2008 Town and Country -- LONG Review

[72lemanscvbl]

I just got a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT and I'm too lazy to write a separate review but some info for you.

This is my company car so I had no money invested. It stickered at 27k. I previously had an 06 Equinox that I really liked, but was looking for more storage and versatility. Compared to the Equinox some selling points for me have been:
-the dual sliding doors (power) are great for the kids and getting my product in and out.
-Significantly more storeage space
-Gas mileage initially has been better with mostly highway driving averaging about 21, vs the Equinox of about 18 under same conditions. The larger gas tank and improved mpg means significantly longer distances between fill ups.
-Nicer cloth interior material than the Equinox (the material itself quality) and the pattern is nicer in my opinion.
-The Dodge has a pretty nice layout overall.
-Love all the power windows (even sliding doors window goes down about 3/4 of the way), as well as control for back vent windows.
-Nice rear air controls and separate controls for front passenger and driver
-One year of Sirius, and the radio is of good quality, sounds good.

Initial downsides (I'm at 2500 miles in about 2 1/2 weeks)
-The Dodge does not have the performance that the Equinox had. Its adequate, but nothing more.
-The Van handles pretty sloppy. I missed the snow season, and will be curious to see how it does in Nebraska and SD this winter.
-The air conditioner does not seem to be as strong or quite as cold. Its too early to tell.
-I've been getting a weird whistle out of the AC/Vent in windy weather a couple times. Might have to take it in if it persists.
-Tons of brake dust on the wheels. Hopefully just new car breakin but its ridiculous so far.
-Power seat kind of moves forward as you raise it up high which brings me to close to the wheel imo.
-Im a dork in a minivan (although I got a black one and tinted the front windows)

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by kodos78

Speaking of the key fob, it is one of the new generation integrated key/fob units much like luxury cars come equipped with.

Key/Integrated Fob includes Remote Start, Ability to open Sliding Doors and Liftgate

That is one of those crappy Siemens (now Conti) Fobik's.

But I am biased on this issue for obvious reasons.

[KillerMRK]

Nice review man. I really appreciate vans, because I've experienced the 3rd row of a Honda Pilot, and it's miserable. I really wish we'd have gotten that Nissan Quest...

[RoGuE]

Really nice review. I have always respected vans, well except for the old Toyotas, they are just so ugly, and I would hesitate to buy one when if I need it.

Also, in my opinion the Chrysler Pacifica is the luxury version of a minivan. It is based off of the minivan paltform and they are really luxurious and just as cavernous inside, just not as tall. I test drove this loaded (except for leather) 2004 Pacifica with AWD and the 3.5l from Carmax once. It was only $17000 with 23000 miles on it. It was such a great ride, but it just felt like a luxury version of the minivan, which is not what I need at this point in my life.

[kodos78]

Thanks RoGuE, my only problems with the Pacifica are -- it doesn't have sliding doors, and it also doesn't have seats that fold into the floor. And, as you mentioned the cargo space isn't as nice as the vans. Oh, and it also is a pain in the butt to get to the third row. Especially when you have childseats that are more or less fixed in the second row.

Other than that, I think they are certainly the nicest looking minivan replacement I have seen. Too bad they are going away from what I understand.

[RoGuE]

Originally Posted by kodos78

Thanks RoGuE, my only problems with the Pacifica are -- it doesn't have sliding doors, and it also doesn't have seats that fold into the floor. And, as you mentioned the cargo space isn't as nice as the vans. Oh, and it also is a pain in the butt to get to the third row. Especially when you have childseats that are more or less fixed in the second row.

Other than that, I think they are certainly the nicest looking minivan replacement I have seen. Too bad they are going away from what I understand.

AH, I forgot about the sliding doors, the one thing that makes a minivan what it is. I think sliding doors should be included in more SUVs, to save on door dings in the parking lot.

