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Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Voyager

2390 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Voyager, Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Van

Messages Page 105 of 240

#1036 of 2390 Carleton- about the black moldings.... by dave210

May 10, 2001 (3:28 pm)

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't the Odyssey LX and Toyota Sienna LE have the same black strips or moldings along the side that you are talking about? If I'm not mistaken, you have to move up to the Odyssey EX, Toyota Sienna XLE, Dodge Grand Caravan EX, the Dodge Grand Caravan ES, or ANY of the Town & Country's to get body colored moldings. Also I believe the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE's (like the one you have) have black bumpers and black side moldings that are equally or more pronounced than the small black strip on the 2001 Sports. I'm not interrogating you, but wouldn't it be like the pot calling the kettle black if you kept on saying how you are going to hold onto your 99 GC SE because of these flaws in the 2001's? Also, although I know you won't want to hear this, but the new EX GC is a far better buy in terms of features when compared to a GC Sport, even though it comes with a power seat and power hatch that you don't like. Too bad though it doesn't have a trip computer, but in my LTD I usually only use the temp read out settings, for the other stuff seems a little gimmicky (but okay to have) to me. Anyway, the Odyssey and Sienna both don't even offer a temp read out and compass, let alone a trip computer, when looking at the models you're looking at.

#1037 of 2390 Responses to questions about our 99 GC by carleton1

May 10, 2001 (4:49 pm)

drew: We have same readouts on our 99 GC as you have on your van. I always have my temperature much warmer than my wife (both of us 63 years old)which is just the opposite of when we were younger. I switch back and forth from compass/outside temp, avg economy, and instant economy. I could do without the DTE. It was nice to see it was 10 hrs 45 minutes from Anaheim to home with elapsed time feature.
Others: I think T&C more attractive now than GC in all comparable trim levels. YES...our 99 GC SE has a WIDE black rub strip and black bumpers. I feel the color coordinated 99 GC Sport is far more attractive. Correct about Ody and Sienna rub strips being black on all but EX and XLE. I feel DC minivans are still the most attractive but not as nice looking as pre-2001 from any angle. T&C still as attractive as pre-2001....Dodge are not (in my opinion).
 
     While getting Oil and Oil Filter change today I sat inside a gorgeous dark blue/gray 2001 ES made Oct 4 at 7 AM. The Sales Manager did not believe me when I asked why it had sat here for 6 months so she looked at computer....sure enough...200 days in the inventory. She said people get scared when MSRP is over $30,000.
     The seats of 2001 ES are MORE comfortable than our 99 SE (except for middle 3rd seat)and the middle of 3rd 50/50 split seat is comfortable ...but not as much as either end. I would love the Triple Zone Temp better than our Dual Zone. I am just irritated that DC took off my beloved Trip Computer on all but ES as I feel it a VERY NICE feature and well worth the price.
     BTW: Trip computer showed 29.2 AVG MPG when leaving Calif 57 at Katella Blvd and 687 trip miles. Dropped to only 27.5 MPG when we left interstate at our daughters at 1345 trip miles. Going uphill with a headwind consumes alot of fuel and the extra torque of 3.8L would have been very nice. It read 31.1 MPG enroute when left interstate at 25.5 trip miles to get passengers and 28.2 MPG when we re-entered. The avg mileage gradually rose back to 29.8 at St. George Utah but dropped to 29.2 at Calif 57 and Katella. It is very interesting to see how much the average mileage is affected by stop and go and city driving.

#1038 of 2390 Carleton by tomtomtom

May 11, 2001 (12:31 pm)

You shouldn't be playing the trip computer too much while driving the van. It is almost as bad as talking on the cell phone : -)

#1039 of 2390 tomtomtom is correct by carleton1

May 11, 2001 (12:52 pm)

I need to develop more self control while driving our very nice GC. It would be nicer and safer if DC put the controls for the Overhead Console on the steering wheel with the readout placed inside the instrument cluster.
    Apparently the title of the 1999 Caravan brochure titled "We thought of everything" is not correct.

#1040 of 2390 To Drew. Re: Climate settings by BKSutton

May 11, 2001 (2:36 pm)

Drew - In response to #975 this is most likely varies among all owners. I've seen many posts who think this option is a waste.
 
Quite frankly my wife and I love the feature in her Volvo. We have different settings much of the time. She often tends to be colder than I am, hence she sets her side higher. And it does work. I'm not cooked while she's comfortable.
 
This is one feature that makes a Chrysler more of a choice than the Honda. People who commute around town may not notice the usefulness of the feature- but on longer trips its very nice.
 
If you and your wife often agree on climatic conditions you may not find you change it that often.
-- BKS

#1041 of 2390 Magic Seat oversight by BKSutton

May 11, 2001 (2:40 pm)

Way back 30 posts or so there was a brief up-roar about the magic seat. Nifty feature yes. A shortcoming many people fail to mention in reviews is the complete unavailability of a full size spare and no easy place to put the flat. It won't fit where the spare came from in the Odyssey.
 
If I'm on a road trip and get a flat I'd much rather be able to throw a legitmate full size tire on the vehicle than a dinky spare. And I also wouldn't have to worry about reconfiguring cargo and/or people so I can put the flat tire inside the van since it won't fit in the well between the first and second row seats.
-- BKS

#1042 of 2390 Brian and Carleton by drew_

May 11, 2001 (4:22 pm)

Well it all comes down to personal preferences, doesn't it? People who have never felt the need to fiddle with the climate control settings probably won't count it as an advantage in the Chrysler over the Honda. Thank you both for your comments.
 
Carry on,

Drew
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#1044 of 2390 purchase info by dfsykes

May 11, 2001 (6:24 pm)

FYI - here is my recent purchase info for anyone getting close to a purchase. I ordered from the factory an Lxi AWD loaded with all options. the negotiations consisted of 2 e-mails back and forth followed by a 10 minute phone conversation. The price was invoice (including a $475 regional advertising fee)less $2000 for consumer rebate (no financing) less $500 for dealer cash incentive for a total of $2,500 below invoice. I think I could have done better if I was willing to go through the torture of negotiating at the dealership. I think it is clear that very good deals are available with very little effort due to the slow sales of this vehicle. If anyone has additional questions I will try to help. Thanks to all in this forum who helped me in recent months.

#1045 of 2390 2100 rpm resonance (AWD models) update by rolfe2

May 15, 2001 (9:11 am)

For those of you who, like me, are waiting for a fix to the 2100 rpm resonance problem in the 2001 AWD models, here is what my technician told me yesterday. DC has identified the problem -- an underdesigned shaft coming out of the power take-off unit. He said that at certain frequencies it "flops around like a noodle" (probably an exaggeration) and transmits vibration to the driveline.
 
He has heard that a fix will be available in the September timeframe. (Note this is later than the "summer" timeframe I reported I'd heard earlier.)
 
Once again, I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information -- you should confirm it with your zone rep.
 
--rolfe.

Messages Page 105 of 240

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