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Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2005+

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

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

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

Messages Page 89 of 145

#877 of 1446 Re: honestly [andrelaplume] by badgerfan

Aug 15, 2005 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: andrelaplume (Aug 15, 2005 1:14 pm)
DaimlerChrysler still makes the short wheel base Dodge Caravan and appears, per Edmunds, to be continuing that model for 2006 model year.
 
We have had two Dodge short wheel base minivans, my wife drives it most of the time, in our family since 1985. Our current one is a 1996 SE Sport with the 3.3 L V-6. We like it for its all around utility in a fairly compact package. Won't hold a 4x8 sheet of plywood with the gate closed, but still pretty cavernous with both rows of seats removed, or even just the third row removed-compared to any sedan.
 
Except for a costly AC repair, our 1996 has been basically trouble free, now at well over 80K miles.
 
If you are interested in short wheel base version, I would recommend going with the Caravan SXT version which has the 3.3 V-6 standard, and ABS is an option. The 2.4 4 cylinder engine is too underpowered for this vehicle, in my opinion and does not improve mileage much, if any.
 
Stow and Go seats are not available on the short wheel base versions of Dodge or Chrysler minivans, however. There is just not enough floor pan length available for those storage pockets!
 
Note when perusing the internet, Edmunds, or dealer listings, the Caravan is the short wheel base version. The Grand Caravan is the long wheel base version.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about whether employee pricing is available or not. What with the strong competition out there, good bargains will be available either on leftover 2005 models or 2006 models if you are patient enough. Minivans, after all, are not particularly "hot" models where the people who have to have the latest and greatest are bidding up the price.

#878 of 1446 2005 Grand Caravan...needs new brakes already? by dgc05owner

Aug 16, 2005 (11:39 am)

Upon taking my van to the dealer for the 4th time to repair a rattle coming from under the vehicle, I was informed I needed new front brakes! I went back and got the brakes done, and I still have the rattle after 5 tries.
 
I purchased this van in Feb/Mar of 2004 (probably one of the first batch of 05's to hit the market). I had put only 13,300 miles on it when they said I needed brakes. I had always noticed excessive brake dust on the wheels, but I figured it was due to the openings on the wheels which allow you to see right into the rotor and pads. Now I think it was due to crappy brake pads! I have 2 friends who recently purchased this van and they are seeing the same on their wheels. I am curious if there are other 05 caravan owners who are noticing this same excessive build up of brake dust. If so, you should get your dealer to check your brakes before 12,000 miles...that's when the warranty expires for your brakes. I cost me $200.00 to have this repair done and I have not seen the brake dust since. Did they skimp on the brake pads in production????? I wonder.

#879 of 1446 Re: Grand Caravan SXT Special Edition air conditioning... [whelmar] by dgc05owner

Aug 16, 2005 (11:58 am)

Replying to: whelmar (Jun 23, 2005 1:42 pm)
I have experienced the same grind and smoke problem in the past, although they did not occur simultaneously.
 
I heard the grind about 5 seconds after pulling out of my driveway, just as I pressed the "recirculate air" button for the a/c. That was about 3 months ago and I have not heard it again since.
 
About 3-4 weeks ago I pulled into a gas station and turned off the ignition without turning off the a/c and the same white smoke billowed out of my front center vents. I started the van again and turned it off again and the smoke continued until I turned off the a/c. I have not had this happen again, even though I have turned off the ignition without turning off the air many, many times. When I turn the ignition off the power/radio stays on for 30 seconds but the air does not.
 
Did you ever get a diagnosis for these problems?

#880 of 1446 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan...needs new brakes already? [dgc05owner] by njerald

Aug 16, 2005 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: dgc05owner (Aug 16, 2005 11:39 am)
See TSB 02-003-05 for rattle/knocking sound from fron suspension of 2001-2005 vans. Replaces both sway bar bushings at the frame.
 
I don't think you needed brakes!!!!!!!!!

