1998 Chrysler Town and Country LXi from North America - Comments

When I bought this Van I thought it was the quietest and best van I owned. I had a 1992 Chrysler Voyager and this 1998 Van was quieter and rode better. Every 12,000 to 15,000 miles I had to put new front brakes on it, which I expected from experience with my older van. I live in Pittsburgh and this is the capital of brake jobs due to the hills. At 60,000 miles the ignition key column locked up and had to be replaced and was not covered by warranty. Cost $350 and now I have two keys one to get in the car the other to start the car. At 75,000 miles the air conditioner evaporator under the dash leaked freon and cost $700 to replace. The 1992 also had this defect. At 92,000 miles the transmission completely broke down and had to be replaced at a cost of $2,500. The gears locked up and at the time broke the axle costing another $500. While replacing the transmission the transmission shop noted that rear heater lines were rotten leaking antifreeze and had to be replaced costing an additional $200. After leaving $3,500 at the transmission dealer, 2,000 miles later the computer shorted out costing $1,500 to replace because it also caused the spark plugs to burn up. The dealer said battery acid ate the wiring away causing the computer to short out. The battery shows no leakage of acid so how did the computer's wires get so rotten they shorted out? So in one year, 2003, I put over $6,500 in this Van. My 1992 Van transmission had to be replaced at 69,984 miles and was covered by the warranty. At exactly 140,000 miles it had to be replaced again. The transmission repair shop said up to 1997 all Chrysler Vans had to have a new transmission at 70,000 miles and recommended buying a 1998 since they were better. Yes, 22,000 miles better. Knowing the history of my 1992 van I bought extended warranty insurance up to 70,000 miles only to have everything fail at 92,000 miles I have had it with Chrysler Vans.

I do like the comfort, quietness and versatility of my van. I can take 7 people on long trips in comfort. I only wish the transmissions and computers would last longer.

I wonder about people who buy extended warranties. Here's why. The buyer is making a bet with the car company. The buyer puts up money - the dealer/company puts up a promise. The buyer bets that the car he just bought is going to break down. Hello? Yes, the only way the buyer can win is if the car breaks down. The car dealer wins if the car he just finished telling the buyer was great does NOT breakdown. Like he already promised. So, the car company gets and extra whack of cash for essentially very little risk. Oh, and he makes the rules of the game and gets to decide what is fair. Say no to extended warranties. They are for chumps.

Well since the only comment to my review of my Town and Country was to note that I was a chump to buy an extended warranty, I guess I was right about this van except on my bet that it would break before 70,000 miles. I guess everyone who buys fire, flood, auto or other insurance and never get to use it are chumps too. All insurance policies are essentially bets that something will, or will not happen. I have to tell you though, when one of those extended warranty companies did call and offer me extended warranties on this van when I had 90,000 miles they told me "never mind". They told me it would cost too much for them to provide an extended warranty on this van. What did they know? They knew at 90 some thousand miles the transmission, computer and air would go soon. They know, they know!!!

Dear 1998 Chrysler T&C owner. I feel your pain. I bought a 1999 T&C LXi and I absolutely love the styling, the bells and whistles, and the comfort. I have had a lot of repairs, though. I sort of accept normal problems, like brakes, alternators, struts, etc., as a given. However, in the past 18 months, bizarre things have happened to my 6-year old van. The factory-installed radio/CD player died a sudden death. Second, something keeps draining the battery, but the mechanics can't find the problem (so I carry a set of jumper cables at all times, just in case it doesn't want to start). The computer panel that controls the A/C (located on the dash just below the radio), suddenly stopped working, at a cost of $600 to replace. Now, I'm hearing a whirring sound when I accelerate (it has 97,000 miles), and when the dealership tells me on Monday that it's the transmission, I'll probably say, "Don't even bother fixing it." I'd rather cut my losses and plop $3,000 down on a replacement vehicle. I guess what is so disappointing is that for a 1999 sticker price of $32,500, I expected better quality and more reliability. My husband is still fond of the T&C line, but I'm ready to take a chance on a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan minivan.

As for the comment on purchasing an extended warranty, or life insurance, or even a termite contract, you go into it hoping you never have to use it, but it gives you the peace of mind that if you do need to use it, it's there.

I found this sight because I'm trying to get the price and availability of the steel rear heater hoses... the first set coming from the engine compartment. Just a quick observation... the T&C's are indeed technical marvels, but I dread the day I have those kinds of problems. My brother gave me his '98 LXI with 128K on it (he got stuck with it when it was totaled and then fixed after he had already bought a new car... long story). The trans was rebuilt at around 98K. I've had it six months and already have a laundry list of repairs for it. The oxygen sensor failed emissions here in Pa. for a cost of around $400 or so. I gave it the 30K (seems kind of high maintenance) trans checkup for $100.00 at a dealer. In the mean time it needs a front wheel bearing, tie rod ends, rear shocks, leaf spring rear shackles, and yes... the rear heater hoses are rotting (too close to the Cat Cracker). Some day I will figure out how to adjust those crazy parking brakes (I'm a DIY). Also, the engine has developed a valve tap and I don't think it is going to go away unless I replace the engine. When we got it my wife wanted to get rid of our 1980 Volare'. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I thought we should keep the old girl (the Volare') around for a while as a spare. Well, same weekend that our other late model marvel Taurus had it's check engine light ($$$) come on, the Volare' rolled over at 200K. Moral of the story... the new fangled cars are nice, but the Volare and its kind will be forever faithful with a $40.00 water pump and a full tank of gas. By the way, I miss my Ford Club Wagon XLT too.

Dear Town and Country LXI owners: I'm quite relieved to read your comments here. I thought my husband and I were isolated in our experiences with our '98 TC LXI minivan. We haven't even owned it for 6 months and we've already put down $4,000 worth of repairs. I had been driving it for 3 years as part of my nanny job and had bought it from the owner when they upgraded to a Toyota Sienna. I thought that this would be a good investment early in our marriage: the owner gave us a family discount, it only had 87,000+ miles and I have kept it up pretty decently while it was in my care. But, no sooner after we transferred titles, things started breaking. We've had to repair the compressor/AC ($1,800), front brakes, rear brakes, the bearing on the middle left passenger seat is broken and squeaks incessantly! Most recently, while we were out of town, 4 hours away from home, the valve lifter breaks and starts rattling in the engine! The mechanic that AAA recommended said that it is still drivable, but would soon conk out. Ergo, either replace the engine or...I've had it with the TC Lxi! I do love the space, convenience, the look and the ease in driving but not if it drains thousands of dollars from our pockets! My husband and I are going to consider buying a Honda or Toyota rather than replace the engine. I welcome any comment or advice. I'm tempted to buy another TC Lxi, but I'd like to think I've learned from my bad experience with this money trap of a mini-van.

It's all on how the owners care for the vehicle. We have a 1998 T&C with 217,000 + miles on it and it still runs great. I had to passed down from a family member who really cared about the maintenance.

I wonder if the transmissions would last longer if the oil was changed at sensible intervals (i.e. Dexron II oil starts to show a sinificant and measurable reduction in heat transfer performance at 400 hours use, equivalent to about 24000 highway miles).

But many manufacturers say the gearbox oil never needs changing at all on some models (don't know if the Town and Country is one of them).