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Posted: 05/12/08
08:06 AM
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Between the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler sells more minivans than any other automaker. Question is, are people buying these vehicles just based on price and rebates? Has anybody out there cross shopped the Chrysler vans with a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna and actually went with Chrysler?
Judging by my experience with our Four Seasons Town & Country, I would purchase a Chrysler only if I had kids that absolutely demanded the rear entertainment options. The van simply had too much plastic and handled horribly on the road. ![]()
Anybody out there have real owner driving experience with these vehicles?
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Posted: 05/13/08
10:23 AM
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We shopped the T&C vs. the Ody. Friends had the Honda and we got to spend some time with both. It was give and take on different features, and we were rather indifferent - it's hard to get excited about a bread truck. All else balanced, we went with the American company.
We've hammered ours and it hasn't req'd any abnormal maintenance, nor has our friend's Honda... Wife gets 19 around town and 24 on the highway, but isn't too careful about it.
_______________
Graduate, Rodan School of Automotive Design
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Posted: 05/14/08
10:20 AM
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Do kids actually use the rear table and video screens or did the novelty wear off? And have you found any minor annoyances with the vehicle that you wish Chrysler would change for next year?
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Posted: 05/15/08
03:40 AM
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Mini-vans are more like an extension to your house than a regular car... yea, that stuff gets used more than the catalytic converter.
Minivans are engineer's cars; we marvel at the thought that went into it. It's almost spooky how well designed they are for family use. As good as the inside is, the exterior of all vans is so tepid that it makes us groan. It's the Transportation Pod. (Which is why SUVs are so popular - a little more 'sporty' for the rappelling, kayaking hausfrau?)
The only thing I'd change (other than getting an exterior personality) is a diesel.
_______________
Graduate, Rodan School of Automotive Design
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Posted: 05/15/08
12:48 PM
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I'll have more to say on this matter after this weekend, when I'm driving from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Columbia, Missouri, in Automobile Magazine's Four Seasons Chrysler Town & Country. My fellow passengers will be four members of my extended family: two brothers, one sister-in-law, and one seven-year-old niece. I was grateful to learn today that we have satellite TV in our van with the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, which should come in handy. I'm looking forward to trying out the Swivel 'n Go seating for the first time.
Joe DeMatio
Automobile Magazine
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Posted: 05/16/08
04:32 AM
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I don't know, Joe. Can you call it a real test w/o any booster or child seats involved?
Also, all those folks are pretty mature (your niece - alone - will be no problem). She'd need to be reinforced to do this right.
You can't practice your, "don't make me come back there!" moves on adults and right hand 'arc of grab/swing' is different with adults, too. You're missing some key tests.
Another good test is 2 adults, 3 kids, and half cord of wood, a jon boat and 50 miles travel. Solve in 45 mins.
_______________
Graduate, Rodan School of Automotive Design
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