1997 Chrysler Town and Country Review
1997 Chrysler Town and Country Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Decent power with the 3.3-liter V-6, and can be turned into a trick sport wagon with the addition of the 3.8-liter V-6 . The AWD Town & Country is a nice alternative to truck-like sport utility vehicles.
Cons
- Although these are some of the hottest selling minivans in the country, their reliability suggests that Chrysler's engineers should pay less attention to cup holder placement and more attention to making sure that all of the screws are tightened.
What’s new
Chrysler's luxury minivans get a few improvements this year, as AWD extended length models are added to the lineup. Also new this year is a sporty SX model, which replaces last year's LX as the regular length Town and Country. Families with kids will love the standard left-side sliding door on this vehicle.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country LXi 4dr Ext Minivan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$241/mo for Town and Country LXi
Town and Country LXi
vs
$225/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Vehicle overview
Elegance and expressiveness, grace and grandeur. These are the words that describe Chrysler's posh rendition of the Dodge/Plymouth minivan.
Oh sure, you get the same fresh shape and interior space in a lower-priced Caravan or Voyager, the same car-like ride/handling qualities, the same practical virtues as a people and cargo hauler. What Chrysler adds to that mix is luxury. Plenty of it--and that's enough to attract a fair share of extra customers to the Chrysler end of the minivan spectrum.
Town and Country customers have three distinct choices now: the LX model, an "ultimate" LXi that promises features ordinarily found only on luxury cars--plus a new short-wheelbase (113.3-inch) SX version. (This minivan was badged the LX last year). The SX is Chrysler's sporty minivan. It offers cast aluminum wheels, touring tires, and a very inexpensive touring and handling package. Properly outfitted, the SX transforms into a quick, little sport van capable of embarrassing most sedan owners.
All-wheel drive, being all the rage right now, is optional on the LX and LXi models of the TandC. Since these minivans have only five-and-a-half inches of ground clearance, they aren't meant for serious off-road adventure. They do, however, give drivers the security of knowing that their traction is improved when driving on slippery surfaces. They also make piloting the extended length minivans a little more fun, by evening out the weight distribution and providing some rear-wheel motive power. Chrysler's AWD minivans also replace the standard rear drum brakes with discs.
All three minivans feature seven-passenger seating, with an "Easy-Out" rollaway back seat. A 3.8-liter V6 is standard in the LXi, and optional in its mates, which otherwise come with a 3.3-liter engine. Both engines drive a four-speed automatic transmission, which delivers neat and smooth gearchanges. Minivanners who do lots of highway cruising and Interstate hopping might be happier with the bigger engine, which lets the TandC pass and merge into traffic with greater confidence and briskness.
Extras in the LXi edition include dual-zone control heat/air conditioning, eight-way leather trimmed driver and passenger seats, plus a memory for both the seats and outside mirrors. A roof rack is standard on the LXi, and optional on the others. To further humiliate Ford Motor Company, which had the chance to put a left side passenger door on their Windstar and didn't, Chrysler has made this feature standard on all Town and Country models for 1997. If you want luxury and spaciousness, but you just can't abide the thought of a boxy Volvo wagon or lethargic Audi A6, drop by your local Chrysler store and try the Town and Country on for size.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Chrysler Town and Country.
5 star(33%)
4 star(39%)
3 star(25%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Buyer Beware
msbiggs30, 08/04/2009
1997 Chrysler Town and Country LXi 4dr Ext Minivan AWD
I bought this van b/c I needed more room for my 3 small children. The first thing to go wrong was the passenger sliding door. It gets stuck sometimes and is hard to open. The wipers have a mind of their own and will usually come on when I turn on the blinker. The ceiling lining is falling down. The passenger window has come off track, but the window motor is still good. I recently took … it for a diagnostic check and found that my 2 sensor and EG valve needs replacing. This was the reason that my "check engine" light was on. The cd player no longer works, but the radio is still good. Aside from these flaws it's very comfortable and luxurious feeling. My kids love all the room!!
3.5 out of 5 stars
Where are the lights
Ray, 11/27/2007
1997 Chrysler Town and Country LX 4dr Ext Minivan
We bought this car new and other than regular maintenance haven't had any repair issues. The real problem thought is the lack of headlights. In fact I can't believe that it is legal to sell a car with headlights this bad. We drive all the time with the brights on and never does anyone flash their lights at us. \The dims are completely useless and the brights only slightly better.
3.13 out of 5 stars
Terrible transmissions
Greg Goode, 07/29/2005
1997 Chrysler Town and Country LXi 4dr Ext Minivan
We owned a Dodge caravan before this T&C. We put 2 transmissions in it in 100,000 miles. We were skeptical about buying another Chrylsler van but we talked to the service manager at the dealership and he assured us that Chrysler had fixed their transmission problems, WRONG, Wrong and WRONG. We put 3 new transmissions in the 67,000 miles that we've had the van.WE bought it used with … 53,000 miles so it could have had more go bad. You might think that maybe it is our driving habits but in our 55 yrs of driving experience these 2 Chrylser vans are the only transmissions we have ever had go bad. We are selling this hunk of transmission junk ASAP and will never buy another Chrysler product.
3.25 out of 5 stars
Was Happy for a while.
WasHappy, 12/05/2002
1997 Chrysler Town and Country LXi 4dr Ext Minivan
We really love the way this vehicle
looks and handles. The plush interior
sold us right away. (Love at first
site.) Then reality sat in. We are
have had several electrical problems.
1.The windshield wipers comes on by
themselves from time to time whenever
the signal is used to make a turn.
2. We had to replace the motor in both
drivers and passenger side windows … 4
times, and now the passenger side
window is going out again.
3. The power seats motor on the
passenger's side has stop working
completely.
4. The driver's side seats will not go
up and back anymore.
Now my transmission is going out
1997 Town and Country Highlights
LXi
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $241/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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