[chuchihc]

Dear friends. I write in this forum for the first time. I live in Spain (Madrid). I recently bought a T&C (here called Grand Voyager) and previously owned a 2006 T&C. Everything fine except for the software issues and a the engine check lite.
But for me there is a big issue with the suspension or sock absorvers. The problem is than I can not tume the tyre preasure to have a confortable ride. 2.5 psi (36 bar) recommended do generate a continuous oscilation in waved or not very flat roads. The oscilation can be felt from one side to anothe when the sock is in one side/tyre or from front to back in general. If I adjust the tyre presure higher the effect is lower but then every single thing on the road is felt like a kick. I adjusted to lower preasure the oscilation issues has higher effect.
I do not remmember having this with the previous T&C or other car.
Has anybody experienced this sensation? is really anoying. If so, or if you have any solution I would really appreciate any advice. I would like to hear is only my car issue and that has a solution. I do not thrust so much on my dealer service for this.

Thanks in advance. Regards from Spain.

[King Riffle]

Excellent review! I'm very happy to hear of people (finally) realizing that vans make more sense than suvs.

I used to hate them too, until I was given our old family van (a '92 GMC Safari). Grew to love that thing. Such a useful beast. I've considered getting another van, but I don't have a need for that much utility.

There are some things about the new TC and Caravan that I don't like (Personally, the previous gen was one of the best looking vans made), but those will be solved with Volkswagon's Routan.


Did you test any other minivans? The Sienna or Entourage?

[autofan]

The Routan will be an obvious choice for those who find the interiors of the Chrysler/Dodge vans lacking in tactile quality and style. I also find the VW's exterior more attractive.

Also, someone noted excessive brake dust and every time I see a Chrysler minivan (either last gen or this one), the front wheels are coated. My recent 2008 T&C rental suffered the same problem. Apparently Chrysler has no intention of fixing this.

I had a base T&C LX for three days and the biggest deterrent for me would be the absolute lack of any sort of style. It's a boring brick on the outside and the interior, though absolutely fully functional, is as dull and ugly as, well, almost any Chrysler interior these days. The materials aren't so bad but everything is styled to look hard, angular and blocky and nearly everything was drab grey. Only the gauges and steering wheel were attractive to me. It drove pleasantly enough but I would avoid the base model as it lacks power doors, power sliding door windows and even power mirrors. I could not believe I had to adjust the mirrors by reaching out the window and pushing on the glass itself. I haven't done that since my dad's 1977 Chevy C/K pickup!! I'm sure the higher level Touring and Limited models address some of the feature and style issues but overall, I'd easily take a pass on this to get one of GM's Lambda models. Though some functionality would be sacrificed, they at least manage to offer a combination of function and style.

[kodos78]

The Routan does look nicer, though for the price difference I am happy with the T&C. That was one reason that I went with the T&C -- evidently VW thought it was a nice enough platform to build their van on. Does it get the lifetime powertrain warranty like the Chrysler?

We tested out the Odyssey -- even though we had bad memories of the prior generation. It was nice and drove well, but I like Stow 'n Go and I like the ergonomics of the Chrysler better. In addition, in order to get the Odyssey to the price point that we wanted, we'd have had to forgo some of the niceties of the T&C. We are also planning on towing a trailer (popup) with the van -- and we have heard that the Odyssey tranny is a weakpoint on that van. True or not, having the lifetime powertrain warranty puts my mind to ease, it also means that I don't have to worry about sticking with ~12,000 miles a year on the van, we can tow and drive as much as we want without worrying about running out of the warranty. When towing, this is a big consideration.

Not a fan of the Toyota styling or marque, so we didn't even bother with the Sienna.

Either of these three -- Odyssey, Sienna or T&C/Caravan are excellent values for the money if comfortable family transportation is the goal. We cannot be more pleased with ours.

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Excellent review! I'm very happy to hear of people (finally) realizing that vans make more sense than suvs.

I used to hate them too, until I was given our old family van (a '92 GMC Safari). Grew to love that thing. Such a useful beast. I've considered getting another van, but I don't have a need for that much utility.

