Chrysler finally killing off the Grand Caravan?

[mmntech]

Looks like Fiat is going to finally weed out the iconic minivan from the Dodge lineup. Sounds like they're going to do what Ford did. Replace their van with a luxury crossover (the Flex) seven seat SUV. The new "van" will retain the Town & Country badge. It is rumoured to cost about $38k and will launch in 2015.
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/0...-in-2015-as-chrysler-town-and-country-report/

These things have been the quintessential yuppie chariot here for years. Seems like everyone with kids has one. Though I've definitely noticed far fewer newer ones on the road in the last couple of years. Ford and GM killed the Windstar and Montana last decade. Chrysler is the only domestic manufacturer to still produce minivans. Honda, Toyota, and Kia still make them but I don't think they're hot sellers. Everyone wants big SUVs now.

 

[iamwiz82]

They sell over 10,000 vans per month right now between Dodge and Chrysler. I cannot imagine them killing it off completely. I could see them sending one model as a Dodge and one model as a Chrysler.

 

[CraigRT]

That is insane.
Those things are everywhere and they are great, versatile vehicles. My cousin just bought a 2012 GC with the Pentastar in it, it is a nice vehicle and perfect for his family of 4.

Also built in Windsor, Ontario, where he lives.

 

[rcpratt]

Crossovers are basically less-bad-looking minivans. Meh.

 

[Elfear]

I hope this rumor proves to be false. I love our Grand Caravan and the one we had before it. Doesn't look as flashy as an SUV or crossover but its versatility can't be beat. Sliding doors and Stow-n-Go are awesome for a family vehicle.

 

[waggy]

They sell over 10,000 vans per month right now between Dodge and Chrysler. I cannot imagine them killing it off completely. I could see them sending one model as a Dodge and one model as a Chrysler.

agreed. i would be suprised if they did.

 

[nerp]

They're going to keep selling the Town & Country regardless what happens with the Caravan.

 

[Doppel]

That is some weak-ass, lame-ass mutha effin' shiat. Not that I'd ever drive a Dodge Minivan, but apparently others like them.

If people didn't purchase cars based upon so much insecurity in themselves we wouldn't end up now down to what will be only Honda, Toyota, Kia/Hyundai, and if you're really stretching Mazda.

I bought a Sienna recently. I saw a new Pathfinder and the thing is small as hell in comparison, plus sliding doors are THE cat's meow. Its third row is full-on, and without breaking out a tape measure it's as big as the second, it's a bad ass people carrier and hauls a bunch of stuff, too.

Crossovers are basically less-bad-looking minivans. Meh.

They are inferior minivans. A lot of them are FWD, as big and expensive as a minivan with gas mileage as bad or worse and yet smaller. The ONLY reason a person buys a Chevy Traverse FWD or a Highlander FWD is because they have a deep-rooted psychological illness.

I don't blame dodge though. I blame the parents who think there is something inherently embarrassing about being a parent and so do not want a vehicle that associates them with it. As if their saddle bags and thunder thighs didn't already give up the secret.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Parent? I had a dodge caravan for 12 years and am a single dude without kids. Best beater I've ever had. I almost never had the rear seats in the thing and used it like a truck, a much more comfortable and nice to drive truck. It hauled my mtn bikes, dogs, and pretty much anything else I could shove in there which was a lot more than you could a SUV.

 

[pauldun170]

I can go to the dealer right now and pick up a White Grand Caravan for about 19K.
That vehicle can do everything from family hauling to cargo transport.

Several acquaintances had pick em up and love em. I'm even considering one to replace our current family hauler.
There is no "alternative" to the current one as the alternatives cost from 10K more to twice the price.

 

[bradly1101]

A switch to SUV's means no more sliding doors. They are so convenient, and I really need mine to assemble and disassemble my manual wheelchair through. Some small cars in foreign countries have only sliding doors. That would make parking so easy.

 

[Vic Vega]

Crossovers are basically less-bad-looking minivans. Meh.

No they are not. Have you tried getting in/out of the back of a crossover? It's retarded.

 

[natto fire]

Crossovers are basically less-versatile less image-conscious minivans. Meh.

Fixed that for you.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I've been using Dodge vans for paint 'trucks' for well over 10 years. We finally broke down and got a truck to put tools in, completely useless compared to the mini van. Not only did it hold less but you can't get to anything without taking EVERYthing out.

 

[nerp]

I've been wanting a Caravan more and more lately. What's the best year for a cheap used one that I can fix up and work on?

 

[thedarkwolf]

I've been wanting a Caravan more and more lately. What's the best year for a cheap used one that I can fix up and work on?

89/90 turbo 5 speed if you can find one

 

[jaedaliu]

No they are not. Have you tried getting in/out of the back of a crossover? It's retarded.

QFT

Fox rent-a-car used one as a shuttle to an from the airport from their off-site location in Sacramento. Sure, it can carry 7 people, but was annoying as hell to get in and out of from the 3rd row.

Minivans have a ton of utility. I see nothing wrong with them simplifying by taking it out of their premium brand.

 

[BoberFett]

Crossovers are basically less-bad-looking minivans with a lot less space. Meh.

Fixed.

This new crossover fad is crap. Toyota screwed up the RAV4. Ford screwed up the Escape. Why? Because everyone is jumping on the crossover bandwagon. Pure stupidity.

Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford eliminating the Explorer because they've got the Edge and the Flex. Morons.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Minivans are still the way to go for a family vehicle. So practical.

 

[ElFenix]

Fixed.

This new crossover fad is crap. Toyota screwed up the RAV4. Ford screwed up the Escape. Why? Because everyone is jumping on the crossover bandwagon. Pure stupidity.

Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford eliminating the Explorer because they've got the Edge and the Flex. Morons.

ford had to redesign the flex and slap the explorer badge on it because the flex wasn't selling that well. so, i doubt they drop the explorer.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I've been wanting a Caravan more and more lately. What's the best year for a cheap used one that I can fix up and work on?

I'd go with the early 90's The newer 98 ones are harder to work on due to having that huge windshield that covers half of the engine. Just watch out for bad tranny's and over heating.

 

[who?]

Do minivans get lousy mileage? Maybe they have to kill them to meet the fuel economy standards.

 

[bradly1101]

Do minivans get lousy mileage? Maybe they have to kill them to meet the fuel economy standards.

Yes, but not as bad as big SUV's. Newer ones are better. The Mazda5 mini 'van' does the best.

It seems like a van would have plenty of room for batteries, so why no hybrids?

My Previa has a 4 cyl., and it only gets 17/22. It's 21yo tech though.

 

[Mursilis]

Everyone who is a complete idiot wants big SUVs now.

FTFY.

As others have already said, nothing beats a good minivan as a family vehicle. Love our Honda Odyssey. Of course, as soon as the kids fly the nest, we'll be looking at sports sedans, but until then, the minivan does what it was designed to do very, very well.

 

[Elfear]

Do minivans get lousy mileage? Maybe they have to kill them to meet the fuel economy standards.

My Caravan gets 15mpg in town and 24 hwy.

I'm sure the minivan mileage is bringing down the fleet average but what are you going to replace it with? Large SUVs get as bad or worse mpg than minivans. Small SUV crossovers can't provide the same number of seats or cargo room. Large sedans are in the same boat.

What needs to happen are a diesel minivan and/or a hybrid. That will help mileage and provide the same minivan utility.