One of many was the ability of the Caravan to take cargo and still look empty. With the fall of I993 and the slushy winter weather about to arrive, I thought it might be time for a quite revisit with this evergreen sales leader, the I993 Dodge caravan. , I have become a convert to all- wheel drive (where those wheels which can use the power get them) and/or full time four-wheel drive (where all wheels get power all the time). We tested the Dodge Caravan with 3.0-litre V6 in these pages three years ago and found it more than adequate in every respect and superi- or in many. One thing which always stands out is how the sliding door at the side has its floor just at curb height - perfect to loading in bulky items; and in the case of my father, rolling him in with his wheelchair. The back door is one piece and folds up with no effort at all. Through a combination of target marketing, shrewd use of existing parts, and getting it right the first time Chrysler found an industry win- ner. and a partial company saviour in the bargain. "Minivans or People movers", as they are now generally called, are flooding the market. GM has the Astrovan. and Ford the Aerostar. Japan currently runneth over with people movers from the mid-size (Eagle Summit and Nissan Axxess) to family-size (Mazda MPV, Toyota Previa) to new releases like the Nissan Quest/Ford Villager which went on sale this fall. But the "coin of the realm" remains the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager duo which started it all. They got it right the first time and they've kept it right since. ince they were introduced. the SChryslei' Magicwagons not only unplugged one of the great untapped automotive market niches of all time. they showed North American carmakers could be as imaginative as any in the world. By Jim Robinson Special to the Beaver Dodge Caravan continues supremacy in mini-van market Many of you may have seen last OUR HUGE NEW VEHICLE SALES VOLUME + LOW OVERHEAD + LOW PRICES MEANS TOO MANY PRE-OWNED VEHICLES AT LOW LOW PRICES But back to the Caravan. You may already know the Caravan and its kin are the easiest of the "people mover" vans to see out from. Credit the large, barely curved side and rear windows for this. The instrument cluster is visibly changed but still easy to read. And the Voyager has a plethora of nooks and oddments holes liberally placed throughout, Overhead. for instance are droo- In a vehicle this outwardly large. having that extra traction gives a decided edge in bad weather. But during the rest of the year, it's sunny - right? If you‘ve ever been on the 401 when after a week of sun it rains lightly, you‘ll know what a slippery road can be like. Here's another occasion when AWD pays for itself. Firstly the AWD was a blessing to have during that night when the weatherman was calling for 30 plus centimetres of snow. We got half that amount but it really doesn't matter to the Caravan. With the power of the optional 3.3-litre V6 and the torque splitting of the central differential, I could tackle slush-covered to dry back to slushy highway stretches without feeling the difference through the steering wheels or the seat of the pants. r The New % OKKBLée SUPER IllltlllliAL" To have radically, or mildly changed, your product leader is something which just isn't done if you want to stay in the car business. Thus subtle re-styling on the outside combined with detail improvement throughout the interior is the order of the day in this case. season's commercials on TV where the old-style Magicwagon is re- shaped into the 1992. It looks much the same, but that only makes sense. 4 door, auto., air, cruise, tilt, windows, locks, original. Today's door crasher. Stock #93-105YB. The best one built and absolutely "no option missing". Bur undy with woodgrain siding and 1% LY priced to sell. ock #P7 l F. loaded, only 35,000 kms. Save tons! Stock #93-218VA 91 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE 4 door, automatic, fully fully 89 DYNASTY tf 4 door, "top of the line", absolutetly loaded, low low miles) A gem! Stock #P712. S22,!!! $12M! 39,!!!) $8,999 $10,999 $7,999 $4,900 $4,999 $2,999 $9,995 58,888 89 TOPAZ LS CARAVAN [E 1993 Dodge Caravan ES tt ue versatile transportation Lastly, you also k Chrysler engineering ll metal and that should to any new vel don't believe me ti to own after the war M have higher incomes. it noted that for I992 there i wheelbase and long whecll Wagons which are ideal ft on a tight budget seekir me 7 passenger, 6 cyl., air plus the toys! Burgundy & beaut Stock #93-163VA. down trays for sunglasses and anoth- er for your garage door opener. Under the front seats is a lockable storage bin. These are all people- friendly touches which represent a refinement of the concept and the willingness of Chryco's marketing people to act on areas which need detail or wholesale improvement. Chrysler Canada researchers have found Caravan (and Plymouth Voyager) buyers are more affluent than any other Dodge buyer group. According to Chrysler. Voyager con- tinues to represent one of the greatest opportunities to change the way peo- ple perceive Plymouth. Now that's a bold statement indeed, but all you have to do is go and sit in one. The seats are perfectly placed so you are lightly above the tramc but you don't have that I'm- in-a-truck fee first-class. scrimped on. And while 89 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER Loaded, luxurious, low low kms., all original. This one has it ALL! Stock #9375VA. m n Suffice 88 ARIES 4 DOOR 47,000 original one owner kilometres!!! Need we say more? Stock #9398HA. 6 cylinder, air conditionin and much more. Stock #931 STA. a nd fir 91 CARAVAN SE misc 90 tty/INA dow on don't have eling. The upl nothing h most say under ask kr uve '7' k lh h w an drivers should be If the short 1se Value . families thesheet II the roomy stew is nt IS 6 cyl., 5 spd., "the full load", low miles! A stunning and truly sporty beauty. Stock #93-217RA. 89 DODGE PICKUP 47,000 kilometres, 318 H.P., V8, automatic. Like new Stock #P688. 86 NEW YORKER TURBO 89 BERETTA GT COUPE 86 SUNBURST Automatic, 48 kilometres A must to see. Stock #9218HB. WI" Black with loads of luxury and loaded. Stock #P645. Luxury, economy, performance or utility. Convertible, sedan, pickup or 4x4. Domestic or 8 s,": im port Whatever you’res looking for in a new vehicle, your Saturn Saab Isuzu dealer’s gotit; _ V "s "7w ‘l‘xmnu 1llup:v.,, “1.1: irrc'utr'h'ritlt ' , \ . 7 ' Str' \I’l‘ I',R\ RU \l) SATURN ' b/ U s munâ€, m q .--- _,/, hir" lb") ISUZU SATURN 87 MAZDA CLUB CAB PICKUP Automatic, AM/FM, box liner and more, we're proud of this one! Grab it! Stock #9395PA. M B350 DODGE WAGON $2,999 $5,999 M CARAVAN [E Loaded, you have to see to believe. Stock #9359VA. 81,000 kilometres A must see. Stock #93106VA. 86 TEMPO 2 door and very affordable. Stock #9373HA. iid.'.).). C())2M) 'ii"lii(if iii:),,',:".')':-:;,),')')"- @mdl "020) j,..)ii),.egtiai;'jt"i" Wednesday, Apnl 21, 1993 - Automotlvo - " 89 FORD 4)(4 PICKUP (PLOW) Priced to compete. Loaded and unbelievable. Stock #92256PA. 4 door, full full load! Luxury at a truly AFFORDABLE price! Move fast. Stock #P664B. M RANGER Only 61,000 km., 6 cyl., full cap, like new. Must be seen. Stock #93102VA. Mice A Month, Every Month! 89 TOYOTA COROLLA 52,000 kilometres. Like new! Stock #93188VA. tlt 88 DYNASTY tf Ir?) ("fj/ii(i)ili.jpv, Wmom,