CTC Review: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country

[safristi]

  "click" me inna belly button to make me ENLARGE!!!! that damn ankle bracelet is tha PITZ

[Trainman]

Does this say something about the excitement of a mini van: there are more off-topic posts here than on the van itself   

I kind of like the look of the front, I feel it is better than the last few generations.  Also gives it a family look with the rest of the Dodge trucks.

As for the gadgets, I, as usual, am concerned about the long term reliability (and cost to fix when something breaks) with all those motors, sliding/flipping stuff.  And that rear seat deal, seems neat but is way too slow based on the video clip.  I can have the seats in the Sienna stored in less than 30 seconds and with the springs they are no chore to get back up.

Wing, how do those rear seats work manually (as far as effort)?  By the look of the video, if you want split rear seating it must be done by hand?

[airbalancer]

Does this say something about the excitement of a mini van: there are more off-topic posts here than on the van itself   

I kind of like the look of the front, I feel it is better than the last few generations.  Also gives it a family look with the rest of the Dodge trucks.

As for the gadgets, I, as usual, am concerned about the long term reliability (and cost to fix when something breaks) with all those motors, sliding/flipping stuff.  And that rear seat deal, seems neat but is way too slow based on the video clip.  I can have the seats in the Sienna stored in less than 30 seconds and with the springs they are no chore to get back up.
Wing, how do those rear seats work manually (as far as effort)?  By the look of the video, if you want split rear seating it must be done by hand?

But you are a strong lumberjack, not a little soccer mom

[wing]

I don't think you can fold the seats by hand Trainman.  There is a button for both or left or right.  Might take a bit longer to fold them but hands full of stuff it's simple for sure.

[sailor723]

  And that rear seat deal, seems neat but is way too slow based on the video clip.  I can have the seats in the Sienna stored in less than 30 seconds and with the springs they are no chore to get back up.

Wing, how do those rear seats work manually (as far as effort)?  By the look of the video, if you want split rear seating it must be done by hand?

 

I've been looking seriously at the Cadillac SRX and it has a similar power folding 3rd row that is also extremely slow. Seems to me this adds weight,cost and potential repair headaches in return for questionable benefits.(especially if there is no way to fold manually).....

It's kind of neat to watch the power folding process the first few times but it would get old very quickly as you stood there waiting in (pick one) driving rain,snow,-25 temps.

[Blueprint]

VW had the table thing going on for years in the Eurovan / Vanagon, but these vans weren't exactly mainstream.

Went to the Montreal Auto Show on Friday; all Chrysler vans had problems stuffing the "legs" of the 3rd row bench; they kept springing up.  This would drive you nuts catching bulky cargo as you try to get it out.

At the show, people were inquiring about the swb Caravan; after sales persons went through some "political" non-answers, I helped the folks by informing them the "shorty" van was cancelled due to lack of popularity in the US.  The short vans, often sold for around 20 000 $ with incentives, represented 50% of Canadian sales.  Unless Chrysler gets real creative with lease deals, the new vans won't sell nearly as well (up here) as the old ones did.  The Journey is supposed to pick-up the short-van segment, but it's nowhere as practical.

Finally, if you need to seat adults in the 2nd row, the stowable seats are quite uncomfortable.  Kids won't mind (boosted up on child seats), but for adults the swiveling setup is more comfy.  At the show, I discovered the stowable seats have tons of sharp bits underneath where you can hurt your fingers looking for the fore / aft lever.  As the owner of two vans, I'm not impressed by the whole pkg.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

At the show, people were inquiring about the swb Caravan; after sales persons went through some "political" non-answers, I helped the folks by informing them the "shorty" van was cancelled due to lack of popularity in the US.  The short vans, often sold for around 20 000 $ with incentives, represented 50% of Canadian sales.  Unless Chrysler gets real creative with lease deals, the new vans won't sell nearly as well (up here) as the old ones did. 

....

At the show, I discovered the stowable seats have tons of sharp bits underneath where you can hurt your fingers looking for the fore / aft lever. 

I think GM will be cashing in with their inexpensive RWB/SWB vans for the next year while they have 'em. SWB are big sellers here, as are minivans in general. I'm surprised Kia doesn't offer the Sedona SWB van in Canada like they do in the US (the Rondo is doing well on both sides, so that shouldn't be a worry). Can't beat the value. That said, Chrysler is already discounting the new vans to the $20,000 level, so they won't give up sales easily.

First time I used the Stow 'n Go (2nd row) on the previous gen van I cut my hand on sharp metal. The next time I was more careful. Agree the seat isn't so comfy, but for kids the functionality is dynamite. If I were buying, doubt I'd ever need that much space and I'd want real seats.

[safristi]

Canadian were denied the SHORT BUS 'cos of tha Yanks!!!   OxyMoron alert

[Blueprint]

Haven't seen those discounts, yet, but they might move at 20 k$.  I've seen swb '07s rebated down to less than 17k$, ditto at GM stores.

BTW, the swb Uplander at the Show had the 3rd row headrests nearly rubbing the rear window...and these vans have next to no trunk with the 3rd row in.  This shows what a great packaging job Mazda had done on the 2000-2006 MPV.

Wing, the Yanks get the option of the 4.0 in the GC.  We canucks must get a T&C to get that engine.

[Cortina]

It all sounds rather positive. I really hope that they finally fixed the gearboxes. Those last gen vans seam to blow a gearbox every 60,000 clicks. I can't help thinking though at this price, a Honda odyssey is much better value. Not to mention that sweet sweet V6. Trouble with these minivans they loose about half of their value in just over a year. So IMO this is really a great used buy.  Dodges lose way to much to even consider buying new. 

