The Caravan is near the end of it's tether. We've had it a while and we've put a good beating on it.
In a fitting tribute to it's workhorse role of support vehicle on long road trips, photography van, and all around gear/folk hauler, I drove the Caravan up to Napa and back on assignment. In total I drove about 1,300 miles in a weekend.
If you've been a regular to the Caravan blog, you know how many of these types of trips we've done together. There hasn't always been a love fest between us, nor has it always been the most pleasant experience, but it always got the job done.
Now that I've set the keys on the board and walked away, I don't want to say goodbye to this donkey. I have another multi-day assignment starting today that I could use it for but it won't be there for me this time.
I'll forget about all the squeaks, the road noise, the clunky doors that don't always work, the crappy stereo, the floating ride, the uncomfortable seats and the chunks of salt still dropping from beneath you. Just one more ride, buddy?
On second thought, maybe it is a good thing we put you out to pasture.
Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer @ 27,538 miles
fadetoblackii says:
12:15 PM, 03/ 3/09
Seems like the DGC was the car no one wanted to say anything good about but everyone wanted to use... funny how that worked out...
louiswei says:
12:21 PM, 03/ 3/09
"Seems like the DGC was the car no one wanted to say anything good about but everyone wanted to use... funny how that worked out..."
It's the only minivan in fleet... So that proves two things:
1. There is still a market, a decent size one IMO, for minivans even with all the hypes about crossovers but...
2. The DGC sucks.
carguy622 says:
12:39 PM, 03/ 3/09
Seems like utility trumps sexiness when it comes to dealing with cars in "the real world"... I think you'd probably miss an Odyssey or Sienna even more though.
dougtheeng says:
12:50 PM, 03/ 3/09
Sometimes utility > 'cool' factor.
firstwagon says:
12:53 PM, 03/ 3/09
"2. The DGC sucks"
No it doesn't. The design and basics are very good. All the problems are complaints are minor issues that Chrysler SHOULD have dealt with. A simple mid model refresh would have done it.
Instead they choose to sell it as is with big discounts.
The problem isn't with the van, it's with short sited product planners.
kissel1 says:
01:06 PM, 03/ 3/09
Hi Scott!
Today we're all having a discussion on carrying capacity for manure.
Here's what you do: get as many bags as possible and spread them around the interior, then report back to me on the total cubic feet the vehicle can hold.
I'd expect the Caravan to do very well! We're also experimenting with the Infiniti and the Mazda 6.
This should be interesting!
Let me know the results, Okay?
Bye!
carlisimo says:
01:36 PM, 03/ 3/09
It's too bad about all the cheap parts that have failed in one way or another. It reminds me of a lot of those quirky products sold on TV. Many of them are brilliant ideas. I can't think of any specific examples right now, but sometimes I think "I'd be willing to pay $60 for one of those, if it could last me 10-20 years." But the only option is to buy one for $20, and it'll only last five uses before it falls apart. So I don't buy it.