Second act: take your seat in a certified pre-owned vehicle, and get ready for a "like new" ride

Entrepreneur, Dec, 2004 by Jill Amadio

WANT TO SAVE THOUSANDS of dollars on your next vehicle? Try a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) model. Meticulously inspected and under warranty by the manufacturer, many CPOs are just off-lease, reliable, much less costly than new vehicles, and between two and five years old.

Kelley Blue Book, which built its reputation on used-car values, now includes new, fleet, commercial and consumer information. "No two dealers sell for the same price, CPOs or new," says Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of Kelley Blue Book, whose website receives 1 million hits a day due to its range of transaction and other reports. "You have to shop around. We list the invoice and retail prices so buyers have the ammunition they need to negotiate." Prices on CPOs average $1,000 higher than on used, non-CPO vehicles; but if you want buyer peace of mind with the bonus of a factory warranty, inspection details, and a history and record of all work done, then a CPO vehicle fits the bill. Be sure, however, to look for the manufacturer certification. Some used-car lots claim CPO vehicles are certified, but that's not always the case.

Most CPOs carry a warranty. Make sure the components and parts you want covered are named, read the fine print on exclusions, and opt for coverage that includes service on the road, not just at your local dealer. If the warranty is transferable when you sell the car, it increases the car's value. Ask for a copy of the inspection sheet to check not only the brakes, but also the pads and the depth of the tire tread. Have all the light systems been inspected? How about the underbody?

Some CPOs look and feel like new when quality care is performed. Each Toyota CPO undergoes a 160-point inspection and carries a six-year/100,100-mile powertrain warranty. Truck beds and liners are reconditioned if necessary, and radio security codes are cleared. Ford's 115-point inspection includes the powertrain and chassis, and carries a six-year/75,000-mile warranty from the original date of purchase. Chrysler and Dodge CPO programs provide a factory-backed eight-year/80,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

Their vehicles have 65,000 miles or fewer on the odometer and are less than five years old.

Few manufacturers and dealers offer incentives or rebates on CPOs, but it's certainly worth shopping around to check. GM offers special financing programs and two- to three-year leases on CPOs. GM's incentives change every 60 to 90 days, and its most popular CPO trucks are medium-duty pickups. Many incentives and rebates aren't advertised, so be sure to ask at each dealership you visit.

Flash in the Van

WITH ALL THE FEATURES AND ROOM YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS,
THESE PASSENGER VANS ARE NOT JUST FOR MOMS ANYMORE.

                   BASE ENGINE AND MAJOR                 MAX. INTERIOR
MODEL              STANDARD FEATURES                     CARGO VOLUME

CHEVROLET          4.3-liter V-6, ABS, air               267.3 cu. ft.
Express            conditioning, theft-deterrent
Conversion Van     system, two outlets

DODGE              2.4-liter 1-4, ABS, air               167.9 cu. ft.
Grand Caravan SE   conditioning, two outlets, overhead
Passenger Van      removable storage bins, knee
                   bolsters, door alert

DODGE              2.7-liter 1-5 diesel, ABS,             247 cu. ft.
Sprinter           touch-shift transmission, air
Short Wheelbase    conditioning

FORD               4.6-liter V-8, ABS, choice of         256.5 cu. ft.
E-150              standard storage/cargo
Commercial         bins/shelves/racks
Cargo Van

HONDA              3.5-liter V-6, ABS, air               209.8 cu. ft.
Odyssey LX         conditioning, stability/traction
Passenger Van      control, side air bags, split
                   third-row stowable seats, cruise
                   control, one outlet

TOYOTA             3.3-liter V-6, ABS, removable         148.9 cu. ft.
Sienna             second-row seats, 60/40 split/stow
Van                third-row seats, three outlets

MODEL              DOORS                SEATS    PRICE

CHEVROLET          60/40 swing-out        2     $24,930
Express            doors, left-side
Conversion Van     hinged load door

DODGE              Two sliding            7     $21,505
Grand Caravan SE   front doors
Passenger Van

DODGE              Cargo bay sliding      2     $26,765
Sprinter           and 180-doors
Short Wheelbase    rear-opening doors

FORD               60/40 swing-out        2     $24,790
E-150              doors; no-cost,
Commercial         optional sliding
Cargo Van          cargo door

HONDA              Manual, sliding        7     $24,995
Odyssey LX         rear doors
Passenger Van

TOYOTA             Dual sliding doors     7     $23,225
Sienna             with power windows

Van