Need advice immediately!!!!

[sbbamafan]

I knew I forgot something else. I had horrible offers for trade on my Dodge. I paid about $23k for it and a dealer (of any type) would not offer me more than $5k. This killed me because it looked like new and rode like new (at least until something else would break). I tried for about 2 months to sell it via Autotrader, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Craigslist, etc. Not one call. I finally decided to put it on eBay. I figured one way or another it would be gone in a week. I ended up selling for about $7,500, still a horrible residual value.

Do yourself a favor and check on 2002 or 2003 4Runners and see what they are going for compared to 2002 or 2003 Durangos.

Again I have to say - DON'T DO IT!

 

[Mirlen]

Just stare at Consumer Reports ratings with your eyes squinted and you can find the good cars, they're the one that show up in red, who do you think this is?

And who do you think this is?

Red=Good, black=bad historic reports from owners.

 

[kimboy]

A good question to ask is, is this the end of the line for the ASPEN?

 

[bsl888]

Don't do it!

Chrysler is in a heap of trouble just trying to stay above water. Even Jim Press (who left Toyota to Chrysler), imply that he doesn't know the future product plans for Chrysler. Imagine the depreciation on a discontinued model, or for that matter, a car company split into piecemeals after the owner Cerebrus realise that they can't run a car company. Why do you think Mercedes dumped Chrysler after many years trying to improve on the products. They just couldn't do it.

Stay with the 3rd gen 4Runner. I regret getting rid of mine. Would have loved having both the 3rd and 4th gen.

 

[iRCaDiKz]

I used to own a brand new 2002 Chrysler minivan 5 yrs ago, in 6 mos i had transmission problem, traded it in and the value was way way down they bought it for only $9,000 i originally paid $23,000.

 

[04 sc V8]

Do yourself a huge favor and keep the 4runner or upgrade to a limited 4runner. The primary reason that I'm so partial to Toyota vehicles is that I'm a Mechanic and I have worked on every kind of domestic POS vehicle you could imagine(other imports too). I lost count on how many caravan transmissions that I have changed in vehicles that were just out of warranty with low miles.I was buying so many transmissions and PCM's from chrysler, they were giving me special pricing on them. All new chrysler vehicles(minus the ram diesel) don't even have a serviceable fuel filter. They have only the sock on the fuel pump in the tank! What a joke. My friends grand cherokee needed a waterpump and coolant fan relay(located behind the front header panel) at 60k miles. I could go on and on. GM vortec intake gaskets puking antifreeze at 50k. Ford steering racks binding up at 40k miles. I have owned several Toyota trucks and SUV's with 250k plus miles with no major problems or repairs required. When I started wrenching in the 80's I was a GM guy, until I owned and worked on a few Toyotas. They're in a class all by themselves!

 

[TheBlueWave]

I've now owned two Hondas and two Toyotas, along with several domestics. I can say that the Japanese cars are easier to work on, hands down! That's one reason I stick with them, to save money on mechanic costs. It always seems I can do more myself on Honda or Toyota vehicles. I had to change spark plugs on a GM 3800 v6 (very good motor in its heyday), what a B! Took me almost two hours!

My grandpa, dad, and uncles all say not to buy Chrysler products, and pretty much have said that since the '50s, well, gramps since the '50s anyway. My good mechanic buddy likes Chrysler diagnostic computers because they're very specific, but then again he says they have to be because so many problems are "common" with them, especially trannys.

Moral of this long post, friends don't let friends buy Chrysler products.

 

[peter78]

Originally posted by redskinboy And, please, no slamming the Aspen.

Well, it doesn't look like our group listens too well. I will try and give you my opinion, without slamming the Aspen, which kind of hard to do.

My guess , is they are giving you a pretty good deal. You mentioned it will be the same payments, but my guess is, you will have longer time to pay. If you look at the numbers, it is almost always wiser to hang onto your car. I don't know what year your 4Runner is, but you take a hit in the first couple of years on any car.

My feeling is, life is too short, if you really like the car, then go for the new car. One thing, I think cars will even go down a bit more in the next couple of months, with $4 gas coming and a recession showing it's ugly head. If you are unsure, waiting I don't think would hurt. But, if you love it, just go for it and understand, once you buy, the new car, any new car, you will be behind the 8 ball for awhile. Of course you will be getting a new car and a pretty good warranty. (See it is possible to give a post, without slamming Chrysler. :bash: ).

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The Aspen is just the Dodge Durango in fancier clothes and IMO those look almost like a mini-van that was sharing Barry Bonds secret stash.

I would do some research on the Durangos if you can't find too much info regarding reliablity on the Asens specifically.

 

[Even Steven]

For what it's worth, I think the Aspen looks better than it Dodge Durango cousin, mostly because of the front end styling.

