Home and Auto Van shopping part deux - Page 3

**007** · 01-29-2009, 11:42 PM

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?

unlurking · 01-30-2009, 05:15 AM

Personally, I'd pass based on the Carfax reports.

Gotta think that if the ticking noise annoys/concerns you this badly now, it's going to piss you off for a long time. Imagine hearing it every day for the next 5 years, always wondering when it's gonna break down. You have a bad day, getting outta the car at home and listening to the ticking isn't going to help you decompress, it's gonna just give another thing to be pissed about it.

Just say no.

**007** · 01-30-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

Personally, I'd pass based on the Carfax reports.

Gotta think that if the ticking noise annoys/concerns you this badly now, it's going to piss you off for a long time. Imagine hearing it every day for the next 5 years, always wondering when it's gonna break down. You have a bad day, getting outta the car at home and listening to the ticking isn't going to help you decompress, it's gonna just give another thing to be pissed about it.

Just say no.

The Carfax reports I mentioned were for the Honda not the T&C.

Unless you just ran a carfax report on the T&C and would like to share.

unlurking · 01-30-2009, 05:21 AM

Ooops!

Only on my 4th cup 'o joe, still not reading clearly yet!

**007** · 01-30-2009, 05:29 AM

I'm hoping they can remedy the "tick" when they look at it this morning. I certainly don't remember it doing that after my first test drive last Friday when I discovered the transmission issue they have since fixed.

Keep in mind, the only reason I am still considering the T&C is because of the lifetime powertrain warranty. If it didn't have that, I would even be looking at it.

I did find a 2005 T&C Limited at a small used lot with only 28k miles and asking $12,990 for it. Just can't get myself to look into it though.

unlurking · 01-30-2009, 05:51 AM

If the ticking noise is heat related, you won't hear it on short drives. If the first time you drove it the engine was cold and only took it for a few miles, it probably never got up to temp. For me, the ticking was also more pronounced on cold weather days.

Next time you test drive, make sure you get the temperature gauge up to operating temp for a bit, then get on the highway and run a couple miles at high RPM. Go back to the shop and listen for the sound.

Personally, I've never had the ticking generate any other problem, but it is annoying and kind of embarrassing (hate squealing breaks too). I've had enough other problems however, that I'll never buy used again though.

Abba-Dabba · 01-30-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I do understand that. Its just that this particular van is very loud for it to be that. The other vans I drove you really had to listen to hear any of the cooling "clicks". I could hear this one from 20 yards away clearly.

That does sound strange. I'd pass on it. Every car lot is filled with vehicles. Even though you don't think you have time to be selective, you do.

I'd pass on a new vehicle anyway. Too overpriced for something that you will only lose money on anyway, 30% the minute you sign. I never buy new or lease and never have problems.

My wife wanted a van a few years ago. So I went out and got her one. 2001 Ford Windstar(I know, I know). In the 2 years we have had it, it hasn't skipped a beat. She's happy and I'm happy with the $120mos. payments. Any new vehicle can't beat that as far as I'm concerned.

**007** · 01-30-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saggysack

That does sound strange. I'd pass on it. Every car lot is filled with vehicles. Even though you don't think you have time to be selective, you do.

I'd pass on a new vehicle anyway. Too overpriced for something that you will only lose money on anyway, 30% the minute you sign. I never buy new or lease and never have problems.

My wife wanted a van a few years ago. So I went out and got her one. 2001 Ford Windstar(I know, I know). In the 2 years we have had it, it hasn't skipped a beat. She's happy and I'm happy with the $120mos. payments. Any new vehicle can't beat that as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, it's not new. It already has a year under its belt so the largest part of the depreciation is already gone. The second year is not nearly as bad.

The only problem I have with the other vans I have seen is that they have a shit ton of miles on them. It's hard to consider going to a 2 year old van with 40-50k miles on it when the van you had spent the last 18 months driving only had 10k miles on it.

**MahiMike** · 01-30-2009, 07:18 AM

IMO, you're talking about a 2008 car that had to have its tranny replaced already. I wouldn't even consider the same brand/model if that's the case. Just don't get in a hurry. And DON't tell the dealer you are driving a rental.

**MahiMike** · 01-30-2009, 07:20 AM

FWIW, you can get awesome deals on the big tanks right now; suburban, explorer. I've heard of brand news ones going for $12K. That buys a lotta gas. Or get a used one for $10K. It'll get you buy until you find a new van.

angelo · 01-30-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I am getting more frustrated as the night goes on. I only have my rental until Monday afternoon. ****

I was in your situation last year. My car was totaled in my front lawn.
You can compel the insurance company to extend the rental until you have a car. I had mine almost 6 weeks.

