Chrysler Buyback 3500, Is it a good deal??

[DBoyd]

I found a Chrysler buyback 2003, 3500 DRW, 6 spd, Laramie SLT, on a local dealer's lot. I asked the salesman about it and one said it was because of a window leak, the other said it was an injector problem. This rig is priced about 3K less than bluebook and only 5400 miles. Carfax had warnings and alerts all over about this truck. It still has the warranty left. Should I jump on it or let it slide??

 

[CWheeler]

Personally I would stay away from it. However, you should be able to find out the "real" history on the vehicle without much research. Take the 3k and put it into a vehicle that isn't a lemon.

 

[DieselNewby]

I'd stay away from it myself. I had a bad vehicle once and it just wasn't worth anything but headaches. Maybe they've worked out the issues, but for only $3k I'd be walking personally.

 

[PJ]

I wouldnt even think about it. If Chrysler actually bought it back, it must REALLY be a TURD. They don't buy back much of anything. Rarely will they ever fix anything. . Just my 3. 25 cents worth

 

[ttreibel]

If they think they have a great truck see if they will sweeten the deal with a bumper to bumper coverage to 70K with no deductible?

 

[DBoyd]

Thanks for your inputs. The asking price of the 2003 is $27900 and I think they are having a hard time moving it since it is a buyback and a regular cab also. Regular cabs are few and far between anymore.

 

[woodsrat]

buyback

If it is a true buyback it should come with a one year bumper to bumper warrenty. A freind of mine bought one that had transmission problems he drove it home said that transmission was still sliping and they put in new one. Then he had a light out and they repalced the whole wiring harrness. It all depends on how much you can depend on the dealer and if you can be with out the truck. He made payments for three months while the truck was in the shop but it was like a new truck when he got everything fixed.

 

[XJSuperman]

Originally posted by woodsrat

If it is a true buyback it should come with a one year bumper to bumper warrenty. A freind of mine bought one that had transmission problems he drove it home said that transmission was still sliping and they put in new one. Then he had a light out and they repalced the whole wiring harrness. It all depends on how much you can depend on the dealer and if you can be with out the truck. He made payments for three months while the truck was in the shop but it was like a new truck when he got everything fixed.

I would think regardless of it being a buyback... if it only has 5400 miles on it then the truck should still have AT LEAST the rest of (31,600 miles) of the 3yr/36K bumper to bumper warranty... right?

Get them to toss in a full 7yr/100K mile bumper to bumper warranty and I'd think you;d be good to go.

 

[tcb]

3k off is not enough. 6k makes it sound right regular cabs are not hot so they should really be ready to deal. but personally, i would pass and buy new. i bet somewhere out there is a dealer that can get real close. i was in san antonio awhile back and was amazed at the prices on the dealer lots.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Thats too much for a regular cab that's nearly two years old, IMO.

 

[PJ]

For the record, my 2004 was only $33k out the door NEW.

The sticker was $42k. I also had no sales tax here in Oregon. . Buy NEW. Stay away from the buy back!

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by DBoyd

priced about 3K less than bluebook and only 5400 miles. Carfax had warnings and alerts all over about this truck. It still has the warranty left. Should I jump on it or let it slide??

Excellent trade in price is 23,000

. You know it isn't 'Excellent' or it wouldn't be back on the lot



Good trade in price 21,710 (it's a buy back, use this one)

CarFax bad notations: suck off $3,000 at least,

now you are at 18,700



Make them throw in the 70,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. If at this point, you are willing to accept that it just might be back in the shop in 3 weeks before they get it "really fixed", then you might consider a go of it.



Can't get all of this package deal, walk away and don't even think about it again.



Just an opinion - everyone has one...

