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which engine to recommend 3.3 or 3.8 Rate Topic:

#1 Guest_ymmz39_*

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Posted 21 May 2008 - 04:15 PM

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Which engine do you all recommend, 3.3 or 3.8 . 75% city driving, 25 % hwy driving...the minivan year i am interested are, 2002 - 2005..m

#2 Craig1

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Posted 21 May 2008 - 06:21 PM

3.3 unless you plan on mountains or towing, then 3.8. in terms of reliability they are both exactly the same

#3 Stratuscaster

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Posted 21 May 2008 - 06:48 PM

Agreed - I've had both and unless you are towing, stick with the 3.3 - on average it was getting 3-4MPG better than the 3.8 in around town driving.

#4 Guest_ymmz39_*

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Posted 22 May 2008 - 12:07 AM

Thanks for your input, so the 3.3L is the one I will look for.. M

#5 scoutll

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Posted 25 May 2008 - 12:00 PM

ymmz39, on May 22 2008, 01:07 AM, said:

Thanks for your input, so the 3.3L is the one I will look for.. M

I have owned both and can't say anything bad about either, they are both extremely reliable. The 3.8 has more torque and pull, but the 3.3 gets a little better gas mileage in town.. Also, don't let the magazine guys fool you. The 3.3 has plenty of power. The only time I have ever noticed it working a little overtime is uphill with a full load of people/luggage.

#6 touringmike

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Posted 30 May 2008 - 07:14 AM

Stratuscaster, on May 21 2008, 05:48 PM, said:

Agreed - I've had both and unless you are towing, stick with the 3.3 - on average it was getting 3-4MPG better than the 3.8 in around town driving.

I have the 3.8 in our '04 T&C, while my son has the 3.3 in his '02 DGC.

On a trip to Fl last year, my mpg was 2 to 3 miles per gallon better than the 3.3.

Couldn't say for sure what the city driving comparison is, we average slightly higher than 18mpg for
the stop and go driving the wife does.

#7 raceannouncer

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Posted 30 May 2008 - 11:21 AM

ymmz39, on May 21 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

Which engine do you all recommend, 3.3 or 3.8 . 75% city driving, 25 % hwy driving...the minivan year i am interested are, 2002 - 2005..m

I have no experience with the 3.8L but after I took my 1990 3.3L to 245,000 miles with no problems whatsoever, I would take the 3.3L every time!

Mike Paz

This post has been edited by raceannouncer: 30 May 2008 - 11:22 AM

#8 poorboy_616

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Posted 30 May 2008 - 11:38 AM

Our 3.8L in the T&C serves us well, freeway or city.

Average Economy: ~20

Highway Eco. ~24-26

City Eco. ~15-19

Keep in mind these numbers are from a van loaded with two small kids and two larger adults, so yours may vary....(BTW, the adults have lead feet....)

#9 valiant67

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Posted 30 May 2008 - 01:11 PM

A newer van will be heavier. I found the old 91 Grand Voyager with the 3.3 felt about as powerful and delivered similar economy as the 99 Town & Country with the 3.8, the 91 a little better in town, the 99 a little better on the open road. I'd expect the 2001+ vans to have another significant weight increase over the 96-00 vans.

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