Seat change for Town & Country?

Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
(Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
for something else.

They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.

I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
thing.

1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
really change manufacturers?

2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?

3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
comfy seats?

Thanks, all!

Mike
O-

Don't know much about the seats, but I know a lot of folks that have gotten
good service out of their Chrysler vans well in excess of 100K miles.

Don't know much about the seats, but I know a lot of folks that have gotten
good service out of their Chrysler vans well in excess of 100K miles.

I believe low end models in 2004 did not have the fold away seats so you
might check out left overs on the lot. Note that the cushioning is thinner
but higher quality. Although the foam may initially feel hard it might
actually prove more comfortable on a longer trip. Try sitting in it for
several minutes before giving up. It is similar to the expensive pillows
sold at Brookstone. Body heat softens it so you have to sit on it for a
while to judge it. We like the pillows.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
> LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
> miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
> (Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
> The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
> for something else.
>
> They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
> looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
> fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
> that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
> night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.
>
> I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
> then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
> seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
> thing.
>
> 1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
> really change manufacturers?
>
> 2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?
>
> 3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
> comfy seats?
>
> Thanks, all!
>
> Mike
> O-
>

I believe low end models in 2004 did not have the fold away seats so you
might check out left overs on the lot. Note that the cushioning is thinner
but higher quality. Although the foam may initially feel hard it might
actually prove more comfortable on a longer trip. Try sitting in it for
several minutes before giving up. It is similar to the expensive pillows
sold at Brookstone. Body heat softens it so you have to sit on it for a
while to judge it. We like the pillows.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
> LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
> miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
> (Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
> The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
> for something else.
>
> They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
> looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
> fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
> that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
> night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.
>
> I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
> then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
> seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
> thing.
>
> 1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
> really change manufacturers?
>
> 2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?
>
> 3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
> comfy seats?
>
> Thanks, all!
>
> Mike
> O-
>

I"ve sat in 04 and 05 side by side. Once you get the headrest adjusted on
the 05 if someone blindfolded you and put you in one or the other you would
not tell the difference. They LOOK thin and because they look that way the
belief is they're not as comfortable. But they are every bit as comfortable.
The one suprise I got (since we have been looking at possiblity of a new LTD
or Touring ourselves) is the lack of headroom in the front passenger seat.
If you get the side curtain bags (especially if you get the sunroof) I
cannot sit in the passenger seat at all. Without the sunroof there is a
protrusion at the top for the side bag that I hit too but it's not as bad.
NOw I'm fairly large but not a giant size 6'1" and about 195 lb FWIW. Is
that what they're comparing? Or the rear seats. Like I said once you get
over the visual of the rear seats they really are fine.
Larry
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
> LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
> miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
> (Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
> The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
> for something else.
>
> They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
> looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
> fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
> that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
> night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.
>
> I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
> then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
> seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
> thing.
>
> 1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
> really change manufacturers?
>
> 2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?
>
> 3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
> comfy seats?
>
> Thanks, all!
>
> Mike
> O-
>

I"ve sat in 04 and 05 side by side. Once you get the headrest adjusted on
the 05 if someone blindfolded you and put you in one or the other you would
not tell the difference. They LOOK thin and because they look that way the
belief is they're not as comfortable. But they are every bit as comfortable.
The one suprise I got (since we have been looking at possiblity of a new LTD
or Touring ourselves) is the lack of headroom in the front passenger seat.
If you get the side curtain bags (especially if you get the sunroof) I
cannot sit in the passenger seat at all. Without the sunroof there is a
protrusion at the top for the side bag that I hit too but it's not as bad.
NOw I'm fairly large but not a giant size 6'1" and about 195 lb FWIW. Is
that what they're comparing? Or the rear seats. Like I said once you get
over the visual of the rear seats they really are fine.
Larry
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
> LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
> miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
> (Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
> The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
> for something else.
>
> They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
> looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
> fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
> that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
> night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.
>
> I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
> then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
> seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
> thing.
>
> 1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
> really change manufacturers?
>
> 2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?
>
> 3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
> comfy seats?
>
> Thanks, all!
>
> Mike
> O-
>

Well, like I said, I <think> it's an '01, definitely not newer. Don't
know if 01 differs from 04 or not.

Another dealer whom my Dad trusts said flat out they weren't as good.
Mike
O-

Well, like I said, I <think> it's an '01, definitely not newer. Don't
know if 01 differs from 04 or not.

Another dealer whom my Dad trusts said flat out they weren't as good.
Mike
O-

I meant low end models in 2005.


"Art" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>I believe low end models in 2004 did not have the fold away seats so you
>might check out left overs on the lot. Note that the cushioning is thinner
>but higher quality. Although the foam may initially feel hard it might
>actually prove more comfortable on a longer trip. Try sitting in it for
>several minutes before giving up. It is similar to the expensive pillows
>sold at Brookstone. Body heat softens it so you have to sit on it for a
>while to judge it. We like the pillows.
>
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Hey, all, trying to help out my folks here. They're 64/65 and spend a
>> LOT of time in their T&C, think it's a 2001. They just put over 500
>> miles on it this week going to their grandkid's sporting events.
>> (Central Nebraska - <everything> is an hour's drive away, at least!)
>> The thing is quickly approaching 100K miles, and they think it's time
>> for something else.
>>
>> They really like the one they have, particularly the seats. They've
>> looked at new ones, but it seems the big thing nowadays is seats that
>> fold away. They couldn't care less about that, they just want seats
>> that are comfortable! My Dad has tried them, and says it's a
>> night-and-day difference, not comfy at all.
>>
>> I heard a story today of a dealer who said there was no difference, but
>> then admitted under pressure that a different company was making the
>> seats, and doing it cheaper to counteract the expense of the fold-away
>> thing.
>>
>> 1. Any "insiders" out there know anything about the seats? Did they
>> really change manufacturers?
>>
>> 2. Any way to get "old style" seats, preferably to the 2001?
>>
>> 3. Any recommendations, strictly looking for similar vehicles with
>> comfy seats?
>>
>> Thanks, all!
>>
>> Mike
>> O-
>>
>
>