08 Caravan SXT comments?

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QX - 19 Oct 2007 13:46 GMT

The 08 Caravans have been on the street for a while now. Do any of the
experts have any comments on them as far as mechanical factors?
TIA

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Pete & Cindy - 19 Oct 2007 18:34 GMT

Yes would like to know that too, am trading in my 06 Hyundai Santa Fe on a
08 Caravan SXT... anything I should know or avoid on one???

Pete...

> The 08 Caravans have been on the street for a while now. Do any of the
> experts have any comments on them as far as mechanical factors?
> TIA

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QX - 20 Oct 2007 13:39 GMT

>Yes would like to know that too, am trading in my 06 Hyundai Santa Fe on a
>08 Caravan SXT... anything I should know or avoid on one???
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> experts have any comments on them as far as mechanical factors?
>> TIA

The critisc are advising against the 3.3 engine as it is "somewhat
anemic" when moving the 2+ ton van around. That's not an issue with
the SXT option though. They are also saying the interior has too much
hard plastic compared to the Odyssey or Siena.

I think that the NAV package is overpriced ($1300) considering what it
does. There are several aftermarket units out there that do more for
1/2 the price, but then they don't have the built-in convenience.

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Don - 29 Oct 2007 15:35 GMT

I would have to drive the new 2008 Caravan, but I had a 1994 Grand
Caravan ES - the fully loaded trim level - with the 3.3L and it was
fine for our use. I doubt the 2008 is too much heavier than the
1994. FWIW, we went over 160K miles with the 3.3L without any
problems, and the best highway mileage ever recorded was 27MPG w/AC
constantly used during a vacation trip during August one year. Given
the 3.8L engine's higher torque, it may be a better option however. I
don't know if I'd consider the new 4.0L OHC engine - just yet. But,
I'm a very conservative person, and like others to be the Guinea
pigs.

All OEM factory-installed NAV packages are overpriced. Just buy a
nice Garmin portable for $500 or less, and move it from car to car. A
business colleague of mine just bought a Magellan unit on sale for
less than $200, and it performed extremely well on a recent business
trip by car to Memphis, TN - in and out of the city. Very impressive
for the price . . .

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jeff.brown@erac.com - 30 Nov 2007 22:05 GMT

> The 08 Caravans have been on the street for a while now. Do any of the
> experts have any comments on them as far as mechanical factors?
> TIA

I have an '08 SXT with the 3.8 engine. There is a pinging noise from
the catalytic conv after it warms up. You can hear it while stopped
at a light and for 10 minutes or so after the engine is stopped. The
dealer said it will go away but I now have 2000 miles on it and it is
the same. They also said condensation from the AC drips on the cat.
converter but there was nothing they could do about it.
The other problem is that the right front suspension rattles when
hitting large bumps and sounds like empty bottles rattling around. I
know this sounds weird but if you put several empty beer bottles in a
box and shake it, that is exactly what it sounds like. Haven't been
to the dealer yet on this one.

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maxpower - 30 Nov 2007 22:30 GMT

> > The 08 Caravans have been on the street for a while now. Do any of the
> > experts have any comments on them as far as mechanical factors?
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> box and shake it, that is exactly what it sounds like. Haven't been
> to the dealer yet on this one.

Are we talking about the noise that is due to the expansion and contraction
on hot metals? (the converter) which is normal? Water dripping from this
area is also normal.

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