Advice on Chrysler Minivans

[antsss]

My DH and I are thinking of replacing our 10-year-old Pontiac Montana minivan with a new vehicle to take advantage of the 0% for 60mos finance deals being offered by GM and Chrysler. My husband is sold on the Chevy Traverser/GMC Acadia, but I prefer the sliding doors of a minivan, so am leaning toward the Chrysler Town&Country/Dodge Grand Caravan. My husband is worried about Chrysler quality.

Does anyone have an opinion about the current-generation (2008 and newer) Chrysler minivans? Any help is appreciated.

 

[SunshineOR]

I can't speak to 2008 or more recent, but we had a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country and we loved it. We had the Touring edition.

I loved, loved, loved that van. Handled beautifully, comfortable, no issues other than replacing a battery at one point in 5 years of driving. Stow and go seats were amazing. I literally could flip them all down in one minute, and we liked the extra storage in the floor on long trips when we weren't stowing seats. Some silly little complaints like the road noise a little too loud on the freeway and not enough cup holders for my family of many drinks...but we were very happy with it. We switched to the Toyota Sienna recently only because our family keeps growing and we needed an eight-seater. There are some features we miss from the Chrysler van and I gladly would have kept driving it or bought another.

 

[johnsontrio]

We have 2 of them right now, a 2008 and a 2009. Before I bought the 2009, I leased a 2007. I would say in general we are satisfied with them. The amount of money we have invested in the lease(2008) and the purchase are minimal for the features on the vehicles. DH's lease is under $300/month for 27 months/1500 miles per month with no money down. He doesn't have all the bells and whistles but wanted the ability to seat 7 with a low payment.

My car has all the bells and whistles and I love the features it has. Chrysler was offering the entertainment system (dual screen video) free and 0% financing. The purchase price was 10K below sticker. I wanted the navigation system and use it all the time. Love, love, love Sirius Radio and the myGig for plugging in my iPod and being able to have all the controls come up on the screen. Uconnect is great for answering the phone etc.. hands free. The front four seats are heated, the only thing missing is the moonroof which you couldn't get with the dual screen entertainment system.

The things we like about the T&C minivans:
flexible seating, only have 1 child but we are still driving everyone else's
stow and go
decent gas mileage (21 highway, 18-19 city)
American made (We live in Detroit)
reasonable to insure
ease of hauling stuff
comfortable ride

The 2007 I leased had no service issues. My husbands 2008 just needed new front rotors, calipers and brake pads at 19K miles but Chrysler paid for all of that except $75. Seems that the brake pads have to be watched carefully. I had the same problem with a Ford Freestyle. His van also just went in due to the AC not working. Seems that is also a commonly known problem. The hose is too short and breaks loose and you lose all the freon. That repair was paid for also under warranty.

My 2009 has been in twice for repairs. At 4K miles the passenger back door and window stopped working. It was an electrical problem and was fixed easily. Then a month later the radio system went crazy and was constantly scrolling the stations and no other features worked. I took it in and they could not replicate the problem and the radio/electronic system has worked fine since. I am concerned about owning this car as I have been spoiled by having cars under warranty through leasing. I hate paying for car repairs. When I turned the last lease in, there weren't any cheap lease deals, and this purchase was too good to pass up.

I would say that in general we are as pleased with the T&C minivans as the Fords we have leased over the last 15 years. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DeniseinNS]

We just got rid of our 2008 Dodge Caravan last month and I have to say that it was a piece of crap, I was really disappointed with it. Every time it was cold the sliding doors froze and we could not get them opened, the check engine light was on alot, the tire pressure in one tire was low constantly, the radio and signal lights would cut out while driving, the key holder fell off and had to be replaced (ended up being a recall) and we had a major problem with the starter. Pay a bit extra and get something with a better reputation and better resale value.

http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/grandcaravan/2008/consumerreview.html

 

[stevenpensacola]

Chrysler

I'd buy a used Honda or Toyota van before I'd buy a new Chrysler.

If you enjoy driving, get a Honda.

If you view driving as a chore, get a Toyota.

Just remember, in most cases, you really do get what you pay for.

 

[RUDisney]

I've had 2 T&C vans. I loved both of them.

The first one was totaled by an 82 yo man who made a wrong turn and didn't bother to slow down when the sun was in his eyes. He missed the stop sign and flipped my van over.

I told my DH, while I was still layed up to find a new T&C van for me.

I only recently gave that van up to gain less seating capacity. Honestly, I'm sick of being the van mom who has to drive everyone elses children around. Now, I have a Saab 9 5 and I happily have traded my chauffering responsibilities to other parents.

 

[Hoodie]

Hopefully the newer ones are better than the older ones. Everyone I know who had one hated it. Needless to say, with such glowing recommendations, I don't know anyone with any Chrysler products anymore!

 

[taylor3297]

It all comes down to each persons opinion and experience. My in laws only buy Chrysler products and love their brand new T&C. I have always bought Fords myself and never had any problems, though others always tell me that they would never own a Ford.

We just recently replaced our 2004 Ford Freestyle van, which had too many miles on it, and I really didn't want another mini-van. Though I loved the Chevy Traverse, I got a better deal on a 2009 Saturn Outlook. Even though Saturns are no longer made, GM will honor all warranties. At first I did miss the sliding doors we had on the van, but after a few weeks, it didn't really matter at all. I have two kids ages 3 and 7, and they have had no trouble adjusting to the car doors.