#881 of 1446 Black Brake Dust on the wheels by 1997montez34

Aug 17, 2005 (6:37 pm)

THis is common, especially with european cars. I think they may be using the Mercedes-Benz brake pads in the minivans! LOL!
 
Seriously, I wash my van every few weeks, so the brake dust never really becomes an issue. We've had our '05 DGC SXT since Thanksgiving 2004 and we absolutely love it!

#882 of 1446 Re: honestly [andrelaplume] by hansienna

Aug 17, 2005 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: andrelaplume (Aug 15, 2005 1:14 pm)
The Sienna has LESS interior space than the T&C or GC altho it does have more cargo space behind the 3rd row.
      I test drove a 2004 Sienna recently and it had MUCH more acceleration than my 2002 T&C LX 3.3L at speeds above 40 or 45 MPH. I test drove a 2005 GC SXT with 3.8L in early 2004 and did not notice much better acceleration than in my 02 T&C with 3.3L....but the new 2005 GC SXT was too new for me to stomp hard on the accelerator out of respect for the person who may buy it.
      The Sienna CE is a fairly stripped minivan lacking many nice comfort features of most DC minivans altho it does have more powerful engine with an outstanding 5 speed Automatic transmission. I could not be satisfied with a Sienna CE after owning my nice, used 2002 T&C LX which is one of the lower priced DC minivans.

#883 of 1446 strange noise by drgpetdoc

Aug 18, 2005 (4:05 pm)

On three occasions I heard a loud noise on starting the vehicle. It sounds like it comes from the middle of the dashboard. Almost like Loud static from a radio that isn't tuned to a station. It could be coming from the engine compartment. Within 20-30 seconds the noise stops. I thought it might be some interference between the radio and uconnect hands free speaker phone. However I was able to speak on the speaker phone while the noise was going on.. The dealer tells me to leave the car with him, but of course it will probably never duplicate the problem. Has anyone else had a similar noise problem?

#884 of 1446 Re: Second Impressions - less than a week [boesman1] by marine2

Aug 19, 2005 (3:10 pm)

Replying to: boesman1 (Aug 04, 2005 5:19 am)
What strikes me more than anything is the wiring that is visible in areas where you wouldnt expect to see it. Examples: behind side view mirrow on drivers side- wires visible in the gap between mirror and housing (2 red 1 white), between headlamp on drivers side and front fascia (orange&black), the wiring harness for the pwr sliding doors.
 
I have the sister to it, the Dodge GC. and don't see any exposed wires in the places you mentioned. Everything seems to fit together well with no gaps to see any exposed wires.
 
I have owned several Chrysler products in the last 25 years. I can say so far, this van has a better fit and finish than any of their other products I have owned. So far it has been trouble free in the eight months I have had it. That has surprised me some, with all the electronics on it.

#885 of 1446 i just brought a 2005 t&c by all4jo

Aug 19, 2005 (6:38 pm)

hello i just brought a 2005 town n country limited , my sticker price was 37,190
and the lowest i got it to was 31.370.
anyways my van does have the gps navigation radio RB1 but it does not have sirius which i really want. has anyone had any experience upgrading to sirius? i called around and pretty much everyone wants close to $300 for the tuner and the install kit ,,plus $140 for installation. i just think this is allot of money.
thanks
JOse

#886 of 1446 Re: 2005 Grand Caravan...needs new brakes already? [njerald] by dgc05owner

Aug 20, 2005 (9:14 am)

Replying to: njerald (Aug 16, 2005 12:57 pm)
They already performed TSB 02-004-05 but not the one you mentioned. I'll look into it-thanks.
 
I did get the brakes replaced and got the old pads-they were very worn. I no longer have the excessive brake dust. In fact I have hardly seen any dust since having this done, around 3 weeks ago. Sure makes me think they use very low quality pads in production. I highly recomend any owner noticing excess brake dust to have their brakes checked prior to reaching 12,000 miles!

Messages Page 89 of 145

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