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Chrysler Town and Country EX/LX/LXi/Limited
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Comments
So they should at least offer it optional. Many people, especially those who are used to these features, may want to pay a few bucks more to have illuminated controls & windshield wiper de-icer.
The new Toyota Sienna offers the wiper de-icer as an option. Unfortunately, no Toyota or Lexus offer the luxury of illuminated controls for power windows/door locks/mirrors. No idea why.
Does the T&C still have the illuminated ignition key ring?
I admit that the outer positions are more comfortable than the middle and the 03 Sienna 50/50 split is more comfortable than the middle part of GC 50/50 split 3rd row seat.
200 miles away from home this weekend with the family and the rear brakes (4W discs) start making intermittent noise. My gut feeling was that my rears might be sticking. The rotors were a bit shinier than the fronts too. Drove it home and straight to the shop where I'm a regular customer. As soon as I described the noise, the tech goes, "Yup, Chryslers, your brakes are gone."
Apparently Chrysler pads don't have the wear indicators that other pads do so by the time they're gone, it's too late. You're already metal to metal. I just don't remember my old minivan giving me this headache. Anybody experience similar situations?
So "two rear rotors and new pads all the way around later", the vans good to go again. I'm a bit disappointed since as I said it only has 46k on it. Chances are I won't be owning a third Chrysler minivan for that matter.
Weberamg -> Though I am disappointed, AWD is the way to go. I haven't had a problem in that area --yet--. It gives you stability in the rain and I've driven mine on icy roads and I thought was well worth the extra $$. I've driven it on the mountain passes where snow chains were required. Nice to keep on going while others are pulling over to put chains on. Didn't loose traction or slide at any time.
Was this a Chrysler dealer?
Yes I do have the van regularly serviced at the dealer @ 7.5k intervals (service contract) but I don't go to the dealer for everything. Can't afford their prices.
I go to a local franchise tire shop for my brakes and tires. I guess my point was if the pads had the sensors, I probably could've saved my rotors. Not to mention the anxiety of being away from home and on the road with the family at the time.
This van is a "family-mobile". I only drive it when we go on trips. When school is in, it turns into a shuttle and my wife does majority of the driving. So I guess all things considered, it's done it's job well.
So far, post-warranty, I've replaced:
the battery @ 43.2k
belt tensioner (seized) @ 41k
tires @ 44.2k
As for the brakes new front rotors and loaded calipers(Bendix) cost me $200 and I installed my self. My rears are still the drums so they seem to last for 70K or more.
Just purchased an Inferno Red ES with sunroof and no charge DVD. Tried to buy from a local dealer (Calgary) and all there first offer was MSRP but they would throw in the hood guard, mud flaps, and third row floor mats! This was after they had wasted my time by lying about what they actually had in inventory. I promptly got up and left. Had a voice mail from the salesman a while later saying they were not in the habit of giving away their cars...whatever. Also, in Canada there have been two price increases this year (I believe to offset some of the 0% financing incentives). The ES I was looking at had a window sticker without the latest price increase (about $260). The dealer added this on to the price as he said he had to pass on the price increase. What! I am sure he paid Chrysler the lower invoice price before the increase. What a horrible experience and waste of time. Within ten minutes of leaving the dealership I was on the phone with one two hours away whose online inventory showed they had an ES with the original 2003 price which was about $600 less. The inferno red color was not our first choice as our other vehicle is a similar colour. Given that this was $600 less on the sticker plus did not have the $875 trailer package which we do not require this seemed like potentially a good deal, first color choice or not. Asked to speak to the sales manager and he immediately offered a price that was $300 over invoice and offered to go 50/50 on the accessories and would deliver to our home for free. Deal was done in 10 minutes and was incredibally stress free. Vehicle gets delivered Friday and I can't wait. Return our leased 01 Maxima SE on Thursday. I sure will miss the Max, but with a 8 week old baby, a boxer and possibly another baby in our future, the minivan will be a necessity.
Thanks
Steve, Host
(source is my Edmunds Vans Newsletter that got emailed today.)
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
link
In other news, quieter steel (no kidding) is on the way:
Quality Comes Down to Noise?
Steve, Host
If you fit the bill, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Friday, September 5 with your daytime contact information and a few words about your experience.
Thanks!
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Before 12,000 miles, the fuel pump was replaced. Before 30,000 miles the transmission was replaced (Dealer had the car over a month, didn't know what the problem was). In short, the entire engine, minus the block and pistons has been replaced.
