Grand Voyagers - why are these hated?
Discussion
All, I'm looking for a cheap van (circa £4-5k) to act as tow car, mobile office and bed while at race circuits next year. The GV seems perfect for this but every comment I read seems to be disparaging, that they are hateful things.
Are they really that much worse than (e.g.) a Seat Alhambra? I don't expect any of then to be the last word in driving dynamics, but I couldn't care less about that.
Are they really that much worse than (e.g.) a Seat Alhambra? I don't expect any of then to be the last word in driving dynamics, but I couldn't care less about that.
Bizarrely I was just talking about these with a colleague earlier, I recalled that they came out with the lowest ?ever Euro NCAP rating, an old MD brought one before knowing this:
From an article in 2007
"THE safety credentials of the new Grand Chrysler Voyager have come under fire in the latest round of European crash testing.
It was awarded just two stars for adult occupant protection with a strike-through symbol indicating concerns of ‘an unacceptably high risk of serious of fatal injury’.
It was one of four vehicles to be evaluated by Euro NCAP, the others being Chevrolet Captiva, Volkswagen Eos and the Volvo C30.
The Eos and Captiva were each awarded four stars for adult occupant protection while the C30 gained the maximum five stars.
Commenting on the Voyager’s results, Euro NCAP chairman, Claes Tingvall, said: ‘I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV – a car that is clearly targeting families. Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in the UK while a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left-hand drive across the rest of Europe. I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future.’"
4 or 5 grand for one of those?
From an article in 2007
"THE safety credentials of the new Grand Chrysler Voyager have come under fire in the latest round of European crash testing.
It was awarded just two stars for adult occupant protection with a strike-through symbol indicating concerns of ‘an unacceptably high risk of serious of fatal injury’.
It was one of four vehicles to be evaluated by Euro NCAP, the others being Chevrolet Captiva, Volkswagen Eos and the Volvo C30.
The Eos and Captiva were each awarded four stars for adult occupant protection while the C30 gained the maximum five stars.
Commenting on the Voyager’s results, Euro NCAP chairman, Claes Tingvall, said: ‘I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV – a car that is clearly targeting families. Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in the UK while a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left-hand drive across the rest of Europe. I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future.’"
4 or 5 grand for one of those?
My Chrysler/Jeep mechanic & specialist sees loads of these. All despite carrying families or being used as a taxi is run on an absolute shoestring, lacking even basic servicing. What then happens is they get doggier & doggier, just getting repaired to scrape through the ticket every year until they die! Some bits are expensive, although importing from the USA is possible but needs forethought. Most bits are generic Euro's etc. so not too bad. Terry has seen odd ones with wierd wiring faults but then he's a specialist so will attract them.
I had one in the USA a 3.3 Dodge version for 5 of us & luggage for a family trip a few years ago. It was fine, did 3000+ miles in 20 days through rain, heavy snow etc. and from memory did 26UK MPG. Its a Forward control MPV so will never be as safe in extremis as a more conventional car but if you need the space there is little to compare it with. And as above comparing it to a Volvo C30 is beyond stupid. Compare it to a Grand Scenic or Espace would be more sensible.
I had one in the USA a 3.3 Dodge version for 5 of us & luggage for a family trip a few years ago. It was fine, did 3000+ miles in 20 days through rain, heavy snow etc. and from memory did 26UK MPG. Its a Forward control MPV so will never be as safe in extremis as a more conventional car but if you need the space there is little to compare it with. And as above comparing it to a Volvo C30 is beyond stupid. Compare it to a Grand Scenic or Espace would be more sensible.
tr7v8 said:
My Chrysler/Jeep mechanic & specialist sees loads of these. All despite carrying families or being used as a taxi is run on an absolute shoestring, lacking even basic servicing. What then happens is they get doggier & doggier, just getting repaired to scrape through the ticket every year until they die! Some bits are expensive, although importing from the USA is possible but needs forethought. Most bits are generic Euro's etc. so not too bad. Terry has seen odd ones with wierd wiring faults but then he's a specialist so will attract them.
I had one in the USA a 3.3 Dodge version for 5 of us & luggage for a family trip a few years ago. It was fine, did 3000+ miles in 20 days through rain, heavy snow etc. and from memory did 26UK MPG. Its a Forward control MPV so will never be as safe in extremis as a more conventional car but if you need the space there is little to compare it with. And as above comparing it to a Volvo C30 is beyond stupid. Compare it to a Grand Scenic or Espace would be more sensible.
Yes ok, I wasn't comparing it to a C30 I was just quoting what Euro NCAP said, I assume it's just because they were testing the C30 at the same time.I had one in the USA a 3.3 Dodge version for 5 of us & luggage for a family trip a few years ago. It was fine, did 3000+ miles in 20 days through rain, heavy snow etc. and from memory did 26UK MPG. Its a Forward control MPV so will never be as safe in extremis as a more conventional car but if you need the space there is little to compare it with. And as above comparing it to a Volvo C30 is beyond stupid. Compare it to a Grand Scenic or Espace would be more sensible.
The Alahmbra did seem very decent when it came out but you never see them now.
Thanks both.
I've looked at the Ncap report, it appears in LHD format it's 4 star rated, but in RHD it's 2 star because the engine is pushed to the right, to be safer for LHD drivers, and there's no knee airbag on the right. Given that I'll generally be trundling along towing I can probably live with that risk.
However TR7V8, your comments are a little worrying, if they're usually neglected and patched up finding a decent one could be tricky, I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road 400 miles away near to Knockhill. Does your Terry chap ever hear of decent ones up for sale or do pre-purchase inspections? Whereabouts is he based?
I've looked at the Ncap report, it appears in LHD format it's 4 star rated, but in RHD it's 2 star because the engine is pushed to the right, to be safer for LHD drivers, and there's no knee airbag on the right. Given that I'll generally be trundling along towing I can probably live with that risk.
However TR7V8, your comments are a little worrying, if they're usually neglected and patched up finding a decent one could be tricky, I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road 400 miles away near to Knockhill. Does your Terry chap ever hear of decent ones up for sale or do pre-purchase inspections? Whereabouts is he based?
Kevin Cozner said:
Thanks both.
I've looked at the Ncap report, it appears in LHD format it's 4 star rated, but in RHD it's 2 star because the engine is pushed to the right, to be safer for LHD drivers, and there's no knee airbag on the right. Given that I'll generally be trundling along towing I can probably live with that risk.
However TR7V8, your comments are a little worrying, if they're usually neglected and patched up finding a decent one could be tricky, I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road 400 miles away near to Knockhill. Does your Terry chap ever hear of decent ones up for sale or do pre-purchase inspections? Whereabouts is he based?
Kev, I'll PM you his details. He's based in Highham, Kent. He'd do a PPI or similar and may know of any around. He does Jeep & Chrysler stuff for miles around as far north as Manchester. I've looked at the Ncap report, it appears in LHD format it's 4 star rated, but in RHD it's 2 star because the engine is pushed to the right, to be safer for LHD drivers, and there's no knee airbag on the right. Given that I'll generally be trundling along towing I can probably live with that risk.
However TR7V8, your comments are a little worrying, if they're usually neglected and patched up finding a decent one could be tricky, I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road 400 miles away near to Knockhill. Does your Terry chap ever hear of decent ones up for sale or do pre-purchase inspections? Whereabouts is he based?
Kevin Cozner said:
tr7v8 said:
Kevin, your account doesn't permit emails. Either ping me one or change your profile please.
Sorry TR7V8, I've been trying to sort out my account to receive emails but I can't work it out, nor how to email you. Would you mind emailing me at kcozner944@gmail.com please?Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff