To be reasonable the '96 Caravan didn't handle quite as well as my BMW, but just the same it was no slouch when the road started to bend. Being relatively light, and due to a fairly wide front and rear track, it took to the curves with surprising agility. But just because it offered sporty maneuverability didn't mean I was shortchanged when it came to ride quality. The Caravan was superb, soaking up the bumps even when seated in the very back. It was quiet too, benefiting from slick aerodynamics, good sound deadening materials and a tight overall structure.
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| Being relatively light, and due to a fairly wide front and rear track, the Caravan takes to curves with surprising agility. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Speaking of quiet, during my last year with the van I lived in a hopelessly recluse seaside community just outside of the city, part way to a ski resort. Its location gave me much opportunity to test the Caravan's mettle through a winding and undulating stretch of highway. As mentioned its power and handling were more than adequate, but it was the van's braking ability that thoroughly impressed. On and off the pedal the brakes never faded, at least not noticeably so, offering strong performance assisted by ABS when necessary.
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| In my three years of owning the Caravan I ramped up more than 160,000 km, with only replacement tires needed. Nothing at all went wrong. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
While it's usually a good idea to stay away from the first year of any new model, I made the exception after learning just how much R & D time and money Chrysler Group put into its 1996 minivan lineup. Other than a strange and unexplained two time occurrence during my first month, when the engine and all associated power stopped while traveling at highway speeds, it ran without fault. In three years I ramped up more than 160,000 km, with only replacement tires needed. Nothing at all went wrong.