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Something w/good cargo capacity would be nice. I like wagons, but there aren't many to choose from these days.
I've got one of the clunkers @18mpg that could get me to consider trading in; I've never owned a new car and don't like the idea of yrs of payments, but if the savings were huge enough, I could potentially change my requirements to fit the auto.
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Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler - Double your cash $3500 or $4500
Joe
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Carm,
Chrysler will double your cash. Possibly. The amount you'll actually get on top of the clunker rebate depends on the model. For example, trade your clunker for a Jeep Patriot and you'll only get $3500 in the northeast. 'course, you'll get that same $3500 even if you don't have a clinker to trade in for the new vehicle.
The ads make it seem like you'll double the clinkers rebate and that's not necessarily the case. Some people even think you'll get the clunkers rebate, an amount that matches it _and_ an additional cash incentive. I saw someone arguing that at a Jeep dealership two days ago. The ad is that misleading!
My experience at that Jeep dealership soured me so much that I refuse to set foot in that particular dealership again in the future. For what it's worth, the wait times to talk to a salesperson are horrible, the staff forget you're there even though you constantly remind them of your presence and although they offer free access to the Internet for customers, they do it via connecting a Mac Mini to an LCD TV making Windows the primary OS of the computer. The nerve!
Robert
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If you accept Consumer's Reports latest owner's surveys, Chrysler products (Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep) are at the absolute bottom of the heap in reliability.
Just something to consider (and probably a factor in why they're offering to match the Cash-for-Clunkers rebate.)
Also keep in mind that to get the max $4,500, the new vehicle needs to get much better mileage than what you're trading in; and that's not as likely when the new vehicle is a van or similar sized vehicle.
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All the used cars I'd been considering would no doubt have pricey repairs sooner or later- older mdl Volvo or even older BMW wagons. Long flat space is useful for me, but admittedly, I don't need it all That often.
The notion of a new car w/trouble-free yrs and great mileage does have it's appeal. I need to weigh that against the pull of Euro-style bought cheap.
I saw a Fit on the street yesterday & went over to check it out. I think the new ones are supposed to be a little bigger, but that (last year's?) mdl was one small car! I saw how the cargo area went down extra deep, though.
One absolute requirement is a sunroof.
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I'm with Psurfer, a wagon fan, but nothing much to choose from .
I'm thinking Pontiac Vibe myself, but I have not begun the calling process.
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given the size of the Fit, i'm disappointed with its MPG ratings.
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I am a big wagon fan too, but the only new cars out there that could really replace my 87' Toyota Cressida would run close to $30K before the rebate, and I don't really want another car payment right now.
I was looking at the Toyota Venza and the Subaru Outback, but now I am considering the Fit and the Versa because they are much less expensive, but also smaller. The Matrix / Vibe is also appealing.
