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2008 Minivans - READ ONLY

1261 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Hyundai Entourage, Mazda MAZDA5, Kia Sedona, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Van

#164 of 1261 2008 Town & Country Limited & Grand Caravan SXT First Impression by carcom2 Sep 05, 2007 (5:28 pm)
I finally got to see and drive a Limited with leather, dual dvd's,sunroof, NAV and every option except power rear seat. Priced around $41,700. It looks real nice in black w/ the silver accents.   Facing rearward, Swivel N Go will only be good for shorter people or kids. My legs couldn't fit under the table unless stretched out and then there would be little legroom for person across. This would be good for kids perhaps but not much room for adults especially because you have to move forward the front seats to make room for the 2nd row to swivel and to also open up the storage bin where the table is stowed. The seats are comfortable though. But now I'm curious on how the Stow N Go seats will feel in comparison. And perhaps the 3rd row power seats have for/aft adjustments. The manual 3rd row does not, but it can recline as well as the Swivel N G can recline, but not all the way back to the 3rd row.   The Limited looks much much better than the 2008 Grand Caravan SXT. A definite step up in looks. I drove the GC SXT with the 4.0 and fabric seats without tow package. I wasn't too impressed with the steering - felt numb or acceleration. The upgraded trim on the Limited and the clock make the T&C look a lot nicer inside vs the GC. The T&C with the tow package includes the self leveling rear suspension and I thought it drove much better and the steering feedback was much better than the GC. T&C - Acceleration was really good with a quiet ride. Overall much nicer interior and better ride than the GC.   I do wish they had some softer rubberized plastics. At least the fold down armrests are padded. Plenty of storage area.   The power sliding doors & liftgate work perfectly smooth even when used manually.   Only thing missing is a telescoping steering wheel. I'm sure I'll want to check it out further. It's staying on my list for now.   But it makes me wonder what if any enhancements will be made to the VW version of this minivan.   Will they add softer materials inside, what will the diesel engine specs be,etc. When will the VW come out in the US?   Wondering why not much mention of the Nissan Quest? - huge amount of legroom in all rows. Replies to this message: marine2 (Sep 05, 2007 5:47 pm) dennisctc (Sep 05, 2007 6:18 pm)
#165 of 1261 Re: 2008 Town & Country Limited & Grand Caravan SXT First Impression [carcom2] by marine2 Sep 05, 2007 (5:47 pm)
Replying to: carcom2 (Sep 05, 2007 5:28 pm) I had read the ride in the Chrysler was softer than in the Dodge. I guess they give you a choice. Not sure you set in the swivel seats backwards when traveling. Something to ask the salesman about. Were the seats comfortable?
#166 of 1261 Re: 2008 Town & Country Limited & Grand Caravan SXT First Impression [carcom2] by dennisctc Sep 05, 2007 (6:18 pm)
Replying to: carcom2 (Sep 05, 2007 5:28 pm) The T&C with the tow package includes the self leveling rear suspension and I thought it drove much better and the steering feedback was much better than the GC.   What baffles me a little is the tow rating, 3500 lbs? My 2005 was rated at 3800 lbs with tow package...and has smaller engine?   I'd love to see a Diesel version on the market, I'm hearing that'll happen in 2009 for Chrysler, and rumors of a Honda Ody for 2010?
#167 of 1261 As a former T&C owner and current Sienna owner by hansienna Sep 05, 2007 (6:45 pm)
T&C is a BETTER minivan for the money. Each has advantages and disadvantages. I like the Toyota dealer and salesman but the Sienna is a disappointment because it is overpriced.
#168 of 1261 Re: quality [marine2] by ateixeira Sep 06, 2007 (8:06 am)
Replying to: marine2 (Sep 05, 2007 12:27 pm) Let me repeat what I said before, because it's obvious, you didn't understand me   Actually, I understood you completely.   Legacy costs are precisely the "excuses" I was referring to before. To call yourself the best van there is no room for excuses. That was my whole point!   Edmunds' van was $39k and change. Now we see another stickering for $41k plus. These are not the value-priced vans that the outgoing ones were!   Edmunds compared the new 4.0l/6 speed to the outgoing 2007 Honda JC35 engine, which is being updated for 2008. It's already more efficient and should only increase that advantage.   That arrives for model year 2008, I believe, same as the new Chryslers.   It's a moving target. To be best you need continuous improvement. Replies to this message: marine2 (Sep 06, 2007 2:47 pm)
#169 of 1261 Re: quality [ateixeira] by marine2 Sep 06, 2007 (2:47 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 06, 2007 8:06 am) It's a moving target. To be best you need continuous improvement.   Disagree. To stay the best you need constant improvement. But you can be the best one year and not the next. This year it's Chrysler's turn.
#170 of 1261 This is Interesting by dennisctc Sep 06, 2007 (5:31 pm)
Wonder if you factor in the Chrysler warranty, what the savings would be?   keep your car for 225,000
#171 of 1261 Re: Over blown [bobw3] by hansienna Sep 06, 2007 (7:22 pm)
Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 05, 2007 10:56 am) Interesting how the NEW Chrysler features are called "gimmicky" by the Honda-Toyota fanatics until they appear years later on an Odyssey or Sienna.   It is also faster to just open or close the sliding doors manually on either a Sienna or an Odyssey than to wait for the power feature to open or close the doors.   My Sienna is a BIG, costly disappointment. I will be glad to get back into a Chrysler. Replies to this message: hause7 (Sep 06, 2007 8:54 pm)
#172 of 1261 Re: Over blown [hansienna] by hause7 Sep 06, 2007 (8:54 pm)
Replying to: hansienna (Sep 06, 2007 7:22 pm) Why do you say your Sienna is a BIG costly disappointment? i hated our 99 and 05 T&C, both were garbage...sorry. We are thinking of trading our 04 Sienna in for an 08 sienna with that nice 3.5L V6.
#173 of 1261 Dodge,Chrysler, T&C, Odyssey,Sienna by autowrite Sep 06, 2007 (9:56 pm)
Consumer Reports has customer survey dots showing the best & worst problems. Chrysler's boxes show alot of black ones, where as Honda Odyssey & Toyota Sienna show mostly red ones.   Don't mention Odyssey transmissions to me. I have a 2002 Odyssey with 175,000 kms on it. I also have NOT had any mechanical problems.   If you are thinking about buying a Chrysler product maybe you should wait a year so that any bugs in these new Chrysler minivans are worked out and have consumer reports show alot more red dots. Replies to this message: marine2 (Sep 06, 2007 11:55 pm) dennisctc (Sep 07, 2007 2:53 am)

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