Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3

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 and drooled and looked longingly at the Lotus Elise that was not an option and won't be til we're pensioners! So we test drove a Voyager 3.3 SE (petrol, unavailable as a diesel at that time) instead. We fell in love immediately and decided there and then that this was the vehicle for us!
We went for the Rosewood with tinted windows and awaited our delivery. It was the first brand new car we'd ever bought and was imported into the country (from Austria of all places !) especially for us.
When we first took a ride in our new car we had SO much interest in it and had many, many double glances as we passed by..! (makes you feel great!)

As it was travelling to and from Oxford and Gloucester everyday for a long time and cost on average £30 per DAY in petrol alone, we agreed that it was far too expensive to run and we sold it after just 18mths.

We were very sad to see it go but vowed we'd buy another when they brought out a diesel version of the Grand.

The interior was fabulous in cream leather and beige carpet. The instrument panel was large and very 'Americanised' Ours didn't have a cd player but it was an option, at £500+..! It had an under the seat lockable drawer on the passenger side which was very useful for locking valuables away out of sight. There was a clock above the rear-view mirror that gave you the mileage (km) left in the fuel tank. There was also a handy compartment near the mirror where you could put your sunglasses and remote control for the garage. The glove-compartment was roomy and the front seats were heated for cold nights. The seats were arranged like this: 2 at the front, 2 in the middle then a triple seat in the rear. Each of the four single seats were captain seats with armrests, three point seatbelts and cupholders . The back of the seats folded forward to make 'tables' with more cup holders! The rear seat was one piece and also folded down to reveal even more cup holders!!!!! (17 in all!!)
The space between the seats was cavernous, with plenty of room for even the longest-legged person! The seats were easily taken out by unlocking the mechanism that locks them in place. They were VERY heavy to carry though! We took out all the rear seats to fit in a motorbike (don't ask)
and the rear was enormous!
The front doors were normal opening and to gain access to the rear you opened the sliding door to the rear of the vehicle and this was available on both sides. This was VERY handy for tight or bad parking spaces where you don't have much room to open a normal door let alone get the kids out! But you couldn't open the passenger side sliding door if the petrol cap was open!

The boot space was big, but we did have the Grand which is a long-wheelbased version and therefore had extra length. We could fit our twin side-by-side pram in as well as loads of shopping.

The road handling was very good as was the manouverability of such a large vehicle. The engine was quiet and gave a very smooth ride even over the bumpiest roads.

The central locking established itself when you turned the first corner and this was a plus as far as we were concerned, what with kids and all.

Well that's 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.