- minivan 372,369
- Bel Air, MD
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- autoshopper.com
2003 chrysler voyager review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The voyager delivers all the minivan essentials at prices that are hard to beat. the voyager is comfortable and easy to drive, with excellent visibility. The seats are easily removable, so it can be quickly set up to haul a load of lumber. It comes standard with air conditioning, seating for seven, and am/fm stereo cassette. the 3. 3-liter v6 comes with the voyager lx with the popular equipment package 23,640), which adds a tachometer, rear-window defogger, upgraded sound insulation, and more convenience items, including power windows and rear vents, cruise control, and tilt steering. both modes feature new matisse cloth upholstery for 2003, along with floor mats, front and rear. all voyagers are equipped with multi-stage dual front airbags that inflate at varying rates depending on the severity of an impact; this limits the potential for airbag-related injuries. Both models offer optional front-passenger side-impact airbags 390) and built-in toddler safety seats (prices vary with different option packages). power-adjustable pedals 185), promised last year, are now scheduled for late-2003 release. They will allow the brake and gas pedal to move back or forward 2 3/4 inches to tailor the driving position. Other popular options include a power sliding passenger-side door, second-row bucket seats and wireless headphones for the rear seats (these play cassette, cd or radio broadcasts independent of what's playing over the external speakers.) many options are packaged in groups, so check details at a dealership or on the internet at www. The standard wheel covers are attractive, and difficult to discern from alloy wheels at a distance of more than a few feet. both models feature sliding rear doors on both sides, and they open with minimal effort. The rear gate lifts just as easily, and features standard lamps that flood light on the pavement below. voyager received its last engineering overhaul in 2001, when the body shell was strengthened and tightened, and noise, vibration and harshness were significantly reduced. Nearly every interior dimension increased at least slightly, and the wheels were moved further toward the corners of the vehicle. That increased space inside, and improved balance and stability when the voyager is on a voyage. . interiorthe voyager driver sits in front of a simple gauge cluster with a big speedometer in the center, fuel and water temperature gauges on either side, and warning lights lurking behind. Large, dark graphics on a white background make the instruments exceptionally easy to read. Radio and climate control buttons are concentrated in a center pod between the front seats. The switches feel reasonably sturdy and can be reached with minimal distraction from the task of driving. Large dash vents move lots of air. the finish inside this minivan is not bad at all. The door panels are unadorned hard plastic, perfect for easy clean-up when smudged with mud or chocolate. The vinyl headrests look substandard, and the material around the backs and sides of the seats is only a small step up. Yet the seating surfaces are soft and plush. All panels and trim match nicely, and the cabin is lined throughout with decent grade of carpet. the value equipment voyager has only two adjustments on the front seats: fore-and-aft and recline. And its steering column is fixed. Nonetheless, even this most basic voyager allows an excellent driving position for a wide range of body types, and the seats themselves are very good. They're wide enough to accommodate large folk, and cushy enough to be comfortable without feeling too soft. voyager has a shorter wheelbase than many minivans, but the third bench in back still seats average-size adults in reasonable comfort. All things being equal, we prefer it. No, the middle bench won't keep squabbling siblings separated. On the other hand, it allows easier access to the third seat and more cargo options without removal. speaking of removal, voyager's seats come out easily, latching and unlatching from the floor mounts with a couple of levers. It's easier if a friend or spouse helps heft them out, but a reasonably robust individual can manage in a pinch. Once the seats are on the ground they roll easily on their wheels. such conveniences are a critical component of a minivan's appeal, and when it comes to conveniences the voyager's value equation gets a little tricky. The crank windows on the value equipment model are no problem at all. The biggest downside is the inability to roll down a passenger window while driving. the side mirrors are another story. They're big enough for a good range of vision, and they fold inward to fit tight spaces or prevent damage at the bank machine. Yet they must be adjusted manually, and that can be a cumbersome process, particularly when a driver is alone. (power locks, windows, and heated mirrors can be ordered on the value equipment model for $755.) there is, on the other hand, a standard rear wiper. there are no pockets or bins on voyager's doors or seatbacks, just a cargo net between the front seats and an open space in the center portion of the dashboard. The glove box is small, but that's balanced by a locking drawer under the front passenger seat. There are decent cup holders at every seating position; two power points in the dash (one switched with ignition) and a third near the hatch; map lights in front, a dome light for both the second and third seats, and those handy floodlights in the rear hatch. in overall cargo capacity, the voyager doesn't give up much to long-wheelbase vans such as the town & country. With the seats removed, the voyager will handle most jobs the typical household demands, be it hauling sheets of building material or a 35-inch tv still in the carton, all fully protected from the elements. It's when all se. driving impressionthe chrysler voyager provides plenty of civilized, all-purpose family-mobile at an attractive price. We drove a base model, kids in tow, across lower michigan and back. On the plus side, we managed an honest 24 mpg on the interstate without even trying. yet in a 3900-pound minivan, 150 horsepower is adequate, and not an ounce more. Off the line, voyager is one of the more sedate performers we've encountered in some time. The short wheelbase (relative to some minivans) is actually an advantage. Voyager's 37. 6-foot turning circle is quite manageable, allowing it to negotiate tight parking lots as adeptly as a mid-size sedan. Ride quality is good, but there's no feeling of disconnection from the pavement. The steering is light, but never sloppy. In short, the voyager driver feels firmly in control in all circumstances. At 75 or 80 mph, even with a crosswind, this minivan is stable and firmly grounded. voyager stops with less authority than some minivans, but we have no gripe about braking distances. Power Locks✔ Power Windows✔ Tachometer✔ Bucket Seats✔ AM/FM✔ Air Conditioning✔ Cruise Control✔ Climate Control✔ Alloy Wheels
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