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2008 Minivans - READ ONLY

1261 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:47 AM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

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

Messages Page 18 of 127

#166 of 1261 Re: 2008 Town & Country Limited & Grand Caravan SXT First Impression [carcom2] by dennisctc

Sep 05, 2007 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: carcom2 (Sep 05, 2007 6:28 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 (7:45 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 (9:06 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Sep 05, 2007 1:27 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.

#169 of 1261 Re: quality [ateixeira] by marine2

Sep 06, 2007 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 06, 2007 9:06 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 (6:31 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 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 05, 2007 11:56 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.

#172 of 1261 Re: Over blown [hansienna] by hause7

Sep 06, 2007 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: hansienna (Sep 06, 2007 8:22 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 (10:56 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.

#174 of 1261 Re: Dodge,Chrysler, T&C, Odyssey,Sienna [autowrite] by marine2

Sep 07, 2007 (12:55 am)

Replying to: autowrite (Sep 06, 2007 10:56 pm)
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.
 
That could be a smart move, as these 2008 minivans are new from the ground up. Plus, Chrysler is coming out with a whole new line of V-6 engines in the next year or two.They also have some new innovations to their new six speed automatic transmission.
 
The Phoenix engines were first discussed by "superduckie" way back in March 2006. “ask1919” wrote in April, “Phoenix will be a collection of V6 engines to replace the whole line.” oh20, whose track record has been 100% accurate on such breakthroughs as the Caliber and Sebring, wrote in July 2006 that the engines would include the following. (list updated May 2007). As of this last writing, all will have variable valve timing and some will even have multiple displacement, which is rare in a V6.
 
Chrysler wrote that: “The new Phoenix of V-6 engines will feature cylinder deactivation (MDS). Specifically, this means the engine will operate efficiently on three cylinders when less power is needed, and in V-6 mode when more power is needed. This optimizes fuel economy when V-6 power is not required – without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.
 
“The new family of V-6 engines will feature an aluminum die cast block, dual variable valve timing (VVT) and a two-stage oil pump, among other technologies. The end result is an expected across-the-board V-6 fuel efficiency improvement of six to eight percent – in addition to new levels of V-6 power, performance and refinement.”
 
It would seem Chrysler has no intention of letting up on Honda and Toyota in their minivan market.

#175 of 1261 Re: Dodge,Chrysler, T&C, Odyssey,Sienna [marine2] by dennisctc

Sep 07, 2007 (3:53 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Sep 07, 2007 12:55 am)
That could be a smart move, as these 2008 minivans are new from the ground up.
 
The 4.0 V6 is based on the multivalve 3.5 V6 that's been around a few years. This same 4.0 V6/6 spd auto has been used in the 07 Pacifica for the past year without problem.
 
I don't put much credit into CR's little black dots. I've compared them to my 05 DCX van and have yet to have any of their problems. I had a Chevy Cavalier that I put 180k very trouble free miles on, when CR said I should have bought a Honda or Toyota. Their recent comparison of the Chevy and Toyota pickup was so skewed to Toyota, so plainly biased....it was pathetic for CR!! Pick up any issue of CR and note what cars pics are always blastered their cover or lead page of articles....Japanese! Ohhh sure, they "balance" out the pics in the individual writeups but all additional pics are Jap, even if they do happen to approve a domestic model as a token gesture.

Messages Page 18 of 127

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