Ask the Car People.SM


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 122 of 240

#1209 of 2390 Sales question by dsoiam

Jun 29, 2001 (6:44 am)

OK, I have a question.....
 
I'm in the market; looking very seriously at D-C minivans. I've pretty much ruled-out 2000 vans (see previous post), but I am trying to keep the cost down. I'm waiting to see if D-C sweetens their incentives next week. I think so anyway.
 
But, I have a question, and perhaps those of you who watch things mini van will be knowledgeable in this area. Especially dealer-related people may help.
 
I've been search cars.com around the Wash-Balt area. And, I see a lot of used 2001 Grand Carav.s out there. But, no 2001 Voyagers or 2001 T&C (maybe only one). Why are people bringing back 2001 Caravans (incl Grands), but not Chrysler vans? Or, is it that Chrysler vans are not selling enough to be brought back?
 
Or, some of you may say that people are so happy with Chrysler vans (T&C and Voygr) that they are not bringing them back? This is where I'd like some salesperson comment. It just may be that people are not buying Chrysler vans but are buying Dodge-- even though that are essentially the same product?
 
I'm just wondering what I'm seeing.
 
I see many used 2001 Grand Caravans and no used 2001 Voyagers. A few used 2001 T&Cs.
 
Are the Grands really selling (and being brought back) and the T&Cs not selling very much?
 
Also, when I see a present model year van being sold used (on cars.com) with about 20k miles on it, what is that? Did they bring it back because they didn't like it, trade it in, or do about 5k miles over their lease allowance and panic or something? Why are those vans (the Grands) even there after just a year?
 
I'm glad this is the D-C board because it would get distracting to have the Honda people say that those vans were traded in for Odysseys. I don't think so.
 
Thanks,
 
D

#1210 of 2390 Vans with about 20,000 miles were rentals, fleets, or government use by carleton1

Jun 29, 2001 (8:01 am)

And they have probably been ABUSED. Stay away from these dogs that have been abused.
   Probably see more Grand Caravans as they are the most popular configuration for rental, fleet, and government. They do NOT have many of the nicer features.

#1211 of 2390 Re: Sales question by geoduck

Jun 29, 2001 (8:32 am)

Carleton is correct regarding why 20,000 mileage current model year vehicles are being sold. They are most likely fleet sales being expensed. Fleet customers include rental agencies, government,delivery firms, and larger corporations. They are generically configured.
 
The wear and tear may not be worth the cost savings to you as a consumer, but I do have friends who have liked their rental agency van purchases.
 
Dodge minivans (and the former Plymouth Voyager models) have always been aimed at the low-to-mid level budget markets, as well as fleet sales. They outsell similar upscale Chrysler (not counting the 2001 Voyagers)models by factors of at least 2-3.
 
There are websites that list monthly auto sales by model, but I lost the link (sorry) that will give you the data.
 
We test drove a similar Dodge prior to purchasing a T&C. The Dodge seemed a little noisier, less refined, and less attractive and the slight cost difference didn't matter.

#1212 of 2390 Options on SWB. by ed12

Jun 29, 2001 (10:01 am)

Am I the only one who would like to see options such as traction control, dual zone ATC and power lift gate available on the Voyager? I would like to buy the Voyager as a versatile sedan, I do not need or want the extra length.
 
EK

#1213 of 2390 Re: Sales question by dsoiam

Jun 29, 2001 (10:06 am)

geoduck, I sure wish you had that sales figures links. I've been looking for something similar. I've found "numbers manufactured" figures, but no sales figures. Anyone else know? I'm wondering how sales are doing.
 
So, those are returned fleets? That makes sense. I don't usually see Chrysler rentals, so that must be it. They get abused, huh?
 
OK, I'm down to seeing if D-C sweetens their incentives so that I can swing a new T&T or Voyager.....

#1214 of 2390 dsoiam by tomtomtom

Jun 29, 2001 (11:28 am)

No, I wouldn't say all of those vans were abused. Some people just don't drive those rental cars the same way or take care of it if it's their own. You probably would see small scratches and water spots all over the car, you might also see more stains in the interior. As for the engine, do you think people would drive these rentals under 60mph to let the engine break in the first few thoussand miles? I guess you have to do the math to see how much money you really save by buying those vans as to a new one and ask the dealer what kind of warranty they would provide.

#1215 of 2390 Re: Sales question by geoduck

Jun 29, 2001 (12:19 pm)

Ok,I actually did a search on sales figures here and found this:

http://www.autosite.com/editoria/asmr/svolva.asp
 
As you can see, Caravans outsell T&C 3:1, but compared with last year, overall T&C sales are up about 50%. I am sure there are several reasons for that; subjectively, I bet that many others share my feeling that the T&C this year is a far better product over the prior model type.

#1216 of 2390 Re: Re: sales by scanner

Jun 29, 2001 (3:43 pm)

Looks like DC is headed for another half million plus in annual minivan sales as usual . Meanwhile it looks like Honda is going to have to dedicate a memorial to all the prospects who will and have died while waiting on the Odyssey waiting list.

#1217 of 2390 sales volume by dsoiam

Jun 29, 2001 (6:32 pm)

Now thats information that I can use! It looks like Voyagers are moving slowly, but, as you noted, T&Cs are going briskly.
 
So, I have more leverage with a Voyager. I actually like the Voyager (although, from the posts here, and the sales numbers, it seems that not many people have bought one this year). I like them because they seem to be better suited (torque-wise) to the 3.3 engine (becuase of lower weight), as well as I know that other things (the air conditioning, heating, and even sound system) are actually designed for the T&C and are really "over-suited" when in the Voyager (I like having too much power sometimes).
 
But, I would like more space. If I could just get those incentives down....
 
Thanks for the info!
 
D

#1218 of 2390 ed12: Dual Zone Temperature Control is offered on Voyager LX And Caravan Sport by carleton1

Jun 29, 2001 (7:43 pm)

Since the shorter wheel base vans do not have rear air conditioning and rear heater, they do NOT have the optional Triple Zone. We love the Dual Zone Temp Control on our 99 GC SE and also the Trip Computer....items unavailable on anything but DaimlerChrysler minivans.
   Swamp Collie got a Grand Caravan Sport after owning the short wheel base. For most applications, he prefers the short wheel base if I remember correctly.
   I agree with you that many people would like the shorter minivan with ALL the options available on the longer versions.

Messages Page 122 of 240

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement