Florida trip and most recent C-body

[Carmine]

Yes... I'm back after a delightful trip to Orlando where I never set foot on Disney™ property. I also connected with @cantflip for a Cuban sandwich, likely made by actual Cubans Hondurans. I was also looking for one of those great family-hauler C-bodies known as the Chrysler Town & Country. @cantflip insisted I post pics and post as much detail as possible about this wonderful and compelling vehicle.

I figured at was a rental, (a Chrysler internal database confirms this) probably going from Enterprise to a B-grade rental outfit in Orlando. My paperwork says it was sold to a CarMax dealer at some point, but went directly from them to the wholesaler I bought it from. I suspect it acquired a good-size dent in the tailgate, which probably made them wholesale it. Fixing that probably killed their margin so they dumped it at an auction. I think I can fix the dent without too much drama, no effect on fit or function.

After driving a 2018 Toyota RAV4 (Orlando rental) the 5 y/o T&C feels like it came from a far superior planet. If Chrysler put their name on something like that, it would be laughed out of the market. Awful interfaces, subpar handling, poor millage and ugly/anonymous as sin. Yuck.

 

[commando1]

The Cadillac of minivans...

 

[Carmine]

Forgot to mention, 132k on that van. I'm into it at $7k including shipment. That would get me a salt-and-pothole-exposed 2011 with a rebuilt title in Michigan. As Howard Hughes (supposedly) said, I don't pay interest on depreciating assets.

Here are some pics of the Edison and Ford summer houses (and Edison lab) in FT. Meyers. I was last there in the mid-80s when the city owned it, as supposedly told a lot of lies about it's history... like that this tree pic started as a single banyoun (sp?) tress. They do drop their roots soooo????

 

[Carmine]

The Cadillac of minivans...

The C-body of minivans.

 

[commando1]

The C-body of minivans.

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Tell that to Chili Palmer...

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Yes... I'm back after a delightful trip to Orlando where I never set foot on Disney™ property. I also connected with @cantflip for a Cuban sandwich, likely made by actual Cubans Hondurans. I was also looking for one of those great family-hauler C-bodies known as the Chrysler Town & Country. @cantflip insisted I post pics and post as much detail as possible about this wonderful and compelling vehicle.

I figured at was a rental, (a Chrysler internal database confirms this) probably going from Enterprise to a B-grade rental outfit in Orlando. My paperwork says it was sold to a CarMax dealer at some point, but went directly from them to the wholesaler I bought it from. I suspect it acquired a good-size dent in the tailgate, which probably made them wholesale it. Fixing that probably killed their margin so they dumped it at an auction. I think I can fix the dent without too much drama, no effect on fit or function.

After driving a 2018 Toyota RAV4 (Orlando rental) the 5 y/o T&C feels like it came from a far superior planet. If Chrysler put their name on something like that, it would be laughed out of the market. Awful interfaces, subpar handling, poor millage and ugly/anonymous as sin. Yuck.

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Will 22s fit under there?

 

[Carmine]

Will 22s fit under there?

Only with the space-saving mini ballast resistor.

 

[commando1]

Only with the space-saving mini ballast resistor.

 

[67Monaco]

The Cadillac of minivans...

Love my '16. Wouldn't trade it at this point. Mine came from Orlando too. Over to the semi local dodge dealer. Liftgate was repainted so I assume someone on their Disney Vacation backed into something and Hertz dumped it. Have to look hard at the paint to see the difference in shade.

 

[300rag]

The Cadillac of minivans...

The Imperial of minivans.

 

[67Monaco]

Forgot to mention, 132k on that van. I'm into it at $7k including shipment. That would get me a salt-and-pothole-exposed 2011 with a rebuilt title in Michigan. As Howard Hughes (supposedly) said, I don't pay interest on depreciating assets.

Here are some pics of the Edison and Ford summer houses (and Edison lab) in FT. Meyers. I was last there in the mid-80s when the city owned it, as supposedly told a lot of lies about it's history... like that this tree pic started as a single banyoun (sp?) tress. They do drop their roots soooo????

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You were a mere 20 miles away.

 

[Dobalovr]

I am on my 4th Imperial Minivan and have never regretted it. Up here the production was quite small compared to the Caravan so I get a lot of offers to sell now that they are no longer produced. My only complaint is the cruise control does not hold speed settings very well. It will often drop 8-10 kph before downshifting to maintain set speed. My last 2 have done this and even the new Caravans do the same. It annoys the hell outta me but no fix currently.

 

[Analog Kid]

We have a 2008 T&C and it serves us well. When we were shopping for it I test drove a Honda Odyssey and didn't like it....feels like you're driving a go-kart. The Chrysler has a much better feel.

With two (yes….two) built in DVD players taking long trips is very pleasant with the kids. It's along way from the non-AC VW camper van my family had when I was a kid.

 

[Carmine]

We have a 2008 T&C and it serves us well. When we were shopping for it I test drove a Honda Odyssey and didn't like it....feels like you're driving a go-kart. The Chrysler has a much better feel.

With two (yes….two) built in DVD players taking long trips is very pleasant with the kids. It's along way from the non-AC VW camper van my family had when I was a kid.

If you like that 2008, you'll fall in love with the 2011-16.

 

[cantflip]

@cantflip insisted I post pics and post as much detail as possible about this wonderful and compelling vehicle.

I believe my words were more like "I don't give a ratzazz about the minvan, tell about everything else you own... especially the Salon".

After driving a 2018 Toyota RAV4 (Orlando rental) the 5 y/o T&C feels like it came from a far superior planet. If Chrysler put their name on something like that, it would be laughed out of the market. Awful interfaces, subpar handling, poor millage and ugly/anonymous as sin. Yuck.

You did get a discount for renting the ugliest thing on the lot... right?

It was great to meet you, I'm glad you got Mrs. Carmine a new DD... the Florida tour wasn't a waste. Next trip this way, we will have to get you a contact list... you drove close to several members in your quest.

 

[Carmine]

I believe my words were more like "I don't give a ratzazz about the minvan, tell about everything else you own... especially the Salon.

That is damn near verbatim actually.

Mrs. Carmine is driving the Ramcharger today, which I had wanted to avoid.

I was trying to be nice so I cleared the snow off the "new" minivan for her. Then I stuck the key in my pocket and drove 25 miles to work.