NBC Washington - Green is Universal /

News

Buy a Car for a Buck Hoping to drive up sales in a down economy a Chicago-area car dealer offers customers the chance to buy a $40,000 luxury SUV and get a second vehicle for a $1

By  MATT BARTOSIK

Updated 10:37 AM EST, Wed, Nov 19, 2008

Related Topics: Frank Mancari

9 Comments    Post a comment Post a Comment
Print    Share
Close

Share

  • Del.icio.usDel.icio.us
  • MySpaceMySpace
  • DiggDigg
  • Fark
  • FacebookFacebook

To view this site, you need to have Flash Player 8.0 or later installed. Click here to get the latest Flash player.

Have I got a deal for you!

Watch Video

As automakers make the plea for a government bailout, dealers seem to be offering the world to lure customers through their doors.

Buy One Car, Get Another for $1

close

One Chicago-area car dealership is offering customers the chance to buy a $40,000 2008 Chrysler Pacifica, a luxury SUV, and get an '08 PT Cruiser for a buck.

Frank Mancari started the promotion at the Oak Law car dealership on Saturday and planned on ending it Monday, but it has been extended. He's hoping to exhaust his supply within a day or two.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Mancari told the Chicago Tribune. "There's no secret: the industry is slow right now. We're trying to generate activity with a great deal."

The Pacificas are priced at $37,000 to $40,000. The PT Cruisers have about 10,000 miles on them, some of which were rental vehicles or were driven by Chrysler employees. Normally, they'd retail for about $12,000.

"Maybe with the way the economy is, you need a car for your wife or kid but don't want to pay for two cars," the salesman told the Southtown Star. "Everybody is looking for a bargain."

Mancari may be losing money on the promotion, but he's garnered plenty of publicity because of it. Only a handful of Pacificas were left as of yesterday. Once they are all sold, the offer ends.

Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC Washington

Comments (9)

Sort by: Most Recent | Oldest
  • Your Grandaughter Thursday, Nov 20 at 6:04 PM FLAG COMMENT GO GRANDPA NONNO!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK! Thats cool 1$ for a car. Hope to see you soon. -Love Gina Ps. looking good grandpa! I love you!
  • Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 19 at 9:59 AM FLAG COMMENT You would end up paying more than if you negotiated and bought them separately.
  • ... Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:28 AM FLAG COMMENT when dont they go into debt!!!! its only gonna get worse!
  • Rob Wednesday, Nov 19 at 1:42 AM FLAG COMMENT Id rather get a $8,000 discount off MSRP sticker price on the Pacifica instead of paying full price, than buy a PT Cruiser for $1.
  • Dave Tuesday, Nov 18 at 6:44 PM FLAG COMMENT I'd bet if you ran the numbers of what new Pacificas and used PT Cruisers are currently selling for it would end up not being a very good deal.

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?