Jeremy Clarkson reviews Dodge Grand Caravan.

[ferret]

Originally Posted by otispunkmeyer

we rent these all the time when we go to the states, (though typically its the chrysler town and country) i have no idea what specs you get given but they seem ok. yeah the engines are gutless, but at least the seats upfront are super comfy

Ooof... I've had to rent the Town and Country, and I couldn't spend too much time getting comfy in the seats because I was so tense about where the damn thing was going on the road - the steering was frighteningly bad. I swear I could turn the wheel through at least 15 degrees with no discernible effect on where the car was pointing. Made me feel like I was totally out of control the whole time I was driving it.

Piece of crap, in my opinion. Like driving a giant marshmallow.

[GraemeH]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

2. People know who Jeremy is. He loves fast cars and can tell you about SLRs and Murcielagos all day long. So who the fuck is going to trust his advice if they're looking for something to move their kids in? They obviously know he's going to show as much enthusiasm for them as a fat kid at a hunger strike, so it's like asking Lindsay Lohan for computer advice. What's the point?

I think you should watch more Top Gear episodes.

He exaults the virtues of the Ford S-Max, Volvo XC90, Subaru Legacy and other such family oriented cars for being great at what they do.

So if he thinks this family oriented car is crap, being a father of three and knowing good family cars when he drives them, it's as valid as his opinions on super cars.

[JipJopJones]

I will only ever like the Caravan if they make an SRT-8 version with the 6.1L hemi engine in it.... and even then, It's still horrid.

[Vette Boss]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

I will only ever like the Caravan if they make an SRT-8 version with the 6.1L hemi engine in it.... and even then, It's still horrid.

The engine is the least of its problems..

[Mark355]

Great article. And I have to see those ugly Dodges everywhere. :-\

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Should've visited Alberta, we'd have rented him an Enzo or something much better for hauling his vacationing gear around in.

But seriously, why Ottawa, when you can visit Kananaskis Country?

[Archie]

Funny article, but I think he is too tough on the Caravan.

It does have its share of problems, but out of the front-wheel-drive American minivans Chrysler is the best.

If I needed a new minivan I would probably be looking at Chrysler.

He exaults the virtues of the Ford S-Max, Volvo XC90, Subaru Legacy and other such family oriented cars for being great at what they do.

So if he thinks this family oriented car is crap, being a father of three and knowing good family cars when he drives them, it's as valid as his opinions on super cars.

Yes, that's nice and all but all he does is complain about the engine power. What about all the other aspects of the car? When people want a family car they don't buy the car with the most power.

He doesn't mention price, other cars on the market, reliability, cost of ownership, etc. Things that actually matter to real people! Not how fast the gearbox changes gears compared to a Mercedes SLR.

Also, he is driving a rental vehicle. Usually heavily abused cars. Doesn't mention even the year of the car. We all know that he hates American cars. There are many reasons why this article shouldn't be taken seriously when buying a minivan.

It is a funny article, and very good, but not objective.

[liberal noob]

Originally Posted by RUU-CHAMA

I've driven the 2006 basic version with the 3.3 and I liked it. It had a soft suspension that soaked up bumps and a steering wheel that you could turn by blowing on it. The engine was alright until you floored it, then the vibration that came through the pedals was like getting shocked. Taking curves are fine as long as I go under 30mph and hang on to the armrest of the passenger chair to keep level. The Dodge Caravan would be the perfect stereotypical American vehicle if it only had 350hp under the hood and drums at the front to complement those at the back.


It's not the 2007, but still...

My mom as a 2003 SXT (short wheel base) and the road noise is unbearable!

[eMKay]

He tested the old model, when he went on his vacation the new models were not even released from the factory yet. I only saw the first ones a week ago. And the old model did fine in IIHS crash tests, which are the same as NCAP tests...So, I think they screwed up the test big time.

I just traded in my 97 Voyager on a 2002 Odyssey and the difference is amazing, it feels like a sports car compared to the Plymouth. However the Chrysler vans are decent for those that don't care about the driving experience, and are very safe vehicles.

[un-dee]

Originally Posted by eMKay

And the old model did fine in IIHS crash tests, which are the same as NCAP tests...So, I think they screwed up the test big time.

yeah I am sure that is the reason. Let me guess, they screwed it up because they are so ANTI-AMERICAN.

[skr]

Originally Posted by un-dee

yeah I am sure that is the reason. Let me guess, they screwed it up because they are so ANTI-AMERICAN.

Ohh, the hate....

http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...agerdetail.htm

It's just crap, no matter what they (Chrysler) tell you. And the fact that nothing better is available doesn't make it any good.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by skr

Ohh, the hate....

http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...agerdetail.htm

It's just crap, no matter what they (Chrysler) tell you. And the fact that nothing better is available doesn't make it any good.

That's a car that was made 9 years ago.

[Kowalski]

Originally Posted by Archie

That's a car that was made 9 years ago.

And guess what?

It still was the piece of shit they were making until earlier this year.

[Ezbok58a]

Originally Posted by skr

Ohh, the hate....

http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...agerdetail.htm

It's just crap, no matter what they (Chrysler) tell you. And the fact that nothing better is available doesn't make it any good.

The Car stated the Minivan movement. And testing a Rental isn't a great base for a road review. Rental Cars have the smallest engines, the least ammount of options and are generally fleet specials.

Not a great basis to start with, and his review is accurate for a rental POS.

[dino_martini]

I explained that we had made a reservation and that we had three small children who had just emerged from seven hours in the care of Air Canada - Which is a bit like spending seven hours in a sensory deprivation tank and that we needed some wheels

thats Air Canada for you. A real National Disgrace.

[klutch]

Originally Posted by BerserkerCatSplat

Should've visited Alberta, we'd have rented him an Enzo or something much better for hauling his vacationing gear around in.

But seriously, why Ottawa, when you can visit Kananaskis Country?

No kidding...

But then again, my idea of a "people carrier" is an E55 or S6 wagon.

[eMKay]

Originally Posted by skr

Ohh, the hate....

http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...agerdetail.htm

It's just crap, no matter what they (Chrysler) tell you. And the fact that nothing better is available doesn't make it any good.

Wrong generation, that would explain Clarkson's ignorance. He quoted crash tests from the 2nd generation and drove the third. Typical Clarkson, doesn't know WTF he's talking about as usual, here is the correct one...

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=8

[eMKay]

Originally Posted by Kowalski

And guess what?

It still was the piece of shit they were making until earlier this year.

No, it's not. That version was replaced in 2002

[MPowered]

Originally Posted by Archie

Funny article, but I think he is too tough on the Caravan.

It does have its share of problems, but out of the front-wheel-drive American minivans Chrysler is the best.

If I needed a new minivan I would probably be looking at Chrysler.

If you wanted an American minivan, Chrysler is really your only option. GM and Ford have given up on the minivan market and what's left for sale won't get updated. Honda and Toyota are running away with the minivan market in the US but some of the new options available on the Caravan really make the Dodge competitive. But yes, as a rental car, it must have been a stripped out version of the last generation model that Thrifty was able to buy at a huge discount. I don't think it represents what most Caravan buyers will go for.