USA made minivans

[kochh2]

they are slashing prices right now, especially 2008's... we have been drooling over a town and country touring, but the dealer is being a PITA and not able to meet our budget-- so i see a lot of you like the dodge GC- we do like some bells and whistles, we want captains chairs, and like the stow and go options. as for the other upgrades, i love the back up camera, DH likes the DVD player... but those are not deal breakers.
whats the main differences between the two models?? Oh yeah, and DH will only consider a minivan that has the styling similar to the 2008 and later chrysler t & C, the VW routan, etc... the boxier type.... that said, we are open to options.... i like the honda, but it is spendy for us right now... even used and the nissan quest is going to be discontinued soon, so we are steering away from that as well... suggestions and comments welcome!!

[MelissaTC]

We drove a 2005 Grand Caravan SXT and there was no difference between it and the T&C except for some of the styling on the console, etc... I would go check out the Dodge and if things haven't changed, you will want to look at the SXT. I got sick of my van and traded it in this past December.

[Joolsplus2]

A couple of my neighbors have the newer Town n Countries and they haven't complained.
I've heard the stow n go seats are pretty uncomfortable, but if it's going to be used only by kids in carseats, that may not matter to you.

As for options, I always look at how much the dealer wants versus how much I can get a similar product aftermarket... $1200 for a DVD versus $125 for that one with the two screens I can strap to the headrests, for a broad example. Navigation, same story. Even built in booster seats...last I checked they were running in the hundreds of dollars, and Walmart sells them for $18.

[egoldber]

I will disagree about the built in DVD players. Being able to handle the controls and load DVDs via the front console is a huge safety issue IMO.

And there are only subtle differences between the Chrysler and Dodge models.

[Cam&Clay]

About the DVD player...

I bought a new 2008 Hyundai Entourage 2 weeks ago. They stopped making them, but there are still some new 2008s around. Anyway, the one we liked didn't have the DVD player in it. When we hesitated, they threw it in for free. I took it in last week and they installed it...no charge.

Good luck!

[kochh2]

well, Dh came home and surprised me with the T & C after all I heart him!! he made my chemo and radiation induced sickness just alittle better and put a big smile on my usually dreary face these days... i can't wait for this cancer to be gone!!

[gatorsmom]

Originally Posted by egoldber

I will disagree about the built in DVD players. Being able to handle the controls and load DVDs via the front console is a huge safety issue IMO.

And there are only subtle differences between the Chrysler and Dodge models.

ITA about the DVD players. Our town and country came loaded with a Navigational system instead of a DVD player monitor (but it came with the 6-disc DVD changer in the front console- strange). Anyway, the navigational system SUCKS. We had the dealer install the DVD player screen. It is wonderful to be able to switch discs easily while driving.

btw, if you do want a navigational system, the aftermarket ones are wonderful and much better than the dealer installed.

Oh, and I LOVE the middle row stow-n-go. It is truly wonderful. It's great having that room to put stuff and it's great when I want a lot of room in my van to haul stuff. The seats fit down in there easily.