Those zany marketing guys! Apparently euphemisms like "gently used" and "pre-loved" aren't enough to make us want to rush out and buy a used car. WebProNews brings us Chrysler's marketing mavens' latest attempt to obfuscate: "brand spankin' used." You can expect to see that phrase plastered all over used vehicle web sites like Cars.com and AutoTrader.com soon. Chrysler plans to list every certified pre-owned vehicle in every U.S. Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer's inventory. That equates to over 20K vehicles listed each day. Why so many? Because Chrysler has a glut of used cars to unload since they dumped transferred all of their unsold 2006 models into their used car inventory in June. Banning over 600 dealers from Chrysler's used car auctions probably didn't help move the metal either.
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So there are “used” 2006 models that have essentially 0 miles on them?
I’m in the market for a new (to me) car sometime in the next year, and I’m cheap. Maybe one of their minivans would work well…
nonce:
So there are “used” 2006 models that have essentially 0 miles on them?
Yes. In June Chrysler allowed dealers to sell their new 2006’s as used vehicles after they had been designated as “loaners” or “demos” for as little as one day. Previously they had to use the car for three months before they could be sold as used.
So, do they carry the new car warranty?
Hmm…A “used” CRD Liberty? Maybe I’ll take a look at Chrysler now.
“gently used” is one of my favorite b.s. phrases tossed around on TTAC. How the hell do you know it was “gently”? :)
Now, now– Don’t be so biased toward the negative. Chrysler has used this slogan before.
I’m in the market for a new (to me) car sometime in the next year, and I’m cheap.
If ever there was an opportunity for ruthless negotiating (on your part) now is the time. Be merciless.
Brand spankin’ used? As fond as I am of discipline, it seems like a strange slogan.
‘“gently used”’ = no rollover damage
It’s not just 2006 model year cars.
They’re dumping never-been-titled 2005 Crossfires as used cars as well.
And as for signage, I just threw out the “Brand Spankin’ Used” place-holder plate that was on my SRT-6.
Hey, the only person who doesn’t drive a used car is the one who starts it up at the end of the assembly line!
As for the warranty questions, it sure seems like these vehicles should get “Certified” status at the least.
On the warranty, according to http://www.brandspankinused.com (no, I didn't make that up) Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned vehicles have two: 8-Year / 80,000 Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty Each Five Star Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle is factory backed with reliability providing an 8-Year / 80,000-Mile Limited Warranty running from the date vehicle is sold as new. The Limited Warranty covers repair or replacement of most major powertrain components including transmission, engine and driveline. 3-Month / 3,000-Mile Maximum Warranty Along with the comfort of the Powertrain Limited Warranty, Five Star Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles provide additional coverage with the 3-Month/3,000-Mile Maximum Care Limited Warranty beginning at the end of the New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty period or when you purchase your vehicle, whichever is later. The 3-Month/3,000-Mile Maximum Care Limited Warranty is full mechanical coverage for 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. If it's mechanical, it's covered. The warranty covers most additional vehicle components (more than 800).
I’m as cheap as a free lunch, and it sounds like the trough has opened for the day.
I just checked and the inventory of Crossfire convertibles with the SRT package is pitiful. It’s funny to see dealers trying to get over 30k for these things!
Hey, give the new owners credit – they’re doing something different…. maybe if they were to sell all Chryslers this way, they might have a shot at making it!
LA Times 8/8/07, brand new 2007 PT Cruiser are being sold for $10,990.00 and fully loaded (power everything) PT Cruisers “Touring edition” are going for $13,800.00. I bet one could get one of those cars even cheaper. A new PTnot used new, but new new) Cruiser for $10K. I guess it worth buying one one and throwing it away in four years or donating it to the Salvation Army for the tax write off. No wonder they are going broke.
I just did a search for ’05 up Jeep Liberty, max price, $20k, no results. Searched for PT Cruiser, ’05 up, max price, $10k, nothing. Ram at $20k, nothing. Just a big marketing ploy or Cerberus already pulled the plug on this fast dash for some quick cash. Cerberus only wants top dollar. They won’t let this stuff go at a discount.
I did a search within 75 miles of my home here in Ohio, and the only “new used” I found were some 2006 Dodge Stratus. I checked Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge – all the rest seemed your typical 20,000 mile used rental cars.
Sounds like a marketing scam to me.
I see several 2005 Crossfires on our local autotrader search with under 10 miles on them.
Here is one:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=226504979&dealer_id=66920&car_year=2005&model=CROSSFIRE&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=CHRY&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=95037&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=50