2008 Town & Country impressions
Today we took delivery of a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country for review. While we hope to have a fairly complete review a week from today, we did take a quick test drive and have some preliminary input.
The rear seats look horrific but are actually comfortable. The middle seats’ swivel-ability is absolutely thrilling to kids, but a bit awkward, requiring more force than we would think to get started. Clearance is moderately tight but people will get used to that; getting in and out with the seats facing backward is not impossible but you’d rather a kid do it than your 350 pound Auntie Fannie or Uncle Flabbie. Oh, and a note to the intrepid folks at Chrysler: you might want to add Swivel ‘n’ Go to your owner’s manual index.
The ride is much nicer than the past models and the wind noise is far, far better than in the past, and for that matter, in our opinion, better than in the Sienna. Cornering is not bad but the tires on our model tended to squeal more easily than we’d like. Acceleration is surprisingly quick - but it ought to be, since we have the 4.0 liter. The transmission shifts more quickly and crisply than we remember from the last ride in a six-speed vehicle. Gas mileage has been about 18 mpg so far, on a nearly new vehicle (not yet broken in) with city driving.
Our test car lists for over $36,000, but that includes the ParkSense rear park assistance, rear view camera, side airbags, stability control, ABS, powerliftgate, HID headlights, three power doors, remote start (on the fob), cruise control, three-zone automatic temperature controlled air with filter, MyGIG hard-drive music system, Infinity sound, heated front and middle row seats, fog lights, second-row power windows, eight-way power driver and passenger seats up front, and turn-signal-enhanced mirrors. Our test car also has the swivel seats at $500 with table, and the dual DVD entertainment system running the bill up to $2,020 including satellite TV. The power folding rear seat was only another $600. The end result is a minivan just under $40,000… still well beneath the Cadillac Escalade in price.
I’ve modified this blog entry to account for the fact that I’ve gotten the seats into a comfortable position - while still not my favorite, they no longer qualify for nasty cracks. We will have video soon.
Update: we have pictures and much more detail now at http://allpar.com/reviews/2008/minivans.html
Dave:
i drove an LX base model 2008 this morning, the performance it´s way better than the previous as you say, i just hope that in your full review, talk about how greate the new autostick in the dash works almost as a gear changer at the wheel, it just needs a small push to the right or left to change gears, how ever, it´s not a high performance autostick oriented and first gear once you had taken off, it´s not obtainable unless you slow down to about 10mph, it´s not a bad thing, it´s a family transport, not a sports car, and at highway speeds it´s greate for close passes at small roads or just for fun acceleration.
I also noted the tire squealing, how ever in our case the esp light was flashing so we checked it and has an alignment problem, after that fix, our new DEMO MINIVAN, has no handling issues or tire squealing.
im looking forward to read your full review
The seats feel better now that I moved them around. I set up the table, too ;) … will check the tire pressure.
I have not driven one yet, but I have seen them. I have to say, I am impressed with the styling. The old vans were getting a little too jelly bean and it made them look dated. The new T&C looks more trim and classy then before. These vans do suffer from Chrysler’s horrible cheap interiors however. If GM can finally design great interiors, it is time for Chrysler to take note. The fake wood on the Chrysler helps break up the hard plastic but it does remind me of an 1980’s Buick Electra Estate wagon. I liken the Caravan’s drab interior as that of a padded sell (only not padded). My last gripe with the interior is that gear shifter. It kind of irks me that Chrysler is now having to copy Toyota and Honda where as before it was Honda and Toyota copying Chrysler. It is an American car, leave the column shifter where it belongs. Overall, I do like these new vans and I hope they do well for Chrysler.
The interiors aren’t bad. The driver’s door armrest has a very good feel and the inside is hardly “horrible cheap” unless you’re comparing to a Lexus sedan (as opposd to a Lexus SUV). The seat handles could be better but they get the job done. Everything else seemed fine.
So what happened to Chrysler seats? Way back in 1973, my first new car was a Plymouth Satellite Sebring with bucket seats. Back then, Chrysler had the best seats. My current van, a 1997 T&C Lxi has comfortable seats, but in Gen 4 minivans, they became uncomfortable. I’m sorry to hear that has not improved.
Seems to me Chrysler’s best seat is the one offered in the 300C SRT but it ought to be offered on other cars.
For me, seat comfort is the #1 priority. If they don’t fix it, I won’t buy.
Had a chance to drive a Dodge Caravan SXT this morning, and I must say I am impressed. The materials are a mix of good and meh. Everything on the dash is fine, although I can see how it may scuff/scratch over time. Its all the lower plastics that have a tupperware feel to them, but since this vehicle is going to be filled with screaming kids and hockey bags, I’m glad that the materials aren’t lexus grade. The 4.0 litre really pulls this vehicle around, and the transmission felt great as well. The van handled surprisingly well, especially against the out-going model, but it’s still a van after all.
I didn’t find the seats all that bad however, so like many cars, this will boil down to personal preference. I hate most early 2000’s GM seats, but others rave about them!
Going to take another look/drive tomorrow.
I saw last night where the dealership I used to work at got in a 4.0 equipped SXT. I’ve got to go down sometime next week to get the oil changed and I want to give it a spin to see how it drives.
I’ll agree that seat comfort is highly personal because each person has a unique fit. I’ve found that I need to drive for a weekend to get a reasonable assessment. What amazes me is how two people can come to totally different judgments on the same seat.
