Would you buy a previous rental?

[Soup DeVille]

I would buy a rental if and only if the price was right, and if I needed a dedicated winter beater.

[the Teuton]

Chrysler won't be around in a year, and you'll have to go through a bunch of red tape at some subcontracted dealership (probably Nissan, GM, or Ford) to get the car serviced.  It's not worth the hassle, imo.

Values will drop like an anvil in a few months.  It's not worth getting right now.

[NomisR]

That will entirely depend on what everyone's building when I'm ready to buy a car.

Dream car doesn't have to be something be affordable or be built.. it's something that you would have a poster of to put on your wall.  like

[NomisR]

Chrysler won't be around in a year, and you'll have to go through a bunch of red tape at some subcontracted dealership (probably Nissan, GM, or Ford) to get the car serviced.  It's not worth the hassle, imo.

Values will drop like an anvil in a few months.  It's not worth getting right now.

Well, he probably won't be getting the car serviced at a dealer anyways, so shouldn't be a problem.  Find a good mechanic and you're set

[3.0L V6]

You're not comparing apples to apples.  I can find a used 2008 SE for $16K in BC without a problem, but I can find a used 2008 SXT in Seattle for $16K.  The cheapest used 2008 Grand Caravan SXT I can find in my province is listed for $25,995 on autotrader.ca.

When it's time to buy, it might be a different story though.

Fair enough. I didn't know the 4.0L was a requirement for you.

But that rental still isn't a deal for you. Considering the exchange rate ($1CDN = ~0.80USD), the pain in the ass of driving it from California to BC, the fact that it was a rental vehicle and the company that warrants it may not be around very long and I think it's overvalued.

Considering the economy, if you wait you can probably find a real bargain within the next six to twelve months.

[SVT666]

Fair enough. I didn't know the 4.0L was a requirement for you.

But that rental still isn't a deal for you. Considering the exchange rate ($1CDN = ~0.80USD), the pain in the ass of driving it from California to BC, the fact that it was a rental vehicle and the company that warrants it may not be around very long and I think it's overvalued.

Considering the economy, if you wait you can probably find a real bargain within the next six to twelve months.

I'm not buying until January.

[r0tor]

rental = run for the hills

[Raza]

The problem is every last 2008 Grand Caravan available in BC for under $25K is an SE.  That van comes with the 3.3L.  The only way to get the 4.0L is to get the SXT.

I know you're a minivan fan, but have you thought of a wagon?  Low ride height and cargo load level may make it more practical in practical terms than a minivan.  I mean, if you cut out cargo space in the cargo area that is not likely (or safe) to be used, how different is a wagon from a minivan or SUV?

[Pommes-T]

My Polo was a former rental car and it was the most reliable car our family had ever owned. But we bought it for round about 1500$.
I don`t think I`d buy a former rental car in this price range though.

[CJ]

I know you're a minivan fan, but have you thought of a wagon?  Low ride height and cargo load level may make it more practical in practical terms than a minivan.  I mean, if you cut out cargo space in the cargo area that is not likely (or safe) to be used, how different is a wagon from a minivan or SUV?

What if little Billy wants to bring a friend?  And since Billy gets to bring a friend, Sally is also going to want to bring one.  That's something to consider. 


Try finding a newer Odyssey.  They're pretty, dare I say it, FUN to drive.

[sandertheshark]

I'll buy an ex-rental when I've got some dead bodies I need stuffed in a trunk and driven into the river.

[Raza]

What if little Billy wants to bring a friend?  And since Billy gets to bring a friend, Sally is also going to want to bring one.  That's something to consider. 


Try finding a newer Odyssey.  They're pretty, dare I say it, FUN to drive.

There are 7 seat wagons.  Like the E55 AMG.

[2o6]

My Polo was a former rental car and it was the most reliable car our family had ever owned. But we bought it for round about 1500$.
I don`t think I`d buy a former rental car in this price range though.

Americans are different from europeans. Why do you think that there are no MT shift rentals in the US?

There are 7 seat wagons.  Like the E55 AMG.

They're much, much different. For example: Loading things into the car. It's hard to bend over to struggle to get in a baby seat, or bend over to put things inside a car. Minivans have height, and a flatter loading floor to get people inside much easier.

I know you're a minivan fan, but have you thought of a wagon?  Low ride height and cargo load level may make it more practical in practical terms than a minivan.  I mean, if you cut out cargo space in the cargo area that is not likely (or safe) to be used, how different is a wagon from a minivan or SUV?

