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OT Mini vans

D

Don-Wi

Well-known Member
Well, my wifes car (97 Lesabre) needs $700-1000 in work done to it, and we were only planning to keep it for maybe another 6-12 months or so. Now we're leaning towards replacement, as I'd rather finance a new vehicle than pay interest on a credit card since my vehicle fund has been depleted a bit working on my truck and car.

The shop where the car is has a 2008 Grand Caravan w/ 35,000 miles on it for $15,000 (assuming room for dickering here). I know the 08 was the first year for that body style. Anybody here have one? Any issues? We're looking towards Dodge (or chrysler I suppose) but not afraid of Toyota or any other suggestions either.

Next week we've got some time to go shopping, and I'm gonna call the insurance man tomorrow and shoot a couple different models his way and see what comes back. I'm thinking 3-5 years old, under $15000. I don't want to go older than 5 years simply because the interest rates on an auto loan go sky high for a 6 year old vehicle. Hoping that's an ace in my pocket, because they know '08's are more expensive to finance come Jan. 1st as well.

*according to KBB.com, the '08 is priced reasonably. Edmunds puts it about $2000 lower*

Any input, troubles, good things, etc, are welcome

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
It's leaking gas from the fuel line. Low fuel pressure. Needs to have the tank dropped to replace fuel pump and lines. Lines need to be replaced all the way up to the engine. No telling yet if the gas tank would also need to be replaced.

The rear shocks also need to be replaced (air ride suspension) and the engine leaks and burns oil. I'd consider fixing the gas leak but we've been talking about getting a van because it'll be easier moving the family around and getting the kids strapped in.

Not gonna move on anything yet, but I'd like to look at our options and get the ball rolling. Tons of small expenses starting to accumulate. Not to mention the Buick has some pretty bad skin cancer, to the point I can't jack under the body where the book shows because the jack pushes through.

I hate car payments too, but keeping my family safe in a reliable vehicle is more important.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
I don't think you could go wrong with a Chrysler T&C or Dodge Grand Caravan.

We had a '99 T&C that we traded at 192,000 miles. Completely trouble free, still nothing wrong with it, I just wanted to trade it off before it hit 200,000. Traded it on an '07 T&C, which my wife is driving. It's been equally trouble free.

I'm driving an '05 Grand Caravan. Only problem has been a failed alternator bearing.

All three have, or had, the 3.8 V6, which seems to be as bullet proof as the GM 3800.
 
I know use care prices got screwed up with the cash for clunkers, but I paid 15,000.00 for an 05 Caravan in 06 with 36,000 mi on it.
 
About "84 we bought a used Plymouth Caravan with the big 4cyl. It was a PITA for heads. Since we"ve had at least 3 Dodge Caravan program cars- about a year old, with 15K miles on. Very good service from all. "03 we traded last year had 130,000 miles, no major repairs. Year ago we bought a new Dodge Caravan. Second new car ever. Works very well, has close to 20,000 miles on.
 
When a car gets corroded that badly safety is a real concern. Also the engine using oil is a sign of a rapidly approaching expensive engine replacement. The 2008 minivan with 35000 miles will give you years of service. Everyone I know that has one really likes them. I would not pour any more money into the Buick.
 
Don. Necessity dictates change.some older vehicles become bottomless money pits,as do some newer trade in vehicles. Almost a crap shoot.Sure hope you make a good decision as monthly payments gets lost in the shuffle when the newer one breaks down BTDT. LOU
 
We have had a Dodge Caravan and 2 Pontiac Montanas. I prefer the Dodge seat arrangement better. My wife drives it the most so she liked the GM ones better. At 200,000 miles the Pontiacs were still worth something. The Caravan I had to give away. We went back to a car now cuz the kids are older so all six no longer need to squeeze in. I got a friend that has had 6-8 Caravans over the years. The one he has now with the stow-and-go seats he hates. Says it has way more road noise coming through unless you got the seats in the down position plugging the big amplifier hole. He had one Town and Country but will never have another. Way too much trinketty stuff to fix all the time and kids are rough on that stuff.
 
