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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

#906 of 1261 Re: Predicting the Future [maryh3] by hansienna Nov 28, 2007 (10:54 am)
Replying to: maryh3 (Nov 28, 2007 10:24 am) Using the experience of Chrysler minivans owned by friends, I feel Chrysler minivans are just as reliable as any other brand.   I trust people I know and can talk to in person more than the faceless experts.   I have DISAPPOINTMENT more than dislike of my 06 Sienna. I expected it to be better than my lowly, less expensive 02 T&C LX.   The Sienna driver's seat is infinitely more comfortable for me than the driver's seat of the 02 T&C LX was but the other seats were more comfortable in the T&C than the Sienna.   I like the MUCH larger cargo space behind the 3rd row of the Sienna that is 50% larger than that of the 05-07 T&C/GC and more than twice as large as that of the 02 T&C.   I MISS the separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger and better controls for stereo, WSW wiper and washers, and HVAC of the T&C.
#907 of 1261 Re: review [dennisctc] by maryh3 Nov 28, 2007 (11:03 am)
Replying to: dennisctc (Nov 27, 2007 5:37 pm) You have to be skeptical of some who buys ABC Minivan yesterday, the wheels fall off, the engine explodes, the tranny fall out and it's the biggest POC on the planet. They join Edmunds today to bash, then you never hear from them again? If its bashing to doubt newbies like that, I'm guilty and will continue to be no matter what minivan they bash.    Most legit people on here would probably check out these forums before buying, do some research and buy, then complain and continue to complain year after year after year about how their 1917 Chrysler Minivan ended their family tree, started WWII and caused global warming overnight   I have to be skeptical because I have been looking for a minivan since mid-August, and those new 08 T&C's did not hit the lots until mid-September. And this person bought it and has had it in the shop constantly already? Her "review" is dated 10-7-07 and her friend had already wrecked hers and had the kids diagnosed with whiplash? The 4.0L Limiteds are both expensive and harder to come by. Only 1 person on this forum has one that I have seen, and they just got theirs recently. I'm still waiting on mine. I don't see alot of them out there yet either. A few have complained about their inability to test drive them because they can't locate any in their area. This has eased recently, and there are more Limiteds out there now, but unless this person has special pull so as to get one for her and her friend before the dealers did, paid full price, had the financing go through immediately etc --- I think I have reason to doubt the sincerity of this "review". Which leads me to wonder why people are so nutty so as to make up a review like that? Pride? A Toyota employee feeling threatened for job security? Hatred from a horrible experience? I don't get it. I had a horrible experience with a 1995 Ford Windstar yet I don't feel compelled to behave like that. I guess for some, cars are like their kids. They take everything associated with their vehicle personally and are threatened by any of their kids's peers or rivals.
#908 of 1261 small minivans by bobw3 Nov 28, 2007 (12:22 pm)
anyone here considered the Kia Rhondo or Mazda 5? If you're only using the 3rd row occasionally, they're worth looking at.
#909 of 1261 Reliability, Brochures by ateixeira Nov 28, 2007 (1:05 pm)
Mary: keep in mind the 4.0l engine is new to the vans, as it the 6 speed transmission. Parts of the powertrain were used in the Pacifica, so those may tell you more about your Dodge than a used Dodge van would.   hansienna: the 2008 Sienna did add a few features. VSC was made standard on the models that didn't already have it, plus they added Bluetooth connectivity.   The 2007 had just got a new engine and was a short model year, from January to August. So the 3.5l engine was only out for 8 months when the 2008 Sienna came out.   Brochures: here is where Toyota fumbles. You say the 06 brochure is worse than the 07, well the 07 brochure is pathetic. I can point out several mistakes in it, for instance. Off the top of my head, the fuel capacity is wrong, as is the list of options in Package 3 (brochure says no power seats, but mine has that).   Chrysler does make much better brochures - I have their new one and it puts Toyota's to shame. Replies to this message: artgpo (Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm) dennisctc (Nov 28, 2007 1:29 pm) maryh3 (Nov 28, 2007 2:13 pm) dennisctc (Nov 28, 2007 5:37 pm)
#910 of 1261 Re: Reliability, Brochures [ateixeira] by artgpo Nov 28, 2007 (1:17 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 28, 2007 1:05 pm) My son's 2008 Sienna XLE does not have Bluetooth. It may be part of the now optional JBL radio package.
