I would get the 2011, updated styling, the 3.6 seems to be a good engine from what I read, I had a later built (2007) 3.8 and like most, had a severe oil burning problem, no smoke, no leaks but killed the CAT at 96,000 miles. I did a search on this forum for 3.8 liter oil consumption and found a myriad of information. I am sure others will chime in with their thoughts also. Good luck on your decision.

 

Thx good to hear. Our 2010 GC did use a little Not terrible but at least a quart between changes. Our van had 114k on it when I sold it. I just don't wanna deal with rotors over and over arg

 

...I just don't wanna deal with rotors over and over arg...

Unfortunately the 2011 Routan has the same brakes that your 2010 GC did.

I would get the 2011, updated styling...

There was no 2011 refresh for the Routan, just the Grand Caravan and Town & Country.

 

They didn't go to HD brakes until 2012. Early 3.6 models had some head issues. I would check to see if it is one of those.VW or chrysler should be able to tell you.

 

Ok great guys! Thanks for the info. I wish I could find a nice 4.0 T&C but they are pretty pricey if nice. I need to look for one tonight. Because I do not want brake issues or head gaskets either. Geez

 

Try to squeak up to a 2013, HD breaks and the head issue was resolved.

 

The head issue only affected a very small percentage of vehicles equipped with the 3.6 for that model year.(2% IIRC)

 

When I was looking I found I could get a better deal on the Town and Country than the Routan. Of the two you mention, I would choose the '11 if the accident damage wasn't major. No problems with the motor on my 3.6 w/90K miles just minor issues with other parts of the van... Brakes have been troublesome, and just now the A/C went out.

 

The 4.0 is a good engine, but it is an interference engine with a timing belt. The 3.6 does not have a timing belt or head gasket issues, but the 2 4 6 cylinder head was known to fail (not catastrophically) in a small percentage of 2011 to 2012 models. Chrysler now warranties this for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Unfortunately, I don't think the VW Routan is covered by the Chrysler warranty. You will have brake issues unless you have the 17" wheels with the dual piston heavy duty brakes, which were not standard across all models until 2014.

 

...Unfortunately, I don't think the VW Routan is covered by the Chrysler warranty...

But it is covered by Volkwagen's 10 years or 150,000 miles extended warranty: Warranty Extension Notice for Left Cylinder Head 2011-2012 Routan

 

My 2007 T&C with the 3.8 never burned a drop of oil in the three years I had it, but it was also not exactly a powerhouse. I had a 2010 with the 4.0 and a 2011 with the 3.6. The 3.6 is a better engine than the 4.0, but the difference in power wasn't all that much.

I'd go with the 2011 with the 3.6, but then drive immediately to a garage, or if you're mechanically inclined, do it yourself, but get rid of the standard brakes as quickly as possible! As far as I'm concerned, the standard brakes on those vans were borderline dangerous. One stop with heavy use of the brakes would render them just about unusable until they cooled down, and then you would have probably warped the disks anyway.

Drove a neighbors Routan once. I could discern no difference in the handling or suspension. You also won't get the Stow-N-Go seats with the Routan as Chrysler would not license them to use their design.

 

I almost got a Routan also...better looking at the rear by far.
But I found a GC that was nice and it came with a warrantee which the Routan did not have.
I love the 3.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ok all good info folks! Thank u... I am looking at a 2010 T&C with 4.0... Do these limited have brake issues as well? When is suggested time on timing belt change on this engine?

 

...I am looking at a 2010 T&C with 4.0... Do these limited have brake issues as well?...

All the 5th Gen vans from 2008 thru 2011 have the same brakes. The heavy duty brakes started to appear in the 2012 model year (only some 2012's have the heavy duty brakes).

 

The timing belt change is at 100,000 miles, The Gates kit was $280.00 at NAPA and took me about 8 hours. the book time to complete is 3 hours, I would suspect that a mechanic would charge you around $200.00 to $250.00 in labor. I have had my 2010 T&C for three weeks and have not checked my brakes yet. waiting for a free weekend. Another small issue with the 4.0 liter seems to be the EGR valve. causes some low speed stuttering, that took about an hour to replace, Amazon $80.00 well worth it, Napa and Oreillys want 145.00 for the same part. Now I have ESP/BAS lights on, looks like I will be swapping clock springs soon

 

105,000 miles or ~7 years which ever comes 1st. Water Pump and idler/tension pulley while it's apart. The build date of the 2010 can make it close to 7 years already, would change it ASAP since it's an interference engine.

 

The 2012 Routan I looked at only came with 36/3 yr so not as long as the Dodge one.

 

I was just concerned about the head warranty, according to post #13, it is the same as Chryslers

 

Maxcare warranty from Chrysler on a VW Routan??

 

Most manufacturers offer private branding but in exchange for a bigger discount, will not offer any warranty at all, warranty will be honored by the owner of the private brand.

I have experience with private branding, every time, I got big discounts in exchange of warranty. The issue with vehicles is, who will be responsible in case of a recall?

Now, if customer have yo pay gor additional warranty, then the original manufacturer may be willing to roll the dice.

 

I need to look into maxcare. I am not familiar with it. I have not done anything as of yet. I guess I am still thinking about how much I want to spend and is I should go T&C or Routan. Due to all the VW huhbub prices on VWs are low. I bought a new Passat (gas) in October and got $7000 of sticker. I am already seeing values even with that discount are awful. I could NEVER sell my Passat and get my payoff today.

 

Ok so I have nailed down a deal on the 2011 Routan. I like the 3.6 power! However the finance company US Bank is insisting I take gap insurance and a 24 mo/24k mile ext warranty! I do not want a warranty! I bought one for $1400 on my 2010 GC and it was useless. Would not pay for anything because my van came without service records. So I told the guy I would take it if I don't have to buy the extras. Heck it added $46 a month to my payment. What y'all think? Any experience with any ext warranty?

 

Find another finance company on your own. You don't have to take out either of those things to get a loan.

 

Is probably the sales person trying to sell extras. Have you actually spoken to the finance company?

 

After some more questioning and making a few demands I do not have to take warranty or gap. I am very pleased with the deal I will be getting. Now I started looking at consumer reviews and they are not great. People having electrical problems where the van shuts down at freeway speeds. Spun bearing in engines. Junky interior with rattles. Geez. I will keep y'all posted what I do. Thx for the response.

 

Joe, don't worry so much. The electrical issues with the car shutting down were for older models(2010 and older) and Chrysler recalled to fix it. I haven't heard of any spun bearings on a pentastat motor (3.6). Rattles are an issue but you have driven the van so you should have an idea how noisy that one is

 

And realistically, there are some issues with these vans but most are annoyances. They aren't as nice as say the Honda IMO but the cost difference is so big. Biggest issue so far with mine is the current a/c failure which I don't yet know what it will cost.

 

I wouldnt consider the phoenix engines noisy during operation. Personally I think they they are one of the quietest engines ive ever heard at operating temp.

I have noticed that the lifters chatter untill oil pressure hits them if the car sat for a weekend or any extended period of time.

 

Thanks for the encouragement! Rattles and such do not bother me. Van has none from just test driving. Glad to hear about the electrical issues. I just get nervous when I have to take a loan in an older vehicle. But i did the same thing on my 2010 GC and other than having the rotors done twice during the year I owned it I had no other problems. That vehicle was our test van to see if we wanted to spend a little more and get one with goodies. I am just gonna go with this good feeling I have and do it. I did research the warranty they are offering and of course it's junk. We will be going to pick it up tomorrow evening. 2 hr drive. I will keep u all posted! Thks again!