2008 Minivans - READ ONLY

Replying to: dennisctc (Sep 07, 2007 1:10 pm)

If you haven't done so already, please post a service review! I'm sure your dealership would appreciate a rave review.
 
You can start here: http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/drr/jump.html

I hate all the egg-shape minivan models, but the new 2008 square-jawed TC and DCX are appealing to me as a man. I demand driving comfort, versatility, value and a great warranty before I spend my money. I test drove a 2008 TC LX with option package 24H that includes most important features to me: Stow n Go, adjustable pedals, and cruise control. Total TC MSRP with these options is over $26K but dealer quoted me $25K for cash sale. 2008 DCX SXT is identical in price and features, but not yet at my dealer for test drive. He also quoted me $27K for TC Touring model which has all above plus power seats and doors, slightly better horsepower (197 HP compared to 175) and is wired for many options I don't need. I prefer manual doors and seats that don't wear out motors after 3-year warranty runs out, so TC LX is fine by me. On same day, I also test drove 2007 TC LX which offers nearly $5K cash discount down to $23K, and 2007 Odyssey LX, and 2007 Sedona EX, both in $25K cost range. Adjustable pedals are available only on TC and DCX minivans for under $30K, and Kia dealer can't find any 2007 Sedona with them in stock. I've read many reviews about "top rated" Odyssey and "best value" Sedona, so I wanted to compare 2008 TC to them. No need for me to test drive 2007 Sienna or 2007 Quest because I would never buy them based on their looks and high cost. A test drive in heavy NYC stop and go traffic is just a swing around the block at less than 30 mph, so this is just my impression of the cars as a typical consumer, not an expert. They all handled fine under these very limited conditions.
I did notice more acceleration power and stiffer steering in Odyssey, but TC LX was Ok too. I'm not a speeder and I don't haul heavy cargo up hills. What I didn't like about the other minivans were the clunky second row seats. I need to push my driver's seat full back and low and also tilt the steering wheel and adjust the pedals away to feel comfortable for long drives or I cramp up. Therefore, the second row seat behind me is useless for any adult passenger for lack of leg room. I would prefer to lower the second row into Stow n Go compartment and let passengers recline in third row seats with limitless legroom. Also, second row seats in other minivans are cumbersome and heavy to fold over and/or remove when I need maximum cargo space Stow N go provides. Some people fuss over the quality and layout of the interior. It's no big difference to me since I have no rowdy family to placate. All these minivans look and operate pretty much the same way and interior finishing details don't override far more important factors to me. The 2007 TC, even with a huge cash discount, was quoted only $2K less than new 2008 TC LX that I really prefer much more in styling. So I will buy a 2008 TC LX, or 2008 DCX SXT if I can bring the dealer down to a lower price than $25K, which is really pushing it on a brand new model, but it's a buyer's market. As for longterm TC reliability that everyone seems to question, my internet research shows that vaunted Japanese and German cars have as many recalls as Chrylser/Dodge over the years, and the Kia warranty is impossible to enforce unless you document all your routine maintenance, even oil changes, with your Kia dealer. Ridiculous! Google Kia complaints and other foreign auto makers to see for yourself. I think Kia and Hyundai will abandon the minivan market as many US auto companies already have. For me, 2008 TC is the right minivan at right price with right lifetime power train warranty. I think it's a keeper.

Replies to this message:
• hansienna (Sep 10, 2007 7:38 pm)
  • tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 8:19 pm)
    • marine2 (Sep 10, 2007 10:09 pm) and 1 more...
    • hansienna (Sep 11, 2007 12:47 pm) and 19 more...
• bobw3 (Sep 11, 2007 6:08 am)
  • tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 10:18 am)

Replying to: tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 7:31 pm)

NICE review.
 
However, the GC SXT is the clone of the T&C Touring while the GC SE is the clone of the T&C LX.

Replies to this message:
• tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 8:19 pm)
  • marine2 (Sep 10, 2007 10:09 pm)
    • tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 10:31 pm)
  • hansienna (Sep 11, 2007 12:47 pm)
    • tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 1:14 pm) and 18 more...

Replying to: hansienna (Sep 10, 2007 7:38 pm)

Replies to this message:
• marine2 (Sep 10, 2007 10:09 pm)
  • tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 10:31 pm)
• hansienna (Sep 11, 2007 12:47 pm)
  • tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 1:14 pm)
    • tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 1:25 pm)
    • hansienna (Sep 11, 2007 5:43 pm) and 15 more...
    • aaron_t (Sep 13, 2007 9:17 am)

Replying to: tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 8:19 pm)

Replies to this message:
• tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 10:31 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Sep 10, 2007 10:09 pm)

Replying to: tonyv1 (Sep 10, 2007 7:31 pm)

Nice post, but a couple of comments:
 
It sounds like you made your choice before even sitting in any of the vehicles based. You say in your first sentence that you hate all minivans except for the T&C and you must have the StowNGo.
 
"Therefore, the second row seat behind me is useless for any adult passenger for lack of leg room" If that's the case, then you could just remove the 2nd row seat behind you and just leave it out all of the time, but it sounds like you use it as a cargo van a lot, so the StowNGo is perfect for you.
 
You also mention that you're a "typical consumer" but then you say you have no family to haul around, so I assume you're using this mostly as a cargo van? That's fine, but I think that the typical minivan consumer is a family with a bunch of rowdy kids
 
I agree that you made the right pick, and anyone needing to switch between a cargo van and passenger van on a regular basis should probably pick this one too.

Replies to this message:
• tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 10:18 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 11, 2007 6:08 am)