The "New" Van

[J Wikoff]

We got this on Friday. It was the only thing the wife asked for as an Xmas gift. It's an 07 Town and Country, 57k miles, DVD, Nav, Touring, WP Chrysler Signature package (whatever that means), Sirius radio, heated leather, and power doors. We've already put over 300 miles on it and no complaints so far. As you'll see, all the toddler paraphanalia has found a home. And the stroller is in the very back (not pictured).

[myfirstbonnie]

Nice, looks like it is already broken in by the family. Always did like the Chrysler mini-vans.

[Bing]

That looks like a nice van that should serve your family well for some time to come. I think the Target bag is a given in any minivan.

Minivans are good for hauling around 3 kids or less, and the associated crap. It's when you cross over into the 4 kid territory that a minivan becomes a little cramped.

If it weren't for all their stuff it wouldn't be bad, but a stroller, pack n play, diaper bag, and car seats just eats up so much room.
That's why we made the jump into the burban, plenty of room for 4 kids and the associated crap.

[Gumball]

that chrysler 3.8 came a long way over the years, I think it runs about 212-215 hp now.

edit: and get that *shoot* off of White Whine

[Bonneville92V688]

Congrats on the van! Especially fully loaded.

that chrysler 3.8 came a long way over the years, I think it runs about 212-215 hp now.

edit: and get that *shoot* off of White Whine

Yup... 215 in that year. They are also fairly torquey. Just keep an eye on the transmission and only use Mopar fluid.

[J Wikoff]

I affectionately refer to the kiddie pool as the "dust cover". And the rest is... ballast!

The van isn't exactly loaded. There's a few things it doesn't have. Automatic headlights, auto climate control, power adjustable pedals, fog lights, memory seats, or top level (Limited) exterior trim.

[Saturn Simon]

Looks like a good buy. Everything you need, and nothing you don't. 'Stow 'n' Go' seating too.

I also think this generation of Chrysler minivan is one of the best looking full-size minivans ever made. Certainly better looking than the blocky current gen, which isn't ugly either.

[CMNTMXR57]

Congrats on the van! Especially fully loaded.

that chrysler 3.8 came a long way over the years, I think it runs about 212-215 hp now.

edit: and get that *shoot* off of White Whine

Yup... 215 in that year. They are also fairly torquey. Just keep an eye on the transmission and only use Mopar fluid.

Try 180 in the van folks! It never got any more powerful than that in this body style. 2007 was the last year of the jelly bean style.

The 3.8L V6 had it's last year in 2007. The 2008 were the new body style van the 3.8L was replaced by the 4.0L SOHC V6 that was 250hp. With the minor redesign this past year, that 4.0L V6 has been superceded by the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 283hp.

Anyway, J, you want to see what kids do to these things, I'll take pics of ours. Ours is a rolling garbage can. That's no B.S. I don't even argue with the Wife anymore over it as it's simply a lost cause. I have never seen such disregard for an interior.

Funny thing, your oil dipstick is at the same angle as ours. I thought that was just a freak thing with how it fit in.

Believe it or not, these are really easy to work on for the most part. Also when you do your first oil change (if you haven't already), take a 1 gal plastic jug like from windshield washer fluid and cut the side by the handle off, more or less, creating a cheap funnel. You will use this funnel when you pull the oil drain plug to help guide the oil down and into your drain pan. If you don't, the initial stream of oil right after you remove the plug, will hit the little stamped steel crossmember right behind it, causing a nice little mess for the next week as it drips down from what you couldn't get mopped up.

[J Wikoff]

Everything I've read says 215 hp. If the previous owner had kids, they were older. It is very clean and unmolested. Wireless headphones and remote were still in the box and bubble wrap. Some I looked at had been... unloved. Stained seatbelts, odd odors, goldfish crackers falling out of the seats.

Thanks for the oil change tip, I'll remember that one.

[Bonneville92V688]

Heh, looks like we were all wrong. Wayback machine's 2007 screenshot shows 200hp for the 3.8, and 170 for the 3.3.

[PRD2BDF]

Can it drift?

[J Wikoff]

Looks like I'm going to have to get her cleaned up back to her former glory. Cinnamon, as we called her, is getting replaced.

http://www.westgatechryslerjeepdodgeind ... 1117ca.htm

[00Beast]

Been driving a T&C for the last couple days. It's not the worst form of transportation. Little bastard actually has some get up and go, but it's like the world's worst turbo lag. Get it up over 4500 RPM and it really gets going...

[Hotwheels]

Congrats on the new van! The Town & Country is a great van, I've currently got a 2005 Limited that I'll be reselling, and it's a super nice ride. The Walter P. Chrysler Edition (or the Signature Series, or the Special Edition) on Touring trims adds special 2 tone leather, along with navigation (an otherwise Limited-only feature) and some have auto climate control and such (another Limited-only feature), along with faux woodgrain inside (Limited feature) and few other extras that came standard.

The 3.8L V6 had it's last year in 2007. The 2008 were the new body style van the 3.8L was replaced by the 4.0L SOHC V6 that was 250hp. With the minor redesign this past year, that 4.0L V6 has been superceded by the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 283hp.

The 3.8 was actually made through 2010 in Grand Caravans, Town & Countrys, and Jeep Wranglers. The 4.0L was just a top-shelf option for the Gr Caravan SXT and T&C Limited (it's a bigger version of the 3.5L SOHC), introduced in 2007 in the Pacifica, and 2008 on the minivans. The 3.6L became standard in all the above in 2011, which is a real screamer.

The 3.8's in 2005+ models have better than expected power and astounding mileage. My parents have an '05 Limited that regularly gets 25-26 MPG highway, with an occasional 27. I had a 2006 Limited I resold that I got 26 with, and currently have an '05 Limited that I got 28 MPG with on a 2 1/2 hour road trip, with the cruise set at 62-65. Amazing for a vehicle of this heft! The Chrysler 3.3/3.8 is a seriously underrated workhorse motor in terms of reliability too....never got the praise of the GM 3.8, but just as reliable IMO. I see tons of them running perfectly at 250-300k in our shop.

[cml37]

Did you already buy the 2014? We bought a 2013 T&C brand new around this time last year to replace our 2005. It's been a bittersweet experience.

[J Wikoff]

We're planning on signing the papers today. What don't you like about it?

[CMNTMXR57]

Excellent. Now I know why you asked me about the parts...

As to Chrysler's 3.8. It's ok. Ours was replaced ~90k.

The only reason I keep this thing is 1) It's paid off. 2) Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.

[cml37]

We're planning on signing the papers today. What don't you like about it?

These vans have been prone to having transmission problems. My brand new van with 6000 miles on it would "jerk" out of reverse when shifted to drive. I just had the transmission relearned, and it seems to be better now. But this seems to be a proliferic problem with these vans.

Just in general, I have not been happy with the build quality of the newer Chrysler vans. I think they are less spatious too.

[CMNTMXR57]

Hey, mine has transmission problems too. On trans #2 nonetheless... Color me surprised.

[cml37]

Hey, mine has transmission problems too. On trans #2 nonetheless... Color me surprised.

Ya... the 6 speed on this latest gen leaves something to be desired.