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Comments
We have taken it to the dealer twice who claims it normal due to the re-design of the muffler to accomadate the stow-n-go seats. Is this normal? The mini-van has only 70 miles on it , mainly from driving back and forth to the dealer. He even started up another van on the lot which made similiar sounds. As to the backfiring , he stated that it should go away after 1000 miles, if not to bring it and they would check it. I'm afraid to drive it around for a 1000 miles , for fear of having no recourse other than to keep the vehicle.
Do I have any other resources that I could look at to see if this is normal? Even if it is normal for this year, a new van shouldn't sound like its back firing on acceleration. Is there a number for chrysler that I can call to find out if there have been any other reports of loud muffler noises and if there is service bulletin that I can take to the dealer?
My other truck is a toyota 4runner that is as quiet as a mouse even under heavy acceleration. I just find it hard to swallow that a new vehicle would make so much noise and that chryler would consider that normal (as per dealer). This is our first american made car and I fear it might be the last if we can't find a solution for the problem.
ksenn- did you get any responses back from your dealer?
Thanks for anyone taking the time to respond.
Steve, Host
We could sit in our '96 for hours on end with little or no fatigue but I am afraid that the trade for convenience MAY have sacrificed some comfort. We traveled 600 miles in an '00 and I thought that I could tell a slightly less comfortable seat.
Would really appreciate someone's long trip test experience ( for adults). Were the seats as comfortable as in years past? TIA
It says the seats were very comfortable during the 800 mile
trip. The only gripes were the well-known shortage of legroom in the rear seats, so tall people suffer.
I'm quite satisfied with the overall results of the report.
Does anyone think current rebates ($1000 + $1000 with Chrysler financing) will get better toward the end of the year?
Here's the link.
Steve, Host
Since current DC vans are labeled 2005 model year, it may mean there won't be any end of summer bargains, unless you are looking for a leftover 2004 model (No stow and go in those, however, and the supply is probably dwindling). If there are any 2004's around, you might really find a bargain.
In my opinion it is not unusual to be able to beat Edmunds TMV prices, especially when you are looking at "mass market" high volume vehicles like the DC vans.
Or send a letter to the editor.
Thanks!
Steve, Host
A person can pay much less for a used Chrysler minivan than new, buy a complete extended warranty, and have much lower cost of ownership than it would be with either the Odyssey or Sienna. Chrysler minivans also have many nice features not available on either the Odyssey or Sienna.
After reading Town Hall forums for some time, I feel that Chrysler minivans are now more reliable than either the Odyssey or Sienna. Is this accurate, scientific data? Probably not but would still be more accurate than reliability predictions found in Consumer Reports.
Read in the Honda Odyssey Transmission Problems forum in this Town Hall if you think a Honda Odyssey will be any more reliable.
- Not sure what is base feature for air conditioning for each, as well as the upgrade options, esp for SE Plus. Reading the Popular Equipment Group 2 implies that base AC works only in front, and that this EG2 is needed for rear AC (and heat). 3-Zone temp control also mentioned as option. Literature in Dodge brochure, Edmunds, etc. is generally not consistent (or complete), so I'd appreciate if someone can clear this up for me.
- Both SE Plus and SXT have auto delay off headlights, according to Edmunds. I'd like to make sure I understand what this feature does.
- Edmunds mentions that SXT has Dusk Sensing Headlamps. What does this mean? Do the headlights come on automatically at dusk? Can the headlights be manually controlled at night? SXT has fog lights as well and am wondering if they are under full manual control.
- Are all interior lights manually controllable, e.g., is there a switch that will deactivate interior lights from going on when door/liftgate is opened?
My questions concerning lights are not trivial to me. I am into astronomy, and if I am entering or leaving an observing area during the night (or turning on car to get warm), all interior and exterior lights must be off.
Thank you.
Doug
In the SXT, I think, the 3-zone comes standard, and you can add optional 'Automatic' controls, so you set a temperature, for example 62 F, and the system will maintain this temperature. 'Set it and forget it'.
2) Headlamps off-time delay is a feature when you turn off the engine, the headlights remains lighted for about half a minute, so it illuminates your way to your home or where ever you go. Then it turns off by itself.
3) Dusk sensing headlamps is exactly what you described - it senses the darkness outside, and turns automatically on/off the headlamps. You don't have to control it manually.
