Newest Caravan and Town Country Mini Vans Still Come Up Short

SUN ISLAND RESORT, EL CAJON, Calif. — This self-described family nudist resort features what must be the only family activity not specifically contemplated in the redesign of the Chrysler and Dodge minivans for the 2008 model year.

Odd thing about Sun Island, tucked beside the test drive route and all but demanding a stop for investigation: The expected tall fence surrounds the compound, but it's across the road from a tall, steep slope that one guesses would give the pruriently curious a good view. Mere speculation, though, as there seemed too little time during the minivan test drive to park a spell and hike uphill. Besides, nobody brought binoculars.

No such downhill lack of logic in the new minivans, though. However you can imagine using a family room on wheels, the '08 vans are at your service.


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Hyundai - 8/3/2007 1:21:35 PM

+1 Boost

Not exactly a big surprise...

david999 - 8/3/2007 1:23:55 PM

0 Boost

This is a surprise? I think that compared to some of the competition, these minivans need a lot more work to provide equal value in terms of quality and reliability.

EL34 - 8/3/2007 1:29:14 PM

+1 Boost

It's the best van on the market and the best looking, but it's still a van.

Htay7500 - 8/3/2007 1:43:45 PM

+4 Boost

better than the last one.

kvhd39 - 8/3/2007 1:49:58 PM

+2 Boost

I don't undesrtand what the focus is on have a minivan that handles and performs well. It IS a minivan, it's not supposed to handle like a BMW. Most people who drive these, especially the Town & Country, are middle aged women with kids and that last thing they are worrying about how fast they can handle the backroads home. This is definitely a winning formula for these vans.

clsboy - 8/3/2007 9:05:07 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, have you seen a mother thats 10 mins late on her way to the daycare??... Not all women are satisfied with bland performance!.

Designer1 - 8/3/2007 1:58:20 PM

-2 Boost

This is ugly in every possible way, but nothing surprising really, that's Chrysler's blood line.

speedmaster - 8/3/2007 2:52:12 PM

+3 Boost

Did you guys even read the review? It was a fair summary.

JeepsterS - 8/4/2007 5:16:52 AM

+1 Boost

Are you kidding!?! That thing is no better looking. Try the Opel Zafira. Too bad GM doesn't bring that one here as well

JeepsterS - 8/5/2007 5:41:56 AM

+1 Boost

Well the S-max is better looking than these pentastars, but I actually think the Opel is best. Clean design. I bet the upcoming VW minivan that shares the Chrysler chassis will turn out way better

answer - 8/3/2007 5:40:19 PM

+1 Boost

Cool for what it is, especially when all the options are selected.

Factor in the lifetime drivetrain warranty and I think it still is a strong competitor.

Spectator - 8/3/2007 7:01:53 PM

+1 Boost

This was a well written article. I like both the redisigns of the vehicles. Another that I think possible beats both of them (for the money) is Hyundai Entourage. I had a chance to drive that vehcile recently in a vacation down in Florida and was increadibly surprised by how nice it was and how many amenities, it had especially fully loaded for under 30,000.

Still think the the domestics are way too expensive...though the Swivel 'n' Go is nice. Never though the day would come when I started saying nice things about Minivans. I will never will buy one though(thanks god my wife agrees with me).

truckmen - 8/4/2007 3:00:20 AM

+1 Boost

Does the new lifetime power terain warrantee cover the vulnerable transmission? Has Dodge fixed the problematic tranny? If so I may concider it? It would still have to be way cheaper than the Toy or Honda mini van for me to concider this.

neutral - 8/4/2007 5:57:45 PM

+1 Boost

This thing is awesome. My family has always owned minivans ever since I was about 8 yrs old. I wish this thing existed when I was a kid. With all the electronics and gadets, your kids won't be fighting with eachother and bothering you as you drive. Swivel seating is a great idea, and overall, its a great design. Good job chrysler.

Agent63 - 8/4/2007 8:01:41 PM

+1 Boost

At least this serves more purpose than the R-Class. I still love MB but not the R. Get the rrrrrrrrrrrr out!

Htay7500 - 8/4/2007 11:21:23 PM

+1 Boost

same, its pointless.