Good luck with getting a new vehicle. Choose one that will make you happy. No matter what others say, there is a lemon in every brand. My neighbor could tell you horror stories about there Honda Odyssey.

 

[damone]

Chrysler

I'd buy a used Honda or Toyota van before I'd buy a new Chrysler.

If you enjoy driving, get a Honda.

If you view driving as a chore, get a Toyota.

Just remember, in most cases, you really do get what you pay for.

Agreed.

We had 2 Chryslers, both of which constantly had problems, broke down, ran like crap. We now have 2 Toyotas and have never had a problem.

Chrysler mini-vans have pretty much the worst residual value of any cars on the market.

 

[DizBelle]

I would never have a Chrysler as my vehicle unless Chrysler ended up being the last car maker on earth.

I was left stranded on the side of the road one too many times by Chrysler.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

My SIL bought an '08 T&C after seeing how great a minivan is with the kids(we have an '07 HONDA and love it) It's been in the shop 3 times (transmission issues, power steering pump and something to do with the back door not opening by the key chain button) Luckily everything was covered under warranty! They like it, especially the fact there are 2 TV screens that each can show a separate movie!

 

[phillmolly]

I have a 2009 Grand Carvan and I love it! I haven't had any problems with it and I love the DVD system. I love the fact that when I want to go somewhere with my sis or DSIL we only need one car instead of two. There only two things I wish that my van had, an automatic liftgate and doors, and a GPS. Of course we got a really great deal with ours, since we got it when they were doing the cash for clunkers and we pretty much had to take what they had. As a matter of fact we had to call about 10 dealers before we found one with a minivan left! They did have one T&C but it would have been about 60 - 70 more a month and we really wanted to keep our payment below a certain amount.

 

[Golf4food]

Chrysler is almost out of business for a reason.

I would not recommend a new Chrysler because there is no guarantee your warranty will still be good 12 months from now - I seriously have concerns for the future of Chrysler as a company. They are in very, very bad shape and not really getting any better (unlike GM, which has at least made necessary changes to stay in business).

I'd stick with the safer brands: Ford, Honda, etc. Toyota maybe. Nissan. Subaru is great if you find a Subaru you like. Hyundai is very good. Chrysler family models are the only ones I'd steer clear of right now, truly.

 

[padams]

Buy a Toyota or Honda minivan- much better products.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have the Saturn Relay--a GM carbon copy piece of garbage of the Chevy minivan--all of which IIRC were discontinued.

My ABS/Traction light comes on CONSTANTLY despite numerous tightenings, repairs and full replacement wiring. The doors break constantly and my DVD player fritzed and was replaced no less than 3x....I've given up on replacing it.

So I would avoid GM.

If I were to get a different minivan, I'd get the Honda Odyssey. Haven't yet met anyone who has not liked theirs.

 

[stevenpensacola]

We just got back from a trip to WDW...1000 miles round trip. We rented a Grand Caravan...just wanted to give my impression of the van. We've owned a 95 Caravan, and a 03 Honda Odyssey, so this is what I'm basing my opinions on.

1. The drivers seat was "mushy".
2. Some of the ergonomics were not good:
a. cruise control controls located in an awkward place.
b. turn signal lever located too far from steering wheel.
c. long reach to tune the radio.
d. center armrest too low.
3. The A/C knobs felt really cheap...as did the shifter lever...very wobbly.
4. At times, the transmission seemed to get confused...would shift with a
loud clunk.

Averaged 21 MPG highway...according to the van's display.

The van did have some nice features...notably the interior lighting scheme.

Overall, the van just feels cheap compared even to our old 03 Honda Odyssey.

 

[55dznypal]

My DH always said that if Chrysler was the last car around we'd be taking the bus!!!

After that van theres no way I would ever buy another Chrysler!!

In the 8 yrs we had it we replaced 2 batteries, 2 starters, altenator 2 transmissins (the 2nd one was dying when we decided to junk it (trade it)

I fought Chrysler with the BBB at every repair and always won!!!!

Ours was a 1992 but I still woulnd not trust Chrysler

 

[okeydokey]

I will never buy another Dodge minivan or any other Dodge product. We had the caravan and had the AC unit done twice, the transmission redone and lots more. When the ac needed yet another do over, we traded it in and got a Honda, which I LOVE!

Consumer reports rates the reliability of these vehicles as not good.

 

[rabyoga]

We have a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country minivan... We've replaced the transmission/seals replaced/ and two batteries. We only have 80,000miles. The electronic doors worked for a few months and that's it. Don't buy Chrysler!!!!! It's a piece of crap.

We're looking a Honda to replace it.

 

[mamajoan]

2002 Chrysler Town and Country LXI.. 130,000 miles on it today.

No problems.. replaced the tires, did the regular maintenance, had brakes done.. twice I think... no major problems, one side door is a wee bit slow to open at times.. but that is it.

I never wanted a mini van, but I needed one to be able to install a w/c lift and install hand controls. The T&C fit the need.

It has a quiet, very comfortable ride.

Earlier this year I wanted to purchase a new car, but decided that it was a better financial decision to re-paint the T&C (minor dings, scratches.. etc) than buy a new car and have payments.

I would like my next car to a convertible...
but it will be a T&C van most likely...

oh and we have owned 2 Dodge Intrepids, and a Dodge Stratus.... all very reliable