Comments on: The Death of the Minivan?!? http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/ Chrysler, car, and other discussions by Allpar contributors Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:27:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: fred schumacher http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/comment-page-1/#comment-75260 fred schumacher Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:55:43 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/#comment-75260 It's interesting reading these comments two years later. All the domestic auto manufacturers are in trouble, but it looks as if Chrysler has come up with another winner in its latest minivan iteration. Minivans work. They're the best idea Detroit ever came up with. But minivans have certainly become porky. The new ones weigh 1,200 pounds more than the early 90s versions I've been driving. The 3.3 liter is the most underrated engine Detroit ever designed. It's absolutely bulletproof and has lots of low-end torque. In an early 90s minivan, the 3.3 will easily pull a full-sized car behind it on a towing dolly and never feel stressed. It'll put out 24 mpg like clockwork. My 1993 5-speed 2.5 liter Caravan averaged 29.5 mpg over its life. It had more than enough power for me, but then, it only weighed 3,300 pounds. That's less than some versions of the Caliber, a Neon replacement! It's winter traction was phenomenal; never left me stranded anywhere driving in northern Minnesota and North Dakota. I took it down plenty of logging and winter roads. Take a look at the Dacia Logan MCV available in Europe. It seats 7, weighs 2,500 pounds, and uses a 1.5 liter turbo-diesel to get 50 mpg. If Chrysler took the Akino minivan concept, put a 2 liter TDI into it, they would have a winner. It’s interesting reading these comments two years later. All the domestic auto manufacturers are in trouble, but it looks as if Chrysler has come up with another winner in its latest minivan iteration. Minivans work. They’re the best idea Detroit ever came up with.

But minivans have certainly become porky. The new ones weigh 1,200 pounds more than the early 90s versions I’ve been driving. The 3.3 liter is the most underrated engine Detroit ever designed. It’s absolutely bulletproof and has lots of low-end torque. In an early 90s minivan, the 3.3 will easily pull a full-sized car behind it on a towing dolly and never feel stressed. It’ll put out 24 mpg like clockwork.

My 1993 5-speed 2.5 liter Caravan averaged 29.5 mpg over its life. It had more than enough power for me, but then, it only weighed 3,300 pounds. That’s less than some versions of the Caliber, a Neon replacement! It’s winter traction was phenomenal; never left me stranded anywhere driving in northern Minnesota and North Dakota. I took it down plenty of logging and winter roads.

Take a look at the Dacia Logan MCV available in Europe. It seats 7, weighs 2,500 pounds, and uses a 1.5 liter turbo-diesel to get 50 mpg. If Chrysler took the Akino minivan concept, put a 2 liter TDI into it, they would have a winner.

]]> By: Dave http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/comment-page-1/#comment-2340 Dave Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:31:38 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/#comment-2340 I have to wonder. I'm in a Yukon this week and it has luxury features the Town & Country never dreamed of, yet with its V8 it's as fast as a V6 T&C and can't handle or ride as well. It's a shame that Auburn Hills let the Chrysler name slide so far, and that Stuttgart simply renamed Plymouth to Chrysler. I have to wonder. I’m in a Yukon this week and it has luxury features the Town & Country never dreamed of, yet with its V8 it’s as fast as a V6 T&C and can’t handle or ride as well. It’s a shame that Auburn Hills let the Chrysler name slide so far, and that Stuttgart simply renamed Plymouth to Chrysler.

]]> By: Jim http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/comment-page-1/#comment-2322 Jim Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:22:10 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/10/02/the-death-of-the-minivan/#comment-2322 I wonder if Stutgart figures we fat Americans want only 4,500 lb tanks that get 16 MPG. This looks more and more like 1977 and the Japanese makers are going to gain market share from Ford, GM & Chrysler. I hate to admit it but my next vehicle will be whatever van that is well built, attractive etc. that gets around 30 MPG city and I dont see any domestic vans that fit that description at this time. My Voyager has 145,000 miles and the only way I would stay in a chrysler at this time would be to buy used or rebuild the old one. The Pacifica is beautiful but weighs 4,200- Ford Explorer territory. When did they forget its a MINI-van as in small. My 93 voyager was nimble and fun, my 99 is more refined but not a slug, I rented a 2006 T&C and it drove like it had ballast in the tires, my 99 is faster with all of the mileage on it. I am getting depressed with the options, maybe I should turbocharge the 3.3 or put a 3.5 in the 99 voyager and wait 5 more years till they make something I want. I wonder if Stutgart figures we fat Americans want only 4,500 lb tanks that get 16 MPG. This looks more and more like 1977 and the Japanese makers are going to gain market share from Ford, GM & Chrysler. I hate to admit it but my next vehicle will be whatever van that is well built, attractive etc. that gets around 30 MPG city and I dont see any domestic vans that fit that description at this time. My Voyager has 145,000 miles and the only way I would stay in a chrysler at this time would be to buy used or rebuild the old one. The Pacifica is beautiful but weighs 4,200- Ford Explorer territory. When did they forget its a MINI-van as in small. My 93 voyager was nimble and fun, my 99 is more refined but not a slug, I rented a 2006 T&C and it drove like it had ballast in the tires, my 99 is faster with all of the mileage on it. I am getting depressed with the options, maybe I should turbocharge the 3.3 or put a 3.5 in the 99 voyager and wait 5 more years till they make something I want.

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