The newest problem seems to be fuel related. I have made 6 trips to the dealer. Each time they say it's something different. They have nearly replaced the entire fuel system and the problem persists. I am down to 11 MPG. I was getting btwn 20 and 23 in city driving. Initially, the only indication that there was a problem was that the engine light came on. Since then, the MPG has dropped. This terrible gas mileage and the annoying engine light is driving me crazy. Any suggestions?
We didn't notice any scratches when we took delivery, but it was pouring down rain when we received it. It rained nonstop until yesterday, when I took the van in. When the sun finally came out today is when I noticed it. The bumper is the same color as the van (jade).
I'll have to return to the dealer tomorrow and see what they will do. They are 26 miles from my home, so I hope 1) they don't give me a hassle over this and 2) they can fix it fast! This is a 5-star dealership, but my first purchase with them. Will the bumper have to be replaced, or can they buff it out normally? It's a bit frustrating.
About the scratch, they will probably give you a bottle of touch-up paint and send you on your way. Not noting it at delivery is what may get you here. They will say you got it in the mall parking lot or something. Remember, the dealership is a business, they can not give things away as that is not how business works. You will have to prove it was there when you took delivery.
I hope it works out for you. My mother in law bought a 2004 PT Cruiser GT a couple of weeks ago and had to go back to the dealer 3 days later to get something she forgot. She had scratches on her rear bumper. They gave her a bottle of touch up paint and offered to sell a rear bumper protector--at full retail, of course. Good luck.
Too bad Chrysler! It's not the way of making more money to upset customers! Making your vehicles more reliable is the one and only way!
I feel bad for you, Butch! Maybe you can ask your dealer to order those parts from 2002 models. Maybe they have some of them in stock. it's the only thing I can recommend you. They are all the same pieces 2002 and 2003. I really wish you good luck, and let me know if this helps.
The PT Cruiser comes with body void spaces foam filled for that same reason.
Steve, Host
I went through a similar situation about 1 month ago.
We had a 1996 T&C base model with 102k miles we needed to sell as we just bought a 2001 T&C Limited AWD.
I went to Edmunds used car prices site and priced it a tad below what they recommend. I took the '96 to a local car wash for wash/wax and carpets and seats shampoo.
I then took it to the local Auto mart and parked it for the weekend. A few hours later I got a call and made the deal.
From my time as an ex-new car sales person, I know you'll almost always come away with more money if you sell it yourself. Your paying for convenience when trading a car in.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for yr experience and help
I'm ready to drive my 2001 T&C off a cliff!
I've had the van in and out of service for the past 3 months for what I describe as a "hesitation" issue. When the van is in 4th gear (overdrive) and is headed up a slight incline, you can feel the van hesitate like it not getting fuel and doesn't have enough power unless I punch the accelerator to make it shift into third gear. When it's in 3rd gear, the van seems to perform better.
I noticed this problem immediately after a recall to the PCM was done. The recall was to fix a potential issue with the air conditioning getting too hot. Ever since this recall was done, I've felt this problem and it seems to be getting worse.
I've been working with 2 dealerships and have asked for a meeting with the District Manager to no avail. I have not received a call from the DM and when I tell the Chrysler Customer Care folks, they tell me to write a letter requesting the meeting.
Okay...so we did this and we are now awaiting a response. I want to trade this vehicle in for a non-Chrysler vehicle but I'm probably going to take a bath on the trade-in.
My van has just 28k miles on it. Has anyone else experienced this "hesitation" issue after the recall was done?
Thanks for any help you folks can provide.
CB
1. What is the difference between bucket seats and captain's chairs? The T&C says it has bucket seats and the Sienna has captains chairs.
2. Has anyone considered both the Sienna and T&C? If so, what do you feel to be the plusses and minues of each?
3. What is a good deal on a fully loaded T&C Limited?
1) Crash scores were well below the current Honda and Toyota products.
2) Depreciation is awful.
3) Reliability, while not as bad as some other minivans, is well below Honda and Toyota
4) The cargo area behind the 3rd row is almost 1/2 what it is in the '04 Sienna and Ody.
5) The 3rd row split seat design is awful - the middle seat is like sitting on a brick and when you fold one side up to get more cargo space, you effectively lose 2 seats.
These are the main reasons I eliminated the T&C first. I eventually bought a '03 Ody EX-L.
As far as pricing on a new '03 T&C Limited - In Memphis, I was routinely seeing adds for $10,000 off MSRP for T&C Limited.
Good Luck!!
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I have also heard about bad mechanical problems regarding both vehicles. Anyone have a good feel for the actual vs. percieved?
Steve, Host