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The rear split bench seats also fold down and tumble over. Don't recall if they lock down as we have two toddler/booster seats installed, but I think they do.
We have had one of the 2nd row chairs removed for months as it liberates lots of space and lets the little kids scramble back into their own seats real easily. In addition, gaining more space is real easy by removing the remaining captain's chair. In the case of longer items inappropriate for the roof rack, we just pop out a split bench half and move a kid to the available captain's chair. This meets our needs better than a magic seat would have.
-Larry
Naples, NY
See my post #914 on 16 April, if you haven't already. I haven't heard any news since. (No TSB yet, that I'm aware of.)
I'd sure like to hear if someone else can confirm my findings.
--rolfe.
No, I haven't talked to Davidson Chrysler about 2100 rpm noise. Wife says she doesn't notice it at all and doesn't want it taken to the dealer unnecessarily! (she's the primary driver of this vehicle).
The only other issue I have is the snowflake sign (to indicate the rear A/C is on) doesn't seem to go away in the auto mode. I read someone else mentioning this on the T&C LX/LXi/LTD message board. But it also could be due to the weather being warm and daughter has it at 19-20°C all the time.
Re: Davidson service, I have found them to be better overall than my previous dealer. They are actually closer to me - the "neighbourhood" dealer since I live at the south east end of Scarborough (West Hill lakeshore on the Pickering border). What made you come to them all the way from Yonge & Sheppard?
All LTDs I have seen at my dealer had AHT and 4-disc CD changer (RDW). I guess it makes sense considering the low cost to include these useful options on this trim level.
We have a LTD FWD (10 days old, 700 km) and I am the only one in the family to notice the 2100 rpm resonance noise. Even to me, it is not at unacceptable levels. In fact, wouldn't have noticed it had I not read the posts here and started paying careful attention.
The larger cargo area in the Odyssey would have been better for us on recent trip as all of the luggage (food, etc) would have fit behind the 3rd seat whereas in our GC we had to put some between Quad seats and sliding doors. The more comfortable seats of Sienna would have also been nice.
However, I would NOT trade the exquisite comfort provided by Dual Zone Temp (Triple Zone for 2001) for the nicer features the Sienna and Ody have.
DC reliability is as good or better than Odyssey although Sienna may have the edge by the slimest of margins.
That trip computer/compass/outside temperature display in overhead console is another nice feature where Chrysler/Dodge are infinitely superior to the competition.
27.5 MPG on a round trip (and 23.5 MPG average in 27067 miles)having the comfortable space of a Grand Caravan with 3.3L lets me laugh at the recent price increases of gasoline. We will NOT give up the comfort of a minivan until gasoline gets over $4.00 a gallon.
I cannot understand why DC put an ugly narrow black rub strip on the side of the Sport instead of the more attractive color coordinated strip in prior years. The seats look cheaper than earlier Sport and the vertical accent of center console is not as attractive.
The most offensive change was the absense of the beloved Trip Computer. On the other hand, the Triple Zone Temp would be an improvement over my Dual Zone where rear passengers get temperature selected for the driver.
The DC cheapskate changes are causing me to want to hang on to my 99 GC SE for a long time... and to more seriously consider Sienna or Odyssey as possible next minivan.
The trip computer, at least in my van, displays the compass, outside temperature, average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, odometer, and elasped time since startup. I could use the outside temperature, as well as the average and instaneous fuel economy. The rest I could do without. The last two are just toys to impress people with in my case, and nothing more ;-)
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Others: I think T&C more attractive now than GC in all comparable trim levels. YES...our 99 GC SE has a WIDE black rub strip and black bumpers. I feel the color coordinated 99 GC Sport is far more attractive. Correct about Ody and Sienna rub strips being black on all but EX and XLE. I feel DC minivans are still the most attractive but not as nice looking as pre-2001 from any angle. T&C still as attractive as pre-2001....Dodge are not (in my opinion).
While getting Oil and Oil Filter change today I sat inside a gorgeous dark blue/gray 2001 ES made Oct 4 at 7 AM. The Sales Manager did not believe me when I asked why it had sat here for 6 months so she looked at computer....sure enough...200 days in the inventory. She said people get scared when MSRP is over $30,000.
The seats of 2001 ES are MORE comfortable than our 99 SE (except for middle 3rd seat)and the middle of 3rd 50/50 split seat is comfortable ...but not as much as either end. I would love the Triple Zone Temp better than our Dual Zone. I am just irritated that DC took off my beloved Trip Computer on all but ES as I feel it a VERY NICE feature and well worth the price.
BTW: Trip computer showed 29.2 AVG MPG when leaving Calif 57 at Katella Blvd and 687 trip miles. Dropped to only 27.5 MPG when we left interstate at our daughters at 1345 trip miles. Going uphill with a headwind consumes alot of fuel and the extra torque of 3.8L would have been very nice. It read 31.1 MPG enroute when left interstate at 25.5 trip miles to get passengers and 28.2 MPG when we re-entered. The avg mileage gradually rose back to 29.8 at St. George Utah but dropped to 29.2 at Calif 57 and Katella. It is very interesting to see how much the average mileage is affected by stop and go and city driving.
Apparently the title of the 1999 Caravan brochure titled "We thought of everything" is not correct.
