OT - Any advice on Chrysler/Dodge minivans?

[stefanospops]

I know that Chrysler and Dodge have the minivan market more or less cornered in Canada. I currently have a Chevy Uplander that I am looking to replace and GM no longer offers minivans but crossovers. I really like that idea of the Swivel and Go seats available on Dodge and Chrysler minivans. Anyone have those instead of the stow and go?

We are likely looking at driving to Florida now that the kids are somewhat older and I like that my DW can be with the kids at the table and do crafts. Are you able to have the table out while driving or can it only be used in park?

Also, any real difference other than price between a fully loaded Caravan compared to similar options on a Town and Country? Appreciate your comments!

 

[tink1969]

I have had 3 Caravan's and really like them. I was leasing and that's why I've had 3....got a new one every 3 years. I contemplated the Town and Country on my 3rd one but decided it was too expensive for the extras that weren't really needed.
I suggest the stow and go but I don't know about the table being open while driving.
Good luck!

 

[DeniseinNS]

We have had 2 Grand Caravans that we leased and I will never drive another one!! We had both for 2 years each and the first one (2006) had a fair amount of problems with it, the second one (2010) was a piece of crap. We test drove one with the swvel and go and it's really tight with the table. I would pay the extra money to get a Toyota or Honda.

 

[tink1969]

We have had 2 Grand Caravans that we leased and I will never drive another one!! We had both for 2 years each and the first one (2006) had a fair amount of problems with it, the second one (2010) was a piece of crap. We test drove one with the swvel and go and it's really tight with the table. I would pay the extra money to get a Toyota or Honda.

Interesting how different two people's opinions are! I didn't any problems with any of the three Caravan's I had. Not one!
Anyways, you have to look at the cost of maintenance of a domestic as opposed to an import. Obviously domestics are cheaper. But if you can afford it, go for the imports.

 

[casper_jj11]

We've had a Grand Caravan since 2006. We bought it new and financed it 0% over five years. Oh how I'm wishing the next year away. Its a piece of crap. If you're going to get a new one after 2yrs, it's probably just as good as anything else but after that time frame, it literally falls apart. Our sliding doors wont lock or unlock on their own. We have three kids, two under five, and that isn't convenient. We've brought it in and after $100 labour, I told them to stop. They said it would cost at least $500 to DIAGNOSE the problem and it would likely cost $1000 or so to fix! So I have no automatic locks with the sliding doors. The van also feels like driving a tin can... really. I'm used to Hondas and Mazdas and I'll never buy an American brand vehicle again. Lesson learned. Now the one thing positive I do have to say is taht I love the stow and go seats. We use them regularly. My plan is to get an Odessey next year when this one is paid for... either that or drive it til it drops... which based on how its working now should be about 6months after its paid for completely (unlike our Honda which lasted 13 years and our Mazda which is now 9 yrs old and still ticking)... can you tell I'm bitter

 

[HotdogDncrs]

We bought a fully loaded Town and Country last January. We absolutely love it! We shopped around, and were initially looking at an import, however the features that the T&C offered did not compare to any other. We have the swivel and go seats, haven't used them yet, as our son is only 23 months old. We have the dual DVD screens, and the power seats in the back - that I would say is a must. It is so easy, just push a button and presto the seats fold into the floor or come back up. Also the very rear seats are electronic, so that people sitting in them can recline at the push of a button.

I used to say I would never drive a mini-van - well I guess Never say Never

Good luck with your decision.

 

[drag n' fly]

We owned 2. Had nothing but problems with both. Got rid of both of them at 60,000km each and got a Kia.

 

[CdnKayDee]

We just bought a Toyota Sienna. We had done a lot of looking. I think it is pretty hard from a test drive to determine what is a good van. My husband works at UPS and he discussed the choices with his mechanic at work. He said to stay away from the Caravan. He said that you can buy one that will have no problems but he said there are some real lemons out there. He talked about there being a problem with the transmission.

 

[stefanospops]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I still have no idea what I am going to do. I currently have an Uplander with 100,000 kms on it. Little things are starting to go like the automatic door. I may try to get one more year out of it to see if we have one more kid. If we do, then I have no choice but to get another minivan since that would be 6 of us. If we don't then I can replace it with an SUV instead and can stick with GM - the evil I know. Still, if others have comments I don't mind hearing them!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I have an Uplander too ... I am considering Chevrolet Traverse.

