Dodge Grand Caravan

I had the opportunity to test drive the new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan a while back and I am finally getting around to sharing my experience. It has been on my to-do list for weeks, probably months and today is the big day. I guess I have been dragging my feet because I am sad to say that Dodge over did it with this van. I currently own the 2006 model, we aren't fancy people so we have the basics. And, we weren't looking forward to a huge car payment so we waited until the end of 2006 and basically took what was on the lot. We do have a DVD system and the power back door. That is my favorite feature! Anyways, this is about the 2008 model, not my current ride.
When the valet service dropped off the van, I hadn't quite had a full cup of coffee so I wasn't prepared for all the gadgets John was going to show me. Holy Cow! Here are the ones I love, just thought was cool but not necessities, and then the question marks.

Love 'Em:
Power Lift Gate (I mentioned that one already.)
Middle Row Widows (go all the way down!)
Seat Belts (they don't tangle--great for installing car seats!)
Extra Glove Compartment (what mom doesn't need more space to store crap? Think diapers and wipes, people.)
Keyless Entry/Auto Start (OH MY LOVE IT! I could see how the auto start feature could be really great on a hot summer or a cold winter day. I started this baby from like 50 feet away and I was inside the YMCA getting my kiddies from Kiddie Kountry. We are talking thick, cinder block walls, even!)

Like 'Em
Navigation System (can't use it while driving-bo0-who! What about the passenger?)
Two TVs (both can watch something different-but when the middle seat is swiveled backwards, you can't watch either one. Doesn't make sense.)


Leave 'Em
Swivel & Go Seats (they are huge and it makes the back seat area feel so claustrophobic. It made me long for my little Sto & Go seats)
Table in the back (are you kidding me? When the table it up, there are no room for people in the back.)
Flashlight. What?
Sirius Satelite Radio and TV (seriously, the "command center" was so complicated, I needed more than a week to figure it out. It even has a hard drive or something. Crazy. Point is, sometimes I just wanted to get in the car, start the engine, & turn on the radio before driving. Not so simple in this baby! And, the TV only has 3 chanels to choose from. Wimpy.)

I was so happy to have a week with this van. I discovered what I needed and what was just fluff. If I would have driven this guy once with the salesperson in tow, I certainly would have fallen head over heals in love and lost all sense of rationality. I love Dodge, we also have a Durango. We will probably always buy Dodge or Chrysler vehicles. But, if I had $40,000 to spend on a mini-van, do you really think I would be buying a Dodge?