Town & Country Van

The 3.8 will get better mileage than the 3.3. I've put 300,000 on these
transmissions without trouble. I'm not that lucky, so they can't be
that bad. Your belt squeals because the tensioner is bad.


> I make no bones about it. I am a heterosexual male, with a wife and kids,
> but I *love* my Minivan.  Love it.
>
> The first one I had, a loaded Town & Country circa 1996 ran as smooth as a
> van could. Very easy ride. But the tranny goes at 100k. Everyone always told
> me that, and I believed them, too.
>
> The door mechanisms on that 1996 seemed a little under-engineered, or
> perhaps the doors were just too heavy.
>
> That one had the bigger 3.8l.  No problems at all, and it gave me excellent
> gas mileage. Just as good as the 3.3l I have now.
>
> The car I have now is a 2001 T&C and I think Chrysler under engineered a few
> pieces too many. The rack went out at 50k miles.  I have *Never* had that
> happen.  The electric door sticks in cold weather.  The ride isn't as nice
> (it is not the top of the line, either), and whenever I get a rain, my big
> serpentine belts squeaks.
>
> Like I said, I think I am going to Honda, Toyota instead.
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

"Ford Driver" <wingnut.RemoveThis@invalid.net> wrote in message
news:12l7eqs45vd5nfa@corp.supernews.com...
>I am looking at two 2006 Town & Country vans. One has a 3.8L engine, the
> other a 3.3L.
>
> Would appreciate comments re: one engine versus the other regarding
> reliability and known problems.
>
> Also would appreciate any known problems with 2006 Town & Country vans
> (Touring).
>
> Thanks for your time and comments.
>
>

I am on my second one, but I think it is going to be my last.

I make no bones about it. I am a heterosexual male, with a wife and kids,
but I *love* my Minivan. Love it.

The first one I had, a loaded Town & Country circa 1996 ran as smooth as a
van could. Very easy ride. But the tranny goes at 100k. Everyone always told
me that, and I believed them, too.

The door mechanisms on that 1996 seemed a little under-engineered, or
perhaps the doors were just too heavy.

That one had the bigger 3.8l. No problems at all, and it gave me excellent
gas mileage. Just as good as the 3.3l I have now.

The car I have now is a 2001 T&C and I think Chrysler under engineered a few
pieces too many. The rack went out at 50k miles. I have *Never* had that
happen. The electric door sticks in cold weather. The ride isn't as nice
(it is not the top of the line, either), and whenever I get a rain, my big
serpentine belts squeaks.

Like I said, I think I am going to Honda, Toyota instead.
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

Well the 3.3 is only on the lower end vans (ususally shorties). In that
config. should be fine. In the long I will recommend the 3.8. They are VERY
trouble free engines, the trans is no better or worse than any other Jap or
not, just be sure to have it serviced regularly and PROPERLY with correct
fluid and filter (no aftermarket allowed) and it should be fine. If you have
any asperations to haul a load or tow make sure you get the tow group. Even
if you don't tow it's not a bad idea to get it.
"Ford Driver" <wingnut.TakeThisOut@invalid.net> wrote in message
news:12l7eqs45vd5nfa@corp.supernews.com...
>I am looking at two 2006 Town & Country vans. One has a 3.8L engine, the
> other a 3.3L.
>
> Would appreciate comments re: one engine versus the other regarding
> reliability and known problems.
>
> Also would appreciate any known problems with 2006 Town & Country vans
> (Touring).
>
> Thanks for your time and comments.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

As both engines ARE an option on the LWB vans, the real questions might be:
(1) What kind of driving do you do and (2) How well equipped of a van are
you looking for?

(1) If you putter around town and spend a lot of time idling at traffic
lights, the 3.3 will serve you well and might eek out marginally better MPG.
On the highway, the differences MPG are negligible, but there is a distinct
power defecit in the 3.3 that appears during rapid acceleration and climbing
long slopes.

(2) While the 3.3 is an option, the higher end vans tend to favor the 3.8 as
standard equipment. The LXi ('04 and earlier) and Limited (all years), for
example, come standard with the 3.8. You can, however, find a gussied-up LX
('04 and earlier) with the 3.8 and many Touring editions will have the 3.8.

You can't really go wrong either way. Both engines are very reliable and
perform reasonably well. So don't worry about which you get; let the
options make the decition for you.

My 2 cents.

Bob


"jdoe" <jdoe.DeleteThis@msn.com> wrote in message
news:Q56dncpIc99rGcnYnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@insightbb.com...
> Well the 3.3 is only on the lower end vans (ususally shorties). In that
> config. should be fine. In the long I will recommend the 3.8. They are
> VERY trouble free engines, the trans is no better or worse than any other
> Jap or not, just be sure to have it serviced regularly and PROPERLY with
> correct fluid and filter (no aftermarket allowed) and it should be fine.
> If you have any asperations to haul a load or tow make sure you get the
> tow group. Even if you don't tow it's not a bad idea to get it.
> "Ford Driver" <wingnut.DeleteThis@invalid.net> wrote in message
> news:12l7eqs45vd5nfa@corp.supernews.com...
>>I am looking at two 2006 Town & Country vans. One has a 3.8L engine, the
>> other a 3.3L.
>>
>> Would appreciate comments re: one engine versus the other regarding
>> reliability and known problems.
>>
>> Also would appreciate any known problems with 2006 Town & Country vans
>> (Touring).
>>
>> Thanks for your time and comments.
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

Thanks for your input. Several people have recommended the 3.8. I believe
I am also going to look at a tow package (probably haveto go to a 2007 as I
haven't seen leftover 2006s with the tow package.