 

[tgropp]

They are the best vehicles that we have ever owned. I would say that the vast majority of owners would reccomend anyone to buy one, hence that is why they are such a great seller. As for the Toyotas, Kia.s etc., what type of vehicle did they ever invent. Convertible, minivan,truck etc????? They just let the American companies spend all the money on research and development and come in later with their improved version which is a good vehicle, sometimes worse, sometimes better. But it is a good idea to use the boards and get peoples opinion. Good luck on whatever you buy.

 

[MikeyNS]

Older caravans had major transmission problems. I think they're all cleared up now. Google "Odyssey transmission" and you'll get tonnes of hits. Apparently their transmissions are still, even with the more recent years, causing problems for people. You just don't hear much about it because it's a Honda.

I don't think there is a 100% right or wrong answer. Anyone can get a lemon. You'll always hear of the "Mine blew a tranny at 50k" and "Mine has been trouble free for 250k", no matter which make/model.

I always tell the story of my inlaws 1990 Lumina Van (anteater type!), 460,000kms on it when they decided to get a new car, and those aren't even supposed to be reliable!

I mean you can get a new Caravan for, what, $23k all in? With the thousands in savings over the competition you could buy a wicked extended warranty to make you feel comfy.
On the flip side the imports will be worth a lot more down the road, so you might make up for it on the other end.

 

[drag n' fly]

They are the best vehicles that we have ever owned. I would say that the vast majority of owners would reccomend anyone to buy one, hence that is why they are such a great seller. As for the Toyotas, Kia.s etc., what type of vehicle did they ever invent. Convertible, minivan,truck etc????? They just let the American companies spend all the money on research and development and come in later with their improved version which is a good vehicle, sometimes worse, sometimes better. But it is a good idea to use the boards and get peoples opinion. Good luck on whatever you buy.

You are taking this far too personally lol

 

[tgropp]

Yes, you are probally right. Just a Chrysler fanatic I guess as my family from my grandpa to myself have been buying them for well over 60 years. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[SplashMom]

We just purchased our 4th Grand Caravan and we love it! My parents, uncles, cousins, etc. have been buying them for over twenty years as well and we all love them. We've never had any problems--we joke that we should be on a commercial since there are so many in the family! We love the stow and go seats--no idea about the table. I think you get good and bad with every make of vehicle and the service provided can be good and bad as well. Evaluate your options and enjoy your personal choice!

 

[Albertan mom]

I have a 2004 Ford Freestar minivan, and I love it. Have literally never had one problem with it.
I love the sliding doors.
I love the fact that the back 3rd row seat can be pushed into the floor in 2 seconds easily, and pulled out just as quickly.
I will keep it until the day it dies, then buy the same one again!

 

[stefanospops]

I have a 2004 Ford Freestar minivan, and I love it. Have literally never had one problem with it.
I love the sliding doors.
I love the fact that the back 3rd row seat can be pushed into the floor in 2 seconds easily, and pulled out just as quickly.
I will keep it until the day it dies, then buy the same one again!

Unfortunately Ford no longer makes minivans. Chrysler is the only American company left that still produces minivans as I found out last year when my lease was up on our minivan.

I'm still torn as to keeping my Uplander which has just 775 kms left on the warranty and is in the shop now because the auto doors are malfunctioning, the speedometer is malfunctioning and the rear parking sensors are not working (because I backed into a wall - so my fault there - and so much for backing up sensors!).

I am probably 51/49 in favour of a new Town and Country. I need to find out how much I will get for my car first before I can fully decide though. I agree with a previous poster that I would rather take the hit on the resale value and get the extra options as they mean more to me in the short term with young kids than the resale value. With any luck this is my last minivan and I can move to a sedan in 6 or 7 years when two of three kids will be out of boosters and none will be car seats.

 

[tgropp]

Unfortunately Ford no longer makes minivans. Chrysler is the only American company left that still produces minivans as I found out last year when my lease was up on our minivan.

I have a 2 week van rental through Budget this December and it is listed as a Ford Aerostar. I reserved it in April so maybe the model will have changed by this December