I drove a 2016 Dodge Caravan

"Slant6" (slant-6) 07/19/2016 at 18:29 • Filed to: None

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Best car ever. So much space. Great visibility. It will move. It will also turn.

Great.

The Dodge Dakota that my office normally has was transferred to ITSS so the University gave us a new Caravan. It’s so much better than the 2009 Dakota. Like Chrysler might actually have a clue about how to put an interior together. The transmission was surprisingly smooth (especially since I’m so used to driving manual).

I actually want one now. So much space, and it handles so easily around town. Could easily hold more than my Ranger can.

CB > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 18:36

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Vans get shat on too much. Fold flat seats? A floor that’s low and easy to load stuff into? Decent fuel economy? Covered storage area? A roof if you need to carry more stuff? Vans are great!

whoarder is tellurium > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 18:37

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Thanks to the internet...

Steve in Manhattan > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 18:40

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Never understood the Town & Country haters ... my sister has had two, and they’re roomy and reliable. And a decent ride.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 18:41

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I agree, minivans fucking rock. When traveling I always ask for a Grand Caravan rental. I buy a cheap air mattress, fold all the back seats and sleep in the back of it. They also make great highway cruiser’s, they also have lots of power too.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 18:54

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I drove a rental-grade Caravan on a trip with friends, my only gripe was the seat - there wasn’t any lumbar support so my lower back felt awful after driving for two hours.

Otherwise, these are attainable at a reasonable price, have good power, and I’m sure are cheap to fix/maintain simply because of the sheer number of these things. In terms of pure practicality for your dollar, these can’t be touched by crossovers.

Slant6 > Steve in Manhattan 07/19/2016 at 18:56

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Prior to today I hated them. The only time I had driven one before was my Grandma’s. Lets just say it wasn’t the most sanitary box to drive around in. Or the most roomy box (which is saying something when You’re talking about a town and country). She has a problem with collecting stuff. It was either the weight or the fumes that made me not like the car that much, but after driving a brand new one empty it’s something I could actually own.

HammerheadFistpunch > Steve in Manhattan 07/19/2016 at 18:57

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They aren’t bad, but you have to make sure to keep on top of brakes and transmissions service or they will bite you.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 19:26

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Our family had a ‘93 Caravan SE short wheelbase when I was growing up. People dump on ‘90's Chrysler quality, but that thing ran like a top...the only time it EVER let us down was when the fuel pump decided to die, and we were hearing the whine get worse and worse and worse. We were on our way home from piano lessons. We decided, OK, we can’t get to our grandparents, so let’s take it to the dealership to get looked at for the next day. Did it leave us stranded? Nope. Pump conked out 50m from the dealership and we rolled into the lot. I swear that old girl willed that pump to work long enough to get us to safety.

White with a ‘90's Burgundy interior only Chrysler could do. After my parents split up, mom was single trying to raise my brother and I, so I know it didn’t get “regular maintenance”. Mom only stopped driving it because the rockers were starting to rust out and we couldn’t get it up our hill of a driveway at our new house in the winter. Still miss that old box...this crappy pic is the only one I have of it.

Long story short. 2016 Caravan/Town and Country? Hell yes. Especially with the Blacktop package...just looks mean for a family hauler.

Slant6 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/19/2016 at 19:34

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My parents had a 1999 and a 2001. Really nothing better for a family. I’m actually thinking of buying one eventually.

Too bad the Pacifica is getting away from the basic min van idea.

Steve in Manhattan > HammerheadFistpunch 07/19/2016 at 20:09

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That’s what my sister says. She had a gen 2 and has a gen 3. I drove both, and while it’s not entertaining, it’s not a penalty box.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Slant6 07/19/2016 at 21:07

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See, everybody who hates on the minivan just doesn’t get it. If you need to haul a lot of shit a lot of the time a truck is just too much. #vanlife