Quite frankly my wife and I love the feature in her Volvo. We have different settings much of the time. She often tends to be colder than I am, hence she sets her side higher. And it does work. I'm not cooked while she's comfortable.
This is one feature that makes a Chrysler more of a choice than the Honda. People who commute around town may not notice the usefulness of the feature- but on longer trips its very nice.
If you and your wife often agree on climatic conditions you may not find you change it that often.
-- BKS
If I'm on a road trip and get a flat I'd much rather be able to throw a legitmate full size tire on the vehicle than a dinky spare. And I also wouldn't have to worry about reconfiguring cargo and/or people so I can put the flat tire inside the van since it won't fit in the well between the first and second row seats.
-- BKS
Carry on,
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
He has heard that a fix will be available in the September timeframe. (Note this is later than the "summer" timeframe I reported I'd heard earlier.)
Once again, I can't vouch for the accuracy of this information -- you should confirm it with your zone rep.
--rolfe.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
P.S. Now I know where to post message that is related to Ody...in a DC's forum
I am in the market for a new mini-van.Just saw a little 2001 caravan at the lights and man what an atrractive mini-van,I couldn't stop looking at the thing.Does anyone tow a tent trailer with the smaller 3.3(around 1500 lbs.)
Appreciate any comments!!
-Larry
Napes, NY
I'm settled on buying a T&C LXi AWD, but I'm concerned about the 2100 rpm resonance--not only the immediate annoyance but the long term durability of the parts that are too noodley. What I'd like to know is whether there is any kind of guarantee from DC that a vehicle purchased now will be fixed under the warranty when the fix becomes available.
Has anyone who has complained to his/her dealer about this problem been told that it will be fixed under warranty when the fix becomes available?
-Larry
Naples, NY
Okay a little info on one of my hobbies, I play paintball somewhat regularly. Going to the field with the magic seat down ONLY, I usually take 6 other people's gear (guns, compressed cylinders -CO2 and nitro, paintballs, etc...) while 5 people go in another vehicle. At the end of the day, most of our supplies are used up, so we load the equipment on the other vehicle. Now just fold up the magic seat and voila! (sp?) 4 more people get to ride with me. The "people van" usually goes for food while the cargo car goes home, and drops off the equipment to join us for dinner. Try doing that in a DC.... So, even if you're not hauling 4 x 8's the magic seat works for me, again, different people, different needs.
DTKWOK
My wife and I were concerned about the noise at 2100 rpm on the AWD T & C. We had ordered one last month, and then started reading about the vibration/noise.
We took delivery at noon today and drove 250 miles, mostly highway, with a short detour through a winding section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We heard no unusual vibration or noise at any speed, and I was listening carefully at the 2000-2300 RPM area. Everything was smooth and quiet.
This is a Limited AWD, with everything except heated seats. Trailer towing package/4 CD changer.
I drove on I-81 for 2.5 hours and tried hard to get it to make an unusual sound or vibration.
Everything on mine is fine.
It was put through the assembly line in Windsor May 2 through 4 and railroaded it NC, thence to Bedford, VA, where I picked it up at Dominion Chrysler.
Maybe they fixed it?
I'll keep listening.
For those of you who had the vibration/noise-
Did it start later in the life of the van or was it evident from the first day?
Bill (Very pleased with the first day!)
Outside temperature is an important factor in hearing the noise; the lower the temp the louder the noise. I test drove 2 AWDs, once at 50F and the second time at 60F. As best that I can compare, it was louder at 50F.
Good luck with it.
I have to wonder if it has been off the road so much that they haven't yet managed to get any actual on-the-road testing done. (grin)
Long-Term Road Test
Note the warped rotors problem at the bottom :-)
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Also, on the new vehicle sticker, it said "This vehicle is manufactured to meet specific Canadian requirements and not manufactured for sale outside of Canada". I'm wondering if Canadian specs are worse/same/better than the US specs (reinforced doors etc)? Are they safer or what?
I can still back out of this deal --- wondering if I should or not.?.?.?
If I click on the link you provide, I get a message saying page not found. If I go through the normal steps and reach the first page of the long term test, I can find nothing that tells me there is another page or how to turn the page. If I just try adding the page002.html onto the end of the first page url, I get that same message that the page isn't found.
I notice that the link address of the page you point me to is:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/45220/page002.html
But the first page of the long term test I arrive at the normal way is:
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/longtermroadtests/2001/dodge/grand/45220/
I don't keep cached pages when I exit my browser(Opera), so I shouldn't be just pulling up some old page.
I never have this problem when going to the Honda Odyssey long term test, so I am at a loss to explain this one!
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/45220/article.html
Hope this helps!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I notice that short wheelbase minivans are very popular in Canada. Can you get the options on the short wheelbase in Canada that are not available in the USA(e.g., traction control)
My problem is that when I turn the wheel, I feel/hear a grinding sound coming from the steering wheel. They have replaced the steering column and the rack. I am still having the exact same problem.
Thanks,
Bev
1. Is the power split on the AWD model fixed at 90% front, 10% rear or is there some variability if one axle has more traction?
2. What is the main difference between the touring and regular suspensions, and does it make a major difference in the handling?
Thanks.