I bought a Routan SEL on August 22, 2009. Before going to the dealer, I felt that I could never afford a vehicle with so many accessories and that I would have to settle for less, or go used. My Volkswagen dealer surprised me with a very workable deal, 1.5% APR for 72 months, and 3 year/36,000 mile free maintenance. I am absolutely thrilled with the peoplemover, its style, its economy, its ride, and its Volkswagen-ness.
Early reviews of the Routan were negative. They were written by people who hated minivans, hated Chrysler, and/or hated Volkswagen. The ride was too stiff. It wasn't stiff enough. It wasn't VW-ish enough. It wasn't a micro-bus. It was made by Chrysler. And the complaints went on.
Admittedly, many of the reviewers must have gotten early production models. A common complaint was that the gear shifter felt loose, like it would fall off. Mine feels right, so I suspect that an adjustment was made in the production run. Or, they all got the same press fleet model; and it was built on a Friday third shift. (All Routans are built in Chrysler's Windsor, Ont. plant during the third shift.)
I have heard these negative comments parroted by pundits, commentators, and people who want to throw there 2 cents in (3 cents in Canada :)) Routan owners, long term testers, and real Moms and Dads give a totally different opinion. This blog will be a voice for that different opinion.
“I have the heart for healthcare”
3 years ago
What is volkswagen-ish about it? It's a Chrysler Minivan. They stopped leading the pack about 10 years ago. Did VW do anything specific to the chassis tuning for this model? There's something cynical about blatantly badge engineered vehicles.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a nice vehicle and you like it and like the deal you got; good for you. But please don't try to convince the rest of the world you've got a silk purse from a sows ear.
You probably could have really saved some coin if you would have just bought the Caravan. Same car.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get the same accessories on the Town & Country for the price, and I couldn't get 1.5% financing. Also, the Chrysler dealer couldn't even match the price on the Chrysler web site. I bought the Routan at below invoice.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Routan interior looks better to me. So does the nose and tail.
It has a grill and nose similar to other Volkswagen products and less like the flat Caravan/T&C front.
ReplyDelete"Absent is the boxy rear-end styling of most Chrysler minivans and the interior is uniquely Volkswagen with high-quality switchgear, well coordinated trim, and glossy looking gauges.
Volkswagen engineers altered the suspension bushings, springs, steering, and shock dampers to shift handling away from the typical minivan driving experience and towards a driving experience that is unlike any minivan around."--http://www.autotropolis.com/2009/volkswagen/routan/reviews.html
There is nothing cynical about this badge engineering. VW wanted to enter the U.S. mini-van market segment, so they started with something U.S. shoppers would buy--a Grand Caravan/T&C. Chrysler has a combined 38.74% of the market--more than twice that of Toyota, and close to Honda and Toyota combined.
It is a nice vehicle. I'm happy with it, the financing and 3 year free maintenance.
If you don't own a mini-van and haven't spent more than a single test drive in a Routan, don't try to convince the rest of the world that a silk purse is a sow's ear.