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Many of you may have seen last season's commercials on TV where the old-style Magicwagon is 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). One of many was the ability of the Caravan to take cargo and still look empty. With the fall of 1993 and the slushy winter weather about to arrive. I thought it might be time for a quite revisit with this evergreen sales leader, the 1993 Dodge Caravan. 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 superior in many. - 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. One thing which always stands put is how the sliding door at the side has its floorjust at curb height "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. Through a combination of tar- get marketing, shrewd use of exist- ing parts, and getting it right the first time Chrysler found an indus.. try winner, and a partial company saviour in the bargain. ince they were introduced. S the Chrysler Magtcwagons not only unplugged one of the great untapped automotive market niches of all time, they showed North American carmak- ers could be as imaginative as any in the world. By JIM ROBINSON Special to the Beaver Still sets the pace for mini-wagons The instrument cluster is visibly changed but still easy to read. And the Voyager has a plethora of nooks and oddments holes liberal- ly placed throughout. Overhead. for instance are "people mover" vans to see out from. Credit the large, barely curved side and rear windows for this. In a vehicle this outwardly large, having that extra traction gives a decided edge in bad weath- er. 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. But back to the Caravan. You may already know the Caravan and its kin are the easiest of the 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 split- ting 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. To have radically, or mildly changed, your product leader is something which just isn't done if you want to stay in the car busi- ness. Thus subtle re-styling on the outside combined with detail improvement throughout the inte- rior is the order of the day in this case. re-shaped into the 1992. It looks much the same, but that only makes sense. Mtge Caravan for instance are 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan G Samce it to say. that in ple mover market scgn Chrysler Magicwnzon an: whict Lastly. you also know there is Chrysler engineering under the sheet metal and that should be important to any new vehicle buyer. If you don't believe me, go ask the Class A mechanic down at the corner gas station and find out what car he'd want to own after the warranty runs out. wheelbase Value Wagons which are ideal for families on a tight budget seeking roomy. versatile transportation. Now that's a bold statement indeed, but all you have to do is go and sit in one. The seats are per- fectly placed so you are lightly above the traffic but you don't have that l‘m-in-a-truck feeling. The upholstery is first-class, noth- ing has been scrimped on. And while most Caravan drivers have higher incomes. it should be noted that for 1992 there is the short wheelbase and long Chrysler Canada researchers have found Caravan (and Plymouth Voyager) buyers are more affluent than any other Dodge buyer group. According to Chrysler, Voyager continues to represent one of the greatest opportunities to change the way people perceive Plymouth. drop-down trays for sunglasses and another for your garage door opener. Under the front seats is a lockable storage bin. These are all people-friendly touches which represent a refine- ment of the concept and the will.. ingness of Chryco's marketing people to act on areas which need detail or wholesale improvement. unuc the n'l believe me, go mechanic down at alien and find out 9t tthepet th c"ppcy,r,trti; l OAKVILLE ca The SAE Grade (5W30 or l0W30) rates the viscosity of the oil. Remember the lower the number, the easier the oil will tlow. dard 5,000 kilometres. Check your owner's manual for rt mended grades. ca Oil filters should be changed with every oil cl Otherwise it can be computed to bathing in dirty bath v ca SG is currently the highest quality motor oil ( market. As of July l, I993, SH will become the new ‘3'!- enough/m Oil change tips and pointers CI The first number (the D Enuine 297 Spam Road il hould be changed every Check your owner'; m: Tires . Tune-Ups 0 in SW30) indicates the oil 100m try three month manual for rem 845-4227 Ips 0 Shocks . Brakes . Alignment . Oil, Lube & Filter. han m the m m n Jr ug Lighler oils such as SW30 and 10W30 im economy and extend engine life because they rea engine parts more quickly than IOW40 oils, Cl Energy Conserving I l on the oil label indie that provides at least 2.7% better fuel economy ll pared to standard reference oils. The Energy C label means a l.8% better fuel ecnnnmv "sill i... nu. Opt 303 Upper Middle Road E. 338-00“ U Lit C] Th S' visc tm ily in any cold 'il fl; It any cold weather. The W st: ast two numbers (the 30 in ity at warmer engine tempt mperature tint "eterence oils, The Energy Conserving better fuel economy will be obtained. 1n May rs (the 30 in SW30) indicate the :ngine temperaturesAn SAE-30 m SAE-40 oil at the same engine better fuel economy when com Huh Ttay ht The W stands for winter " alt ml purdmca 0A.C al 199 MC lune 5. I995, Call for I and sale prices, Prices ash down. No Emma! months to pay on 10W30 improve fuel se they reach critical Automotive - A3 $8f xcccding D Kraut-in w I 1". " Hes an oil