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Trans Blew on Wife's Chrysler Minivan, We Replaced It


Anthony

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PremierDrum already knows this from Facebook, but early last week, my wife's Chrysler minivan had the trans take a dump (A Chrysler transmission blew? What a surprise!)

 

Dealer wanted $4k (to start) to put in a re-manufactured unit, but the van is only worth $8k in good shape. So I put it up for sale for a couple grand and a guy is coming to get it tonight.

 

Well, we spent all of last weekend and part of this week test driving 3 row CUVs. My wife no longer wanted a minivan and I forbade her from getting another FCA product (she didn't need her armed twisted).

 

What did we get? (I didn't pick it if that helps)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lambda?

 

 

Cheater! You saw what we were test driving. ;)

 

Yeah, after driving the Explorer and the Lambda triplets, she went for a fully loaded Traverse LTZ. I had never been in one before but I was pretty impressed (even if the exterior is a bit dull). It has heated and cooled leather, Nav, dual sun roofs and the Video entertainment center for the kids, power folding mirrors, Bose 5.1 Surround sound, Tri-Zone HVAC. Tons of safety stuff (Forward Collision warning, lane departure warning, blindspot, etc etc etc). I'm not looking forward to having to replace the 20" tires though.

 

She really like styling on the Explorer, but she found the Traverse a bit easier to drive. Interior-wise, she felt more enclosed in the Explorer and felt she couldn't see as good out of it. She also did not like the HVAC / Radio controls in the Explorer. The Traverse was basically just a easier for her to live with on a daily basis. Who am I to complain, I just said "Yes Dear" and signed the check.

 

I liked the Explorer a lot (another vehicle I had never been in) and was impressed with the tech features (something that does not really impress my wife as much), but the Lambda had a better ride.

 

She also liked the weird leather color (which makes me now refer to the truck as the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown). The leather color looks better in person, but I could go either way.

 

In the end, she got what she wanted. I'm just scared to death of my kids using real doors now instead of the sliders. Door dings across the town!

 

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We pick it up tomorrow.

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Now you have timing chains/ leaking front cover, leaking front struts, and rear upper control arms to look forward to. :doh:

 

You may have dodged the leaking rear A/C evaporator.

 

 

...and if I bought an Explorer I'd have exhaust smells in the cabin, power steering breakdowns and other common issues to worry about.

 

Cars ain't perfect man.

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My mother in law has a 2010 (I think) Traverse and its a pretty decent CUV the times I've driven it or rode in it.

 

The funny thing is that its white and now my MIL is calling my wifes new White Escape Mini-me...never noticed they do look similar since the new front end was done on the Escape

 


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That interior color is.......interesting.

 

 

I thought the same thing when I saw it. I was surprised at how much it is offered in other brands. (I really have only seen it once or twice before)

 

Not really my cup of tea, but then again....this cup of tea is not for me.

 

Some others that offer it.

 

Lexus:

 

ABTL_2014-Lexus-RX-Rear-Seat.jpg

 

BMW

 

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Last gen Mustang??

 

103500d1277990795-anyone-have-saddle-int

 

 

Grand Cherokee:

 

76544105.jpg

 

Wrangler:

 

_0009_SB15_JKJS72_2TR_A7XV_Sahara_2_door

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