Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans - READ ONLY

7485 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2008 at 8:43 AM

You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

Messages Page 737 of 749

#7357 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [marine2] by carcom2

Aug 26, 2007 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Aug 26, 2007 10:08 am)
You will be shocked and in for a surprise when you see a new T & C (or was it GC?) base model in the lower $20's. I've been waiting to see this ever since it was announced it was going to be the next minivan from DC. Have had good luck with my 1997 GC Sport, but looking for something soon.
 
Most of what you see in the brochure (I have it too) is for a loaded vehicle or much more equipped vehicle than the base model. In the base model I saw at the dealer, almost none of the great new features are included. The marketing hype is very misleading because you have to buy a lot of "options" to get the cool new stuff or at least get anything besides the base model.
 
The regular console is nothing close to the premium and looks even worse than previous yrs. 2 glove boxes are about it on the base. And I do not recall seeing anywhere that one is cooled. That's a feature on other Chrysler/Dodge's. Not even on their fully loaded minivan that runs between $40-$42K. Quite a bit more than the base, wouldn't you say?
 
I'm waiting to see a fully loaded T&C Limited with a sunroof. With a sunroof, you can't get that 1 piece overhead with the monitors & storage bins according to the brochures fine print. Must get 2 separate roof storage systems. So not sure if that will have the cool "mood lighting".
 
The base has a bench for the second row that doesn't fold in to the storage bins in the floor but has a couple of cupholders you pull out from under the middle of the bench. No big deal.
 
The 3rd row is comfortable and the vehicle is roomy.
 
The manager in the store was debating if he should even put this base model in the store because of how blah it looked inside. I saw it the night they were having the sweepstakes to win cars. This time around they had no food or drinks or anything at all. Overall, a disappointing visit.
 
I sure hope the options and other models are a big step up to dress things up inside. The base interior is mediocre looking and looks like it's best for car rental places.
 
The outside front and rear views are nice. Side profile is just OK. I know the all the chrome like stuff on the Limited mirrors, door handles, body side molding and possible roof rack will enhance it a lot. But that STARTS at $36.4K. Or a Touring w/ M package for $33605 with a good amount of new stuff.
 
Check out the website - http://www.chrysler.com/en/2008/town_country/index.html

#7358 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [carcom2] by marine2

Aug 28, 2007 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: carcom2 (Aug 26, 2007 5:45 pm)
I went over to the local Dodge dealer today. They had two they just got in a couple of hours ago. One was a Swivel N Go and the other a base model. Got to admit, the base is no better looking than in the old model, maybe worse. Really looks cheap. One the other hand, the Swivel and Go model was really nice. It had everything buy a moon roof and DVD on it.
 
I was surprised that the glove boxes didn't have a light and neither were cooled as in some of Chrysler's other cars.
 
It was to light to tell if all the door switches had lights, the guy said he thought they did. The cup trays in the dash are much stronger than the old ones. The center console is much, much better than the old ones too. The leather looks to be a better grade than on the old model and I loved the way the sun screens roll into the window in the back sliding doors. I didn't see an over head console in it. The salesman said it was incorporated into the dash. I couldn't believe the extra room in the engine compartment. It had the 3.8 in it, same as mine. But there was much more room to work on. There would be no trouble getting to the back plugs on this van with this engine. They have a bigger engine this year, I think he said a 4.1, but they didn't have it on the lot yet. Mileage on the sticker wasn't any higher than on the old one,(I know they changed they way they rate them now) But I thought it would be higher with a six speed tranny.

#7359 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [marine2] by mary36

Aug 28, 2007 (4:03 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Aug 28, 2007 3:05 pm)
I will NEVER buy a Chrysler product again.
We bought a 2002 Dodge Caravan - mainly because we wanted something we could (at the time) pay CASH for and be done with.
 
Fast forward a few years and I have since found out that there are 14 million Chrysler vehicles affected by faulty seat belts - and Chrysler REFUSES to do a recall. People have been ejected and either died or received spinal cord injuries. Chrysler has known about this since the 90's and even has settled lawsuits with families for MILLIONS of dollars - but still no recall.
 
The NHTSA doesn't seem to think there's an issue either.
Here's info about this mess:
 
Here are the vehicles affected by this:
  
http://www.unsafebelts.com/known.cfm
  
Here are some basic facts:
http://www.unsafebelts.com/faq.shtml
  
Here are more links from other sources:
  
http://unsafebelts.com/primetime/
 
http://www.seatbeltdefects.com/gen3/index.html
 
http://www.kirotv.com/weblinks/2148969/detail.html
 
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=764&scid=91
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/03...ts_030331.html
 
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...54C0A9649C8B63
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC8NfOtRFI
 
This link has the info half way down:
http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
 
Needless to say, our van is one of the models affected so here we are looking at Oddyseys. Should have done that the first time around!

#7360 of 7485 2008 Chrysler T&C/GC by carcom2

Aug 28, 2007 (8:29 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Aug 28, 2007 3:05 pm)
Thanks for that info. It's good to hear you think the model with Swivel N' Go & leather is nicer than cheap looking base model. I'm looking forward to the dealer calling me when an updrage model arrives.
 