There are some things about the new TC and Caravan that I don't like (Personally, the previous gen was one of the best looking vans made), but those will be solved with Volkswagon's Routan.

Did you test any other minivans? The Sienna or Entourage?

[HoosierRon]

If you have more than 2 kids (I have 4), you would have to be retarded NOT to own a minivan. There simply is no comparison between the functionality of a minivan and an SUV.

[kodos78]

As I noted, the Lambdas work well -- to a point. When you have more than two kids (especially in child seats) a Lambda doesn't work well any longer. Accessing the third row is a problem.

Sliding doors are not present on the Lambda, making it harder to get the kids in and out as well. With a couple of clicks on our fob, we can open the doors and the kids scurry in easily (lower step in height) even at 2 & 3 years of age.

And of course the cargo capacity of the Lambdas is much much lower.
Some magazine did a comparison of the Sequoia to the Acadia and the Odyssey. The Odyssey was far more versatile than the other two and could haul more stuff inside.

Originally Posted by autofan

The Routan will be an obvious choice for those who find the interiors of the Chrysler/Dodge vans lacking in tactile quality and style. I also find the VW's exterior more attractive.

Also, someone noted excessive brake dust and every time I see a Chrysler minivan (either last gen or this one), the front wheels are coated. My recent 2008 T&C rental suffered the same problem. Apparently Chrysler has no intention of fixing this.

I had a base T&C LX for three days and the biggest deterrent for me would be the absolute lack of any sort of style. It's a boring brick on the outside and the interior, though absolutely fully functional, is as dull and ugly as, well, almost any Chrysler interior these days. The materials aren't so bad but everything is styled to look hard, angular and blocky and nearly everything was drab grey. Only the gauges and steering wheel were attractive to me. It drove pleasantly enough but I would avoid the base model as it lacks power doors, power sliding door windows and even power mirrors. I could not believe I had to adjust the mirrors by reaching out the window and pushing on the glass itself. I haven't done that since my dad's 1977 Chevy C/K pickup!! I'm sure the higher level Touring and Limited models address some of the feature and style issues but overall, I'd easily take a pass on this to get one of GM's Lambda models. Though some functionality would be sacrificed, they at least manage to offer a combination of function and style.

[Shotgun]

Kodos78, have you happened to notice if the window/door lock switches are illuminated at night when the lights are on? I have an 06 T&C Limited and that is one, if not the only, peeve I have with it. Just curious to see if this "issue" was addressed with the new vans.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by kodos78

As I noted, the Lambdas work well -- to a point. When you have more than two kids (especially in child seats) a Lambda doesn't work well any longer. Accessing the third row is a problem.

Sliding doors are not present on the Lambda, making it harder to get the kids in and out as well. With a couple of clicks on our fob, we can open the doors and the kids scurry in easily (lower step in height) even at 2 & 3 years of age.

And of course the cargo capacity of the Lambdas is much much lower.
Some magazine did a comparison of the Sequoia to the Acadia and the Odyssey. The Odyssey was far more versatile than the other two and could haul more stuff inside.

Edmunds.com did the comparison. The Odyssey won on leg room in the second and third row, easy access to the third row seats, easier step-in for kids, more cargo room than the competitors, and it did well on gas mileage.

And while the stereotype is that minivans handle like boats, the Odyssey had a lower center of gravity than the Acadia or Sequoia because it doesn't even pretend to be capable of off-roading. The lower center of gravity makes it more nimble.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Edmunds.com did the comparison. The Odyssey won on leg room in the second and third row, easy access to the third row seats, easier step-in for kids, more cargo room than the competitors, and it did well on gas mileage.

And while the stereotype is that minivans handle like boats, the Odyssey had a lower center of gravity than the Acadia or Sequoia because it doesn't even pretend to be capable of off-roading. The lower center of gravity makes it more nimble.

+1 Took the words right out of my keyboard.