This my third Van I leased in 5 years and I have to say that once my lease is up I think I will take the option to buy it!
Note: my 2002 T&C had engine trouble. Within 6 months, I had ticking from the exhaust manifold, and 3 minor recalls. Then a few months later I had another ticking noise from the engine. The Mechanics could not fix it! I think it was a spun bearing which requires disassembly of the entire engine to fix. So instead, they put me in a new 2005 T&C, but it cost me about $4,000 more upfront, and about $30 more per month in payments. But even after all this, I’ve had the 2005 for over 4 months and I think it’s worth it! So as long as I have no engine trouble I will be fine.
What makes this van better than the rest are the following:
Stow n Go seats - My previous two vans required me to pull out all four rear seats and find enough room in my garage to store them. This job will make you sweat, guaranteed! With Stow n go, the seats disappear leaving a ton of space. You can stow any of the four rear seats in any configuration. If the seats aren't in the stow position, you can use the middle seat enclosures as a cubbie for soccer balls, bike helmets or tools/jumper cables. They are out of sight and out of mind. When the rear seats are in normal position the trunk gains about 10" depth below the rear bumper line! This added space is amazing. Finally you can flip the rear seats back in "tailgate" mode, which allows you to sit facing backwards while you are parked and the rear tailgate is open.
DVD Changer
6 DVD changer automatically detects CD or DVD. Watch DVD's on the 7" LCD. This comes with two wireless headphones which can only be used in the middle or rear seats. The driver can listen to the radio while the DVD is on.
Power Trunk and side doors
Nothing beats these doors opening and closing automatically. If your hands are full with shopping bags or the kids, this is the only way to go.
Back-up sensor
I can safely park in tight city spots thanks to this nifty device that lights up warning you that you are within a few inches of another car!
Looks
I owned the 2002 T&C, which looked classier. The 2005 looks sportier and sharp. Only the front is different.
GPS system
I have to tell you this option is worth every penny! Its accuracy will amaze you. It’s built into the radio, so as it tells you to turn, it will lower the music or DVD automatically! It has an address book, and its own DVD slot above the 6 DVD changer used just for the GPS.
Buy the power starter
With this (about $400) add-on. Your Van will have come alive by itself! Image from my finger tips, from about 100 feet away I turn on the car so it can automatically warm up in the winter or cool down in the summer.
The following is what I don't like about the Van:
Gas Mileage - My Montana had better gas mileage and a bigger gas tank.
Seat Comfort in the middle and rear seats - because of the stow n go, you sacrifice bigger seats for thinner ones. But my wife says the shape of the seat is more comfortable for her.
In order to open stow n go cubbies you have to move the front seats forward. It should open quickly without waiting for the front seat to move forward.
You can fit a 4x8 piece of sheet rock and close the hatch, but you have to move the front seat all the way up making driving difficult. (You can fit 2 mountain bikes, with the rear seats folded down and the front wheels between the two middle seats).
No difference between all the vans
Tremendous amount of space when the seats are out.
All have good driving visibility.
All have 7 passenger capabilities, plus room for luggage.
All have two or three zone heating/cooling.
All have reasonable power with the V6.
All have good traction in the rain\snow with front wheel drive.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 38,000
Condition: New Model and Options: Touring, GPS, Leather
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