Time to look at a new van since the old Plymouth is from 1996 and
110,00+ miles. So, I visited a local Dodge dealer earlier in the week. Nice non-pushy sales guy. Looked at the Caravan's and all the features I'd like and there was the one thing I wanted, the E85 option but that's as far as it went before things really got wierd.
First, I think Chrysler used a color-blind graphic designer. No one puts
10pt white type on a yellor and orange background making things about as unreadable as they could possibly be.
Then on to the pages with the engines, options and various packages available. Two models the SE and SXT and only the SE has the E85 option and the biggest part is they now call that a "base vehicle" and virtually none of what today are normal requested options are available. You have no choice but to upgrade( or is it being upcharged????) to a bigger engine(less fuel efficient) with no E85 in order to get the options you would want, which in my case are pretty normal, remote start, individual AC controls, stow-and-go(no captains chairs and table etc.), upgraded sound system with no DVD, mag wheels, and so on. Can't get it even as a custom order.
Just yesterday on a radio show when they were talking about the auto industry and sales they were pondering Chrysler and the opinion was the soon, in the next few years there might only be 2 US OEM's, with Chrysler out of the picture. So, you'd think Chrysler would be paying more attention in this day of alternative, renewable fuel, and not act as if the E85 thing is only offered for them to "appear" to plug into the "Green movement" when they are in no way encouraging folks to purchase an E85 vechile, but instead upcharging folks to a non0-green solution and in a more than transparent way.
It's indicative of the problems at Chrysler LLC and if it doesn't change, they will be left behind in today's marketplace.
Damn.