I have owned Chevys and Ford trucks and cars all my life, never considered anything else. But back in 1990 we bought a Dodge mini van and had it for 4 yrs, it ran flawlessly and was a neat rig. In a moment of insanity I traded it for a Mercury Grand Marquis because I wanted that V8 power, full frame if in an accident, smooth ride, etc. Big mistake for an older couple.....getting in and out was a royal pain.

I finally traded for a Dodge Grand Caravan with the Stow & Go seats. What a great rig! Rides quietly, has enuf power in mountains or wherever, handles nicely and has scads of room and I get 23-24 mpg (and I always push a vehicle kind of hard). And very little repairs. I have a Chevy Tahoe for my vehicle (van is for wife) and the Chev has big v8 power and 4 wheel drive but the van is better in every other category...more fun to drive her van (when she lets me).

Now it"s got 104K and I will trade it in 2 yrs. Ford and Chevy make great trucks, but it"s back to the Dodge or Chrysler van again (if Chrysler is still in business). I no longer have to struggle to get down into and up out of a car anymore as I am done with cars.

The van is very quiet whether the seats are up or down...no difference whatsoever.

LA in WI
 
Yes I have one. I like it. I've heard they have issues with premature front pad wear, but my wife and I are older so it's not outside of normal wear to me. One warning. If it has the 3.8 I'd buy it again. They also made a very limited 4.0, I think, aluminum block v-6 that I avoided because the salesman said it was only made a year or two. I like to see engines out a while to see how the general public can tear them up before I buy them. I love the Stow-n-Go seating. My only issue is the engineers put the spare tire under the center of the van, basically between the two front seats. Stupid idea in my opinion.
 
That probably was the 2.5 and it had problems as it was the 2.2 bored out bigger and in doing so they did not leave enough head gasket area. 2.2 was good but expand the engine ruined it.
 
Hi Lowell, I will gladly agree with you on the advice about Dodge mini van. We have had 4 or 5 of them and very little to make any complaints. Alway's good mileage on the fuel, last trip from N.S. to Ontario avg. 30 MPG. On another note, we sshould soon be seeeing your "H" decorated for Christmas. I purchased 3 plows this year, (3 ph) 1 single furrow and two (2 furrow) they are all old, seem to work nice, although I don't have a lot of ground to plow. There is a community garden in another community on a busy highway that I plowed in the early fall , it looks nice with the straight furrows. I alway's remind people to look in at the community garden, as I am quite proud of the completed project, me 75 years and the Ford 8n 65 years. Cheers, Murray///Season Greetings to everyone.
 
$15K seems awfully, awfully high for a 6 year old car. Just my opinion but look at your local Craigs List and see what others are going for. I just looked here locally and found '05-'09's and none were over $10K, most under $5K.
 
That price sounds high to me. I just passed up a
2008 Caravan with 55K miles for $4800. If it had
been a Grand Caravan I would of bought it.

I've got two at present. A 1998 AWD Grand Caravan
and a 2003 2WD Grand Caravan. The 98 has a 3.8 V6
and the 2003 has a 3.3 V6. The 98 now has 210K
miles and the 2003 has 145K miles. My neighbor
has a 2010 Grand Caravan with a 3.8 he bought last
summer so we've compared a bit.

All three get a best of around 22 MPG which seems
odd to me. I can't figure why my 2WD with a 3.3
doesn't get better mileage then my 98 AWD with the
bigger 3.8.

I had to put new wheel bearings in both at 140K
miles - front and back. Both had electrical
problems with the computer controlled alternator.
Both had power steering pumps fail and the rack
also went bad in the 1998. Both have AC problems
often. Both have had heater blower motors fail.
Other then that - they've been bullet proof. No
transmission failures like I often hear about.
Both mine have four speed automatics.

Note that my neighbor's 2008 with a 3.8 gets
exactly the same fuel mileage as my 1998 AWD.

I keep looking for a "magical" van that will get
26-27 MPG (without paying much for it). I was told
the Hondas do it with the variable-displacement
engines. Well - my brother-in-law has one and says
he gets 23-24 MPG with it. I'm not impressed. I'll
stick with my cheap Mopars. Even might try a
newer Italian one someday.
 