One possibility for me is a used Pacifica. Those seats seem comfortable, and an ‘05 model can be had for about $14K.
The Pacifica it´s a Greate Product, how ever the used 05 would most likely will have the 3.8 or 3.5, in any cases any of those can´t compare to the 4.0L, try to get a slightly used 07 with the 4.0L, it really changes the way you look at a Minivan or the Pacifica
Only if you happen to need more power. The 3.5 and 3.8 are really enough for most people; they move pretty well. Reviewers tend to get bent out of shape if an American car can’t do 0-60 in 8 seconds (it’s OK if, say, the base Mini ends up slower than a PT Cruiser, though.)
New vans look great- I have a 2006 T&C Touring edition coming off of lease soon and am considering leasing an 08 instead of buying the 06 like I planned. Does anyone know if the MGig radio system comes with a dvd player and one screen? I don’t have a need for a second dvd screen and Chrysler’s website doesn’t indicate if you can just get one screen. They only list the $2000.00 dvd system with two screens.
I can’t believe you’d have to buy both. MyGIG comes standard with the Limited but doesn’t include any video as far as I can tell.
Has anyone tried to order a 2008 Town and Country with child boosters in the Swivel chairs?
My dealer says he can not even see when this option will be available (but it is pictured and listed as
an option). I wonder if there are safety issues with swiveling seats and kids.
I am sold on this vehicle after test driving and seeing the upgraded interior. Time to trade-in the Volvo.
For the last three weeks I have tried to order one with the child seats integrated in the swivel n’ go option. After several dealerships and a call directly to Chrysler I was told they are still working for safety approval for the seats. They gave me an estimate of anywhere from November to January before they are available to order through the Topps system the dealers use. It is option cy4 according to the last guy I spoke with. I personally think I am going to pass on my kids being the r&d department in the field. Cool option but maybe not quite ready.
If you think Chrysler is testing child seats on your kids, think again. It takes time to get things past Federal regulators. I’d be sure that by now Chrysler has already done extensive crash testing, both on computer and with real cars and crash-test dummies. Don’t blame Chrysler too much for a slow approval process.
2008 Town and Country BUYER’s BEWARE!!! We were told by Darcars in Silver Spring during our test drive that the dual TV screen system included the Sirius Sat. TV for the 3rd seat. A very desirable option for the kids. Got the van home and worked for weeks trying to bring up the sat tv. Called dealer several times and gave us different things to try. In the end we had to call Sirius to have them send out a signal to our van to find out it DID NOT Have the Sat. TV. There was no question that this was told to us on the this van-it was the only van we test drove. The sticker lists some type of multi-infotainment system so we had no reason to question the honesty of the saleswoman. Now the dealer has offered no help and basically called us in on a rainy friday night to call “us” liars-all to cover up and error made because the saleswoman did not know everything about the product because it was so new. They have not once offered to correct the error so we will be pursueing legal advice. Be on your gaurd if you go to any DARCAR dealer-it appears honesty and integrity are not strong principles they integrate into their business. And any customer satisfaction is a joke-and that is at the sales level, salesmanager level and the general manager of the dealership. felt like we were dealing with a seedy, sterotypical “car salesman” from somewhere out in the middle of nowhere. Not a large dealership near our nation’s capitol. Disgusting.
Hiya,
My hubby and I traded in our 2005 T&C for a 2008 T&C last night.
Before the 2005 I had purchased a 2000 Dodge Carvan ‘almost stripper’ version.
The 2000 was wonderful, and after some research back then I expected the transmission to go around 70,000 miles, which it did.
After being completely annoyed with my 2005 for the lengthy flashing lights when you open the side doors, and a multitude of other things… I’m quite impressed with the new 08’s. We test drove it and it felt more like a truck than the other one. We’re both technical people, so the new computerised dashboard and entertainment system is quite nice to play with.
The steering feels great and the turning radius shocked me, after being used to the 05. I’d say it turns on a dime, altough I haven’t set the dime on the pavement yet. :-) It’s much quieter inside this new 08. Also, I always wanted to be able to listen to my own music when the other passengers in the rear watched a movie. Now I can. As well as the ability to modifiy the lights and horn on lock and unlock, stuff like that.
They’ve added a lot of storage here and there, with a between the seats console that opens three ways and is adjustable to either let the middle row have cupholders, or to have a place to dump some little stuff.
The third row motorized seats are unnecessary for me, I’d rather move them on my own, but I’m sure they’ll be nice if I don’t feel like moving them someday.
Dodge Caravan - MyGig that will let me watch the DVD while in drive. I found this by accident while my wife was driving and thought I’d share.
Try this:
1. While in Park, bring up the DVD on the front console and start watching the video.
2. Push the Audio button to bring up the balance adjust menu.
3. Put the tranny in Drive and start driving.
4. Push Done on the Audio screen. My system reverts to the playing DVD instead of the standard MyGig menu.
Note - subsequent DVD function or touching the screen reverts but if you leave it alone it plays along smoothly.
Drive responsibly!
Hi
I was wondering if you could help me. I want to know what type of Oil
the new 2008 Town & Country 3.8 litre engine has?
I have a 2008 Town and Country. I’m wondering if anyone has this problem: when the middle row DVD screen is down, it completely blocks my rear view out of my rearview mirror. Basically, if there is a car behind me, I can’t see it unless I use my side mirrors. Thanks.