#911 of 1261 Re: Reliability, Brochures [ateixeira] by dennisctc Nov 28, 2007 (1:29 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 28, 2007 1:05 pm) Chrysler does make much better brochures   Always thought Honda had the best technical brochures, but that's change lately. And like someone said earlier, the new Ody brochure only focuses on EX L and Touring....no pics of cloth interior etc...
#912 of 1261 Agreed... by mfletou1 Nov 28, 2007 (1:42 pm)
on the brochures. Though I have an 07 Pacfica brochure which is no better than the Sienna or Ody, I think the minivan brochures for Chrysler are much better. The Sienna brochure was awful, the Ody is slightly better.   atexieira hits on the problem I had with the Toyota---I WANTED Bluetooth, but the only way to get it was with a mondo expensive EVP that added $4k to the MSRP. It varies within the 7 Toyota regions, but its too bad---had I been able to add Bluetooth/JBL ala carte, I may have held off buying the Ody. As it was, I was looking at a $34+ MSRP just to get a Sienna with Bluetooth. It looks like I can add an aftermarket integrated Bluetooth system like Parrot on the Ody for a couple hundred bucks anyway.   My Camry has that system and I love it--voice recognition isn't very good but its easier just to type the numbers in the cell phone anyway.
#913 of 1261 Re: Reliability, Brochures [ateixeira] by maryh3 Nov 28, 2007 (2:13 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 28, 2007 1:05 pm) Mary: keep in mind the 4.0l engine is new to the vans, as it the 6 speed transmission. Parts of the powertrain were used in the Pacifica, so those may tell you more about your Dodge than a used Dodge van would.   Why do you think the "Lifetime Warrenty" was so important to me. I was burnt before on the first-year model Windstar and know the problems associated with any new model yet alone one with a new engine and new transmission. On top of that I've read that minivans in general have more problems than any other type of vehicle. However, I have faith that Chrysler did its homework and learned from its previous mistakes. I could have gotten my 3.8L again but felt I was being too boring.   Wish I had discovered this forum earlier as I was posting on another forum before asking where Chrysler had gotten the 4.0L and where it had used it before but nobody seemed to know the answer on that forum. Replies to this message: dennisctc (Nov 28, 2007 5:37 pm)
#914 of 1261 Re: Reliability, Brochures [maryh3] by dennisctc Nov 28, 2007 (5:37 pm)
Replying to: maryh3 (Nov 28, 2007 2:13 pm) Why do you think the "Lifetime Warrenty" was so important to me.   You should be fine, the 4.0 was tested for years before being lauched in the Pacifica, then the Nitro. Same with the 6 spd auto. I read somewhere that it shifts just like a Mercedes......Hmmmm wonder why? They were working on a 6 spd prior to Daimler buying them, that program was cancel to avoid duplication etc....
#915 of 1261 Re: It's still funny [mfletou1] by carcom2 Nov 28, 2007 (9:30 pm)
Replying to: mfletou1 (Nov 27, 2007 9:18 pm) "You are digging your own grave here--this is what it comes down to--we're going to bash the Honda because there's sound when the second row windows are down. Since I'm never going to know whether there is an equal amount of sound on a GC, or a Sienna, or an Entourage, and frankly neither are you for all these vehicles, what's the point of this discussion?"   Not sure what you're referring to about digging a grave. Sounds pretty harsh. And since you're "never going to know whether there is an equal amount of sound on a GC, or a Sienna, or an Entourage", no point on you criticizing my post which one of the points is for people to check it out when you test drive so you're not surprised and annoyed about it later after you already own the minivan.   "frankly neither are you for all these vehicles". Get real. If I felt like it, I could easily drive the other vans listed above and compare the noise level. Not interested though.   Another point was to hear the truth. And I got some honest replies and thanked people in advance & say thanks to them again. And you're accusing me of "bashing" the Honda? I said there are things I like about it and things I dislike. I just wouldn't buy one. Same goes for all the minivans. If you've read my posts, I've said no one minivan is the best in all categories. One has to make compromises. I've even mentioned specific things about the 2008 T&C that could have been better. So even if I bought the T&C Limited I would be making some compromises, but ones I could live with.   Thank you very much for reminding me to clarify things.   Time to move on.

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