I rented a Caravan last year to drive a bunch of family members to a wedding a few hours away. While I found the power to be fine (and the engine note to be pretty good) I would not say I found it very responsive or a very good handler. Getting on the freeway after picking it up at one of my favorite curved onramps, I gave it some gas and distinctly remember that it would go, as long as I had the wheel straight. When I turned the wheel it just bogged and understeered like mad. I never disabled the traction control, maybe that was part of the problem.
Anyway I though it was a good vehicle all around and certainly fun enough for a minivan. But with respect to your comment,
Originally Posted By: Cujet
The sad part of this is that exactly Zero, affordable cars made today drive like this. With major throttle response, instant shifts, plenty of instant power, and responsive steering. They are all "numbed" down for "eco" reasons or some other nonsense.
It really makes me wonder why manufacturers can't make cars fun to drive anymore.
This is just not true. I don't have the experience driving as many different models (rentals) as you do but most of the newer cars I've driven have been pretty fun to drive -- they've been models that are supposed to be to at least some extent -- and plenty affordable. Comparing apples to oranges here because it doesn't sound like you're comparing just to other minivans, but not even touching vehicles like my WRX (which is probably around the same price as a Caravan if I had to guess), vehicles like the Mazda3, for instance, are relatively responsive and fun to drive at the same price point as other economy sedans. You could argue the "plenty of instant power" point but power to weight, there are plenty of vehicles in the same ballpark.
When you take away MT from the equation though, I have less to say because I haven't driven very many newer autos.