"Bob Snyder" <rcsnyder.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:_C35h.1759$vJ.51@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> As both engines ARE an option on the LWB vans, the real questions might
be:
> (1) What kind of driving do you do and (2) How well equipped of a van are
> you looking for?
>
> (1) If you putter around town and spend a lot of time idling at traffic
> lights, the 3.3 will serve you well and might eek out marginally better
MPG.
> On the highway, the differences MPG are negligible, but there is a
distinct
> power defecit in the 3.3 that appears during rapid acceleration and
climbing
> long slopes.
>
> (2) While the 3.3 is an option, the higher end vans tend to favor the 3.8
as
> standard equipment. The LXi ('04 and earlier) and Limited (all years),
for
> example, come standard with the 3.8. You can, however, find a gussied-up
LX
> ('04 and earlier) with the 3.8 and many Touring editions will have the
3.8.
>
> You can't really go wrong either way. Both engines are very reliable and
> perform reasonably well. So don't worry about which you get; let the
> options make the decition for you.
>
> My 2 cents.
>
> Bob
>
>
> "jdoe" <jdoe.RemoveThis@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:Q56dncpIc99rGcnYnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@insightbb.com...
> > Well the 3.3 is only on the lower end vans (ususally shorties). In that
> > config. should be fine. In the long I will recommend the 3.8. They are
> > VERY trouble free engines, the trans is no better or worse than any
other
> > Jap or not, just be sure to have it serviced regularly and PROPERLY with
> > correct fluid and filter (no aftermarket allowed) and it should be fine.
> > If you have any asperations to haul a load or tow make sure you get the
> > tow group. Even if you don't tow it's not a bad idea to get it.
> > "Ford Driver" <wingnut.RemoveThis@invalid.net> wrote in message
> > news:12l7eqs45vd5nfa@corp.supernews.com...
> >>I am looking at two 2006 Town & Country vans. One has a 3.8L engine,
the
> >> other a 3.3L.
> >>
> >> Would appreciate comments re: one engine versus the other regarding
> >> reliability and known problems.
> >>
> >> Also would appreciate any known problems with 2006 Town & Country vans
> >> (Touring).
> >>
> >> Thanks for your time and comments.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

They are identical engines except for the bore and stroke. They are also
very reliable. I had a 3.8, but it was written off in an accident. I ended
up getting a 3.3 for a replacement and I would say I preferred the 3.8 for
the extra torque. I never towed with it at all, but after having driven the
3.8 for just over two years, I definately noticed the difference driving
around. There is really no significant difference with fuel econamy, so I
would go for the 3.8
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van 

The towing package is a bonus on any van...if you don't mind a slightly
stiffer ride. It brings an extra transmission cooler on most years that may
contribute to a long and healthy transmission life. In other years, it may
also bring an auxillery oil cooler, but I'd be hard pressed to say which
years have what.


"Newby" <nobody DeleteThis @nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:12langolv8s1afa@corp.supernews.com...
> Thanks for your input. Several people have recommended the 3.8. I
> believe
> I am also going to look at a tow package (probably haveto go to a 2007 as
> I
> haven't seen leftover 2006s with the tow package.
>
> "Bob Snyder" <rcsnyder DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:_C35h.1759$vJ.51@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> As both engines ARE an option on the LWB vans, the real questions might
> be:
>> (1) What kind of driving do you do and (2) How well equipped of a van are
>> you looking for?
>>
>> (1) If you putter around town and spend a lot of time idling at traffic
>> lights, the 3.3 will serve you well and might eek out marginally better
> MPG.
>> On the highway, the differences MPG are negligible, but there is a
> distinct
>> power defecit in the 3.3 that appears during rapid acceleration and
> climbing
>> long slopes.
>>
>> (2) While the 3.3 is an option, the higher end vans tend to favor the 3.8
> as
>> standard equipment. The LXi ('04 and earlier) and Limited (all years),
> for
>> example, come standard with the 3.8. You can, however, find a gussied-up
> LX
>> ('04 and earlier) with the 3.8 and many Touring editions will have the
> 3.8.
>>
>> You can't really go wrong either way. Both engines are very reliable and
>> perform reasonably well. So don't worry about which you get; let the
>> options make the decition for you.
>>
>> My 2 cents.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>> "jdoe" <jdoe DeleteThis @msn.com> wrote in message
>> news:Q56dncpIc99rGcnYnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@insightbb.com...
>> > Well the 3.3 is only on the lower end vans (ususally shorties). In that
>> > config. should be fine. In the long I will recommend the 3.8. They are
>> > VERY trouble free engines, the trans is no better or worse than any
> other
>> > Jap or not, just be sure to have it serviced regularly and PROPERLY
>> > with
>> > correct fluid and filter (no aftermarket allowed) and it should be
>> > fine.
>> > If you have any asperations to haul a load or tow make sure you get the
>> > tow group. Even if you don't tow it's not a bad idea to get it.
>> > "Ford Driver" <wingnut DeleteThis @invalid.net> wrote in message
>> > news:12l7eqs45vd5nfa@corp.supernews.com...
>> >>I am looking at two 2006 Town & Country vans. One has a 3.8L engine,
> the
>> >> other a 3.3L.
>> >>
>> >> Would appreciate comments re: one engine versus the other regarding
>> >> reliability and known problems.
>> >>
>> >> Also would appreciate any known problems with 2006 Town & Country vans
>> >> (Touring).
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for your time and comments.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Town & Country Van