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Comments
I think if you look at the Neon replacement, you'll see the direction of the Caravan styling for MY08!!
Here are the actual numbers in cubic feet:
Caravan Grand Caravan Odyssey
Behind 3rd row 15.3......20 or 26.4.......38.4
Behind 2nd row 45.6.........54.2............91.1
Behind FT seats146.7..167.9or160.7....147.4
The Odyssey has THE most cargo space behind 3rd row or behind 2nd row BUT the GC has much more than the Odyssey if 2nd and 3rd row seats are removed (or all folded in GC with Stow-N-Go).
Consumer Reports does NOT provide accurate data on actual interior space due to their method of measuring only the space available with an expandable rectangle. Very few items of cargo consist of only one large box.
The Venture has less total interior space than either the Odyssey or GC and not much more than the Caravan or 2005 short wheel base T&C.
That said, the Sienna seems to nickel and dime every option and is very expensive while the Odyssey sems to have a lot of serious problems according to the Odyssey forum.... We'll keep looking.
Even Honda has their problems:
KarenS, "Honda Odyssey Owners: Problems & Solutions" #1, 29 Nov 2000 5:32 pm
I think the one to watch even more than Honda is Kia and their new Sedonna Minivan.....much larger, folding seats in rear, 3.8 V6, 5 spd auto etc..... It looks like they've taken the best from ALL!!!! And the price will probably be thousands less!!!
The only real competition to DC is the Odyssey...but it costs more to get the nice creature comforts of DC.
Also they reduced the number of speakers in the Infinity sound system from 10 to 8.
One thing I love about the DC vans, is the visibility outside, which is not matched by any other van. The extra large windshield and low belt line of all other windows is much superior of any other van (in contrast to the hot-selling 300 sedan!). The only minor problem with that is that I would need bigger windshield wipers to cover the entire area of the windshield, but the van uses already 2 size 28" which is the largest on the market. Does anybody know of any bigger-sized wipers?
BTW, speaking of wipers, I would like to complain that the rear wiper does not pull out entirely when the rear window needs to be cleaned. The same problem is with the Sienna and some people complained about that in the Sienna board. The Ford Freestar made it better.
I had this week an adult passenger in one of the second row seats, and complained a lot that the seat is not comfy.
Still, I look forward that Chrysler will take a lesson of the new competitors, and offer a well competitive van in the near future (I'm sure they will).
And now I see in the Ford vans board that Ford is giving up on minivans completely. They rely on the new 7-passenger Freestyle, and that's it!
Hans, I'm sure that Kia is well aware of the poor mileage problem and will certainly work to improve on that area in their new vans. Otherwise it looks really competitive, with most bells and whistles of other major players. Even though the mileage may not be the best in class, the low price will out-wight the mileage and attract much buyers.
Did your passenger know that the back of the seat is adjustable along with it being able to move forwards and back?
When I first sat in it, I didn't like it either. Then I found out you need to raise the head rest and adjust the back. After that, it was quite comfortable.
BTW, speaking of wipers, I would like to complain that the rear wiper does not pull out entirely when the rear window needs to be cleaned. The same problem is with the Sienna and some people complained about that in the Sienna board. The Ford Freestar made it better."
We have a 2001 DGC and I like the visibility of all the windows too. With all of the mirror's positioned right, I can see everything in the other lane on each side. Our rear wiper doesn't pull out either. I thought maybe it was damaged or something, but after closely inspecting it, I came to the conclusion that it's made that way for maximum pressure to clean the window. I had to replace both the front and rear wipers which cost a lot. For two front 28" Bosch wiper blades cost $19.99 each and the rear 16" wiper blade cost $9.99 at Murray's Discount Auto Parts Store. To replace the rear wiper, I had to take off the whole wiper arm. Wasn't hard, but took longer then it did when I replaced the two front blades.
I have a 2005 T&C and all three center dash vents are equally adjustable. Hard to believe the GC would be different.
C.B.
This is correct.....the center vent is not adjustable on my wife's 2005 GC SXT. I just went out and checked it.
Also, has anyone with the touring suspenision package noticed a very low-pitched rumble when driving on a not so smooth road? It's hard to describe but it's definitely in the suspension. I wouldn't call it a defect by any means its just the way it's engineered.
I recently saw a program on Speed channel about the Chicago auto show. It showed the new Sedona. The person commenting on it stated that the new Sedona will be up to 300 pounds lighter than a comparably equipped previous model. Part of this is due to the fact that the new engine is all aluminum, rather than iron block with alumminum heads. A unit body/frame rather than the old separate chassis will also pare the pounds.
And the new engine at 240 hp and 250 lbs/ft of torque is, while admittedly less efficient on paper than the Honda/Toyota engines, still much better than DC's cast iron wonder of the same displacement.
The only thing that I wonder about is the preliminary spec showing the torque peak way up at 4500 rpm. Odd for such a large engine. I would prefer to see the peak about 1000 rpm lower, although it won't be too bad if the torque curve is relatively flat from a low rpm on up.
I see a more efficiently designed engine in a lighter body resulting in Sedona fuel consumption figures at least as good as the DC vans.
Steve, Host
This is correct.....the center vent is not adjustable on my wife's 2005 GC SXT. I just went out and checked it."
I just went out and checked the center air vent in my 2005 Dodge GC SXT, and it is adjustable. All three move left and right, up and down.
6 weeks ago the vehicle's fuel pump failed completely whilst driving leaving the family stranded and a 4 day fix.
Today the T&C has been towed-away again, this time with a full electrical failure (crazy dials, lights, no engine).
To say I am unimpressed with two breakdowns in two months is an understatement - this is the family lifeline and trying to squeeze 3 kids and a double-stroller into come crappy courtesy hire car again does not thrill us :-(
Anyone else had similar expierience ?
Keep us updated on what the electrical issue was. My company, TYCO manufactures the power distribution center for the DCX van and is key electrical component.
We probably have different heating and cooling packages on our vehicles.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I drive a 2003 T&C at work which have manual climate controls, and perhaps that's why the center vent is adjustable.
While I repeat that DC vans have excellent visibility in most directions, I also need to point out they have the smallest outside mirrors than any other van, which HURTS visibility. The Nissan Quest have X-Large oversized mirrors, the Toyota Sienna also have huge mirrors, followed by GM vans and Honda Odyssey.
And if that's not enough, the mirrors are placed far away from the windows, creating a huge blind spot. While this is great for towing, most people don't tow at most times. Just see the mirrors on the Sienna, how big and close they are, it's a pleasure to use. I hope Chrysler will take notice in the next redesign.
Mine's been flawless for 13 months
Steve, Host
I like the way DC designed and the location of the outside mirrors. From what I noticed about their mirrors, is they are not as square shaped as other minivans mirrors. DC mirrors have more rounded corners, (more like an oval shaped appearance to it). I can see just fine with the mirrors. Most of the time I can see on both sides of the van without having to look out the side windows. What I had to learn was how to position the mirrors correctly. When positioning the mirrors, you should not be able to see the rear of the van. Also, I like that the mirrors are not positioned on the door, but on the side frame (I guess that's what it's called). As far as DC mirrors sticking out more, I believe is for improved visibility around the vechicle. I can see two lanes over on each side when vechicles are behind me. I think this is more of an advantage then a disadvantage. All in all, DC mirrors are very stylish for a minivan.
For my part, the two largest complaints that I have about our 2003 as compared to our 1998 are the non-flush door lock stems (I often like to drive with my arm on the window sill, ouch!), and the seat height of the drivers seat. We have power seats in both vans, however, I can adjust the seat MUCH lower in the 1998.
Best Regards,
Shipo
As a matter of fact, you can see many reviewers often praise the extra large mirrors on some vehicles. And style is NOT always good. Example, the redesigned Chevy Malibu's 3-angle mirror may be stylish but it's not useful and hurt visibility.
True, and you can also adjust your inside mirror to not only see behind you, but also see what's right beside the right side of your van. I also have the small adjustable spot mirrors, they work well.
I just purchased a brand new 2005 T&C touring last week. First thing I noticed is an annoying noise that occurs during low-speed acceleration and (less noticably) during shifting of gears. The noise sounds like a zipping or rapid clicking noise and goes away after the RPMs increase a bit.
Also, the noise goes away if the van sits for a few minutes after being driven for a while.
Of course, this was what happened when I brought it back to the dealer for a warranty check. The mechanic said it could be the coil pack and the sound is completely normal. I've never heard a noise like this in any car with an automatic transmission. Has anyone had this same experience? Is this normal? It's quite annoying.
If that is what you are hearing, this is not a problem. Our Caravan is at 86K miles and counting and has made these noises from when new.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The noise is quite loud when you stand outside of the van, and not SO loud when inside. If you want to try your tranny's noise, open up your windows first.
There is a rubber hose protruding from the top rear of the engine compartment that narrowly misses the rear of the engine compartment. On my van, when the engine is in gear and you start to accelerate or shift gears, the engine shifts slightly, along with the hose which rubs against the (plastic) rear engine compartment. Since this noise was generated right next to the passenger compartment, it sounded alot worse on the interior than the exterior. A bit of electrical tape on the location of the interference eliminated the noise.
Sure glad it wasn't anything more serious!
The 2008s will be styled by Ralph Gilles...of Magnum/300C fame.