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Chrysler vs Dodge vs Plymouth and 3.3 vs 3.8

15K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  PTCarl 
#1 ·
How do they compare quality wise? I know that the Chrylser tends to be "nicer", but if I don't care about the frills are the others still fine?
 
#2 ·
Brands: Quality is the same. They are built on the same assembly line by the same workers using the same processes. Chryslers tend to be better equipped, and depending upon model may have more sound insulation and the like. You can do searches here to find details on that stuff.

3.3 vs. 3.8 - Quality is also the same. They are very similar engines. I have had a 3.3 in my 95, which got 169,000 miles, and I have a 3.8 in my 03, which currently has 61,000 miles. Both are smooth, have adequate power, and get decent gas mileage.
 
#3 ·
I happened to like the Dodge GC's that we had at work better than my Chrysler Voyager. It depends on the trim levels.

As for the 3.3, the only reason I prefer it is for the E85 capability. I would rather have 3.8 for the extra power and torque for pulling.
 
#4 ·
Since you've posted in G4, just thought I'd make you aware that G4 is 2001-present, and there's no such thing as a G4 Plymouth. There was a "Chrysler Voyager" from 01-03(?), but it's really irrelevant. As everyone else says, they're all pretty much the same, except for equipment content.
 
#5 ·
I wondered about whether or not they still made voyagers. I'm just starting to think about something to replace our 97 TC
 
#6 ·
The last Plymouth Voyager was the early 2000 model. Starting in late 2000, all Voyagers became Chryslers. Starting in 2001 with the redesigned G4 models, the Voyager was the short wheelbase version of the Chrysler minivan. To add a little more confusion, what was formally the Voyager became the Town & Country (no trim level designation like "LX") starting with the 2004 model year. The SWB Town & Country comes standard with the 3.3L V6 & deluxe sound insulation. The Voyagers from 2001-2003 came standard with the 2.4L I4 engine, with the 3.3L V6 optional (though most had the V6).

Besides trim and option packages, there ain't much difference between the Caravan and the Town & Country. Also, the 3.3L and 3.8L engines are closely related--the 3.8L is actually a bored & stroked version of the 3.3L. Externally, they are identical. Both are fairly rugged and dependable mills.
 
#7 ·
Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager became Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager January 1, 2000

Caravan_Sport said:
The last Plymouth Voyager was the early 2000 model. Starting in late 2000, all Voyagers became Chryslers. Starting in 2001 with the redesigned G4 models, the Voyager was the short wheelbase version of the Chrysler minivan. To add a little more confusion, what was formally the Voyager became the Town & Country (no trim level designation like "LX") starting with the 2004 model year. The SWB Town & Country comes standard with the 3.3L V6 & deluxe sound insulation. The Voyagers from 2001-2003 came standard with the 2.4L I4 engine, with the 3.3L V6 optional (though most had the V6).

Besides trim and option packages, there ain't much difference between the Caravan and the Town & Country. Also, the 3.3L and 3.8L engines are closely related--the 3.8L is actually a bored & stroked version of the 3.3L. Externally, they are identical. Both are fairly rugged and dependable mills.

Nice, short summary by Caravan_Sport. Beginning January 1, 2000 all 2000 model Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager minivans were produced as Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyagers....and all that was changed was the Chrysler name replaced Plymouth name. The only change to the grille for the 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager was the deleting of the Plymouth "ship" logo in the center of the grille with a Chrysler logo. My niece drives a 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager SE.

In 2001, the Town & Country LX label was placed onto what would have been the Plymouth Grand Voyager SE .... in effect, lowering the standard of the formerly much nicer T&C LX. In 2002 and 2003 Dodge and Chrysler had too many models to enumerate when the eC, eL, and eX models were added to each in addition to the Dodge SE, Sport, LE, and ES and Chrysler LX, LXi, and Limited (and maybe even more?).

I do NOT like the name changes by Dodge and Chrysler with one exception: the SXT by Dodge...and I think it should have just replaced the ES. Changing LXi to Touring was as stupid as dropping the entire Plymouth line.

BTW, the Chrysler dealership where I bought my new 2002 T&C eL and 2003 PT Cruiser did a "dirty, cruel" trick: He sent me the Spring/Summer 2006 Chyrsler magazine which vividly reminded me of my huge mistake made September 23, 2005 when I bought my 2006 Sienna LE.
ChryslerCarl
 
#8 ·
PTCarl said:
...BTW, the Chrysler dealership where I bought my new 2002 T&C eL and 2003 PT Cruiser did a "dirty, cruel" trick: He sent me the Spring/Summer 2006 Chyrsler magazine which vividly reminded me of my huge mistake made September 23, 2005 when I bought my 2006 Sienna LE....
Oh come on, Carl! It wasn't a HUGE mistake. I am sure that your Sienna is quite capable and comfortable. We have owned two Toyota products and have been very happy with them. You can console yourself in that the next DCX van you buy will be the 5th gen.
 
#9 ·
Our 2001 DGV ES rides extremely quiet and handling is, well, ahh, its a minivan not an F1 car. We are extremely pleased with the ride and quiet running on the freeways even with the Michelin Hydroedge noise producers. Quality has been not bad at all, with the exception of the coolant tubes that rusted out for the rear heater which are now made of an aluminium alloy. Rant done on that. Ours has a 3.3 which performs OK on the road. It is no power house, but that is not the reason we purchased it (ever expanding family).
KC.
 
#10 ·
Hope you are right

mmahamm said:
Oh come on, Carl! It wasn't a HUGE mistake. I am sure that your Sienna is quite capable and comfortable. We have owned two Toyota products and have been very happy with them. You can console yourself in that the next DCX van you buy will be the 5th gen.

I did not like our 99 GC SE for almost 2 years after driving a 91 Astro CL for 8 years. The 02 T&C was very similar (but nicer in most respects) than the 99 GC so it was not hard to get used to.

Fast forward to January 20, 2006: We gave our 02 T&C to our daughter and she gave us her 91 Astro RS to use as a 2nd vehicle (when roads are covered with salt and winter gunk). My wife does NOT like Astros as they are much harder for her to get into 7 years after we traded in our 91 Astro on the 99 GC.
 
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