Thinking of buying a 2013 Chrysler 200.. opinions?

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70DartMike

70DartMike

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Carmen is currently driving a 1991 Nissan Stanza, fully loaded, and it has been a good car, but it's getting to the point where it's got close to 300,000 KMs, and things are starting to go on it. We have been looking around at pretty much everything that's under $22K. The new Jetta, she doesn't like, the Corolla, ugly, Ford isn't offering any kind of deals right now, neither is Chevy, however the local Chrysler lot has a white 2013 Chrysler 200 with some good options, 4 cyl, 4 speed (I'm not a big fan of that, I would have thought a 6 speed in this day would be the minimum) for under $20K as it has a $2600 rebate, and no payments for 90 days (which works great for us as we have a mortgage and it was just Christmas, and I have been off for a month and don't start my new job until Jan 15).

Carmen fell in love with it when she saw it, and even more when we test drove it. It was the only car out of all the ones we looked at that she is very excited to own.

This will be a family car, but mainly for Carmen as she'll be the one driving it to and from work every day, which is about 25 km's away.

Fuel mileage is a good thing, however we test drove the new Dart which supposedly gets great mileage, but it was pretty cramped in there for me - I'm 6'2 - and she didn't like the rougher, sportier ride.

How's the fuel mileage on the Chrysler 200 4 cyl? The salesman claimed it gets around 42 MPG on highway, but I think that's BS. I read online reviews which state it gets 30 MPG highway.

Another thing, is the payments. We're stuck between taking on something with payments, as opposed to saving up some money to buy something used for cheaper, however there's no warranty that way, which she wants.

We basically have to decide if we want it or not by tomorrow, since tomorrow is the last day of 2013, and the 90 day payment delay and $2600 off ends at the end of the year.

Opinions on this car?
 
Haven't driven one but heard they are good cars.A mini 300 so to speak.Anyways heres a bump for ya maybe some one will chime in.
 
I just bought my wife a 2014 200 convertible, only because the new model will not have a convertible version when it's launched, and we couldn't get some of the things she really wanted like a backup camera, and side approach warning system.

It handles and drives very well, and the interior is much nicer than recent years, so its certainly not a bad car, but after her 2009 300 limited, she's disappointed.

The 200 has a lot going for it, and a at the price of auto repairs, a new car warranty is nice to have.
 
We drove a loaded 2013 200 S for about 90 days at the beginning of this year and it was a good experience. We picked the car up brand new and didn't have to take it back to the dealership for anything except it's first oil change. Pretty roomy inside with a good trunk. The four cyl wasn't the most powerful thing on the road, but we knew that going in and performed as expected. It was top safety rated for 2013. I would try to check Consumer Reports and see what they say about the cars long term reliability.
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of the 200. That doesn't make it a bad car, though. it's just my opinion that there are better offerings in the same price point.
 
My Brother-in-law has a loaded 200.
He loves it.
Unless you are planning on driving the 200 you are looking at, for a very long time, I would prefer the PentaStar V6 & auto.
That 4-cyl & stick will have no resell value at all.
The Pentastar V6 is a 14 second 1/4 mile car & will milage in the mid 30's.
There should be some good deals on these, as the 200 will be getting a total restyle next year.
So ask yourself, can I drive an underpowered, no resale & last years model for the next 6 years?
 
I'll add my ditto to Mike's comment about the Pentastar V6. The wife's 200 has it, as does my Chrysler van, and for a V6 it has remarkable power and probably gets as good gas mileage as the four cylinder.
 
Thanks, we appreciate any input.

1968FormulaS340, how come you say to go drive the Ford Fusion?
We looked at that one, but Carmen didn't like the look of it. Like she says, there's no point in buying something that she doesn't like the appearance of if we plan on keeping it for a long time, which we do. We aren't really the type to resell after a year.
 
Get the v6 model, trust me on this. While you may not sell the car next year, when it does come time to sell/trade in that 6 will help a lot.

Oh and the fusion with its turbo is fun to drive! This is coming from a person who will never buy a fwd car again.
 
X2 on the V6. The V6 comes with a 6 speed auto trans and over 100hp more than the 4cyl/4speed.
I just got a V6 Avenger, I'm happy with it.
I test drove a 4cyl Avenger and was not impressed with it.
 

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My S-I-L just bought a 2013 200 with the (3.7?) V-6 auto. It is snappy and a blast to drive. I think her mpg is in the upper 20's.
We have a 2008 Avenger with the 2.7 V-6, mpg is right at 30. I was surprised at that as I was expecting more; but it is a comfortable ride and peppy enough for a DD.
C
 
70DartMike said:
How's the fuel mileage on the Chrysler 200 4 cyl? The salesman claimed it gets around 42 MPG on highway, but I think that's BS. I read online reviews which state it gets 30 MPG highway.
Opinions on this car?
Click to expand...

My brother in law has a new 13 Journey with the V6, and going from Calgary to Edmonton and back in the crappy weather he averaged 32 mpg, that's in an awd vehicle, I'm sure the 200 would do even better.
 
The Pentastar V6 in the Charger is rated for 31MPG. Now thats with an 8-speed auto.
 
We've decided to not buy a new car at this time. The MPG of the 4 cyl is only 21/29, and after seeing a few other 2013's reselling for $13,000 we decided to wait.
 
70DartMike said:
We've decided to not buy a new car at this time. The MPG of the 4 cyl is only 21/29, and after seeing a few other 2013's reselling for $13,000 we decided to wait.
Click to expand...

I was going to say, you might want to get a certified used car that comes with a warranty, the way new cars loose value as soon as they leave the lot.
 
70DartMike said:
Thanks, we appreciate any input.

1968FormulaS340, how come you say to go drive the Ford Fusion?
We looked at that one, but Carmen didn't like the look of it. Like she says, there's no point in buying something that she doesn't like the appearance of if we plan on keeping it for a long time, which we do. We aren't really the type to resell after a year.
Click to expand...


I mentioned the Fusion because, I work for a Ford dealer (non sales) and the Fusion is really a fantastic car. It would be my only choice for a domestic mid size, right now.

But like you said, if she doesn't like how they look, that's the end of it.
 
Save your self some money and buy a Advenger, Same car and chassi less money and buy the v6.
 
Want resale? buy the hemi challenger. Gas mileage is pretty good, and a low option hemi chally at the right dealer can shave under 30 grand.
 
DO NOT get the 4-banger. Just...don't. The V6 cars DO get the 6-speed transaxle, and get BETTER mileage than the (overwhelmed) 4-banger.

I had a V6 200 as a rental...all I can say is WOW! The car was a rocketship (290HP!), and it still got 29MPG.

Hey: Enterprise is selling off their 2012-2013 200's and Avengers...they go cheap, they have <35K miles...worth a look. Note: many of the 200's are loaded to the gills...the one i rented had automatic HVAC, leather, and a sunroof.
 
I rented a 200 once and didn't care for the lack of visibility out of the right side and the rear. Put about 400 miles on in in a few days.
 
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