Van shopping part deux
 

Back to the old drawing board.

I had a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country Touring with 24k miles and talked them into including the Lifetime PowerTrain Warranty free (normally $1650 extra) for $17,995 lined up but, after my first test drive last week I found a problem with the shift from 1st to 2nd. They looked into it and determined it needed a new part. They then chose to replace the entire transmission with a brand new unit. Okay, fine. Today I went back to test drive it again and now after I finish the drive, there is a ticking coming from the engine when it is shut off. They tell me it is just the "heat shield" cooling off. This ticking is loud though. bordering on annoying. They agree to put it back up on the rack tomorrow morning to look it over and see if it could be anything else.

So, I am also looking at a 2005 Honda Odyssey EXL with 52k miles for $18,816 that has leather seats and a DVD system and a limited 3 yr 100k mile warranty. 48k miles left on that.

I have also looked at a 2007 Hyundai Entourage base model (no power anything) and a ugly tan interior fabric with 13k miles for $13,988. My major problem with this is that the cockpit is too small for my 6'2" frame and the fact it is base model.

I want to go with the T&C but am very concerned over the "ticking" issue. If the other vehicles I tested made the same noise I wouldn't be worried about it but they don't make that noise. I even drove another 2008 T&C and a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (exact same as T&C) no ticking. Problem with the others I drove is that they can't come close to the price of the one mentioned above.

Any thoughts?

Honda Pilot?

Link for the Honda
http://www.sharphonda.com/VehicleDetails/337286893

Link for the T&C
http://www.johnhofferchryslerjeep.co...03f37718f7ebdb

Doesn't support a family of 6 and luggage.

I love our odyssey.

T&C = ex-rental car. Run away!!

Wouldn't you be better off buying a brand new Honda Pilot or the like?

Used cars usually end up costing more than new ones due to maintenance, IMO.

Edit: I posted after your post. Sorry, I got nuthin'! Good Luck!

They'll make it right by "stress relieving" the suspect heat shield. You got a good deal, and the dealer's trying to make it right. Mention to them that you're really thinking about returning it if you have any more problems. See what they have to say.

I just bought a 2008 Ford Taurus X SEL and I love it! With a car trade of $3,500 in and $3,600 down I got a loan for $12,000 that includes a 5 year warranty bumper to bumper. Its a crossover and is considered a truck. It seats 6 has a 3rd row, captain seats in the second row with center console(friends love that feature), 16/22 MPG's, AWD. It has 20,000 miles on it though. That's why I got it at the price I did.

When a 2008 car is already making noises take it off the list. It's not worth the trouble.

I owned a Chrysler 300m and it was the worst car we ever bought. Bought it new, had to turn the first one in with the lemon law and got another new one and it was 5 years of troubles. I finally donated the damn thing and bought something else. I would never ever ever ever ever buy another chrysler again, talk about craptacular.

Technically, no paperwork has been signed and the vehicle has never left their lot at all so I still am allowed to back out of the "verbal" sale. I do appreciate what they are doing for me but, at the same time, this is all work that should have been done prior to putting it on the lot. One of the salesmen have been using it for the last 6 months as their personal vehicle. How the hell do you drive it for 6 months and not notice a transmission issue. I noticed it the minute I drove it off the lot on the test drive.

not mine, but same car.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...urus_X_SEL.jpg

I was very happy with our 2007 T&C until that idiot totaled it for me last week.

AFter what just happened to us, we will never buy brand new again.

Oh I forgot to mention it also has 260 HP and you can buy a tow package for it if you decide to tow.