Upgrade to Chrysler 200

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smc733

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Hi All,

So I've had my 2011 Corolla for a little over a year, and while I like the car overall, there are some annoyances that are getting annoying over time with my consistent highway driving:

1. Steering on the highway is very disconnected and annoying (not to mention, the wind whips this thing around).

2. I'm getting an annoying rattle in the dash.

3. The I4/4spd are just getting plain boring...

Ever since I passed up on a 2007 Sebring last year (with the rare 3.5L V6), I've been wishing I had a larger engine, heavier car, etc...

I saw this really good deal on a Chrysler 200, lightly used:
http://www.mansfieldjeepchrysler.net/use...08a64291e4d.htm

What do you guys think of this car? It has the nav, Touring, S package, and the Pentastar V6. Is there anything I should look out for with this car? Does the price seem fair?

Also, would it be wise (Since I can't go to view the car till thursday), to put a refundable deposit (on an Amex) over the phone?

I can seem to get around $12,500 for my Corolla, would this be a decent trade (about a 7k difference)?

Thanks in advance for any input!
 
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I would keep the Corolla. The new 200 just seems cheap interior wise (the plastics seem cheap). Plus, being a Chrysler, you're opening yourself up to a multitude of electrical and mechanical problems.

The Pentastar V6 is going to be faster than your Corolla, though!

Keep what you have, you'll be better off in the long run! You don't have a car that was a complete failure and had to be renammed in order to even sell at all.
 
Well, it will be a lot smoother and more powerful for sure. If you aren't happy with the car you've got, replace it by all means. Life's too short to live with a car you hate.
 
I'd look into getting +1 wheels/tires to sharpen up the steering without extracting too big a ride penalty. Look on the forums, some larger OEM wheels might come up from somebody who hates how they look. For the dash rattle, start haunting the dealer to fix it.

Some more questions to think about are how much your fuel bill will increase with a torquey Pentastar under the hood, how much would the monthly car note (if applicable) would go up, and if it's a suitable car for your purposes.

$12.5k for a 1 year old Corolla seems awfully low. It seems like the dealer is capitalizing on your wish for a different car to make themselves a good deal.

Originally Posted By: Miller88


Keep what you have, you'll be better off in the long run! You don't have a car that was a complete failure and had to be renammed in order to even sell at all.


I believe that the 200 and Sebring are fraternal twins rather than simple rebadges. The 200 is much nicer all around than a Sebring from personal experience and reading reviews. I had some seat time in a 2008 Sebring, and couldn't stand it. That car was a Tupperware convention on the inside, and was very cramped for the front-seat occupants. It also got abysmal fuel economy for being a 2.4l I4. The 200 was much nicer inside, and felt more spacious. It was hard to believe that it could be so nice on the inside in 200 form, and so atrocious in Sebring form.
 
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I like the 200, especially with the 3.6. The mid-cycle refresh really turned this car into something nice. I would much rather have a 200 than a Corolla, but that's just me.

The only thing I would seriously consider is resale. Even if you buy it used, you still take a bath when you go to resell it. Chryslers just don't hold their value.

Personally I always had great luck with Chrysler products. I am still driving a 1998 Cirrus that has been solid and in the family since new!
 
Lots of people complain about the Corolla steering feedback
Is it only at highway speeds ?

I would be leaning towards keeping the Corolla.
 
Good point about the gently used 200 being suspicious. Could be a sandy flood car.

I rented a 200 with the 4 cyl and hated it. Forget my objections but they mostly related to the drive by wire and car being too smart for me, with poor visibility. They say the V6 is a riot to drive though.
 
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
Well, it will be a lot smoother and more powerful for sure. If you aren't happy with the car you've got, replace it by all means. Life's too short to live with a car you hate.


+1. But just about anything would be an upgrade from a Corolla penalty box. It doesn't have to be a 200 or a V6. If a stable and smooth ride is what you want even a base Chevy Malibu or Cruze, Nissan Altima etc all are a better ride and driving car and reliable and safer in a crash.
 
