What are your thoughts on the newer body style compared to the ‘02?
Still getting used to it, but overall, I like it. I do like the added width between the wheel wells, and the added leg room.
Definitely has a much bigger and higher up feel while driving. Compared to the 02, this reminds me more of driving a straight.
Biggest thing I don't like is the mirrors with the small convex type mirror on the bottom now. It's just way too small for my liking. I used to easily see everything, now I struggle with many blind spots.
The added engine power is awesome, never skipped a beat going through the Rocky Mountains. If it downshifted, I was unaware of it. This is a major change, as I was always down shifting and losing speed on the smallest of incline. The increased power coupled with the lower mpg has come at a cost. Even with my very fuel conservative driving, my CPM for fuel has raised by 5 cents. The distance range I can get on a fuel up has been dramatically reduced, not liking this aspect at all. Despite the wimpy power of the 02, it hands down beat the snot out of this van on fuel economy.
One minor change on the inside that is irritating and kind of funny at the same time is where I keep my note pad. For the last 6 years, the spot has been left of the steering wheel, now its on the right below the sterio. I've lost track of how many times I've reached for it on the left to find nothing
With the larger windshield and height, I've been hesitant to climb up and clean the windshield using the single foot step in the middle. The 02 had two evenly spaced apart steps, which would seem much more easier to maintain balance then a single step in the middle. Speaking of steps, I'm not a fan of my rear door step. Besides not having anything to hold on to, like a hand rail, the step is only half as wide as my foot. My old step was huge, going to take some time to get use to this micro version. I do worry about having a slip and fall with this step, especially come winter time.
More then you probably wanted to know, but I was wanting to do a comparison anyways
