Dodge Caravan
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17,585 Posts
We had a '99 Grand Caravan. It was called the "Barneymobile" (color). I found it fairly easy to work on. We had it about 2 yrs and I had to replace the rack and pinion steering, and the TWO speed sensors in the tranny. the parts were not expensive and I did the rack in about 2 hrs. the sensors took about 1/2 hr. It was a good van. Wife drove it from Calif to Missouri twice and had NO problems, It had the 3.3 V6 and got about 28 MPG on both trips with it FULL of 3 women and thier "stuff", traveling at about 75-80 (she admited later)
If we were in the market for a van again I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. The wifes Sis has an '00 Caravan and I haven't had to do any work on it yet, she's had hers about 1 1/2 yrs now.
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25,219 Posts
We had an 89 Caravan back when the kids were still in the house. It had the 4-banger in it, which was probably OK power-wise. The problem was it was cast-iron block/aluminum head, and that makes them lose the head gaskets at about 60k miles. It was a good versatile car (drove it up here from WA when new), and handed it down to the oldest daughter after putting 3 heads on it (one warped and cracked the camshaft in two!!), one rebuilt engine that was a Friday end of shift "repaint", another that lasted just over the warranty when it developed a tick from a piston skirt welding a little bit of itself to the cylinder wall, then fixed that one. Never did anything to the tranny, which was eating a hole in the driveway from the leaks in it's final days. It was "Dad, the car isn't shifting right" and we'd pour a quart or two of ATF in it. Sold it in '02 I think to someone who was happy to get it .
I don't know anything about the newer ones, other than a friend had one for a few years. I think they had some tranny trouble with it, and sold it off.
I think that it might be just the ticket for what you're thinking about. The newer ones have sliders on both sides now (ours only had the right side slider).
I don't know anything about the newer ones, other than a friend had one for a few years. I think they had some tranny trouble with it, and sold it off.
I think that it might be just the ticket for what you're thinking about. The newer ones have sliders on both sides now (ours only had the right side slider).
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2,945 Posts
I had a 1998 Plymouth Voyager for several years and put a ton of miles on it.
It was equipped with 2WD and the 2.4-liter four-banger. It was a short-wheelbase model with one sliding door, so it was about the lightest version ever made.
It was labeled 20/26/22 mi/gal at the time, and that's just about what it delivered. I almost never exceed 65 mi/hr on the highway. (or in town, for that matter) The EPA's revised estimate is 18/24/20.
I never towed anything bigger than a 6x12' U-Haul but it had ample power for that. I never weighed the combination but I'm sure I was "at or close to" the published GCVW.
I'm 6'4" and was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. The passenger's seat and the rear seats didn't recline.
It was a basket of compromises designed by a committee, but not too bad overall. A lot of little things bugged me but I'd probably still be driving it had it not been T-boned. I did only routine maintenance - tires, brakes, oil - except for one bizarre incident. It refused to start and the tow truck guy performed some mystical procedure on the ECU to reanimate it. Hard reset? I don't know; he wouldn't say or let me watch. (then again, my folks' '68 Plymouth also needed a "procedure" from time to time)
What tickles me most about this minivan is that I bought it on eBay. It was the first thing I ever bought on eBay. It took me twenty minutes to find exactly what I was looking for, (right down to the color) then it took four days for me to decide that it was OK to buy a used car in twenty minutes.
I've heard people complain about the lack of resale value retention but not me - I was on the other side. I bought it for $4995, 4 years old with fewer than 60k miles.
While working at Chrysler, I had the opportunity to drive the Austrian version with the 2.5-liter Valeo turboDiesel engine. With a 5-speed stick, it turned in 36 highway mi/gal, pulled like a locomotive and clattered so little that the clatter was audible only at a stop. It's exactly the same body (the very same stampings) and no doubt close to the same weight as its North American counterpart.
It was equipped with 2WD and the 2.4-liter four-banger. It was a short-wheelbase model with one sliding door, so it was about the lightest version ever made.
It was labeled 20/26/22 mi/gal at the time, and that's just about what it delivered. I almost never exceed 65 mi/hr on the highway. (or in town, for that matter) The EPA's revised estimate is 18/24/20.
I never towed anything bigger than a 6x12' U-Haul but it had ample power for that. I never weighed the combination but I'm sure I was "at or close to" the published GCVW.
I'm 6'4" and was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. The passenger's seat and the rear seats didn't recline.
It was a basket of compromises designed by a committee, but not too bad overall. A lot of little things bugged me but I'd probably still be driving it had it not been T-boned. I did only routine maintenance - tires, brakes, oil - except for one bizarre incident. It refused to start and the tow truck guy performed some mystical procedure on the ECU to reanimate it. Hard reset? I don't know; he wouldn't say or let me watch. (then again, my folks' '68 Plymouth also needed a "procedure" from time to time)
What tickles me most about this minivan is that I bought it on eBay. It was the first thing I ever bought on eBay. It took me twenty minutes to find exactly what I was looking for, (right down to the color) then it took four days for me to decide that it was OK to buy a used car in twenty minutes.
I've heard people complain about the lack of resale value retention but not me - I was on the other side. I bought it for $4995, 4 years old with fewer than 60k miles.
While working at Chrysler, I had the opportunity to drive the Austrian version with the 2.5-liter Valeo turboDiesel engine. With a 5-speed stick, it turned in 36 highway mi/gal, pulled like a locomotive and clattered so little that the clatter was audible only at a stop. It's exactly the same body (the very same stampings) and no doubt close to the same weight as its North American counterpart.
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18,824 Posts
If you want a minivan, then according to Consumer Reports the Dodge/Chrysler comes in a distant third. Tied for first is the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna.
They all come in various levels of trim and "stuff". My current '05 Odyssey is near the top of the line with leather, GPS navigation, rear seat DVD entertainment, power sliding side doors, 3-cylinder deactivation, hole in the roof, XM radio, etc. Cruising at 74 MPH it gets a true 21 to 22 MPG. But the sticker was $34,610, not counting the distributor pack of floormats and other geegaws.
The next model up also has run-flat tires and a power tailgate. I could live with the power tailgate, but they can keep their run-flat tires - so I didn't get the Touring model.
My next one will be either an Odyssey or Sienna, but they can keep the leather, navigation system, rear seat entertainment, and hole in the roof. If it's a Honda, I want the EX model because of the better engine with 3-cylinder deactivation.
My Odyssey has over 100,000 miles on it now, but it's going to have to last until the stock market and the price of crude oil rebounds some.
Ancient history - I bought a new 1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager with the Mitsubishi V6 engine. It was a good car for 20 years ago, but I traded my '86 Toyota Camry LE stick shifter for it, and it certainly was not the car the Toy was. But I needed the room so Darling Wife could comfortably lie down during the long trips from Denver to west Texas several times per years. We put over 100,000 miles on it with no problems other than folks bumping into Darling Wife on snow-slick streets in the Denver 'burbs. But I wouldn't buy one today, because for a few more bucks you can get a much better vehicle screwed together by Honda or Toy workers in the good ole USA.
I've seen several minivans converted to a ramp side door for a wheelchair or scooter access. One today was called a "RampVan". Right down your alley. They're in Orlando, so maybe not too far from you?
The Ramp Van - HOME
Before my first wife died, she had lost one leg and was in a wheelchair. I bought her a '94 Ford E-Van, then had a wheelchair lift added for side-door access. There's a lot more headroom in an E-Van than in a minivan, but gas mileage is not as good. I double-checked with my dealer a few weeks ago and you can still order the 2009 E-Van with the diesel engine. Before you spend the big bucks, you should probably try out both a minivan and a full-size van to be sure you can put up with the cramped conditions in the minivan.
They all come in various levels of trim and "stuff". My current '05 Odyssey is near the top of the line with leather, GPS navigation, rear seat DVD entertainment, power sliding side doors, 3-cylinder deactivation, hole in the roof, XM radio, etc. Cruising at 74 MPH it gets a true 21 to 22 MPG. But the sticker was $34,610, not counting the distributor pack of floormats and other geegaws.
The next model up also has run-flat tires and a power tailgate. I could live with the power tailgate, but they can keep their run-flat tires - so I didn't get the Touring model.
My next one will be either an Odyssey or Sienna, but they can keep the leather, navigation system, rear seat entertainment, and hole in the roof. If it's a Honda, I want the EX model because of the better engine with 3-cylinder deactivation.
My Odyssey has over 100,000 miles on it now, but it's going to have to last until the stock market and the price of crude oil rebounds some.
