Should I ???

[AA PT]

I now have 151,570 miles on my 2003 GT Stage 1 Autostick. I took it to the dealer yesterday for a quick check of the CV joints, front wheel bearings, and a tranny service and oil change.

The service writer told me, even though my car looks like it has about 30,000 miles on it physically, DC is more concerned about the stock holders than my PT making it to the 200,000 mile club. He said the GT auto tranny isn't up to the high miles unlike a Toyota tranny which would be (interesting comment, especially considering this Chrysler dealer is just about straight across the street from a Toyota dealer). He said I should not spend a lot of money having it serviced as it just isn't wise to dump any more into such a high mileage PT.

I went inside and spoke to my favorite salesman who told me I could get a new 2007 loaded with Sirris satellite radio and the 360+ watt upgraded sound system with sub woofer for sticker minus a $3,000 rebate. Window sticker is just north of $27,000 for this loaded beauty.

Mine is Patriot Blue, which is not made anymore. I love the color. Before the 2003 GT, I had a 2001 Inferno Red PT Limited Edition that gave it's life to save me (totalled in a rear ender...I was stopped but the guy behind me was going 50 when he hit me and he admitted that to the police and was cited for it). I guess I would go the red route again in GT trim if I pulled the trigger and made the switch.

What to do? The '03 has been very faithful to me, but it's just a car...and what I do for a living means having reliable transportation.

RG

[bobs turbo pt]

i would go for it !!

[Hooligan]

I guess we should assume you are talking about another Turbo? The 2008's should be coming soon. I would suggest waiting until then and then buy the 2007 at a larger discount. On the 2007 are they lifetime warranting the tranny, etc?

[Mean Green]

Your '03 was very, very good to you. So $24,000 for an '07? See if you can dicker them down a bit. There are still '06 GTs on lots and on some rare occasions an '05 GT or two. They don't sell as well as the non turbo PTs and that's the main reason they'll stop making them. I say dicker them down a bit more and go for it. Maybe go for an '06 GT for less off of another lot somewhere?

[AA PT]

Well, I did it.

We found a loaded 2007 Silver Autostick GT in Victorville. It has satellite radio, Boston Acoustics upgrade, electric seats, and a window sticker that was well north of $27,000. I got a $3,000 rebate and almost $500 under dealer invoice so the net was almost $5,000 off the window sticker.

They gave me a whopping $4,000 for my 151,800 mile 2003 GT. Even though the condition was very good with no scratches, door dings, service always up to date, runs strong, new tires, etc. they told me it would be sent to the dealer auction. One thing I didn't know (because I never go shopping for a high mileage car) is that lenders won't finance a car with more than 80,000+/- miles on it. They said with 151,000 miles the retail purchaser of my car would have to pay cash for it which limits the market.

Love the new GT. Now we wait for the Stage 1 upgrade for 2007's to come out. I need to be careful because it has the new lifetime unlimited mileage/unlimited time warrranty and I don't want to screw that up.

RG