Our daughter had a Chevy Lumina that was totaled in 2008. We looked around and found a 2007 Chrysler T&C with everything on it. Daughter didn't think she would like it, being a "soccer mom's car." After driving it for only a few months, she said she really liked it. They just sold it a few weeks ago with over 300,000 miles on it. Still ran good. Only issues they had was the power steering rack started leaking and they never checked the fluid much. They finally changed the rack, then found that the pump was junk now (ran dry too long).
 
I just had an "03 Chrysler Town & Country totalled out by a deer at the end of October. 210,000 miles, owned it since Jan "05 and it was a great car. SWMBO is hounding me to get another one since it is so much easier for her to get in and out of, and is so handy and rides nice for trips. By the way, my ins was Nationwide and their new motto with me is "run and hide", not "by your side". I had a horrible experience with these thieves. Had to fight them every inch of the way, they even pulled the dipstick on my trans and docked the payout $30 for "discolored fluid". I keep track of everything on my vehicles and that was not true.
 
I thought the 2.5 had a longer stroke for the size difference. Like you said it was the same engine otherwise.
 
We rented a 2011 Grand Caravan to go to Colorado Springs . 14 hr drive. I hit 25-27 across the flat lands . Don't recall tailwind ,but thought that was darn good mileage . Fell off lot in town and hills .
 

I don't remember having to drop the tank to replace the fuel lines... I had a run of those with plastic lines so brought a kit to repair are replace them...

Google dorman 800-300

Did I save any money no but I save the customer a ton...
Why I did not save is its very time consuming to make up the lines.

I am a Chrysler mini van lubber because they are so EZ to work on other than the electronics :cry: I have owned 2 and drove the wheels off of them...
 
Don. Part of the structural integrity of a uni-body car that is really important are the rocker panels. If those have rust through you should get rid of it as soon as possible.

I'd say with you description of problems that anytime real soon getting rid of that car would be a good thing. While not a fan of Chrysler products as far a mini-vans go post 2002 I think their vans are probable better than those offered by Ford or GM. I don't know anyone with a Ford or GM mini made after 2002 or any of the Fords regardless or year who haven't had a multitude of problems. One of my sons and his wife had an 02 Ford that was nothing but problems and they are now driving a Chevy that with just over 100K had to have a 3K tranny. I don't know anyone who drives a Chrysler newer than 02 that has anything bad to say about them.

Rick
 
I had a 2001 Grand caravan. It went through 3 trannys in 150K. Oem lasted 47k, Factory reman lasted about 90k, I had it rebuilt cost about $2K. Big mistake because everything else fell apart at 150K.

Why a mini van? I liked mine because I have a bad back and my back loved the mini van's seats.

I found I could purchase a crossover cheaper than a van, get better mileage too. I bought a new 2005 Buick rendenzeous. There are many crossovers on the market. Crossovers are a SUV/mini van.

If I were going to buy a used vehicle, I would go talk to my tranny repairman and ask his opinion on what to buy. He's been in the business for 40 years. He's better than consumer report for info.


George
 
(quoted from post at 05:00:29 12/18/13) $15K seems awfully, awfully high for a 6 year old car. Just my opinion but look at your local Craigs List and see what others are going for. I just looked here locally and found '05-'09's and none were over $10K, most under $5K.
Click to expand...
I agree...check CL! I bought a nice 2012 Toyota Camry for $15,000 last month.
 
That is WAAAAAAYYYY too high for a 2008. That's about what I would expect to pay (cash) for 2012 with those kinds of miles. The 2008 is the older engine and the older transmission and came out in the midst of the Chrysler going bankrupt - I'd have a hard time convincing myself to give them $10K for it. Chrysler made big changes to everything about the van (except the sheet metal) in 2011.

Remember KBB is written by dealers for dealers - who do you think that $13K price is going to favor? Look at the trade value and base your price on that.

Go to Cars.com and price some comparibles.
 
