Chrysler Town & Country Limited

[wayliff]

Ok Poeple

I know I had mentioned I was considering buying a hybrid car...well that is not the case anymore because of space...need more space.

So I have moved my eye onto a used T&C Ltd Ed, used between 20k to 35k miles.

Do you have experiences with this van? good? bad?
What do you think about the van?

Input appreciated.

 

[PowerEngineer]

My wife insisted that we buy our 2001 Town & Country LXI. I was lobbying for the Honda van myself primarily because of concerns over reliability.

We've put around 30k miles on the T&C in the 3 years we've owned it. We have the 3.8 V6, which gives it a pleasent amount of aceleration even at freeway speeds. The climate controls are nice. However, it doesn't seem as big inside as our old 1988 Grand Caravan, which was much boxier. All the rounding on the T&C seems to steal headroom. I wouldn't want to put more than six people in it.

She's taken the T&C back to the dealer several times for problems with those damned power side and rear doors. Looks like we'll be paying for those soon as our warranty has just expired. As luck would have it, just this week we had to replace the alternator for $450 bucks at the dealership -- because no one else is able to get a replacement to put in.

If you (or your wife) really want the most luxurious mini-van available -- and nothing else matters, then you'll be happy with a used T&C. IMHO you'd be better off looking at the used Honda Oddessey or better yet the new version of the Toyota Seinna.

Good luck!

 

[Queasy]

My parents have a Town & Country and I've driven it several times when I've gone to visit them. Very nice ride. They've had problems with the transmission but otherwise it has been pretty good for them.

My wife is currently in love with the new Nissan mini-van (name slips my mind right now). Fortunately, we won't be buying a new car for at least a year or so. I just got through with the payments on my car. Don't want a new car payment anytime soon.

Check out the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey too though. They are consistenly rated as the top two mini-vans on the market.

 

[OutHouse]

We also looked hard and i mean hard at the T&C. I really like the features in them, Chrysler really knows how to make the inside more convient than the others, especially the seats. We left our options open and then looked at the Toyota Sienna. We found a used one, a 2000 with 55K miles on it. In excellent shape, had a entertainment center in it, there were a few stains on the carpet but nothing our Bissel couldnt knock out. We got it last Oct and have loved it. We decided on the sienna because of toyotas reliability, it has everything in it we wanted and need. I shyed away from the T&C because of problems i read with the transmissions and other problems on some forums i found.

Now if Toyota had all the bells and whistles compared to chrylser my satisfaction rating would be 100%, right now its at 95%.

 

[dirtboy]

My parents have the Dodge equivilent with the 3.8L engine and the power stuff. They really like it and they haven't had any problems with it. I've driven it, riden in the back and I find it to be a great van, especially for the price they paid for it.

 

[wayliff]

Thanks for the input...

More welcome.

 

[Emrys]

I'd just go with a wagon and be done with it. Generally they hold enough people, some have the flip down rear seat, and they handle/perform more like a car. Other than that the chrysler is a nice car although we've always had bad luck with reliablity issues with them. I'd say also look at a volvo wagon of sorts.

 

[Ornery]

I was in the market for one, so I got educated a bit. Makes no sense to buy a used Honda, because they're WAY too high priced. Might as well buy those new. The T&C had good ratings, so I was looking at those used. My brother-in-law ended up buying a used one dirt cheap. So far he's replaced the brakes, and something else, which wasn't too expensive, but I can't remember what.

Fortunately, I got out of buying the minivan. Whew! We'll likely replace our Grand Marquis with an Expedition. With gas prices rising, it should be pretty cheap soon!