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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 48 of 240

#467 of 2390 Re: Can't decide... T&C LXI, LTD or DC ES.. AWD or FWD? by geoduck

Jan 24, 2001 (1:00 pm)

Well, Mom, we are in similar situations as your family: live in Western WA, have a baby and a 3yr old, and travel over the mountain passes fairly infrequently.
 
We purchased a 2001 AWD LXi with the split bench in back and tricked it up to almost all the features of a Limited. We also had test driven the near equivalent AWD Grand Caravan model. It just seemed a little noisier all around, and the creature comforts seemed a tad more spartan.
 
I do think the Dodge is available with 17-in tires which may improve handling, but I am thrilled with the T&C handling already.
 
The issue of rear split bench vs. the three-across seating of the Limited is tough. We packed the vehicle with bodies the other day; two car seats maxes out the rear split bench. But when company goes away, at least my wife can remove a half and create decent space for diaper changes,and toddler acrobatics.
 
AWD is worth it where we live by far! Don't you think your kids will want to play in the snow on the way to Grandpa's? We took it out extensively in around icy, snow-covered Snoqualmie Pass roads and it worked as well as our SUV. Another few years of exploring WA will bring you into places where AWD is handy.
 
Limited is as quiet as the LXi, but with AWD you do get a noticable rumble at 2100 rpm. My full sized spare does not contact the exhaust system, so that is a rule out for noise causation. The noise is only noticable because the vehicle is so amazingly quiet, it doesn't deserve much weight in your decision.
 
Dodge, T&C, or Suburban you can't go wrong.

#468 of 2390 Low Frequency Rumble at 2100 RPM by mnoutdoors

Jan 24, 2001 (1:57 pm)

I just took my 2001 AWD I&I in to the dealer about the low frequency noise. They have 4 customers with this problem including the demo the owner uses. They checked others on the lot and they exhibit it as well. They don't have any solution but did mention they were instructed by the regional office to try a couple different fixes - no luck though. They feel the good news is that this is consistent at a given PM over a wide range of vehicles - but no promises of course. The only other info they provided was that with vacations and Jan shutdowns, a lot of the Chrysler Engineers have been out on vacation.
 
The other thing I did was register the problem with the Chrysler Customer Service Group - 1-800-992-1997. I figured it couldn't hurt.

#469 of 2390 T&C Negotiations by kirkvolk

Jan 24, 2001 (6:57 pm)

Today I started negotiating for a new T&C LXi. I have been successful in negotiating for the dealer's incentive to varying degrees. Although, I have been unsuccessful to convince any dealerships to waive the advertising fee or surrender any holdback. Has anyone been successful in negotiating the advertising fee or holdback in addition to the dealers incentive and if so - how did you do it?

#470 of 2390 Re: Can't decide... T&C LXI, LTD or DC ES.. AWD or FWD? by babyangels1

Jan 24, 2001 (10:41 pm)

Thanks to PGS and Geoduck for your responses on the big decision making!! It is really helpful to have your opinions to help me with this decision.
 
Geoduck... we must be neighbors.. I'm in Issaquah.. on the plateau.. Klahanie.. how about you? I can see where the AWD would be an advantage as we venture to the pass more... we just haven't yet since we've been there...except to drive to my grandpa's in The Dalles, OR.
 
The split bench vs. the Ltd. bench is the major decision I have left to decide on.. Still a bit concerned about the AWD noise that everyone is talking about. I will definitely be driving another AWD to see for myself about that noise! :o)
 
My cousin's husband is a Chrysler/Dodge dealer owner in Oregon.. he also told me to go one step down to the LXI and just option it to death... like you did. I am considering doing so... I haven't actually looked in and sat inside a "tricked out" LXI... if there is such a thing! HA! Never thought I'd ever consider ANY minivan.. "tricked out". What a riot! I still see those great looking new Burbs and love the way they look... way up high above everyone else.. safe and sound.. but out pocket some gas money!
 
