2008 Chrysler Aspen - thinking of purchasing
 

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2008 Aspen. It is black, 5.7 Hemi, 20" chrome wheels, leather, no DVD, no climate control, no navigation, and in almost mint condition. First, why isn't there climate control? It has virtually every other option like heated seats but no climate control. Vehicle has just over 100,000 miles on it. Brand spanking new Michelin tires are on it.

Asking $15,000 for it from private party. Good deal?

I would like to use this vehicle to tow our pop up camper and pretty sure it will handle that fairly easily. I also have 3 kids in car seats so was hoping to put in second row bench and utilize 3rd row area for all cargo storage.

My main concerns are the mileage, if the 2nd row bench will accomodate 3 car seats, and the fact they don't make them anymore. I currently drive a Pacifica and want something a little nicer and more professional while having the towing/cargo capacities.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

I just got rid of my Aspen because of the rear facing car seat room. I had to ride with my knees in the dash. If they are forward facing you should be fine. $15,000 seems a little high to me. In my area the dealers are asking for 18k for the loaded ones with 4x4 and 65-75k miles.

It's going to be snug. I have a rear-facing baby seat behind the passenger seat and it's fine, but it wouldn't work behind mine unless I wanted to be closer to the steering wheel than I'd like to be. I think three car seats will fit, but it won't be fun.

If you're looking at a 2008 with 100k miles and none of the options you mention, $15k is the high end of dealer retail, regardless of Michelins. Private party should be in the neighborhood of $13,600. That's a lot of miles for a 2008, which kills the value. Expect to put some $$ into it within the first year or two of ownership for maintenance.

If you do buy the car, find out if the owner has done spark plug changes every 30k, oil changes at least every 6k, etc. The engine coolant should have been recently replaced (102k miles), and PCV was due for replacement at 90k. It's going to need a new serp belt and transmission fluid at 120k. Find out if the battery was recently replaced, as 5 years is the useful life for the OEM battery. Ask for service records.

Not on the list but necessary for occasional maintenance are brakes and new brake fluid (I replaced mine at the 5 year mark). Ask if the owner ever had any water leaks or electrical gremlins -- I see that on this board occasionally, although I've been lucky so far with my Aspen. I would have this vehicle thoroughly inspected before purchase.

Thanks for all the help. Not 100% sure that I want this car yet so I guess that means that I should wait.

I am trying to sell my 2007, Hemi, 2wd, third seat, etc. for $15000. 53,000 miles, and I have gotten no nibbles.

I have an 07 with 62k on it, everything but DVD (5.7 limited, nav, etc) and I was offered $17.5 on trade-in on a new Durango. I would have no trouble getting $18 out of this selling it on the street. I paid $24.5 over 2 years ago with 38k on it.

$15 is too much for those miles. I'm thinking like $13.

i know i am late to the party...but i just purchased an 08 black, "J" package w/111k nav, dvd, rear camera, 20's, hemi, every option but 2nd row buckets for $12,500 from a dealer.