Did you try swiveling the seats? How's the legroom? Tnink adults have enough legroom if sitting opposite each other in 2nd and 3rd row? I read that if you swivel the seat, the front seat has to be moved up some. How's the front seat legroom with the seat moved forward?
 
Sounds like maybe the car wasn't ready to drive yet. If you test drove it, what can you say about the ride?

#7361 of 7485 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C/GC [carcom2] by marine2

Aug 28, 2007 (9:56 pm)

Replying to: carcom2 (Aug 28, 2007 8:29 pm)
I didn't test drive it or sit in the swivel seats. I did sit in the driver's seat and liked it better than my 2005. It sits lower and is better for short legged people like my wife. Mine sits up higher and her toes only touch the floor.
 
This one had a sticker price of $32,000.00 It has the leather seats, all power including the third row folding seat and tail gate. GPS, with backup warning. Adjustable peddles, Eight way power driver and passenger seats. Halo lighting, Infinity sound system, with steering wheel mounted audio controls, movable rear windows, with fold down sun screens. A nice moveable center console, with two cup holders for back seat passengers.About the only thing it didn't have that I noticed, was the television, sun roof and the DVD monitors. With them gone, it just gives you more storage. Not sure if this one had the heated seats or not.

#7362 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [mary36] by marig0107

Aug 29, 2007 (4:41 am)

Replying to: mary36 (Aug 28, 2007 4:03 pm)
wow, massive recall. I am so not surprised. There have been tons of recalls on caravans thru the years so what's the big deal on recalling this...guess the lawsuits are what's prompting the blind stance.
 
They are trying to make them LOOK nicer, but they really should work on quality and safety. I'd much rtaher pay in the $30's for a bare bones Odyssey or Sienna and feel I got that quality and safety.

#7363 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [marig0107] by thegraduate

Aug 29, 2007 (9:58 am)

Replying to: marig0107 (Aug 29, 2007 4:41 am)
Well, a bare bones Odyssey or Sienna isn't even close to $30k, so you're in luck.
 
Just to bring some info to the table (something that may not have been re-hashed in awhile), here is where the pricing table of the Odyssey currently stands.
 
$25,645 LX
$28,695 EX
$31,095 EX-L
$32,695 EX-L w/DVD
$34,895 EX-L w/DVD and NAV
$36,895 Touring
$39,095 Touring w/DVD and NAV*
 
*2008 will represent the mid-model change for the Odyssey, in which the Touring will come only equipped WITH DVD and NAV.
 
It will also feature VCM on all models, tri-zone temperature control on lower models than before, and a few other features that I can't seem to remember right now. For more info, check out Vtec.net and look for the Honda press release info for 2008 in the rumors and news section.

#7364 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [marig0107] by marine2

Aug 29, 2007 (10:41 am)

Replying to: marig0107 (Aug 29, 2007 4:41 am)
wow, massive recall. I am so not surprised. There have been tons of recalls on caravans thru the years so what's the big deal on recalling this...guess the lawsuits are what's prompting the blind stance.
  
They are trying to make them LOOK nicer, but they really should work on quality and safety. I'd much rtaher pay in the $30's for a bare bones Odyssey or Sienna and feel I got that quality and safety.
 
What massive recall? I haven't heard of any.
 
I think Chrysler has come a long way with quality control. Have you looked at the recalls on Honda's transmissions from 1999-2002? Some of those people have traded trannys 2,3, and 4 times. Most of Chrysler's tranny problems were garages using the wrong fluid.
 
My 2005 Dodge GC has had one recall in two and a half years and that was only for a possible pinched hose, that I had looked at when I got my oil changed. With all the electrical stuff I have on that van, everything has worked as designed from day one.
 
You can't beat a lifetime warranty on engine and drive train, if you keep that van.
 
It's got many features on the new one, no other van has and all the safety features Honda and Toyota has. I think Chrysler will do quite well selling them.

#7365 of 7485 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C/GC [marine2] by carcom2

Aug 29, 2007 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Aug 28, 2007 9:56 pm)
Wow - what I difference comparing a Touring to the base. I saw a # of Touring T&C's in the lot and looked through the window. Much better looking than the base model.
 
Now I'm psyched to see the Limited or even something with leather.

#7366 of 7485 Mary36 by hayneldan

Aug 29, 2007 (7:29 pm)

I assume you don't have a degree in mechanical engineering since you know so little about seat belts and are so easily lead by erronious info put out on the internet. I own one of those 03 DCX minivans and also have a degree in mechanical engineering. First have you tried the test shown on the Utube video? It does not work on my van, you must push the red button into the retainer at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch before the seat belt releases. The front (driver and passenger) belts have the red button protruding from the retainer, while the second and third row seats have the red buttons flush with the retainers and require them to be depressed at least by the same amount. How do you account for this? Please don't post if you don't know what you are talking about.

Messages Page 737 of 749

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement