Congrats on the new van! Looks like you negotiaged a pretty good selling price, below invoice before rebates.
I have a 2005 T&C Touring (no options) on a lease right now and absolutely love it. Best riding vehicle I've owned. Front seats are comfortable for my 45 minnute commute and I once drove for 9 hours straight (one stop for fuel/food) without any back problems. The middle seats are fine for a few hour trip, but the rear is better. There is more torque under 4500rpm than the Odyssey, but short one gear. Everyday driving is more than adequate and it cruises efortlessly in the 80-90mph range.
I have put about 19k miles on it in 14 months. We've had zero dealer visits, although we got a RSB/recall for an AC line repair that it needs to go in for. I wouldn't buy a DCX vehicle before about 2003 for their transmission problems, but wouldn't have a problem buying most of them now. Their trany quality has increased tremendously in the last few years by both internal (my wife works in powertrain durability) and external tests & quality reports.
I have two pickup trucks and still use the Stow N Go more often for cargo except for heavy or dirty stuff. We had a Pacifica for about 6 months that we liked to drive better, but it pales in comparison to the cargo space and usefulness of the sliding doors now that we have a kid. The minivan is overkill most of the time, but a mid-sized sedan with similar equipment wouldn't cost any less.
I won't get into the Ody & Sienna. They are both excellent vehicles. There are some exclusive features on all three of them. Resale percentages are higher, but maybe not compared to actual selling prices with DCX's historicly large rebates. I would have taken a serious look at the 2007 Entourage, though. Great value. I think it's a new benchmark in many areas for minivans, but not offered with as much equipped as your new T&C Limited.
Sorry I missed this post earlier. I wish I could have given a little advice. DCX is bringing a new minivan out for 2008 that I would have waited for. That's one reason why I leased. I also would have chosen the cash rebate instead of the 0% finance rate. The difference in payment on $35k is a couple bucks more, but there are many more benefits that I won't explain now since your deal is done.
BTW, my sister has a 2005 T&C Touring, two coworkers have 2005 a DGC SXT & T&C Touring and my brother got a crazy lease special ($3300 OTD 2y/24k) on a 2006 T&C Touring. One has had a couple problems with the A/C and a bad dealer, but otherwise flawless.
I hope you make many memories in your new van.