Also, Minivans are more space efficient, having a low ride height (like a car) but the high roofline of an SUV. With 7 seat wagons, that rear bench is rear facing: it intrudes on cargospace, and is hard to get kids back there and still have room to fill it up with cargo.

[SVT666]

What if little Billy wants to bring a friend?  And since Billy gets to bring a friend, Sally is also going to want to bring one.  That's something to consider. 


Try finding a newer Odyssey.  They're pretty, dare I say it, FUN to drive.

There's a reason we're not looking at them...price.

[SVT666]

There are 7 seat wagons.  Like the E55 AMG.

We have a 6 seat wagon now, don't want another one.  They are simply not as practical as a minivan.  With two car seats in it, the back row has been rendered useless. 

[ifcar]

We have a 6 seat wagon now, don't want another one.  They are simply not as practical as a minivan.  With two car seats in it, the back row has been rendered useless. 

Do you have the second-row center console or a passage?

[Eye of the Tiger]

We have a 6 seat wagon now, don't want another one.  They are simply not as practical as a minivan.  With two car seats in it, the back row has been rendered useless. 

Minivans are no picnic. THey are way up high, and you have to climb into them. ANd if your kid falls out of a minivan, there is a 212.5% greater chance that they will sustain a boo-boo.

[SVT666]

Do you have the second-row center console or a passage?

Middle passage.  But for anyone taller then say 42", it's nearly impossible to maneuver yourself through it and into the back seat.  Especially when there are car seats in the way.  Believe me I had to do it on Sunday.  I would buy another wagon when the kids are older and don't need car seats anymore, but as long as there are car seats in our cars, it's going to be a minivan for us. 

[Soup DeVille]

Middle passage.  But for anyone taller then say 42", it's nearly impossible to maneuver yourself through it and into the back seat.  Especially when there are car seats in the way.  Believe me I had to do it on Sunday.  I would buy another wagon when the kids are older and don't need car seats anymore, but as long as there are car seats in our cars, it's going to be a minivan for us. 

Car seats really do fuck a lot of things up.

[ifcar]

Middle passage.  But for anyone taller then say 42", it's nearly impossible to maneuver yourself through it and into the back seat.  Especially when there are car seats in the way.  Believe me I had to do it on Sunday.  I would buy another wagon when the kids are older and don't need car seats anymore, but as long as there are car seats in our cars, it's going to be a minivan for us. 

So are you hoping for a two-passenger bench seat that you can get to the rear along the side of, or just something where it's easier to get between the captain's chairs?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Car seats really do fuck a lot of things up.

Amen!

[the Teuton]

Get something more in line with the Daimler part of DaimlerChrysler.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=255939089&dealer_id=54200403&car_year=2006&rdm=1234460157046&model=R_CLASSCLASS_SERIES&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=15213&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=12&standard=false

[NomisR]

Car seats really do fuck a lot of things up.

Why did they ever make this a law?  It should be the parent's choice on it and not the government's rules.  I grew up fine without one as with majority of us on here.

[TBR]

Why did they ever make this a law?  It should be the parent's choice on it and not the government's rules.  I grew up fine without one as with majority of us on here.

Yeah, my parents only used on when I was really young. I am not really sure when they stopped, but it was definitely earlier than parents do now.

[Cookie Monster]

Yeah, my parents only used on when I was really young. I am not really sure when they stopped, but it was definitely earlier than parents do now.

+1

I think they just keep increasing the minimum weight and height...

[the Teuton]

Apparently life was rather unsafe back then.  How are we all alive?

[SVT666]

Apparently life was rather unsafe back then.  How are we all alive?

A lot of children died in car accidents.  A lot.  Traffic was also nowhere near as crazy as it is now, and drivers were a lot more respectful back in the day.

[SVT666]

So are you hoping for a two-passenger bench seat that you can get to the rear along the side of, or just something where it's easier to get between the captain's chairs?

The latter.

[GoCougs]

In theory, sure. It's no different than with any other used car: it's on a car-by-car basis - condition, records, options, etc.

In practice, probably not. I simply wouldn't be interested in the typical rental car.

[the Teuton]

A lot of children died in car accidents.  A lot.  Traffic was also nowhere near as crazy as it is now, and drivers were a lot more respectful back in the day.

I grew up riding around in a sardine can on wheels, a 1985 Astro that my mom got in 1990.  I don't remember having a car seat at any point.  I do remember riding in the front seat.

Have you ever seen the crash tests for the old Astro before the updates?

It was pretty gruesome in all respects.  I was in a few minor fender benders in that car, and I was fine.

In saying this, do all parents of young children go to such great lengths of protection with their kids these days?