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By Dave and Carolyn;
edited by Paul Williams
Dave and Carolyn’s — Week Three — experience with the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country came and went with the van showcasing its ‘multi-purpose’ practicality. Folding the second and third row seats into the floor transforms this vehicle into a cargo van, as required, while raising the seats creates a mobile home theatre. Carolyn battled gale-force winds, got pushed around a bit, but emerged unscathed; Dave enjoyed being chauffeured around, but found the second row seat a bit too firm after an extended period. Living with a minivan like this emphasizes the flexibility of this mode of transportation; almost like having two or three types of vehicles in one.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country – Dave’s Week Three impressions
The Chrysler Town & Country minivan continues to perform well for us.
We have experienced some rather chilly days as of late and thus the heater and defroster have been used frequently; both seem to work very well. Unfortunately, our vehicle lacks heated seats; something included on the other minivans we have already tested.
I recently used this van to transport to our local Goodwill store some furniture, including a mattress and headboard. Of course, this provided me with the perfect opportunity to “test” the Stow ‘n Go feature.
Folding the middle seats into the floor was very easy to accomplish. With all of the seats folded flat the inside of our van appeared quite cavernous. For domestic duties, I can’t imagine the typical family ever requiring more space for their stuff.
 2008 Chrysler Town & Country; photo courtesy Chrysler Canada. Click image to enlarge |
During a recent trip lasting approximately one hour I decided to sit in the middle seat, beside our daughter. I must admit that approximately 45 minutes into the drive my rear end was feeling slightly uncomfortable – I found myself frequently shifting about in my seat. I guess this is the compromise one must make if one wants the Stow ‘n Go feature. However, from my vantage point, I was very impressed by the surround sound system while we watched a movie.
Regarding this vehicle’s sound system, not unlike the Montana we tested earlier, the driver can be listening to the radio, for example, while the passengers can simultaneously watch a movie, or listen to a CD – very nice.
I still find the 3.8-litre engine in our Town & Country Touring slightly underpowered, especially in comparison with the Sienna and Montana. But in everyday driving, this is not really problematic, although during heavy acceleration one can really hear the engine working. Moreover, the transmission occasionally searches for gears more than seems necessary (this is a six-speed transmission, don’t forget).
Overall, however, the Town & Country remains a pleasure to drive, and the Stow ‘n Go feature really underscores the usefulness of this type of vehicle.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country – Carolyn’s Week Three impressions
 2008 Chrysler Town & Country; photo courtesy Chrysler Canada. Click image to enlarge |
The Chrysler Town & Country minivan continues to impress me positively. It has so many family friendly features and offers a luxurious and smooth ride.
I am not sure what it is but I occasionally hear a clunking noise coming from the back of the minivan when I turn the wheels sharply. I will keep my ear to the ground and report back next week. Also, when I was driving over the Burlington Skyway the other day in very high winds this minivan felt less stable on its feet than I have come to expect. However, it was VERY windy (90 km/h gusts) and so I am left wondering if any vehicle would be just as easily blown around under these unusual conditions.
The audio system sounds wonderful and is very easy to operate. At first I could not find the radio controls on the steering wheel, and that is because they are located on the back of it (the radio controls were located directly on the front of the steering wheel in all of the other minivans we tested). I initially thought that this might prove to be an awkward place to have the radio controls but this is not the case; I do not have any difficulty operating them in this location (and they do not ‘clutter’ up or interfere with the aesthetics of the steering wheel) so it’s actually a good idea.
As I mentioned last week, I am not a big fan of red as a colour for a vehicle. However, several people have commented that they really like the exterior colour of this minivan, which is a deep red. Maybe I’m coming around.
 2008 Chrysler Town & Country; photo courtesy Chrysler Canada. Click image to enlarge |
The built-in sunshades are wonderful for protecting my infant daughter’s eyes, and are a ‘must have’ in my opinion. It has been too cold to put the middle row windows down but this is a nice feature that I am sure we would use in the summer. I suppose heated seats would be appreciated now, which is an option that is not included in the minivan that we are testing.
I had the opportunity to use the front video screen and watch a DVD with my daughter while we were in ‘Park’ waiting for someone to meet us. My daughter was watching the movie on the second row screen, while I was watching it on the front row screen (which only works when the vehicle is in Park, by the way). This was a very nice feature indeed.
While my husband finds the second row seats to be less comfortable when sitting in them for awhile, I did not find this to be the case at all. I thought these seats were just as comfortable as any larger seat. However, I did not sit in these seats for longer than 45 minutes.
I am sure that considerable resistance will be raised at the thought of replacing large seats made of leather with more streamlined seats made of contemporary and stain-resistant materials — even if these latter seats are more practical and just as comfortable (if not more comfortable). Personally, as I say, the comfort is not an issue, and the ‘Yes Essentials’ fabric would be my preferred choice.
Click here to read reviews of all the minivans in the Minivan Challenge.
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