Don,
I forgot to answer your question. No I wouldn't pay that much for a 2008 when the 2014 are out, that's 6 years old. $5-8K

Now is the time to shop for new 2013. Determine what you want, get a quote, take that quote to another dealer tell him to beat that quote.

That's what I did my last 2. I told dealer to give me cash out the door price, no trades. I got a new 2007 GMC work truck, plain jane, 6 cylinder cash out the door $13,400 sales tax included. I found a dealer that would dealer trade with other dealers. He got the truck I wanted, also got a limited slip differental.

This time of the year, there are ads on new cars with no interest too.

I won't buy used any more. I'll be the first and last owner too.

George
 
I've had great luck with our Kia Sedona. We bought a 2008 and it just turned 120K last week. It's had one set of brakes, replaced a rear wheel bearing that started leaking grease and replace an idler pulley that started squealing. Other than that little bit of repair work all I've changed are fluids and filters. Every tank of fuel averages 21 MPG with mixed driving. I told my wife to plan on driving it until it hits 160K - when the current set of tires should be about worn out.
 
Many moons ago I had an `86 Ford Aerostar, pumpkin orange. It was quite the chick magnet. Used it for a vending route. Transmission & seals puked.
 
I agree on most cars and pickups new is the way to go right now instead of almost new. You'll find yourself paying within a few thousand of new price on a 2 year old vehicle with 30K miles on it. I'd rather pay the few grand extra and have it with 0 miles. The new tires alone are worth half that.

The Dodge mini vans are an exception - especially a more basic model (no DVD player, no leather and if you can live without it no power doors). A decently equipped model new is still around $25K (tinted windows, good steroe, wheels, 3 stage climate control), the same van with 15K miles on it a year old is $6k to $7k cheaper.

I've been looking a bit now to make sure I'm not missing out and minivans are still taking the big hit with a lot of depreciation the first year of ownership - especially the Dodge and Kia models. Honda and Toyota minivans seem to hold a lot more of their value the first couple years - buying new might be the better option there.
 
We've drove dodge mini vans for 20 years .(not the same one!)Quality gets alittle worse on each one. Little things like door latches&stuff. I don't like mini vans but wife does.Kids will be gone soon & won't need another one. Next vehicle will be a SuV.
 
We had 2, a Chevrolet Lumina APV, and An Olds Siloette (SP). Loved them. Very good driving, good in winter, seating arrangements superb (all back seats individually removable.). Rode well, fairly economical, durable, rust proof - with fiber glass shell, except if you took on a deer at high speed!

In my Driver Ed teaching, I used three different Dodge Caravans. They were a good ride, students seemed to do well with them.

Unfortunately those cars are now all history. We have moved on to 4wd SUVs. Never looked back. But mini-vans were just what the doctors ordered when we needed them for family use. Still miss the large volume area when we need to haul stuff.
 
(quoted from post at 05:54:19 12/18/13) That price sounds high to me. I just passed up a
2008 Caravan with 55K miles for $4800. If it had
been a Grand Caravan I would of bought it.

I've got two at present. A 1998 AWD Grand Caravan
and a 2003 2WD Grand Caravan. The 98 has a 3.8 V6
and the 2003 has a 3.3 V6. The 98 now has 210K
miles and the 2003 has 145K miles. My neighbor
has a 2010 Grand Caravan with a 3.8 he bought last
summer so we've compared a bit.

All three get a best of around 22 MPG which seems
odd to me. I can't figure why my 2WD with a 3.3
doesn't get better mileage then my 98 AWD with the
bigger 3.8.

I had to put new wheel bearings in both at 140K
miles - front and back. Both had electrical
problems with the computer controlled alternator.
Both had power steering pumps fail and the rack
also went bad in the 1998. Both have AC problems
often. Both have had heater blower motors fail.
Other then that - they've been bullet proof. No
transmission failures like I often hear about.
Both mine have four speed automatics.

Note that my neighbor's 2008 with a 3.8 gets
exactly the same fuel mileage as my 1998 AWD.