I really like the styling. Dodge make some of the nicest looking vehicles IMO. 

One last thing Just get rid of the wood on the Interior.



Is that a tribeca.  

[Cortina]

When babying the 4.0Litre V6 under the hood of the Town & Country, I achieved an average of 12.3L/100km according to the on-board computer. Just a few short bursts using the go-pedal and it quickly shot up to 13.3L/100km — it became obvious to me that the Town & Country was capable of great fuel economy but only if I was capable of overcoming the urge to feel myself being pushed into the seat back and get myself ahead of the slower drivers on the road.

I was able to achieve an average of around 12.5L/100km when being careful but as soon as I started to accelerate what I would call normally, instead of extermely gently, the fuel consumption quickly worsened to over 14 or 15L/100km. It would take a longer term tester to determine exact numbers — performing a similar test to what both Grant and Paul are attempting in the Fuel Economy Challenge.

They offer these big vans with a Diesel in Euroland. This is what these big vans need. It seams silly to have a van this big with a gas engine IMO. It would even benefit from being a hybrid, that wouldn't hurt ether thats for sure...nods...yes indeedy, thats for sure.

[Trainman]

I don't think you can fold the seats by hand Trainman.  There is a button for both or left or right.  Might take a bit longer to fold them but hands full of stuff it's simple for sure.

Thanks wing.

In the 4 years we have had the Sienna, I can not think of any time that we would have needed a power 3rd row seat.  And usually there is enough junk (first aid kit, blankets, snow brush, etc) in the well the seats fold into that we have to move just to be able to fold them, so we would still have to put stuff down and get that area cleared out.

Now power doors, that is a different story   

[Rupert]

I have a 2004 short caravan that has been perfectly satisfactory for four years of ownership but only 60k or so km so far. Although this vehicle has been used moderately for tent trailer towing to this point; we want to upgrade to one with the larger 3.8 engine with the tow package for long distance travel with a slightly larger trailer. I would have liked to have this package in the short version van..but not made now. Hmmm.
Our third row seat has been in the basement for all of it's life, as have the the second row on and off. I'll bet that there is a good market for a short version with stow and go second row and 'no' rear seat. Vans are far more practical than SUVs and for the most part pick-ups. They can be the second vehicle with versatility. Looks like it will have to be the long version but I think the short one would be better at towing. It would be nice to have the option of the 4L engine in the Dodge like they do in the US. Come to think of it a short version 4L. T&C with no rear seat and stow and go bench might be great. I might even spring the extra $ for that.

[Car guy - Big Time]

 I just currently bought a brand new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, coming to a total of around         $ 48,000. I have had it for about a month and a half, and could extremly positively say that its been a amazing purchase. First off all, the dealership experience is amazing, offering wide selections of models with many options to choose from. Secondly, the vehicle itself is made of pure quality. I don't understand James' not liking of the plastics used. The plastics are perfect, almost Mercedes quality. Even though some people cannot afford the MSRP of this fully optioned Limited Chrysler, there are options of choosing the Dodge Caravan. I personally am a Doctor, but couldn't afford a premium vehicles untill a few years back. All I can say about this premium, luvury is great!

 

[gintrepid]

I bought the new 2008 town and country but it is beyond me why my 08 town and country limited does not have the two rear dvd players,why call it a limited if it does not have these features,sent note to Damiler and there reply was thanks for buying we will send you a gift certificate for mopar parts, they also stated that what I ordered but this being the first van bought in New Brunswick and the dealer not knowing a lot about the vehicle we thought they were in it until Ilooked the next day. After buying a 2007 Patriot and the 08 Town and country limited I am displeased that they wouldjust send a 50.00 dollar quift certificate....I did have a promblem with the heater control and went a couple of times with out my vehicle even though my dealership lent me one you think they would have given me a better deal on the dvd's....I cannot get after market one because of the air condition unit on the roof in the back and
$1545.00 plus tax is terrible after paying 47,595 for the van. limit should mean that there isn't anything else you should need to order.
I love the van but am upset over the dvd's...   

[airbalancer]

Why not get a couple $99 portable DVD player at Wally Mart

[wing]

But he paid for them and didn't get them?  I'd be raising a rather large stink over that!  They gave you the wrong car....

[Mitlov]

But he paid for them and didn't get them?  I'd be raising a rather large stink over that!  They gave you the wrong car....

They didn’t give him the wrong car.  The DVD players aren’t standard equipment on the Touring model, they’re optional equipment (Entertainment Group #2, to be precise).  Basically, gintrepid bought a vehicle without ever reading what equipment was fitted on it and what wasn’t.  He thinks Chrysler SHOULD have made the DVD players standard equipment on the Touring model, but that’s not his call.  Unless he purchased a vehicle with Entertainment Group #2, I’m surprised Chrysler even gave him the time of day, not to mention a $50 gift certificate…

It's like complaining that your new BMW doesn't have (the optional) heated seats because you believe that a luxury car should have them, not because you were told it did...

If he was told by a salesman that all Touring models have DVD players, that's a different issue.

[wing]

I read limited and I thought the limited did have them but your right it's an option on the limited as well.  I bet the salesman said it did though.

[Mitlov]

I bet the salesman said it did though.

I dunno, some salesman use dishonest techniques, but a lot of consumers have inaccurate and uninformed expectations.  Pull ten people off the street, and how many will know that the "leatherette" in a BMW is not made from animal hides?