Ancient history - I bought a new 1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager with the Mitsubishi V6 engine. It was a good car for 20 years ago, but I traded my '86 Toyota Camry LE stick shifter for it, and it certainly was not the car the Toy was. But I needed the room so Darling Wife could comfortably lie down during the long trips from Denver to west Texas several times per years. We put over 100,000 miles on it with no problems other than folks bumping into Darling Wife on snow-slick streets in the Denver 'burbs.
But I wouldn't buy one today, because for a few more bucks you can get a much better vehicle screwed together by Honda or Toy workers in the good ole USA.I've seen several minivans converted to a ramp side door for a wheelchair or scooter access. One today was called a "RampVan". Right down your alley. They're in Orlando, so maybe not too far from you?
The Ramp Van - HOME
Before my first wife died, she had lost one leg and was in a wheelchair. I bought her a '94 Ford E-Van, then had a wheelchair lift added for side-door access. There's a lot more headroom in an E-Van than in a minivan, but gas mileage is not as good. I double-checked with my dealer a few weeks ago and you can still order the 2009 E-Van with the diesel engine. Before you spend the big bucks, you should probably try out both a minivan and a full-size van to be sure you can put up with the cramped conditions in the minivan.
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1,513 Posts
i can find used 07 caeavan for bout 10K. VA will outfit for lift. think i'll stick with Used 2007-8 Dodge Caravan. i'm on a tight budget.
autotrader didnt have any hondas or toyotas listed
example
Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com
also want front wheel drive to tow behind motorhome on dolly.
autotrader didnt have any hondas or toyotas listed
example
Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com
also want front wheel drive to tow behind motorhome on dolly.
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18,824 Posts
A Hondy Odyssey will probably cost twice that. Here's a 2007 EX in Florida:
Honda : 2007 Odyssey EX (item 160314036733 end time Feb-14-09 12:24:53 PST)
They sold a bunch of them, but they are so reliable that nobody trades them in.
But Hondas and Toys hold their value so well that I probably wouldn't buy a used one. I agree that if you can get the MOPAR for around $10,000, that would probably be a lot better deal in the long run than over $20k for a comparably-equipped Honda or Toy.
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168 Posts
My friend's wife has a 2004 Dodge Caravan. Other than it going through brake pads like crazy (typical female driver), it has been good to them. I like the older body style more than the current "breadbox on wheels" Chrysler is selling now.
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15 Posts
I had a 1994 Dodge Caravan, Logged 270K trouble free miles out of it before I sold it. I used it to pull a 18ft open bow, and a fully enclosed Motorcycle trailer regularly.
It was by far and beyond the best vehicle I have ever owned.
My old man worked for Toyota for a stint and had an 01 Sienna, It such a poor handling and built vehicle that he preferred my 94 Caravan over the Toyota. Considering he worked for Toyota, that to me says a lot.
Of course I would never buy an import regardless or where it was assembled or rely on a biased rag such as consumer reports. I like the truth and cold hard facts which would never point toward Toyota or Honda as the better manufacturer when compared to the big three
It was by far and beyond the best vehicle I have ever owned.
My old man worked for Toyota for a stint and had an 01 Sienna, It such a poor handling and built vehicle that he preferred my 94 Caravan over the Toyota. Considering he worked for Toyota, that to me says a lot.
Of course I would never buy an import regardless or where it was assembled or rely on a biased rag such as consumer reports. I like the truth and cold hard facts which would never point toward Toyota or Honda as the better manufacturer when compared to the big three
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3,689 Posts
My folks have a 06 grand, and my sister has a 03.
They love them. When I drive them I really like them. When I have kids I am sure I will be buying one.
Regardless what CS says i think the way to go is with Dodge on this one. They have been leader of the pack for many years.
They love them. When I drive them I really like them. When I have kids I am sure I will be buying one.
Regardless what CS says i think the way to go is with Dodge on this one. They have been leader of the pack for many years.
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1,478 Posts
Those Caravans are just fine. I know the Odyssey and Sienna are rated higher but I can honestly tell you that those Caravans are just as reliable, far cheaper to purchase, cheaper to repair and ride just as nice as either of those vans.
Go with the V6 motor. I think that might be all that's available now.
They are also available in AWD which makes for a nice van that can handle any type of weather you can throw at it.
Feel comfortable with your purchase. You are making a smart choice.
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