two vehicles! That's crazy, don't ignore them!! When buying used you need to spend less money per month (or lower cost of ownership), not just get less reliability and less life for similar cost.

This van you're considering only has 25K fewer miles than the loaded SXT 3.8L I bought for $9750!! How is a van with 25K fewer mi worth over 50% more (another $5,250)?

I got 23.6MPG trip average yesterday on a 300mi round trip over the Appalachian mountains to fetch my daughter from college. This was mix of about 30% city & stoplight suburban with the other 70% highway including dozens of steep 8-10% highway grades, each several miles long. The van was loaded to the roof, to the point that I couldn't see out of the rear view mirror. You can't load more weight than that. On a longer level section, the gas mileage showed a bit over 25MPG for nearly an hour. We were going 68-72 MPH almost all the way.

As mentioned before, you won't find a 2011 or newer used van that makes good financial sense because resale value is too good. Choosing used will lead to forfeiting your factory warranty and adopting somebody's troubles. Loss of warranty is a financial hit that you're not taking into account. A new factory warranty is easily worth $2500 cash all by itself which is literally over half the difference in cost between the 2013 and the 2011.

 

Thats a lot of miles in 3 years. RENTAL!!!! And for just a few thousand more you could have 20 miles on the odo.