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Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

1446 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 8:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Van

Messages Page 45 of 145

#436 of 1446 hansienna by uga91

Jan 12, 2005 (3:45 am)

I agree with that--although as the current owner of a 2003 Chrysler van, I know as well as you do that the 2005 Grand Caravan has some issues. Honda has also stepped up and equipped the Odyssey LX VERY well with most of the nice features for the same money as a Grand Caravan SXT. Odyssey LX for 2005 is only missing some cosmetic features (power doors, roof rack, alloys, etc.) but does have traction control, side curtain airbags for all 3 rows, 250 HP engine, sliding door roll down windows, passenger air bag cutoff sensor and most other goodies along with a better ride and more comfortable seats. As the owner of three Dodge/Chrysler minivans over the last 10 years, I've never bought into the Honda hype--until seeing the new generations from both.

#437 of 1446 Ody vs. DC by samnoe

Jan 12, 2005 (6:54 am)

It depends on which features you are looking. You look on the Odysseys engine which make 250 hp, but the main thing that counts is torque at a lower RPM which the DC vans does better, and even though the Ody has more HP (at a very high RPM) it weights several hundred Lbs. more. But I agree that Hondas engines are more refined.
 
The DC vans also have over the Odyssey 3rd row quarter window which do open; compass & outside temperature LCD which also serve as a trip computer which the Ody offer only in the top-of-the-line Limited; and if you need it stow n' go is a major revolution; power liftgate on lower-end models; overhead railing system; and they do have now the passenger airbag cutoff system, plus they added a knee airbag; Ride is certainly better in the DC vans but Ody has better handling.

#438 of 1446 Re: hansienna [uga91] by marine2

Jan 12, 2005 (7:21 am)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 12, 2005 3:45 am)
Dodge GC SXT, also has traction control,passenger airbag weight sensor.(if seat is empty, airbag will not go off in an accident)Side airbags are extra. But most of those (cosmetic features) are things most mini van buyers like and Dodge GC has them as standard equiptment. Plus stow n go seating.

#439 of 1446 Re:Features of DC Minivans [uga91] by hansienna

Jan 12, 2005 (10:13 am)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 12, 2005 3:45 am)
For me DC minivan comfort and convenience features are more important than sliding door roll down windows, lazy susan in the floor, OHC engine, etc. I prefer the rear opening side rear windows of a DC minivan to the roll down windows in the Odyssey sliding doors. Toyota was smart and has both on the Sienna.
    The Caravan SXT has separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger that is NOT on the Ody LX that costs $3,000 more. This nice feature is standard or optional on every DC minivan but the cheapest Caravan SE.
    One good Honda feature is the 2nd row seating that slides fore and aft which is available only on DC minivans with "Stow-N-Go". I would prefer having the 60/40 rear seating of the "Stow-N'Go" without the 2nd row seats that fold into the floor.
    After reliability and a good heater and air conditioner, the most important feature for me is the separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger which eliminates the Ody LX but is on the Caravan SXT that has MSRP $22,285 vs Ody LX $25,510.
    DC minivans are quieter with a smoother ride than the Odyssey. Honda needs to copy DC method for building a quiet van. DC already copied the 2004 Sienna 60/40 split 3rd row seat that folds into the floor after Toyota improved on the Magic Seat" that Honda introduced with the 1999 Odyssey.

#440 of 1446 Features by tomtomtom

Jan 12, 2005 (2:55 pm)

I think we will need another car manufacturer to copy all the goodies from each of the minivans. I have a 2001 T&C Ltd and have no problem since day one. I would like to have a rowdownable second row windows like those in the Japanese Minis but I also prefer the manual/ auto sliding door and rear lift that DC Vans have...I think I read something about the rear liftgate of the Sienna cannot be manually closed so you really cannot force to shut it if you your luggage sticks out a little bit.

#441 of 1446 Supplemental side/head protection by kfdmed

Jan 17, 2005 (10:20 am)

Can anyone explain to me why this option is nearly impossible to find on any GC/TC. I have searched dealer inventory in my area and cannot find one. Is it even available on a loaded up model? Looks like a Honda or Toyota for me. I wanted to consider a domestic but side/head airbags is a requirement. GM no. GC/TC cant find with option. The ford I wont consider.

#442 of 1446 Re: Supplemental side/head protection [kfdmed] by mrblonde49

Jan 17, 2005 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: kfdmed (Jan 17, 2005 10:20 am)
Can anyone explain to me why this option is nearly impossible to find on any GC/TC. I have searched dealer inventory in my area and cannot find one. Is it even available on a loaded up model? Looks like a Honda or Toyota for me. I wanted to consider a domestic but side/head airbags is a requirement. GM no. GC/TC cant find with option. The ford I wont consider. << The airbags are standard on the T&C Limited. Other than that, they are hard to find on lots.

#443 of 1446 Re: Supplemental side/head protection [mrblonde49] by kfdmed

Jan 17, 2005 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: mrblonde49 (Jan 17, 2005 12:10 pm)
Thanks mrblonde49. I think the limited may be out of my price range even with the incentives.

#444 of 1446 Re: Supplemental side/head protection [kfdmed] by marine2

Jan 17, 2005 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: kfdmed (Jan 17, 2005 12:49 pm)
I called the Dodge dealer and they had only one on the lot. They do not come standard as the Honda's do, but they can be ordered as an extra.

#445 of 1446 Re: Features [tomtomtom] by hansienna

Jan 20, 2005 (9:51 am)

Replying to: tomtomtom (Jan 12, 2005 2:55 pm)
DC has almost all of the nice features offered on any minivan.
     None of the DC "Stow-N-Go" minivans at the Auto Show had cloth seats. The leather seats are NOT as comfortable for me in these minivans as was the cloth seat 2005 GC SXT "Stow-N-Go" which I drove a year ago.
     Interestingly, when all minivans are closely compared using 10 items most important for my needs, the 2005 GC SXT scores 82...the highest of any minivan with Ody EX, Caravan SXT, and my 02 T&C LX getting 81. Sienna LE scored 80.

Messages Page 45 of 145

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