I am torn between 2 cars for a purchase! I am looking at a used Chrysler PT Cruiser. 2 of them actually. Here is the problem: There are 2 models I am looking at & just want some input as to which is smarter to buy.
The 1st is a 2006 touring edition. Decent options and only 15k miles on it from a dealer. Still has most of the original warranty left on it. The other is a 2004 limited edition. Fully loaded with everything. about 40k miles on it--also from a dealer. No warrantee left on it.
Sounds petty, I know. The problem is that I like all the added bells & whistles (like leather, sunroof, & heated seats)& I know it will keep a better value with the extras, but I am a fairly practical person & think that it would be better to have a newer car with the less miles on it. Or is it better to have older with more?
2007-03-19 06:22:30 · 7 answers · asked by ricks 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
I tend to take pretty good care of my cars as my current one is over 12 yrs old & has about $5k worth of work to put into it. Its still drivable, but I am not confident with it & it will become & extra car as I fix it here & there.
The added thing that adds to the delema is that the price is not really an issue b/c for the 2006, they want $11200 and the 2004, they want $10995. So I cant even really use price as a marker, because $200 is not significant enough make the difference.
Help! Which is better? Newer with less, or older with more?
I have researched them both & they are both rated pretty good with consumers reports.
2007-03-19 06:26:23 · update #1
bigtone: I the sales guy suggested that also, but personally, I would never do that. I think its pretty silly to put $5k or so into an $11k car just to jaz it up, when I could have just got a better car for the $16k at the start. Many do that, but I cant, just not practical.
2007-03-19 06:43:58 · update #2
I'm a practical person myself. If it were me choosing...I would buy the newer one. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time. Yeah...all those bells and whistles are nice, but....after a few years they will eventually break down. When they do it will be expensive to repair them.
I rented a 2006 PT Cruiser Touring Edition for 2 weeks after my car was rear ended. I thoroughly enjoyed driving it. I was surprised at the gas mileage too...average 24mpg mixed. In the 2006 model there's a shelf system in the trunk. My sister and I made great use of this while we were out shopping. You can pop out the rear seat to haul large items (didn't actually do this, but it was in the owner's manual). Don't know if the 2004 model has the shelf or the pop out seat. The only thing that I didn't care for too much was the seats. They are comfortable, but on the hard side. Because the seats are close to minivan height they had to put less padding in the seat bottom. Quite frankly, if I was in the market for another new car I wouldn't hesitate to buy a PT myself, irregardless of the seats.
One other thing...
The PT Cruiser has quite a following so there is ALOT of aftermarket goodies available for it, including continental kits.
Forgot to mention this...
For 2006 Chrysler changed the headlight styling of the PT. Supposedly the new styling lights the roadway better than the older models. I never drove an older one so I can't tell you that for a fact. I can tell you this though...the new styling lights the roadway very well.
Also...if you drive the PT through standing water, keep your speed way down. Because of the curvy styling up front it tends to splash water up and across the windshield. I found this out going 45mph through some standing water in the rental PT.
2007-03-19 06:55:00 · answer #1 · answered by ModelFlyerChick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get the better car with more miles. Not only because of the options, but because there is a better chance that the car was better cared for. But do a carfax on both before, just in case!!
2007-03-19 13:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by Jose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 2006 is the better financial value, having lower miles and warranty still intact.
But then, you don't drive a 'financial value', you drive a car. What is your personal comfort worth to you?
I'd get the one I wanted!
2007-03-19 13:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by flywho 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention price, but I'll assume fairly even. Get the one that has it all. That's the one that you want. If it breaks, then get it fixed, if it doesn't then you're ahead of the game.
You'll keep the car several years, get what you want and enjoy it. It's only money and you can't take it with you. Go for it.
2007-03-19 13:29:02 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would go for the one without the sunroof , the drain tubes are really small and you have to tear 1/2 the interior out to replace them ,and heated seats are a manufacturers warranty nightmare ( do you really want a fire to start there ? ), put on your best poker face and dicker , don't be afraid to walk out and don't fall for the " extended warranty " scam
2007-03-19 13:49:11 · answer #5 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would buy the car with lesser miles & warranty. You could always add extras as long as you own it.
2007-03-19 13:37:43 · answer #6 · answered by bigtone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure you will make the right decision. I would make a low offer on the 04 if they won't come down considerably if would buy the other.
2007-03-19 13:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by naaaooome 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