One of my buddies has a black Hemi Durango and it seems to be a nice vehicle. He tinted the windows and put the Dodge Ram 20" OEM polished wheels on it and it looks much better.

I'd still never trade "down" from a 4Runner to a Durango/Aspen though. You mentioned that you could get a "full size" SUV, but I don't really think the Aspen is considered full size. It is definiltey a big bigger than a 4Runner, but I don't think it falls into the full size category. Chyrsler has a habit of making light trucks and SUVs that fit somewhere between mid size and full size. Just look at the Dakota....

 

[SConnors]

I owned a Toyota pick-up (1979) beater, then went through 3 Jeep Cherokees over 14 years, with the last one purchased new in 98 and sold early last year.

I prefer the style, power to wieght ratio, and off road handling of the Jeep, but can't bring myself to deal with more drivelime vibrations, breaks and rattles. I'm tempted to go into a tirade, but I'm stoping now.

There is a reason I came back to Toyota!

Chrysler products are fine if you're prepared to work on them. But if you can't turn a wrench yourself, I'd say stay away. None of my Jeeps went longer than 6 months without some sort of issue.

 

[00void]

Chrysler products are fine if you're prepared to work on them. But if you can't turn a wrench yourself, I'd say stay away. None of my Jeeps went longer than 6 months without some sort of issue.

while i'm inclined to agree with this due to friends who've had nothing but trouble with their Jeep GC's, my lady has had two Jeep GC's over the course of six years and they've been nothing but trouble free. maybe she's been lucky? idk...

that said, i was going to purchase an SRT-8 but after reading the SRT-8 forum and the trouble these guys had (2 weeks after purchase these things were back in the shop) i ditched the idea.

anyway, the Aspen looks nice for what it is and i say get what you want.

also, the depreciation on these things are probably so big because of all the rebates and incentives they offer up front. my fianc

 

[spo0587]

I had a 1998 Dodge Avenger as my first car, and never will I got back to Chrysler.The door handles broke off one day and left me stranded! This has happened to many Sebring and Avenger owners of that oh so great generation of bad transmissions, engines, and everything in between. This website says it all. And don't think its conspiracy theory, it's true.

www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com

 

[redskinboy]

You guys have ALL bought up great points - in fact I emailed the salesman last night ans said give me a list or reasons I should consider the Aspen over the 4runner and as of 5:19 PM he hasn't responded - that tells me something right there.

I am taking the board's advice - keeping the 4Runner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BamBam]

Because the only reason he could come up with was:

"I want your money."

 

[peter78]

I would like to chime in one more time. Last week a member e-mailed me and asked me about towing with my 2001 4Runner. I wrote him a few e-mails and he was all excited about getting a used 2001 4Runner to tow his pop-up which by pop-up standards is somewhat heavy.

He gave me a link to a pop-up forum and pretty much the forum talked him out of getting rid of his Dodge Caravan. The first post on page two tells him why he is making a big mistake if he gets the 4Runner. Other posts talk about how bad and unreliable the 4Runner is.

It is interesting how the other shoe is slammed on this forum. I hope the member does not mind. It is just another point of view. Also, no mention of the 4Runner is on a frame or is rear wheel drive. Anyhow, if you got the time, it is a interesting read on why the Dodge is a better vehicle.

http://www.popupexplorer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55228&whichpage=1

 

[BamBam]

I've noticed that many people who recommend vehicles like a Dodge go almost purely on horsepower ratings and other random specs. What good does horsepower do for you if your car doesn't run half the time, or if you feel like it's going to shake to pieces every time you go on the freeway?

There is so much that goes into a car besides "numbers". You need to look at the reliability and resale numbers first and foremost if you are attempting to make a wise investment. Well, let me rephrase that... a car is never really a wise investment, but you can make less stupid decisions than others. It is a depreciating asset pretty much no matter what you do, it is just a matter of trying to find something that won't hurt as bad over the long haul.

 

[SConnors]

speaking of numbers... a higher center of gravits was mentioned, but I'm not sure where they got the data to back that up... and I like how the torsion suspension leads to a wider wheelbase... ???? LOL

 

[spo0587]

Dodge is crap when it comes to resale. I sold mine for $3K and it was in perfect condition! It took me 3 months too. No one wanted it...I wonder why? I pray for the girl I sold it to daily.

 

[ran]

I'm happy as hell with these two Toyotas here. My '07 SE V6 4x4 and her '02 Tacoma 4dr V6 PreRunner.
I still remember my old 318 V8 A body from Plymouth, a 1969 Barracuda. I think it was close to 250K before selling it. If chrysler still made the slant 6 and 318/360 V8s, those A bodies would still be on the road another 20- years. I still see old Darts, Valients,and Novas and Falcons.