Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I am also sure, that Chrysler's market research has shown that people need an elegant, inviting interior with superior fit & finish. My own market research has shown the same thing, as well. And so "your" market research. If so, then why do I read all over about the bad interior designs of recent Chrysler / Dodge offerings? Why does the upcoming 2008 model minivans interior look so not-promising?
Seems that Chrysler is using the same interior designer, even after all the critics. Somehow, they love him and can't part with him. What's up with that stupid-placed shifter; complicated temperature controls that sit almost as low as your feet; 2-nd row and rear seat which is as uncomfortable as the current vans, even though they increased the well behind the rear seat; and many more details.
Offering the new 4.0L engine and 6-speed auto in the top of the line LIMITED only, is one of the biggest mistakes they can do. That's not competitive at all. All other minivans offer a minimum of refined, 240 hp engines and at least a 5-speed. But Chrysler, who still wants to be the leader, will offer it only on the top shelf minivan. All other gets sub 200 hp and 4-speed trannys. Yes, in 2008.
I don't see Chrysler should do a lot of market research. I own already their products for many years, and so is our business and other friends and relatives, and NEVER have we been contacted by Chrysler, whether by mail, phone or e-mail, to ask us how satisfied we are, and what they can do in order to improve products so we stay a Chrysler customer in the future.
Personally, having owned three Chrysler's in the past, I always felt the interiors were designed great, the quality just wasn't always there.
While I'm done with Chrysler and have been since 2003, I'm still surprised at the things they think of to put in these vans (to their credit).
As for the market research comment, that was purely hypothetical. I was just making a point that while one person may think a power trunk, automatic climate control, rear seat dvd players, etc. are "silly and a waste of money," that doesn't necesarily mean the majority of the minivan buying public would also agree.
...otherwise these types of car options in this segement would have stopped advancing/getting copied by other makes years ago!
The old-tech low hp engines which is the lowest in class, years behind the competition, and the newer more powerful is available on the Limited edition only (I hope it's will be an option on the Touring), the weird shifter which is somewhere between the column and IP, and interior design, will give it some bad ratings...