Background: The company that started the front-wheel-drive minivan craze in November of 1983 continues as the segment leader despite advancements from the competition. Just about every major automaker now sports a minivan, but none has equaled the sales volume of the Chrysler arm of DaimlerChrysler. For the past 20 years, Chrysler has held the title of volume leader. That's quite a statement in the highly competitive world of car building. Since 1983, the Chrysler Group has sold nearly 10 million minivans worldwide. In 2001, Chrysler and its sister Dodge division accounted for an impressive 37.5 percent of minivan sales in the United States. Unlike most other competitors, Chrysler and Dodge continue offering two different wheelbase lengths while most rivals choose to go with one. The only other automaker with two wheelbase lengths is General Motors. When DaimlerChrysler's Plymouth division faded into automotive history in 2001, their most-popular-selling item, the Voyager minivan, merged into the Chrysler stable. Voyager now serves as the short-wheelbased, more economically-priced offering while Town & Country serves as the long-wheelbased, more opulent offering. Another Chrysler feature is the choice of front wheel drivetrains or all-wheel drivetrains. Chrysler introduced its first luxury-appointed minivan, the Town & Country, in 1989 as a 1990 model year offering and the current styling represents the vehicle's third generation makeover that took place in 2001. New goodies in 2003 include optional one-touch power sun roof and a factory-installed DVD rear entertainment system with flip-down seven-inch screen. Chrysler will add an item later in the model year that Ford Motor Co. made popular, power adjustable pedals benefiting those of shorter stature who enjoy driving vehicles of all sizes. Town & Country, Voyager, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans are assembled in St. Louis, Mo. And Ontario, Canada. In 2001, Chrysler brand sales topped 530,454 units, a substantial increase from 1991 when only 130,542 vehicles were sold.
Engine and trim level: For 2003, Chrysler offers seven versions of its extended wheelbase Town & Country minivan and two engine selections. The five front-wheel drive trim levels include the LX, eL, eX, Lxi and Limited. Two, all-wheel drive versions are found in the Lxi and Limited models. In 2003, the LX all-wheel drive model has been discontinued. Our Limited test model included the larger 3.8-liter, 12-valve V-6 engine producing 215 horsepower. Fuel estimates for the front-wheel drive version check in at 18 miles per gallon city and 25 m.p.g. highway. With all-wheel drive, highway fuel estimates drop by two miles per gallon in each category. This bigger engine comes standard also in eX and Lxi editions while optional in LX and eL models. Only the 3.8-liter engine is available in all-wheel drive editions. The base powertrain is a 3.3-liter, 12-valve V-6 that cranks out 180 horsepower. It's standard in LX and eL. Fuel estimates check in at 18 m.p.g. city and 24 highway. Both engines have sequential, multiport electronic fuel injection and utilize regular, 87-octane fuel. Both are connected with a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and have a 20-gallon fuel tank.
Price: Our Limited, front-wheel drive edition included a starting price of $36,285. With options including the new power moon roof ($895), rear-seat DVD player ($795) and $680 destination charge, the bottom line totaled $38,105. The lowest priced Town & Country is a 3.3-liter eL edition that checks in at $24,020. A LX with the 3.3-liter engine starts at $27,675. An eX edition starts at $26,675 while an Lxi front-wheel drive model checks in at $33,470. The two all-wheel drive models start at $36,320 for the Lxi and $38,610 for the Limited. The shorter, Chrysler Voyager, is one of a scant few minivans still available with a four-cylinder engine starting at $20,195. With a 3.3-liter V-6 engine, Voyager checks in at $23,430. When Chrysler introduced the minivan in the mid-1980s, four-cylinder engines were the norm. Comparatively speaking, the lowest-priced front-wheel-drive Honda Odyssey LX starts at $24,440 while the lowest priced Ford Windstar, also an Lx edition, checks in at $22,845. A base Pontiac Montana extended length minivan from General Motors starts at $27,415.
Equipment: While the level of standard features depends largely on what trim level is ordered, even base eL Town & Countries include: cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, intermittent front and rear wipers, rear window defroster, front and rear reading lights and dual zone air conditioning. An AM-FM stereo with cassette and compact disc player is standard in eX and Lxi. Limited editions add a six-disc in-dash changer. Our Limited test edition also added leather/suede seating, three zone climate control, eight-way power driver's chair and four-way power passenger chair. Optional in all models except the eL is the family-friendly DVD player with seven-inch roof-mounted, second-row fold down screen.