Angelo

angelo · 01-30-2009, 07:56 AM

Guru

You should check the dealer in Kansas City.

I found 4 in your mileage and price range @ cars .com

Angelo

cookster50 · 01-30-2009, 07:59 AM

edmunds.com gave horrid reviews of the newer T&C, stay away, far far away. Pretend that the T&C is a hot chick and you are gochiefs.

**Lzen** · 01-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Great, just looked up the carfax report on the Odyssey and it has 3 reported accidents on it. Too bad it doesn't tell you the severity of the accidents. It definitely didn't look damaged at all.

Wait, did you pay for the premium or is that just 3 things on the report that you don't know what they are until you buy a carfax subscription? Reason I ask is that those could be normal things like transfer of ownership.

**Lzen** · 01-30-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelo

Guru

You should check the dealer in Kansas City.

I found 4 in your mileage and price range @ cars .com

Angelo

This. You typically find better prices in the KC area. I just bought a vehicle one year ago for a Ford dealership in Olathe. Much better price than the same vehicle here, for sure. Trust me, I have looked. 2 of my last 3 newer (never buy brand new) vehicle purchases have been in KC.

The only reason I bought my truck in Topeka (Briggs 3.5 years ago) is because they really, really wanted to sell me a vehicle and knew I wasn't screwing around when the wife and I got up and started walking out because they would not come down enough on the price.

**Lzen** · 01-30-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookster50

edmunds.com gave horrid reviews of the newer T&C, stay away, far far away. Pretend that the T&C is a hot chick and you are gochiefs.

Interesting. Doesn't Chrysler/Dodge have a reputation for having transmission problems? I would think that them replacing that tranny already would be a big time red flag.

01-29-2009, 11:42 PM
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12140126 VARSITY	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?
Posts: 65,738

01-30-2009, 05:15 AM	#31
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	Personally, I'd pass based on the Carfax reports. Gotta think that if the ticking noise annoys/concerns you this badly now, it's going to piss you off for a long time. Imagine hearing it every day for the next 5 years, always wondering when it's gonna break down. You have a bad day, getting outta the car at home and listening to the ticking isn't going to help you decompress, it's gonna just give another thing to be pissed about it. Just say no. __________________
Posts: 10,620

01-30-2009, 05:21 AM	#33
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	Ooops! Only on my 4th cup 'o joe, still not reading clearly yet! __________________
Posts: 10,620

01-30-2009, 05:29 AM	#34
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12140126 VARSITY	I'm hoping they can remedy the "tick" when they look at it this morning. I certainly don't remember it doing that after my first test drive last Friday when I discovered the transmission issue they have since fixed. Keep in mind, the only reason I am still considering the T&C is because of the lifetime powertrain warranty. If it didn't have that, I would even be looking at it. I did find a 2005 T&C Limited at a small used lot with only 28k miles and asking $12,990 for it. Just can't get myself to look into it though. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,738

01-30-2009, 05:51 AM	#35
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	If the ticking noise is heat related, you won't hear it on short drives. If the first time you drove it the engine was cold and only took it for a few miles, it probably never got up to temp. For me, the ticking was also more pronounced on cold weather days. Next time you test drive, make sure you get the temperature gauge up to operating temp for a bit, then get on the highway and run a couple miles at high RPM. Go back to the shop and listen for the sound. Personally, I've never had the ticking generate any other problem, but it is annoying and kind of embarrassing (hate squealing breaks too). I've had enough other problems however, that I'll never buy used again though. __________________
Posts: 10,620

01-30-2009, 07:18 AM	#38
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	IMO, you're talking about a 2008 car that had to have its tranny replaced already. I wouldn't even consider the same brand/model if that's the case. Just don't get in a hurry. And DON't tell the dealer you are driving a rental.
Posts: 17,387

01-30-2009, 07:20 AM	#39
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	FWIW, you can get awesome deals on the big tanks right now; suburban, explorer. I've heard of brand news ones going for $12K. That buys a lotta gas. Or get a used one for $10K. It'll get you buy until you find a new van.
Posts: 17,387

01-30-2009, 07:56 AM	#41
angelo Starter Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $9094965	Guru You should check the dealer in Kansas City. I found 4 in your mileage and price range @ cars .com Angelo
Posts: 775

01-30-2009, 07:59 AM	#42
cookster50 Supreme Commander of My House Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $-66378	edmunds.com gave horrid reviews of the newer T&C, stay away, far far away. Pretend that the T&C is a hot chick and you are gochiefs.
Posts: 3,446