4) Yes, all interior lights are manually controlable. Each lamp has a separate on/off switch, plus the driver has a main switch which controls all interior lights at the same time, and there are 3 settings, (A) Always on (even while driving - but I think that the front lights turns off if you go above a certain speed - not sure about it); (B) Always off (even you open a door); and (C) Automatic (usually off, comes on when opening a door, or unlocking the car with your remote, or taking the keys out of the ignition, and turning off after about 30 seconds).
The liftgate lamp is also controlled by the drivers switch. I'm not sure about the front door lamps.
Hope this helps.
The GC SXT also costs about $800 less than the clone Chrysler Town & Country Touring.
It is almost always less expensive to buy a model that has all your desired features as standard equipment than to buy a lesser model and buy those features as options.
I do NOT think the "Stow-N-Go" seats are worth the $2995 cost on the GC SE Plus. If you want "Stow-N-Go" buy the GC SXT with no extra options.
Thank you for the feedback.
Doug
I'm surprised they didn't try to hit him for MSRP+
Drove it and was not impressed with all the plastic and lack of refinement.
Same dealer has a chrysler dealership next door, sat in the Chrysler limited. WOW. the interior seemed very very nice. only issue i ahve is the 2nd row & 3rd row seats look like they are steeply angled towards the nose, almost like they are taking off. I'm 6ft and had no thigh support as the seats were just too low. Anyone else feel this??? I'm thinking of getting a touring (don't like the chrome ont eh limited wheels) loaded up. any thoughts?
anyone have any mileage numbers on the 6? FYI - the dealer told me there's 2500 rebate if you finace through chrysler.
Aceman
Hi
We have a 2004 T&C Touring Platinum with the 3.8 V6, we really like it, best car/van/truck we have ever owned. Wife just got back from a trip - non interstate driving and the trip computer said she got a little over 25 mpg, if interstate and 70-75 mph then we have been getting about 24 mpg, still new and not broken in with under 5000 miles, hope mpg will improve with time
We looked at buying a 2005 T&C but did not like the new stow n go seats so we bought the 2004 models that were discounted. I rode in a decked out Ford van and was NOT impressed I thought it was miles behind the T&C vans
Good Luck
How do you like the remote controls integrated into the key? Is it more convenient than a fob, or while using the key you have to watch not to press a control accidently?
The buttons on the remote are disabled when the key is in the ignition so you don't have to worry about activating them. See page 20 of your owners manual.
C.B.
Agreed. Much better this way. Both our cars have it (T&C, 9-3
Thanks
And how about the overhead compass/outside temp. info?
I tried to check it at dodge.com, but no info there.
Thanks for your prompt answer.
Overhead compass/outside temp/Trip computer is NOT available in the plain Grand Caravan SE but is standard on the Grand Caravan SXT and is included in Grand Caravan SE Plus Popular Equipment Group that costs $1465.
The short wheel base regular Caravan SXT Popular Equipment Group at $1365 includes the 8 way Power Driver Seat and complete overhead console with all items.
The short wheel base Town & Country (the former Voyager) does NOT include a tachometer.
THE SXT is the best model to buy whether it is Caravan or Grand Caravan....unless one wants a cheaper model with only the most basic features. The GC SXT has the same feature content as the T&C Touring at about $700 lower price.
I had very bad experience with a 1970 Dodge van and said I would never own another Chrysler product. Now some 30 years after getting rid of it, I recently bought a pre-owned (used) 2002 Chrysler T&C that has gone just under 27,000 miles.
One son got a new 2001 Ody EX in 2001 and and another son got a used 2002 GC Sport in Spring 2003 for about half the money. The GC Sport is quieter, smoother riding, has more nice features than the Ody even though the Ody "Magic Seat" and more flexible 2nd row seating give the Ody that advantage.
I have been trying to become a very informed buyer before even going to the carlot...have been to this site and carbuyingtips.com...
I have the tvm price which was about 20,000 or so invoice. Is it unreasonable to offer 20,000 even though MSRP is over 30,000?
((We have already obtained financing as first time buyers we were sitting ducks for high APR with having little credit and no down payment))
My wife and I have also considered a new 2004 Chevy Venture as I get a GM discount. The features really don't even come close...but the price is definately better!!! Should we inform the dealer of this? Would they be able to match a GM Discount?