Originally Posted By: mcshooter
my daughter in laws corolla 2007 is one of the most troublesome cars i have ever seen


When I worked in a tire shop there were bunches of late model corollas in... 40k miles... engines leaking oil out of random unidentifiable corners. Camrys and corollas also needing struts (leaking) before middle age, around 80k. Yeah you can stretch it longer on most cars even if 80k is a semi-known replacement interval. Maybe those owners were too cheap, ignorant, or paranoid to fix anything as long as the wheels were still turning, but the flipside is any car these days should be gas, oil changes, tires, filters and go to 100k.

Kia Rios were more refined (mechanically) and less leaky. They drive like crackerboxes but are at least honest about it.
 
Hi all,

Thank's a ton for all the input so far, a lot of different perspectives to consider.

For what appears to be the most glaring issue with the car:
This is the ONLY car on that site that does not take you to a free Carfax (the rest do), this worries me that they are probably hiding some damage, so this will certainly be a top priority to consider.

I've test-driven a 200 Limited I4, and the I4's engine noise was very disappointing, despite having nice performance. I didn't think the handling was anything to write home about, though.

While I would like a smoother ride and more performance, a lot of what I'm reading leads me to believe that this would be a very poor financial decision...
 
Originally Posted By: smc733
I saw this really good deal on a Chrysler 200, lightly used:
http://www.mansfieldjeepchrysler.net/use...08a64291e4d.htm

What do you guys think of this car? It has the nav, Touring, S package, and the Pentastar V6. Is there anything I should look out for with this car? Does the price seem fair?

Also, would it be wise (Since I can't go to view the car till thursday), to put a refundable deposit (on an Amex) over the phone?

Not my cup of tea with that wheel/tire combo, big $$ when time for new rubber.

If you like the 200 check out the 2013 models before making a decision.
Some of the bugs may have been addressed and a new model will be introduced out in 2014 so they are selling at value prices to clear out the '13's.

As for the over the phone deposit- don't do it! First off it makes you look anxious and you'll lose all bargaining power. The price is fair but I'd still bargain hard, dealers always leave room in the price for haggling and I don't think Chrysler 200s are flying off the lots.

This is last years model with mileage on it and a reputation for steep depreciation, which is good because you can get a deal if you handle it right, meaning being ready, willing and able to walk out if you don't like the deal. If fact you should walk out at least once even if you are happy with the deal, just to shake them up a bit, heh, heh.
mad.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: smc733

I saw this really good deal on a Chrysler 200, lightly used:
http://www.mansfieldjeepchrysler.net/use...08a64291e4d.htm

What do you guys think of this car? It has the nav, Touring, S package, and the Pentastar V6. Is there anything I should look out for with this car? Does the price seem fair?

Also, would it be wise (Since I can't go to view the car till thursday), to put a refundable deposit (on an Amex) over the phone?

Not my cup of with those wheel/tires combo, thats going to cost big $$ when time for new rubber.

If you like the 200 check out the 2013 models before making a decision.
Some of the bugs may have been addressed and a new model will be introduced out in 2014 so they are selling at value prices to clear out the '13's.

As for the over the phone deposit- don't do it! First off it makes you look anxious and you'll lose all bargaining power. The price is fair but I'd still bargain hard, dealers always leave room in the price for haggling.

This is last years model with mileage on it and a reputation for steep depreciation, which is good because you can get a deal if you handle it right, meaning being ready, willing and able to walk out if you don't like the deal. If fact you should walk out at least once even if you are happy with the deal, just to shake them up a bit, heh, heh.


Interesting, I think perhaps I will let it wait until Thursday, and if it goes, it goes...

I do know these depreciate fast, which worries me that this is a far more unsound financial decision... But, any thoughts on what I could haggle them to? If I could get the difference between my trade and this car to $5k, I might be inclined to bite...

I have also been looking at 2013 200s, and there are some great incentives right now ($3250 cash allowance), but my biggest problem with them is that the V6 models cost too much, and the I4 is WAY louder than my Corolla.
 
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