Minivan Rental: Grand Caravan or Town & Country?

[Armadillo4]

For those familiar with minivans, if you had a choice between a Dodge Grand Caravan or a Chrysler Town & Country, which would you choose? Or are the differences negligible?

For an upcoming trip, both my sister and I have minivans reserved with National. Based on reports, our choices with National--since we get to pick from available inventory--will most likely be the Grand Caravan or T&C. I had a co-worker recently return from a trip and she scouted the minivan aisle for me. When she checked, there were 4 Grand Caravans and 1 T&C available. Neither my sister or I are familiar with minivans so I thought I'd ask some DISers for their thoughts. Thanks for any and all opinions on these models!

 

[pr surfer]

I rent these all the time for work, and save for a few trim differences, they're the same car. If it's a T&C Limited, it'll be a bit more luxurious. Generally, the Chrysler will be more luxurious than the Dodge.

If you're really lucky, they'll have the VW version (Routan), which is the most comfortable and well equipped of them.

 

[gmeh1]

For those familiar with minivans, if you had a choice between a Dodge Grand Caravan or a Chrysler Town & Country, which would you choose? Or are the differences negligible?

For an upcoming trip, both my sister and I have minivans reserved with National. Based on reports, our choices with National--since we get to pick from available inventory--will most likely be the Grand Caravan or T&C. I had a co-worker recently return from a trip and she scouted the minivan aisle for me. When she checked, there were 4 Grand Caravans and 1 T&C available. Neither my sister or I are familiar with minivans so I thought I'd ask some DISers for their thoughts. Thanks for any and all opinions on these models!

Go with the T&C if possible. They have leather interiors, DVD players and are, IMHO, a much nicer van. You can also ask for one if you don't see one in the mini van section. I used to work for National and saw a lot of these.

 

[gmeh1]

I rent these all the time for work, and save for a few trim differences, they're the same car. If it's a T&C Limited, it'll be a bit more luxurious. Generally, the Chrysler will be more luxurious than the Dodge.

If you're really lucky, they'll have the VW version (Routan), which is the most comfortable and well equipped of them.

All the T&Cs now come with leather interior and DVD players. Much nicer than the Dodge. And a back up camera.

 

[formill]

We ended up with both on past trip as we had a flat tire on the Dodge-the Town and country did have the leather seats, one dvd player and a built in gps that the Dodge did not have. Other than that both seemed the same.

 

[Armadillo4]

Thanks everyone for your replies! We'll definitely pick a T&C if there's one available.

gmeh1, it's great to see you posting here again. Your insight into our National and Alamo questions has always been appreciated!

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks everyone for your replies! We'll definitely pick a T&C if there's one available.

gmeh1, it's great to see you posting here again. Your insight into our National and Alamo questions has always been appreciated!

Thanks Armadillo, I try to come here when time allows.

 

[n2mm]

We always choose the T&C over the caravan.

 

[pr surfer]

All the T&Cs now come with leather interior and DVD players. Much nicer than the Dodge. And a back up camera.

The backup camera is definitely a godsend, since I normally drive a Jetta. Backing up a minivan is not one of my talents. But since my travels are for business, and it's my coworkers and I, comfort is needed, not a DVD player

If by a stroke of luck they have the VW version (I've gotten them at MIA and TPA before, so they're definitely in their Florida fleet), it's even better than the T&C. More comfortable, and more goodies.

 

[gmeh1]

The backup camera is definitely a godsend, since I normally drive a Jetta. Backing up a minivan is not one of my talents. But since my travels are for business, and it's my coworkers and I, comfort is needed, not a DVD player

If by a stroke of luck they have the VW version (I've gotten them at MIA and TPA before, so they're definitely in their Florida fleet), it's even better than the T&C. More comfortable, and more goodies.

I have yet to see the VW version at MCO and I have seen a LOT of mini vans, Chryslers, Dodges( the largest inventory are the Dodge and Chrysler), Toyotas and the Nissan one but no VWs. In fact, very few VW anything is at MCO and I would notice, I cannot stand VW anything.

 

[gmeh1]

The backup camera is definitely a godsend, since I normally drive a Jetta. Backing up a minivan is not one of my talents. But since my travels are for business, and it's my coworkers and I, comfort is needed, not a DVD player

If by a stroke of luck they have the VW version (I've gotten them at MIA and TPA before, so they're definitely in their Florida fleet), it's even better than the T&C. More comfortable, and more goodies.

The DVD player also plays music and most of the new Chryslers have Sirus radio, if they have under 10K miles on them.