... I don't like to see screwheads on internal trim, but Chrysler obviously think they are ok inside and out! Some of the build quality is a bit too plasticy and flimsy -the flat dash top surface is very thin and wobbles sometimes. This may have changed on newer models. Even the electric wing ... Read review
Advantages: Cabin space and load capacity, versatility, comfort, performance, great for long journeys. Disadvantages: Replacement parts, build quality, questionable design features.
...screwheads on internal trim, but Chrysler obviously think they are ok inside and out! Some of the build quality is a bit too plasticy and flimsy -the flat dash top surface is very thin and wobbles sometimes. This may have changed on newer models. Even the electric wing mirrors sound tinny and cheap compared to European cars. One last gripe is that on our old model there is only a lap strap in the middle of the bench seat -newer ones have a three ... ...store but now I think Chrysler do fold flat seats? Last year I lined the interior with a tarpaulin, strung from the roof handles, and took away a full load of tree branches to the tip. The attendants at the tip came over to see how much stuff I had fitted inside! When my daughter and I looked over our shoulders at the empty area on the way back we both did double takes at the size of the load space. It really can double as a van with the seats out. more
We bought a 1997 3.3 petrol grand voyager in October 2002 and have run it for three years now. Our last family car was a Mercedes 200TE estate (with the flip up rear seats) and my company car was a Volvo V40 estate -the small Volvo. We have 3 kids and a dog and regularly make long trips from the east of Scotland to the west of Ireland and England to visit relatives and friends. We also end up ferrying kids and friends around locally.
When we bought the car, from a dealer, it had 64k miles on the clock and came with a six month warranty. The warranty just meant that we had to use a dealer for initial servicing, which was a pain in the neck. The battery went during that period but, surprise, was not covered by the warranty.
The first time we went on a long trip to Ireland (at Christmas, with wrapped presents to take and unwrapped ones to bring back) I actually measured the load space to make sure that the suitcases would fit! It turned out that we could have taken the kitchen sink if needed. The rearmost bench seats slide back and forward but even on the farthest back setting a large suitcase can lie flat on the floor. I stacked three large cases flat on top of one another and they only came to the top of the seat back, so visibility was perfect and it left the other 40% of the load area to fill with pram, cot etc. When I lifted the tailgate in the ferry queue and you could see the amount of gear stowed in there it looked very impressive. I am sure that there were a few fellow passengers pointing to it and saying "blimey!" The Voyager takes a roof box but you will never see one as there is so much room inside.
There is loads of space under the seats too for items to be stored but on our '97 model there are adjustment and release handles cluttering up the spaces. Also, the release handles for the bench seat protrude too much into the cargo area and don't move when the bench seat moves -the seat back moves forward eight inches but these handles & rails still sit in the load space. Our Merc was full of lots of elegant little design features but a lot of the design on the Voyager is kind of slap dash. I don't like to see screwheads on internal trim, but Chrysler obviously think they are ok inside and out! Some of the build quality is a bit too plasticy and flimsy -the flat dash top surface is very thin and wobbles sometimes. This may have changed on newer models. Even the electric wing mirrors sound tinny and cheap compared to European cars. One last gripe is that on our old model there is only a lap strap in the middle of the bench seat -newer ones have a three point harness, which we would prefer.
Anyway, there are more plus points than minus. The engine is truly awesome and can accelerate the fully laden car nimbly and safely to overtake. It is the only car I have had where I can't tell the difference in handling when it is loaded up! On long trips I like cruise control and the overdrive gearbox just seems to tick over at 80mph. For a big engine the fuel eceonomy is great on motorways. On motorway trips two years ago I was getting fuel costs of 15 pence per mile. This compares with 2-litre Toyota which I had as a company car and cost 17 pence per mile in petrol! Admittedly it is more costly around town.
Space wise the kids can pretty much walk around inside as if in a mini bus and they love all the cup holders and cubby holes. I used to hate drive throughs for fast food but now it works really well. Baby seat goes in the middle bucket seat and the wife can move back there and sit beside baby when needed. It really is a family car.
Ours came with specially darkened rear windows, which make the rear passengers invisible from outside, colour coded bumpers/mirrors and rather nifty running boards. I think that it looks far nicer than the standard trim. The heavily tinted windows meant that my wife could breast feed in privacy in a busy car park while I went off with the other two kids. It also means that you can have a sleep in privacy, although the headrests are a bit uncomfy!
I have had the seats out in various configurations -they weigh a ton and take up a lot of space to store but now I think Chrysler do fold flat seats? Last year I lined the interior with a tarpaulin, strung from the roof handles, and took away a full load of tree branches to the tip. The attendants at the tip came over to see how much stuff I had fitted inside! When my daughter and I looked over our shoulders at the empty area on the way back we both did double takes at the size of the load space. It really can double as a van with the seats out.
It's size can be a pain going into town or local villages where the lanes are tight and parking spaces are narrow. If you're just popping up to the library on a Saturday morning you'll take the second car if you have one. But for travelling any distance it is the business -a Voyager in fact!
Finally had to replace the exhaust back box this summer -forget main dealers -local specialist was fine and a fraction of the cost. Same comment on tyres -shop around. Local Kwik Fit wanted to replace brake pipes at MOT but place I later went to said that the pipes are non standard size and would be a main dealer job -reckoned that Kwik Fit would have cut them and then been unable to rejoin them!