 

[bighammer]

If whatever the problem is could've been fixed easily, they would've. (and it wouldn't have been bought back)

 

[HOCummins04]

With carfax having warnings all over it, you have to consider resale or trade-in down the road. If you kept it for 5 years and had no problems, you could argue it is not a lemon. If you decide in 6 months you want/need a quad cab (or that it is a lemon and the dealer can not/will not fix it right), that $3K will be chump change after you get shafted getting rid of it. That may seem pessimistic, but car dealers make their living on trade difference.



If you are still interested, I would not buy it without talking to previous owner. I will not buy a used vehicle unless it is 1- a one-owner and 2-talking to that owner to find out how well vehicle performed, problems, why traded, etc...



The dealership has a vested interest in selling the truck. The previous owner now has no stake in the truck. You may still not get the full skinny, but you are far less likely to be misled by the previous owner than an anxious, commissioned salesperson.



Also, at least in my state - West Virginia lemon laws don't apply to subsequent purchasers and you have no legal leverage with dealership or DC to get it fixed right "or buy it back"



Just my . 02, for what it is worth. I would pass and get hold of Tomeygun.

 

[Dean Upson]

Don't walk away, run away from that truck.



Dean

 

[bighammer]

Originally posted by HOCummins04

With carfax having warnings all over it, you have to consider resale or trade-in down the road. If you kept it for 5 years and had no problems, you could argue it is not a lemon. If you decide in 6 months you want/need a quad cab (or that it is a lemon and the dealer can not/will not fix it right), that $3K will be chump change after you get shafted getting rid of it. That may seem pessimistic, but car dealers make their living on trade difference.



If you are still interested, I would not buy it without talking to previous owner. I will not buy a used vehicle unless it is 1- a one-owner and 2-talking to that owner to find out how well vehicle performed, problems, why traded, etc...



The dealership has a vested interest in selling the truck. The previous owner now has no stake in the truck. You may still not get the full skinny, but you are far less likely to be misled by the previous owner than an anxious, commissioned salesperson.



Also, at least in my state - West Virginia lemon laws don't apply to subsequent purchasers and you have no legal leverage with dealership or DC to get it fixed right "or buy it back"



Just my . 02, for what it is worth. I would pass and get hold of Tomeygun.

Good point(s). Previous owner might easily spill his guts why he/she got rid of it. If it's a minor thing, then you consider going for it. If it's something major, then keep away.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

man, $28k for an '03 even with zero miles isn't that great IMHO... ESPECIALLY a buy back!!!!



my buddy Sean (TX Gooseneck on the board) bought a brand new '04. 5 HO 6sp quad cab dually for $28k at Bonham Chrysler. I think he was out the door for for under $33k after TT&L



walk away from it!!

 

[DBoyd]

Very good comments and opinions!! I would like to contact the previous owners but all I have is the carfax saying it was originally titled in Monahans, TX. The trail kinda fizzles out when they take it thru the auction. I was gonna trade in my 1999 3500 on it (of which has a new clutch and rebuilt transmission (6spd) trying to cure the infamous idle clatter!!) but may go ahead and try to drive out the $3000 I just invested in it on repairs!!!

Thanks again for the input.

 

[John - K5AWO]

You will be better served driving out a truck you know the history on, than one you can't find any history on at all except for those bad CarFax reports.



But, having said all that and my previous posts... . I am the 4th or maybe 5th owner of my 98. At least the CarFax says it was titled 4 times previously, twice in the same town in the same year. It traveled from California where it was sold and was titled in Maryland a year later, then twice in New Mexico and once in Las Vegas where I bought.



Had 86k when I bought it, has 94k now. Other than some leaks and a blown intercooler hose when I bought it (dealer fixed before sale), I have not had a moment's trouble with it. The CarFax report was clean except for the multiple titles.



I did the normal change all fluids routine, other than that, only 1 oil change at 5,000 miles use.

 

[SMorneau]

If this vehicle has been flagged by carfax then it should be worth at least $6k off the price and you should expect a warranty. I'd run the other way if they wouldn't do that. I wouldn't want to be exempt from another buyback if it proved to be a real dawg.