Inside: Cloth seating comes standard in all models except Limited, which features leather/suede surfaces. Most models feature two center row bucket seats and a third row with a 50/50 spilt bench design. A center bench with integrated child seats are available in some models. Second and third row seating is removable. Access to the third row is made easier by center bucket seats that tilt forward. A center storage bin between bucket seats can be physically moved from the front to the middle row and back again. A nice nuance are turn signal indicators high atop the dashboard, away from the crowded instrument panel, where drivers can easily view them. The gear shift mechanism is on the right side of the steering column. Front windshield wipers are activated from the left-side turn signal stalk while rear wipers are commanded by a central dashboard button. Headlights turn on via a dial on the dashboard's far left side, an area that's also home to side-view mirror controls. The Limited edition included a digital message center near the rear-view mirror with large outside temperature and compass displays. The parking brake is foot operated. Power window and lock controls are on the driver's door. Cruise control is operated from the steering wheel front while secondary volume and pre-set radio controls are accessible from push buttons behind the steering wheel. The center console "pod" is surrounded by burled walnut enhancements. Inside the pod at the top is a row of switches operating the optional heated seats, rear wiper and hazard flashers. Below is the stereo system with a digital clock sharing time with the radio frequency display. Ventilation functions are along the bottom with dials controlling fan speed and direction, while push button switches adjust temperatures up and down for both front riders. Pod elements emanate a green glow at night. Below the pod are dual, retracting beverage holders. The instrument panel has four white-faced, mostly analog circular gauges. The center speedometer (with digital odometer along the bottom) and tachometer (with digital gear shift display along the bottom) were flanked by a fuel gauge on the left and right-side temperature gauge.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 119.3 inches
Overall length: 200.6 inches
Overall width: 78.6 inches
Overall height: 68.9 inches
Curb weight: 4,563 pounds
Outside: Since its inception in 1983, Chrysler has set the standard for exterior styling. Chrysler was also the first minivan offering a rear power liftgate, which debuted during the 2001 major redesign. The hatch lifts high enough so those 6-foot, 3-inches or shorter have enough head clearance. Our test vehicle's dual sliding power doors were activated via the key fob or by pushing an inside button found near the rear-view mirror. The LX and eL models come with dual, manual sliding doors standard. Limited, Lxi and eX have dual-sliding power doors. The mast radio antenna protrudes up from the right fender. The non-locking, circular fuel door is on the left rear fender.
Warranty: DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group last July extended its limited powertrain warranty to seven years/70,000 miles (whichever comes first). This covers engines, transmissions, transaxles, transfer cases and axles. This powertrain warranty is transferable to subsequent owners at no charge. The corrosion warranty is good for five years or 100,000 miles. The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty is three years or 36,000 miles.
Safety features: All Town & Country minivans include: multi-stage front dual air bags, five-mile-per-hour impact bumpers, keyless remote entry and anti-lock brakes. Adjustable brake pedals will be optional later in the model year. Low-speed traction control is standard in eX models and front-wheel drive editions of the Limited editions. It's optional in the front wheel drive Lxi. Side air bags are optional across the board except in Limited editions where it's standard.
Final thoughts: The Town & Country was put to the test during a recent day-trip to Champaign last December to witness the Chicago Bears take charge against invaders from the Big Apple. With five travelers aboard, the minivan drove smoothly and possessed enough power for agile passing maneuvers. Seats were comfortable and supportive the entire trip. The DVD player came in handy keeping kids of all ages amused. One popular feature missing from Chrysler's wide array of selections is a convenient flip-and-fold third row seat that disappears into the cargo floor. Honda and Mazda have gained notice in their respective minivans because of this handy feature. During the mid 1990s, Chrysler minivans went through a phase of quality concerns, but many of those issues have been addressed since 2001 next-generation debut. Plus the new 7/70 extended powertrain warranty is great backup insurance. While minivans have always been a popular choice among families with kids, more empty nesters are discovering the benefits as well. Those who travel and need to carry people and assorted stuff often find minivans appealing. There is a vast array of minivans to choose from. But Chrysler has been the volume leader since the genre's inception, which is quite an accomplishment. If you're looking to purchase a minivan in the 2003 model year, the offerings at Chrysler should be on your shopping list. |