Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan First Drive

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

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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)

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#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.
#11 of 38 Thats good by redundant Aug 04, 2007 (7:48 pm)
If it looks as good as the competion, that is great. I would get the Town and Country anyway. I am pleased it is being reviewed as well as it is. I need to replace an 8 year olds ford Windstar.
#12 of 38 reply by 6sptl Aug 05, 2007 (6:59 am)
I have driven the caravan, and I've said it improved over the obsolete previous version. Hoever six speeds does not imply a better transmission, simply that it has more gears. The base engine is underpowered unrefined and spends as much gas as the most powerful one. The swivel seats are not as comfortable as the front seats never mind being even close to the sienna, honda's or even hyundai's second row. The third row also continues to be worse than the rest. Regarding our chrystler worker, that type of mind set is why chrystler will probably be in the dustheap of car makers in the not too distant future, if ou want to sell more make it better than the rest, don't simply spout BS. Replies to this message: briancam (Aug 05, 2007 11:55 am) hansienna (Aug 12, 2007 5:33 pm) marine2 (Aug 28, 2007 10:26 pm)
#13 of 38 6sptl LOL by ppodrouzek Aug 05, 2007 (7:37 am)
Funny 6sptl guy LOL, NO YOU DID NOT drive the new van. I was there.. Only few people were allowed to drive them, but that DID NOT include you... Only auto journalist were allowed to drive them, so what is the name of the publication you work for?? And what is such "Mr.Auto journalist" like you doing here posting on Edmunds boards? And swivel seats are MORE comfortable than the front seats. A lot more cushion than front seats. Try again with your BS And here is another great Grand Caravan review from CarConnection guys http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Minivans_Vans/2008_Dodge_Grand_C- - - - - aravan_Road_Test.S182.A13191.html "The 2008 models aren't likely to set in motion the revolution Chrysler kicked off in 1984, but sometimes, what you really want is planned evolution. The new Caravan achieves that in spades, and the rest of the minivan segment will have to struggle to catch up." And MotorTrend guys like the new van too http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/minivans-vans/112_0710_chrysler_minivans/ "Based on our drives in a range of preproduction 2008 units, Chrysler looks to have leaped straight back to the front of the minivan pack."
#14 of 38 Re: reply [6sptl] by briancam Aug 05, 2007 (11:55 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Aug 05, 2007 6:59 am) Get over the base model - customers will buy mid level Touring or SXT models. The base is value only, four speed TRANS, 175 hp motor, sounds like a rental to me. I know, I know, Toyotas and Hondas are perfect, that's the mindset that need to go away. and Chrystler - c'mon dude, didn't they set you right on the proper name of the company when you went to go drive those vans? Doesn't add up.