By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Had my van in Friday for oil change and spoke to a sales person at Golling Dodge north of Detroit. Golling also owns a GMC dealership (Acadia) nearby, and my demented reasoning is they'll give me a better trade in since it's the same owner and they'll just sell it at their Dodge dealership. Seee.....the illness is creeping over me, and it's starting to help me justify a new vehicle. Hellppppppp
- I am getting Ody EX 08 for 399(tax incl) for 36m/15k miles/ zero down (no even 1st month payment)...Is it good?
I am debating whether I should spend that kind of money or go for TC /Dodge caravan 08 models for a 27 month lease. What is the competitive rate for leasing those minivans?
I have not driven them but their reliability seems to be an issue; we drive 70 miles a day and we live in NE ohio where winters are sometimes little bit harsh. We dont have much leeway at work and hence reliability and maint...
Thanks!
$ 399 / month for 36 months = total outlay $ 14,364 for 3years.
Does the $ 399 per month include the taxes?
Perception is not always reality, if you look at the Honda forum on issues, you'd be concerned about an Ody even. There are many happy Dodge owners, many repeat buyers for decades. I suggest you go drive a Dodge first, since you haven't yet.
Yes it includes taxes.
2008 Ody EX for $ 399 / month with NO up front money looks like a good deal. Most leases require 6 to 11 months EXTRA $$$$ up front to make the monthly payments artificially low.
$ 399 / month for 36 months = total outlay $ 14,364 for 3years.
But if you could buy the Ody EX for $26,000 and 3 years later sell it for $17,000, you'd be a lot better off then speding $14,364 and then having nothing after 3 years.
The KBB value for an '04 EX with 45,000 miles is $17,000
Two months after reading about Toyota's " GENEROSITY ", I finally got warranty extension for this defect in today's mail. Toyota is extending the warranty for 5 years or 100,000 miles for the Front Door Check Mounting Panel defect. It also reads "Damage incurred from abuse, ....is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or this warranty extension".
Won't it be convenient for Toyota to claim "abuse" if the front door check mounting panel spot welds become detached?
I plan to trade off my Sienna before it is 5 years old. I am not pleased with Toyota quality, uncomfortable seats, poorly designed dash, and lack of comfort features that are on less expensive Chrysler minivans.
We all know on here how abusive you are to door hinges Hans!! :P
"Abuse" is so subjective....what if you're a muscular body builder?? or you have 10 kids opening and closing the doors constantly.....Scrary for owners.
I now have a 1-month old and a 2.5yr old. I use a Graco infant carrier with detachable base in our 2007 T&C with Stow N Go (same as 2008 model seats). With the angle of the seat bottom, I put two 1" 3-ring bilders under the back of the base to make it more level for my son's head. I don't remember doing this for my older daughter in our 2005 with same seats, although she only lasted about 2 months in the carrier before we used a Britax Marathon convertible seat in the minivan. I am determined to keep this guy in a carrier at least through winter and hopefully until my daughter can use a booster/next step. I don't really want to buy another $250 car seat for him for only 6 months until the odler child moves up.
Anyway, the adjustment on the Graco seat base wasn't enough for SnG so my solution is soem binders fileld with paper.
In any event, in an accident, those binders are likely to come lose and cause the carseat to be less secure. That would be a big problem.
For anyone who is familiar with the Graco bases, there are only rear anchors to attach using LATCH or vehicle belt. When you tichen them down, the seat cushin is compresed further increasing the angle. Also, if someone hits my vehicle in the rear, the front of the car seat could lift up. Given the contour of the seat and how much I tighten the strap, I'm not worried about the binders. There are other loose objects in the vehicle like a snow brush, daiper bags, portable elctronics, etc that I'd worry about in an accident before my binders sandwiched between the seat and car seat base.
The real issue is that all car seats angle somewhat and newborn heads flap around. It even happens when they face forward. The older car seats used to have a recline adjustment but all this LATCH crap hasn't dealt with this problem.
My suggestions (from an experienced mom) are to look into one of those double car seat head rings. The inner ring is removable for the bigger baby, but when very little it gives a snugger fit and reduces the head flapping forward. Make sure the adjustment straps on the seat are in the smallest and tight position. This also gives some head support. Some people roll up cloth diapers and wedge them in between the car seat ring and the baby. Also, instead of binders I would use a rolled up towel to offset the angle. In case of an accident that towel isn't going anywhere, and even if it did it would not hurt anything. Besides, it might protect your seat below from spilled milk etc.
The Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona have very comfortable seats and leg space for driver, front passenger, and 2nd row passengers but the 3rd row seat is too low and has too little leg room for 8 or 9 years old or older.
The CUV's from ALL manufacturers have same problem as Entourage/Sedona but are not as easy to get into and have LESS cargo space behind 3rd row. :shades:
would you expect different from the Detroit press?
Neither the Grand Caravan nor Town & Country is made in Detroit. Both are made in either Windsor, Ontario or Fenton, Missouri. :shades:
Having said that, he's generally easy to please. He is practical so this is exactly the type of vehicle that would generate a positive review.
I don't see much difference, the IP is nicer but not up to VW standards....too much Chrysler bits.
The styling is a bit of a mish-mash, though. Round front and rear with a boxy middle. They tried, but didn't really succeed in making it look different.
- I am getting Ody EX 08 for 399(tax incl) for 36m/15k miles/ zero down (no even 1st month payment)...Is it good?
I am debating whether I should spend that kind of money or go for TC /Dodge caravan 08 models for a 27 month lease. What is the competitive rate for leasing those minivans?
I have not driven them but their reliability seems to be an issue; we drive 70 miles a day and we live in NE ohio where winters are sometimes little bit harsh. We dont have much leeway at work and hence reliability and maint...
I would think twice about leasing if your putting that many miles on it a day. Usually if you lease, they only give you 12,000-15,000 a year and charge you by the mile over that. It could cost you a fair amount of change depending on how much you go over the alloted miles. You might find it better to buy. Check it out first.
The "perception" of reliability of the Chrysler is just that - PERCEPTION. I can list so many totally satisfied Chrysler minivan owners, many repeat buyers of 20 some years!!! In ANY brand you can find some bitter "I bought a blah blah blah and it was a piece of crap blah blah blah, and I'll never buy another again"!! Considering the mileage you're putting on, if you're planning on keeping it long term, consider actually the Chrysler lifetime warranty - it might be a good choice.
You may want to go drive all minivans - it's totally free and see what feels best for you. Then check out this site more for deals. I've seen in the Chrysler forum people offering "friends" discounts on them.
* it will probably cost more at the VW store
* you get the legendary, poor VW service
* no lifetime powertrain warranty
If you like it, just get the Dodge or Chrysler.
Four GOOD minivan choices (listed alphabetically): Grand Caravan, Odyssey, Sienna, Town & Country.
Each has advantages: :shades:
Grand Caravan: MOST features for the lowest cost and fold into the floor 2nd row seats.
Odyssey: MOST comfortable seats in all 3 rows and best designed dash to prevent glare.
Sienna: MOST horsepower and most cargo area behind 3rd row seat.
Town & Country: Close 2nd to Grand Caravan for the most features for the lowest cost and fold into the floor 2nd row seats.
So the question is, why lose the lifetime warranty only to get poor VW service? :confuse:
Maybe the quality of the interior and the driving dynamics, if better, are worth it to some people.