Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan 4.0 vs 3.8L engine- is 4.0 that much beter?
19 messages, Last post on Aug 13, 2009 at 9:05 AM
You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens
|
I am looking at getting a new t&c minivan. The 3.3L/4 auto is out of the question-underpowered 4-speed=no thank you. The 3.8L 6 speed seems reasonable- I like the 6 speed and the power is reasonable. Plus the motor is well proven. However, when I look at the 4.0L I feel like I am missing out. A more powerful engine that is MORE fuel efficient? Am I missing something? Why is this not on more versions rather than the top of the line? I am currently looking at a T&C limited (msrp 35k, offered at 26k!!!). This thing is very nice- has loads of nice options, but I just wish it had a 4.0L. To get the 4.0L I have to step up to the limited (msrp 37k base- the ones I see are generally 40k base- not sure what the offer would be but they would have to be around 30k). I just wish they wouldn't only offer the top of the line engine in the top of the line van. I know the dodge has more options, but my wife really doesnt like the dodge look.
|
|
|
Hello there, I About 3 weeks about we traded in our 2005 T&C Limited (with the 3.8L motor) for a 2008 T&C Limited (with the 4.0L motor). This is our third T&C Limited in the past 12 years, and all have worked very well without needing too much to be happy. The only major things that I can comment on about on our second T&C was the power steering pump setup had issues, but was always covered under warranty. Back to your question... The 4.0L motor is a DREAM on the highway. It makes the van feel like you are driving with a V8 motor under the hood. It is very smooth in stop and go of local streets. I did drive a 2009 with a 3.8L and the 6 speed, and there is still a big difference. This 4.0L is so smooth that my wife is complaining less about her back pain (she is in a wheelchair & paralyzed from the waist down). I just feather the gas peddle and I am at local cruising speed. When I purchased it there was 24 miles on the odometer, and so far I have about put about 1700 miles onto the van. My son loves the MyGIG setup with the SiriusTV (Disney, Nick, Cartoon Network) & DVD player in the rear. The wife loves that she can watch movies in the front if we are parked along with the swivel & go heated chairs (makes it easy for her to enjoy the drive-in movie theater). The 4.0L motor, 6 speed with auto-stick, sun roof, closing button for the tail gate, MyGig, NAV, the new keyfobs with remote start, and opening side-door windows are my favorites for the van. Tips when buying: Get one with a dark interior. The light color tan that we have is always in need of extra cleaning, including the seat leather. I am going to need to purchase seat covers as even our jeans are rubbing off onto the seats. Try to get the dealer to include window tinting, the sun really creates a good Greenhouse effect in this van due to all of the window space. Good luck, and I hope that it serves you well. Take advantage of the employee pricing, rebates, and the lifetime warranty on the drive-train. Tom
|
|
|
Replying to: tom_in_az (Apr 02, 2009 7:14 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: wp746911 (Apr 02, 2009 7:32 am) They said just about the only option I didn't get was the tow hitch in the rear. Something I need to call UHaul to get a price on. You might want to call across the state some since the dealers can transfer sock around. Maybe it is worth a trip to Austin or San Antonio.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: tom_in_az (Apr 02, 2009 8:41 am)
|
|
|
Please report back the numbers that you get. I didn't crunch numbers or anything, I just used the on board computer on a small 3 hour highway trip. Now I didn't realize it was possible to reset that computer otherwise I would have done so on the highway. However between the local and then the highway driving I was getting an average of a little over 18mpg. Now I also had to vary the throttle a lot due to engine break in procedures, but I was rather happy with how long the gas lasted on the highway. Tom |
|
|
Replying to: hummer1940 (Apr 08, 2009 5:21 pm)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: wp746911 (Apr 09, 2009 6:33 am) Your dealer must be the only Chrysler dealer in the country that is not dealing? Hard to imagine. |
|
lol yeah I'm not really sure. I live in houston so they have LOTS of competition. Unfortunately, very very few people get 4.0L in the touring around the houston area. I was pumped when I found this dealer but then they quoted me the poor price. I flatly told them I was getting quotes of 26.5k for a similar (within a few hundred) msrp vehicle (no 4.0 but with nav- the 4.0 is more important). The dude sounded shocked, supposedly 'looked into a few things' then called me back and said he didn't think they could go that low. Obviously they can b/c we've seen it many times on this forum. I dunno, I've about given up on the chryslers. I really want the 4.0L but don't want to have to get the limited to get it ($$) and evidently in the 4th largest city in the US I can't find a dealer that has the options I want that can offer a competitive price...
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: wp746911 (Apr 09, 2009 3:53 pm)  They really are a nice van. Like you, I really wanted the 4.0L engine but did not want to pay for all the stuff that comes in the Limited. The 4.0L engine really makes the van move out smartly, maybe not like my Cadillac CTS, but pretty good for a minivan. I also love the IPOD interface, the 30GB hard drive, and Sirius. No shortage of entertainment options. Anyway, good luck to you. Maybe the truck for Houston is on its way..... |
|
You are here:
Forums
Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan 4.0 vs 3.8L engine- is 4.0 that much beter?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Chrysler Town and Country
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