Should we have insurance information available before we even go to the carlot arranged through our insurance company? Just in case?
Thanks ahead and all advice is greatly welcome!!
Thanks again!
Steve, Host
I asked why the factory won't install both. Did you ever ask people who don't know directions, but tell you anyway? One dealer told me that installing a sunroof would require them to cut out support beams that impeded vehicle stability and safety. I thought about this, and realized that it was unlikely that the van is crafted with two different roof designs (one for sunroof, one without), so I dismissed this.
It was speculated that the side curtain bags would not work with a sunroof. I asked a national after-market installer in Dallas, American Sunroof. They said that the side curtain airbags are not affected, that they pull them out, install the wiring, etc as needed for the sunroof, then reintall them and this does not affect their safe operation. They also said that, yes, they do cut a beam or two in the roof, but then reinstall different beams that more than make up for the lost beams. The person to whom I spoke sounded very knowledgable, which may account for nothing, but I believe him.
FYI, my dealer wanted to charge me $1800 to install an aftermarket sunroof. I found out who they used, and they quoted me $1095. What an incredible markup! This capped a very difficult sales experience, so it didn't surprise me. Be wary!!
Always walk in with invoice costs for the vehicle and options / option packages, and always know all the dealer adds and charges up front. And, of course, always be prepared to walk out the door.
I'm 6' 1" and I thought the middle seats were fine (not great, but good enough). The rear seats are a bit tight, as I expected, but better than most.
Mileage is 18/25 officially, about 19-21 combined in real world driving.
So for about the same price or less, you get a more versatile, functional van. If you DO decide to stick with the 04, there is no way in hell that they should charge MSRP. My guess: they will soon discount the 04's such as you want substantially. Good luck.
Many thanks. - PDM
I have also bought a new GC and having the muffler noise issue. Visited 2 times to dealer, he says it is a design issue with Stow and go seating, but they won't give that word in writing. I have sent 2 complaints already to Customer support guys, they called and told me they are not taking any action as dealer report says it is normal characteristic for this power train.
I am going to the dealer for the 3rd time today and trying to get a report that I can submit to crysler guys.
I am pretty sure that this is not common with all vehicles, only with certain pieces. So I am planning to compare this vehicle with one or two more vehicles of my choise. Let me see the out come.
Basically the purchase price is $22,995 but Union Dodge gives you a $1500 rebate, PLUS another $1500 rebate if you got your loan through Chrysler. They charged me 6.99% for the loan, but since we're going to pay it off anyways the 6.99% doesn't really mean anything. I think it's a GREAT deal for a van that not only has more cargo space than current competitors (with the seats stowed), but at $19,995 you can't find a Japanese competitor with dual power sliding doors
VALUE is the reason DaimlerChrysler minivans will continue to be best selling. At equal cost for a 2005 GC SXT or 2005 Ody EX, I would prefer the Ody EX but for $8,500 LESS the GC SXT is by far a better choice.
Unfortunately, the "experts" (CR, NADA, KBB, Edmunds) never compute depreciation on the difference between price paid for purchase and price received for trade-in. They use the less accurate MSRP which is not as accurate.
But I agree, it does make for some skewed numbers. Maybe the American companies should just lower the MSRP and then they wouldn't have to issue near invoice price deals or $2000 rebates.
That said, a 2005 Grand Caravan SXT @ MSRP $27,185 has comparable content to a 2005 Odyssey EX @ MSRP $28,510 and for $1,325 LESS. Each has some features NOT had on the other.
When one can get if for $7,190 LESS than MSRP, the GC SXT is THE BEST BUY . The $8,515 LESS than a 2005 Odyssey EX will more than offset the higher depreciation rate of the GC SXT compared to the Ody EX.
I like the Ody EX the best if cost were within a few thousand $$, but for $8515 less, it is easy to understand why many people continue to purchase DC minivans.
But I'm just saying KBB and what not have to factor depreciation from something concrete, and MSRP is concrete. Joe Blow paying $24,500 for a Caravan and Susie Q paying $24,900 for the same Caravan isn't concrete.
And now that I own an Acura MDX and not a Town & Country or Grand Voyager, I'm starting to realize why Honda has been able to get MSRP for their cars for sometimes 3 model years into their cycle. (I.E. 1999-2002 Odyssey, 2001-2003 Acura MDX, etc.)