We bought our Chrysler Town and Country Touring in February 2010. At the time we weren’t expecting it to be anything more than our family car. It would transport kids to school, football games, band concerts, grandparents house and errands. Fast forward two years and we decide to move to Florida and take on the life of travel photographer, bloggers and online entrepreneurs, and our family mini van is now going to be our Roadtrip vehicle and most important piece of business equipment we own.
When we moved to Florida our van had around 37,000 miles on it. Three and a half of years later our Chrysler Town and Country has over 135,000 miles on it. Since we left on our journey 7/15/2012, we have been on 34 roadtrips and hundreds (if not thousands) of day trips to theme parks, beaches, shows and more. I sat down and tried to figure out how many miles we have done just in the roadtrips, and calculated that we have put on roughly 35,000 miles. With our day trips from the Orlando area I have calculated that we have roughly put on additional 25,000 miles.
Over the last 12 months we are starting to see all our roadtripping taking it’s toll on our van and her age is showing. From replacing wheel bearings, a new radiator, spark plugs, head gasket bolts, the alternator and timing belt. We have gone through 3 sets of tires, 3 batteries, 4 new sets of brakes and more windshield wiper blades then I care to admit. As I am writing this, Patrick is learning how to fix our entertainment system, as both screens in the have stopped working. Yes, our Touring is showing her age, but I truly believe she still has some roadtrips left in her, and have taken to Google to research what others have experienced with their Chrysler T&C Tourings.
I found this Chrysler forum where owners and potential buyers talk about various things with Chrysler products. According to everything I have read there, our Town & Country should easily get to 200k miles for us. Which, with our current Florida Roadtrip Plans and any additional roadtrips outside of the state, we should reach within the next 2 years.
Now I am not gonna lie, I would much rather be roadtripping in an RV or a full size conversion van. My dream is that one day we will be proud RV owners and touring the US (& Canada) in our RV. I will be able to setup my camera on top of it and do astrophotography while Pat and the kids sleep soundly below…. Oh to dream…..
But, for now we will be sticking with our Chrysler Town & Country Touring until she gives out on us. I have managed over the last few years to get roadtripping with two little ones down to a science in our T&C. You would be surprised at how much stuff I can pack in our mini van and still seat us all comfortably for 12 – 16 hour drive days. What about you? How many miles have you put on your main roadtripping vehicle? How many miles do you expect it to last you?
Picking up a 2008 T & C with 118.000 miles on it tomorrow. Paying $6,300 for it. It’s a beautiful van and well maintained. Hoping to get lots of mileage at this price out of it.
I have a 2001 Chrysler T&C, it has 224K on it and it still runs great. I’ve replaced the radiator, hubs, struts, tires, battery, lower power steering hose, rear brake line, blower motor, passenger window motor, alternator, water pump – so I’ve replaced lots of stuff. But, the engine and transmission just keep purring along. The AC still works with the occasional recharge. All in all, it’s just been a great vehicle. I honestly have no idea how far it will go. I’ve changed the oil routinely, so I’m hoping it will just keep purring along. After replacing the struts and tie rods, the van handles really, really well. I also put a slightly smaller diameter tire with a bit lower profile. I think this helps reduce the ‘splashy’ effect of taller car tires. I highly recommend the van. It’s been great. It’s like my buddy used to say ‘you either buy parts or make payments.’ 🙂
I have an 2006 T & C with only 250k miles. Running strong! Doesnt smoke. Passes smog. I am down to 20 mpg freeway but what the heck. Its paid for and we expect many more miles out of her!
Good to read these reviews. I just had to replace my Honda Odyssey after a buck jumped in front of me. I am getting a 2009 T & C with under 60,000 miles from a friend. My first one after many different kinds of vans. Looking forward to long mileage. A little worried about the complaints about engines shutting down, but hoping for the best. Too old for too many worries!
My husbands old Dodge truck had a radiator problem and we lost the engine. Luckily for us (me), the repair shop had a 1996 Chrysler T&C with every gadget on it plus 140,000 miles, $1700. All the gadgets still work, it is something we could never have afforded, $24,000 from the start 20 years ago, am so glad to hear these things last. Never had a car with so many miles on it.
That’s an awful lot of problems for a 6-year old vehicle. I am surprised considering the Town and Country is rated fairly high. I had my 2001 Odyssey for 13 years and 177k miles and the only major issue was the transmission. I did perform regular maintenance and changed the tires 3x and the battery 2x and the headight bulbs 2x. Also had to replace the radiator due to rust (I live in NJ). I did have to get the electric sliding doors fixed a few times with Honda but they did that for free. I am now on my second Odyssey (2014) and love this one even more! They included free oil changes for the life of the vehicle and all I’ve had to pay for so far transmission fluid replacement at 30k miles and tire rotation – I’ve had the vehicle for 2 years now.
When you guys are ready to replace your T&C, look into the Odyssey. I highly recommend it!
After re-reading your post, I guess most of the problems you described are general maintenance issues with perhaps the only exception being the alternator but even that part isn’t extremely expensive – it’s the labor that kills you when you bring to the shop.
As for your check engine light, you can purchase an code reader plug-in to determine the error codes if you plan on more DIY maintenance. It’s $75 for the unit but you’ll end up paying that with 1 hour at any shop for diag anyway.
I have a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country Limited that I got for Christmas 2000, It has over 260,000 miles on it and we drive from the DC area north to upstate NY, west to ,Cincinatti Ohio, and south to Orlando, Fl. Like you we have replaced a few things, but my plan is to keep it until at least 300,000 miles
Wow! I am truly impressed! I am really hoping our van will make it to 300k as well
Hi, I’m looking to buy a 2005 tnc with 244000 on it. However the new transmission has only 2000 miles on it. My neighbor used it as a work vehicle, most miles are highway and he put 3 grand into it and is selling it for 2250. I’m not a car person but it drive like a dream and I think the price is great since he’s got new struts, axel, tranny, new JVC radio that pops out, has all the perks of tilt, electric and heated seats, sun roof etc. How long do you think this should last me if I drive Less than 12000 miles a year?