I keep looking for a "magical" van that will get
26-27 MPG (without paying much for it). I was told
the Hondas do it with the variable-displacement
engines. Well - my brother-in-law has one and says
he gets 23-24 MPG with it. I'm not impressed. I'll
stick with my cheap Mopars. Even might try a
newer Italian one someday.
Click to expand...

A smaller engine can cost you mileage rather to be a gas sipper. It all has to do with power to weight. If that small engine is have to work hard all the time it isn't going to get good mileage.

Rick
 
Don I work for the largest independently owned used car lot in Iowa. We sell far more Dodge/Chrysler minivans than any other brand. My wife currently has 2 for her business, we have less trouble with 2005 and up Dodge/Chrysler than any other brand minivan. I don't have any 08 on the lot to compare price with but that sounds a little high. Someone mentioned Kelly Blue Book, we've thrown that away, we found in a lot of cases we have to pay more at auctions than KBB. When you go to insure it, if you are buying full coverage, make sure the agency knows what you paid and the full coverage ins will cover the full value of the car, not what the ins adjuster claims its worth. There can be quite a difference. I would not hesitate to buy another.
 
HI Murray!
So you want to see Santa on my H? I gotta figure out how I did that. Hope all is well on the "Blue Nose" coast. I loved seeing your country.

We"re having a normal Wisconsin winter, very cold and some snow.
LA in WI
 

Sounds like a rip off.

I hear 2014 Grand Caravans advertised for $16,995 brand new locally.
 
I generally figure cars lose half their value by the time they are three years old and they lose 75% of their value when they are six years old. I make some allowance for condition and mileage, but limit it to 40%. KBB always seems high on their retail price, almost like an asking price instead of the selling prices.

For 4WD trucks I use 50% lost at four years and 75% lost at eight years.

$15K sounds high for a 2008, unless he's giving you over $5k trade-in on the LeSabre.
 
We've got one. It gets driven hard by the Mrs. Yes, front brakes are junk. Replaced with the best rotors and pads here in our shop and no problems since. I like to complain about all the "notices" I've gotten in the mail about problems they had, but it has never left us stranded in 80k miles. I did like the one "notice"-the power slider door may catch fire. Hmmm, sounds like a slight problem with my 3 little kids in the back! Most recent problem was the front windows went down themselves. That was freaky. Replaced whole drivers door switch unit for $80 (aftermarket). They had it in stock, hmmmm. No problems now.
 
Price is kind of a local thing. I just traded a 2000 dodge caravan in for a newer one. It had 239000 miles. Now I drive a 2006 with 12243 miles. Won't be long and I can put permanent plates on that van also. My wife loves those van's.
Bud
 
I haven't heard of a manufacturer that has perfected the power door on any minivan. They all work good when they are new but around 50K -60K miles (especially if on a gravel road) they fail. And no matter what the issue is it costs between $600 and $900 to get them working again - Toyota, Dodge, Honda Kia, or Ford.
 
I had a 2004 Sienna XLE and now have a 2010. I don't like the looks of the 2011 and newer models. They cheapen them every year. I had Chrysler products before. The T & C had a junky transmission that would hickup. No power and 17 MPG.
 
Agreed that the price sounds high.

I had a 99 Plymouth Grand Voyager (same as G Caravan) with the 3.3 motor for about three years. Good van but it started to become one repair after another (alot of rot on it). Engine was not touched at 152,000 miles other than a tune-up. I had a 2006 Grand Caravan (3.3) for a little less than a year (got totaled when another driver went left of center on me). Now I've got a 2013 that I bought new. Honestly for the payment I was making plus repairs on the 06 I wish I'd have gotten a new one sooner. I know theres a lot of depreciation but its nice not driving someone elses' junk for once. I can't really compain about the 2006. Probably saved my life with the airbags deploying like they did. New one is a nice van but I don't like the spare tire location as someone mentioned here. Stupid idea. Cup holders are not big enough and a few other small things. Making a payment is not much fun but I'm also tired of seeing my mechanics' face every other month. I've heard stories about bad luck with the transmissions but we've owned four of them over the years and have never had problems. I think its more a case of beat the h*ll out of anything and it will break.
 
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