Negotiations.. I'm reading about the invoice, rebates, incentives, holdbacks, advertising... agh!!! I just thought I'd come up with a number that I'd researched and present it to the dealer.. they can take it or leave it... Or.. I can try to convince my cousin's hubby that he really SHOULD give us a great deal.. we are family!
Any advice as to where to start..?? Where did you buy yours Geoduck?? Bellevue or ??? Can I ask how much you paid???? What options did you add?
 
Thanks so much for any help!!!
Maria

#471 of 2390 Re: Can't decide by wevk

Jan 25, 2001 (6:18 am)

For some odd reason the "touring suspension" is not available on the LTD. That and the split rear seat were the reasons we went with a fully optioned T&C LXi (including the load leveling)
wvk.

#472 of 2390 Touring Suspension and Tow package by pkdl

Jan 25, 2001 (8:55 am)

I drove a Caravan ES with touring, but no tow package, and it was nice. Great blend of ride and handling. (17inch wheels in this instance)
 
I also drove a T&C with tow package, but no touring. It did not seem to ride or handle as well. (16 in inch wheels this time)
 
What happens when you get them both?

#473 of 2390 Re: Can't decide... T&C LXI, LTD or DC ES.. AWD or FWD? by geoduck

Jan 25, 2001 (10:40 am)

Maria,
We are out West Seattle ways. Still seems like a small town out there.
 
Suburbans are nice, but too long for my wife to feel comfy with in the city. It also would have been tougher for both sets of grandparents to get up and in.
 
My wife and I are usually a great team when it comes to negotiating anything. However, when car shopping we figured a nursing baby and an active almost 3 year old would put us at a distinct disadvantage during negotiations. The dealer could just wait us out until either or both of our kids would lose it (you know what I mean!) and then our energy and resolve falls apart. I also had just started a new job and didn't have chunks of time off to play haggle.
 
Because I was unwilling to deal with anything other than being a good father and (new employee), we went through Greenlight.com. Ended up working good--not great--but well worth the savings of time and hassle.
 
Our deal was before the rebates and Chrysler's public problems so I think you can get a better deal today. Be sure you know exactly what you want in the vehicle; most of the online car buying services will allow you to pick options and see invoice prices.
 
Consider at least two approaches after you ID what is important:
1)Ask you cousin's husband to sell it to you at invoice less rebate--they get a holdback anyway and need to turn inventory.
 
2)Try Greenlight or carsdirect. Greenlight has a network in each state, but in my case the car they found was out of network, but it didn't matter: dealing with everyone was easy. We went to Kirkland and had an excellent experience with the fleet manager.According to Greenlight, auto brokers in WA (and one other state, maybe NE) cannot profit on the deal, so the price to us was very reasonable.
The dealer was also wondering how Greenlight could profit at the price we bought the vehicle at. All I could say is, "hey, it's the internet, what's making money got to do with it."

#474 of 2390 Maria by tomtomtom

Jan 25, 2001 (11:52 am)

After you got all the information/ price online. Send a fax or email to the Fleet manager of each Chrysler dealers around town and let them quote you. You can even use a different name to send to your cousin's hubby's dealer and see what they can offer. For your info., I paid $30,600 (in California) for my 2001 T&C Ltd. after $4600 dealer discount plus $1000 Chrysler rebate

#475 of 2390 Crash testing by viper1996

Jan 26, 2001 (8:41 am)

Does anybody know when thw 2001 models will have safety crash tests done? Should the new ones do better than the old ones???
 
Really like our Dodge dealer and want to buy a Grand Caravan or maybe a Town/Country but with recent small additions also want the best in safety and dont want to buy a Ford! (Burned 2 times already).

#476 of 2390 2001 Chrysler Minivans by baniruddha

Jan 26, 2001 (9:00 am)

I was told that the new minivans though look similar have lots of new parts in it.
 
Considering Chrysler's reputation for quality, it may not be a good idea to buy these minivans during first year of their production. Usually it's a good idea to wait for 2 years and allow them to take care of these problems.

Messages Page 48 of 240

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