Hybrid Aspen
 

Any Aspen Hybrid owners out here? I am looking at buying a 2009 demo. I got a quote for 39064. I might buy it if they will give me more for my 2002 Durango so far they are giving me 4500.

tell them you need a better price they need to make a sale most dealers are hurting

That's insanely high for a demo - likely more than you should be paying for it new!!

If they stick to their guns, you might want to consider doing an analysis of MPG as it relates to price. I'm betting it would take you the better part of 5-6 years to break even on that deal.

For example:

Aspen Hybrid: $39,064
Aspen Hemi: $32,000
Difference: $7,064

Let's assume worst case - gas goes up to $4/gallon, and you drive 15,000 miles/year

Combined mileage for Hybrid is 19.5 combined, and 15.5 combined for Hemi non-hybrid (assume 50/50 split city and highway driving, and 4x4 for both).

Annual fuel costs

Hybrid $3,077
Hemi $3,871

Yearly cumulative benefit of hybrid (not controlled for inflation)

Year 1: $794
Year 2: $1,588
Year 3: $2,382
Year 4: $3,176
Year 5: $3,970
Year 6: $4,764
Year 7: $5,558
Year 8: $6,352
Year 9: $7,146

So, it will take you around 9 years in the above example just to break even, and that's assuming the maintenance costs of the Hybrid are the same as non-hybrid (not likely).

With some cars, the argument for environmental consciousness is used. However, that's a tough argument to swallow for a 5,000 pound SUV with a Hemi engine that still gets less than 20 mpg combined. It's no wonder why Chrysler isn't making the hybrid anymore.

Conclusion: Save your $$ and buy the non-hybrid, unless you buy a new car every 10+ years.

Note: I didn't factor in any tax credits, which might shave a year or two off the break-even timeline. However, these credits are being phased out.

Finally, by way of example, my 2008 Aspen is loaded with every available option, and I purchased it with 18k miles for $25k and change. The value of these vehicles drop like bricks, so don't pay more than you have to.

I just built one optioned like the hybrid and it came to 37687 on chrysler.com There is a 2200 tax credit on the hybrid for sure already looked into that. The sticker on the hybrid is 48867. I looked at a non hybrid and its sticker was 45600 thought it was a break even thing here. Maybe I will just keep my 02 untill the wheels fall off :D

After talking to the guy again it has waaaay to many miles for me it has 4300. It is not cheap enough I would pay 500 more for a car that I am the first to fart in:D. I did find one in Georga for 10k off sticker and more for my trade without seeing it. I don't know, I have not seen or talked to someone that has had one so it makes me a little nervice.

just keep shopping you will find the right one for you at the right price

That is way too much. My husband and I bought a new 2008 with the tow package at the very end of December and paid $29,000.00. It was listed at $42,000.00 with a $1500.00 discount so they were trying to sell it for $40,500.00. My husband held firm and would've walked, and they knew it. We're very happy with it. It does only average between 13.4 mpg and 14.5mpg, but we knew that going in.

The hybrid starts at $46,120 (MSRP), so I can only assume that you're talking about a non-hybrid Aspen. The original poster is looking into buying a hybrid...apples and oranges.

The 2008s in December had huge incentives, so you got a good deal and the dealership still made money.

I completely understand that, and yes my Aspen a non-hybrid. In addition ,I do realize that my Aspen is a 2008 and not a 2009, but I still believe that it is over-priced. It's a demo. To me that is used and not brand new, and the fact that they are not going to making the Aspen and Durango any longer means that it may become harder to find parts for the regular Aspen, never mind the hybrid. All of that can be factored into talking the price down.

I know that we got a great deal and our cash back incentive was $4500.00, but there are even greater incentives out there now for the 2009 model. I just hate for anyone to overpay.

Gotcha - I was just clarifying so it wasn't misunderstood that you purchased a new Hybrid for $29k. Agreed that the original poster is being absolutely ripped off, though. The Hybrid Aspen in general is a bad idea, and it's (very) limited production run makes me wonder how well it will be supported when things go wrong.

yup, overpriced.. just keep hunting though.. you'll eventually find one. good luck :) :)

I own a Hybrid
 

Don't buy one. Its a piece of crap. Mine is in the shop constantly, electrical, battery, engine, sensors. TCM <--Thats a $7000 part. It will not stop having issues. I have checked many other blogs and there are so many other people who are having the same issues. That's the real reason they only made it for 1 year.

Not exactly.....

There was a HUGE "BUY-IN" price for dealerships to be able to sell "HEV" vehicles. Since Chrysler only offered the package on ASPENS and Durangos, it really wasnt worth it. ( Rumors had it at over 200,000 dollars)

Now ...The few dealerships that did actually "Buy-In" quickly found out that technical training on the vehicles was almost non-existent, and the safety equipment necessary for working on these vehicles was extremely expensive. Did any of you know, that a simple oil change and tire rotation on a Hybrid was potentially Lethal???

Now...Couple that with the fact stated earlier, about "Break Even" time.....

The economy factor wasnt nearly enough to justify the added cost of purchase.....For god sakes...its a 4500 lb vehicle.....Gas mileage is going to suffer whether it is run on Gasoline, electric, or Donkey Water....

Whether it is a Chrysler, or Toyota, or Some un invented brand that no-one has dreamed up yet......The Hybrid looked good on Paper, but it didnt live up to its own Hype. City ...Or Stop and Go driving..Of course will show a benefit, But...the guy who Commutes 60 miles each way to work, on The Highway, got ...NO BENEFIT over a Conventional Vehicle....

For Potential Aspen Owners, I would seriously Look into the MDS Hemi, before (AND AFTER) looking at a hybrid.

That's shy by more than 1000lbs. It's over 5500. The one C&D tested was 5700 lbs. A 2wd Hemi weighs ~5000.

I have a code that has come in since I bought it, Cylinder2 Misfire. The dealerships wont fix it, I have taken it to 3. Its been in the shop about 10-12 times. How can I fix this problem because Chrysler won't. They just erase it and say nothings wrong. It comes in 90% of the time when going from electric to gas.

I would recommend calling corporate, asking them to open a file on the issue, and asking for a referral to a dealer with expertise working on the Aspen Hybrid.

Good luck.

I still think its garbage.
 

I have had three "Care Numbers" with Chrysler. Engine light still comes on when going from electric to gas.

I have contacted them. Three seperate files have been opened. Their engineers have been involved last two times. Still doesn't work properly. 30,000km, 3 dealerships and too many appointments to count, I still get the engine light.

Cylinder 2 misfire.

:mad:

My Aspen Hybrid is finally fixed, almost. I got a copy from the device desk. 11 times it's been worked on. 53000 km later. They changed out the transmission pump and so far the engine light has only come on twice in the last two months. So why don't I just sell it, because there is no resale value.

If it's still throwing codes, it isn't repaired...at least not completely. With all of these problems, what kept you from negotiating a buyback with Chrysler at some point?

Anyway, if I were you I'd find a way to get rid of the vehicle. You seem to absolutely hate it, and if I detested anything that much I'd find a way to get rid of it regardless of resale value. Assuming you're not under warranty, you're continuing to dump money into it, which doesn't make sense.