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Vans & Minivans 2008 Minivans 
1261 messages, Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:47 AM
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Replying to: dennisctc (Sep 07, 2007 3:14 am) Ice Cream Toppings are OPTIONS, folks. Things you get in the standard, base van are not ice cream toppings. Things like windows that open in the 2nd row come in the base van. They are not options. All models have them. I use them any time my kids are saying good bye to friends or family, so basically often. I don't even understand this last paragraph: I'd rather stow n go seats, or power rear hatch, or power folding seats, or knee airbags, or back up camera... Things you can get on any DCX van, in any combination, that you can't on any other minivan. Just about every van out there has a power rear hatch, you say "can't on any other"?! Huh? Same thing for backup cameras. All the vans I test drove had those. Can't on any? That doesn't make sense. Toyota had power folding seats way back in 2004. You need to get out more often. Have you even looked at a Sienna?  Chrysler deserves kudos for the Stow-n-Go, Swivel-n-Go, self-leveling rear suspension, and 6 speed auto. I'll give them kudos for the knee air bags if and only if their crash tests scores beat the competition, we'll have to wait and see on that one. |
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According to Consumer Reports' survey of owners, 79% of Sienna owners would buy the car again compared to 49% of Chrysler Town & Country owners. hansienna falls in the 21% of Sienna owners that will buy something else next time. He is in the minority, and he's very vocal for whatever reason. Ask 2 Dodge/Chrysler owners and on average 1 of those 2 will tell you the same thing. Bottom line is Sienna owners are happier on average. Hopefully the Dodge numbers will improve substantially with the arrival of the 2008 models. |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 07, 2007 9:57 am) What I meant is Chrysler offers greater flexibility in adding options, whereas, with a Honda for example, you don't get a power hatch unless you get the top of the line. You can't add it to your LX or EX model. What about a DVD system in a Honda LX? Or you're an elderly couple with limited $$$ and have a hard time opening and closing doors/hatches? I get out quite often, and looked at and test drove all minivans prior to buying my DCX. Hopefully you comprehend my explanation above now? When it comes to airbags, test scores by some govt agency isn't the only thing that matters to me in deciding if I need a certain type of protection of not. Knee bags have been proven effective in keeping passengers in place in accidents instead of possibly sliding under the IP during an impact. The more airbags, the better....not topping.
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Replying to: dennisctc (Sep 07, 2007 10:29 am) Toyota is better than Honda, but the trade-off is Honda's simplicity, i.e. it's very easy to know what you are getting. This actually annoys a lot of people, you need a PhD to understand all the options packages on Toyota/Dodge vans. I agree that air bags are not just a topping, but one would hope it's effective at actually making the vehicle safer. The reason I'm skeptical on the knee air bags is that the Kia Sportage got them and still had a lousy performance in crash tests. Hopefully Dodge implemented them better.
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 07, 2007 10:01 am) |
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It might be useful for us to list what is unique about each of these 3 vans. I'll start, please feel free to add things I forgot to mention. Dodge has Stow-n-Go, Swivel-n-Go, self-leveling rear suspension, Satellite TV, power folding 3rd row, 6 speed auto, and lifetime powertrain warranty. Honda has VCM, rear mutli-link suspension and run-flats. Toyota has power folding 3rd row, AWD, HIDs, run-flats, Direct Injection for the engine, power 3rd row vent windows, 3rd row that can tailgate, 8 seat model, Bluetooth, Laser Cruise Control, tow prep package standard, turn signal in the mirrors, telescoping wheel, auto express button moonroof, auto dimming driver's side mirror, fold flat passenger seat, 2 in glass antennae, 2 115 power outlets, battery saver. Let me know what I missed. I own a Sienna so that's the one I know best, obviously. And yes, for those wondering, now you can layer on all the ice cream toppings you want. It's all you can eat. 
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 07, 2007 10:49 am) Realize there's more to safety than airbags, probably most important is the driver themself, followed by body structure. |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 07, 2007 9:46 am) But look at the RPMs, 4800??? |
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Well you missed a heck of a lot on the Dodge/Chrysler. They also have a moon roof, front dash video, sub woofer, halo lighting,pinpoint LED lighting to read, rechargable flashlight, two glove boxes, Two screen DVD's, that can play two different programs or games. Cruise control, adjustable peddles, flex-fuel capability, tire pressure monitoring, industry-first integrated child booster seat, a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, ParkSense® rear back-up system. Automatic one touch folding rear seat, 3rd row that can tailgate, front and middle heated seats. Driver and passenger eight way power seats. Dual- or tri-zone heating and cooling system. Hands-free cellphone system, mesh side pockets on the second-row seats, 110V inverter, two second-row output/input jacks with a 12-volt power outlet and an overhead console with bins large enough to store headphones. New to the industry is streaming video, supplied by Sirius satellites. You can also get a new, removable sliding front console that is large enough to store a purse; remote start;
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My '03 Silhouette (long discontinued) had self leveling shocks as standard equipment. Olds added it prior to 2003. The van had a small air compressor to pump up the shocks or inflate a football.  This is not something new.
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