Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan First Drive

38 messages, Last post on Oct 19, 2007 at 5:37 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Dodge Grand Caravan, Van

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan - Despite swirling rumors of the minivan segment collapsing under the threat of crossover utilities, one in every 15 new vehicles sold in the U.S. is a minivan and about 40 percent of these vans are sold by Chrysler and Dodge. Americans have consistently purchased about 1 million minivans each year since 1993. (more)

Outline

Messages Page 1 of 4: 1; 2; 3; 4; Prev; Next; Last

#1 of 38 Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan First Drive by KarenS HOST Aug 03, 2007 (7:55 am)
Contrary to the rumors, minivans are not a dying breed. Check out our 2008 Grand Caravan first drive and tell us what you think. First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Replies to this message: xwesx (Aug 03, 2007 10:59 am)
#2 of 38 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan First Drive [KarenS] by xwesx Aug 03, 2007 (10:59 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Aug 03, 2007 7:55 am) Review makes no mention of fuel economy, which is surprising these days. While I still think the "jellybean" or, as I prefer to call it, "ovoid," shape made for the best looking minivan ever built, this new version still provides a better looking van than most of the competition. I will have to check one out eventually. I am still not thrilled that Chrysler abandoned its reactive AWD system. If only Subaru would get on board with a van.... All in all, Karen, I think it was a very compelling review. Piqued my interest, anyway!
#3 of 38 Question by 11ballch Aug 03, 2007 (12:57 pm)
Doesn't the Toyota Sienna also have a power folding 3rd row seat? The article says that the Dodge Grand Caravan is the only minivan to offer this feature. Replies to this message: briancam (Aug 03, 2007 1:46 pm)
#4 of 38 Re: Question [11ballch] by briancam Aug 03, 2007 (1:46 pm)
Replying to: 11ballch (Aug 03, 2007 12:57 pm) One touch power seats up and down?
#5 of 38 Better but still lagging the leaders or even hyundai by 6sptl Aug 03, 2007 (6:22 pm)
For 22K you get a caravan that, contrary to what the article says, can barely get out of its way since it has 175hp engine. To get the competitive engine you have to spend over 30K. On a sienna or honda you get the same engine regardless of level thus you get a van that does not get runover on the highway for thousands less. The swivel seats, as the stow and go, is a gimmick, they are not as comfortable as real seats, and will be looking forward like all seats 99.999% of the time. Fit, finish and materials continue to be second rate. I beg to differ but, though improved, the caravan would still wind up last in any comparison since the GM and Ford vans are history. The caravan commands the largest chunk of the minivan market, not because of its excellence but because most drivers don't even test drive a vehicle before they buy it and because a very large percentage of its sales are to fleets. Sorry, but as in all other chrystler vehicles, its fluff and bluster rather than substance. Replies to this message: briancam (Aug 03, 2007 9:42 pm) newcastlein83 (Aug 22, 2007 4:23 am) hansienna (Sep 02, 2007 8:25 pm) mek0123 (Sep 03, 2007 5:03 pm)
#6 of 38 Re: Better but still lagging the leaders or even hyundai [6sptl] by briancam Aug 03, 2007 (9:42 pm)
Replying to: 6sptl (Aug 03, 2007 6:22 pm) What does the article say about the performance of the base van? "Base price for a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE is just over $22,000, including destination. This MSRP is $1,950 lower than the previous model but includes more features." That's all true. How did you like the six-speed transmission? Wasn't it better than the Sienna? And isn't the van pretty quiet inside? 6sptl you did drive this van prior to making these comments, right....?
#7 of 38 RE:Better but still lagging the leaders or even hyundai by ppodrouzek Aug 04, 2007 (12:44 pm)
Of course that 6sptl did not drive this van. I work at Chrysler minivan plant. And to claim that the swivel seats are not as comfortable as real seats is OXYMORON!!! Those seats are huge with a lot of cushion. Replies to this message: redundant (Aug 04, 2007 3:08 pm) briancam (Aug 04, 2007 5:31 pm)
#8 of 38 RE:Better but still lagging the leaders or even hyundai [ppodrouzek] by redundant Aug 04, 2007 (3:08 pm)
Replying to: ppodrouzek (Aug 04, 2007 12:44 pm) I do have a couple of questions and the article did not really say. What are the interior finishes like? And, are the rear swivel seats removable? Replies to this message: briancam (Aug 04, 2007 5:31 pm)
#9 of 38 swivel seats by ppodrouzek Aug 04, 2007 (4:03 pm)
Yes, the rear swivel seats are removable.
#10 of 38 RE:Better but still lagging the leaders or even hyundai [redundant] by briancam Aug 04, 2007 (5:31 pm)
Replying to: redundant (Aug 04, 2007 3:08 pm) The interior finish is better than before but not perfect. The Town & Country looks warmer and more inviting and luxurious than vans like the Sienna and Odyssey but some surfaces are still a little low buck feeling. The Dodge's interior is an obvious step down but they to jazz it up a little with white faced gauges on the SXT, some chrome trim and silver painted plastic that's meant to look like metal. If interior materials are important to you, get the T&C or Odyssey.