When we first got the car we flagged a few odd rattles and bumps with main dealer to investigate and fix under warranty. The air con has never worked and they couldn't fix it. Was told that manual says to run it every month or it breaks down! There was a strange "whooshing" noise from behind the dash which they couldn't trace but seemed to fix by topping up the air con gas.
Now for the gearbox: it seemed to slip when trying to hold on hills -dealer couldn't find anything wrong. It started making odd creaky noises at standstill and when parking -nothing to be found. Last month the gearbox broke spectacularly and was replaced with a recon one by a specialist at a full cost of £2,200. I am convinced that these symptoms indicated a fault but the dealer couldn't trace anything. I wish that I had had the specialist look at it instead.
UPDATE April 2008: Still going strong at 108k miles. we have learned how to check the auto gear box fluid level correctly to avoid expensive problems. Took the Voyager to Paris and caravan site in Brittany last year with no problems at all. Before we went I had two new front tyres fitted (Pirelli P6s) for £210 and spent £100 on a service for the gearbox, just to be safe. Drove through the floods on way back: even with water up to the headlights the car kept going. Just returned from a week in Northumbria where the Voyager did the usual excellent service. Turned out that we forgot to fully service it last year before French trip (!) so we needed new front pads and discs last month. At £500 including a full service this was pricey but not too awful. A few small niggles have cropped up: the cruise control has stopped working and a dashboard light is coming on for the airbag. Will get local garage to look at these. We are going to have to replace it soon I think, and will be looking at newer Voyagers, around 3-5 years old.
Advantages: Space, power, comfort, auto is standard Disadvantages: Width, servicing and parts costs, residual values
We have owned a Grand Voyager 3.3litre LE from new, two years and 30k miles ago. It's been a great vehicle to carry six people in individual comfort, but so could claim a number of other MPV's. The difference is that the long wheelbase gives an extra couple of feet boot space compared with others in this class. We have four children, ranging from 11 to 16 years, and on their return to school on a Sunday evening, the piles of bags and boxes and pets ... ...the Mercedes 230 TE estate, Volvo 850 estate and a Mitsubishi Spacewagon, and this Sunday trip was becoming impossible. Holidays en famille were no fun, even with a roof box. The Voyager has proved to be a great success, and it can swallow up all the luggage for seven, as we have done in the last year. The downside is that it is not just long, but wide, although with a clever electric switch to pull the mirrors in when you are tight for space. My ...
pwebb 16.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
Advantages: comfortable ride and spacious Disadvantages: fairly expensive to run
We bought a Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3 SE back in February 1997 when our family jumped from four to six in one fell swoop! The arrival of our twins put paid to the usual five seater family vehicle and introduced to us the wonders of MPV's!
As we were earning monthly salaries per week at this time we decided we'd go for the top of the range and travel in style.
After a very short time looking at other makes we went to the local Chrysler showroom ... ...my view of the Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3SE and bearing in mind it was 1999 when we last drove it, things may have changed a bit since then but I can't imagine them being able to improve it other than dropping the price and having the diesel in all sizes. ...
noofer 24.10.2002 (25.10.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
Advantages: Luxurious, roomy Disadvantages: Bad fuel consumption
Having started a new job and being given the choice of any car I went to look at the Voyager. I test drove the normal voyager, but with a 2.0 litre engine it seem as though it didn't have enough under the bonnet to lug the gigantic entity that is the voyager. I then drove the Voyager Grand, with its 3.3 litre engine and luxurious interior. As soon as I got in I felt at home. The Grand voyager gives excellent visibility and is very comfortable. The ... ...car is the nicest MPV we have driven in. The reason for choosing an MPV is that I have four children that need to be kept an arms length from each other at all times. My only concerns about the vehicle are the speed at which the tyres wear out and the number of miles to the gallon that it does. Tyres wear out quite quickly and cost £120 to replace, though you may be able to find cheaper tyres at Kwik-fit or somewhere similar. About 20 MPG is standard, ...
chezter 13.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
Advantages: space, comfort, price, air conditioning, easy lever gear stick Disadvantages: crash rating is 0, if windows are tinted when you buy you get done for it,
I never of dreamed of buying one of these cars, but last year i found out that i was having twins and with two older children i had no choice but to get one. they are excellent with lots of space and my other children are comfortable and the best part is at the back you cant hear them.
This car has air conditioning, the automatic gear stick which is just a lever is on the dash. this car is a family car for anyone who has a large family. There is ... ...ideal for getting kids in and out. it has sliding doors on either side. inside the car is also a compass, thermometer built in, cup holders.
The boot is huge i can fit in my double pushchair as well as shopping. the doors automatically lock as soon as you get up to a certain speed 15 miles per hour. great price car. if anyone buys one with tinted front windows get the tint off as we didnt know that it was illegal and got done for ours being down ...
donandsteve 06.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
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Quick review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
I LOVE THIS CAR! This has been the best car I have ever owned - No problems at all and it is so comfortable. Everyone comments on how comfy it is with people even comparing it to a private jet! The 3.3 V6 is smoooth and responsive. I can't say enough about this car! ...
Andyboy12 15.09.2007 (14.09.2007)
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3
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