Dodge Carvans updated page three

[happygirl]

Does anyone have one?? If so please tell me the good and bad about them thanks

 

[Michelle67]

I don't have one...I'm piping up because I declined to buy one after test driving because I found it incredibly gutless. If you are considering one, I highly recommend that you make sure your test drive involves a couple of extra people in the vehicle, going up some hills, and getting onto the freeway. Maybe I was looking at a rare gutless specimen, or maybe they have improved since, but that's my take on them. I ended up with a Mercury Villager (which is the same as a Nissan Quest) and love it. Lots of spunk.

 

[happygirl]

Thanks Michelle

 

[CraftyMouse]

We have had 3 caravans (starting when DD16 was 1) and absolutely love them. We don't find them gutless at all, in fact they have always had great pick-up and have always felt very sturdy. With our last one we test drove a Honda Odyssey, a Toyota Sienna and the Caravan. All three were equal to us, but the pricing on the Caravan (several thousand less than the others), plus our past history with them, made us go that way.

Our current model is a Grand Caravan with the Stow & Go seating. We love the S&G option and use it all the time. We have found that our Caravans have held up very well without needing many repairs. We do keep up with the maintenance (oil changes, etc.). I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

 

[Barbossa]

I had a boss who has a Grand Caravan. It's on it's 4th or 5th transmission.

 

[binny]

between the 2 of us we have had 13 Caravans. Yes 13.

DH has been with his job for 12 years and gets a new one every year - year and a half depending on mileage and we have had 3 personally.

As for our personal ones one had brake issues, one I totalled, and the last one we decided we wanted a crossover instead, it also had a mouse issue. Which was the REAL reason we got rid of it. I like my crossover but there are a lot of days I wish we had kept the van. I miss it.

DH's was in the shop last week (cart damage the company doesnt like any dings so they have to fix them right away) anyway he got a brand new one and I really like the profile. I didnt get to drive it but dh said it was great. he thinks it looks too much like a Kia though new interior was really nice!

I think the 06 has been my favourite so far. I wouldnt mind a new one though. He has an 07 and its fine, has guts and does well on hills it is usually fully loaded and he hasnt had problems with it.

 

[Lynn CC]

I had mine for 10 years without any problems. I loved it! I carted around my daycare kids for 9 years. It was a 4 cylinder and had enough go for me to get out on the highway when I needed to, it didn't seem sluggish at all.

If I needed a lot of seats I'd get another one.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

My mom just bought a 2005 Dodge Grand with the Stow and Go Seats and she loves it. She was just sure she wouldn't be able to drive something that big, but she handles it well. It has alot of extras, like remote sliding doors. It does drink alot of gas, but she does alot of driving and runs the AC on high most of the time.

Suzanne

 

[pr surfer]

Good: Can be had for cheap, service and parts can be had for cheap
Bad: Can be unreliable, drives poorly, feels cheap

 

[aprilgail2]

I have one and have never had any problems at all with it. It was pretty cheap (under 20,000) and for the price I certainly got my moneys worth.

 

[happygirl]

Thanks everyone,

 

[TheGoofster]

We had a Grand Caravan for quite a few years. It definitely wasn't gutless. In fact we towed a sixteen foot trailer fully loaded with furniture from South Carolina to Mexico City with that thing (up some very high mountains as well). It was a great vehicle, very comfortable, and not too bad on gas.
The biggest problem with caravans seems to be the transmissions. I've talked to many an owner, and most of them have attested to having to change out the transmission on their caravan. We did too, but of course towing that trailer probably didn't help out our cause very much.
I would say for the price, they are one of the best mini-vans on the market.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Bad: Can be unreliable, drives poorly, feels cheap

I have had no problem with mine so I can't comment as to the first, but I completely disagree with your last two observations. Our Grand Caravan drives beautifully and handles better than the Odyssey we tested. We also test drove the Sienna and the Grand Caravan feels no different than either one of them...certainly not cheap. In fact, I like the GC better than both of them.

 

[pr surfer]

I have had no problem with mine so I can't comment as to the first, but I completely disagree with your last two observations. Our Grand Caravan drives beautifully and handles better than the Odyssey we tested. We also test drove the Sienna and the Grand Caravan feels no different than either one of them...certainly not cheap. In fact, I like the GC better than both of them.

Well, you had a good experience, good for you.

Compared to a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna though, it feels cheap and is unreliable. I apologize for setting the bar high.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

Well, you had a good experience, good for you.

Compared to a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna though, it feels cheap and is unreliable. I apologize for setting the bar high.

I have to disagree. I actually had a 2003 T&C traded for an '07 Odyssey HATED it they are cheap crap. I've traded that for an '08 Grand Caravan & couldn't be happier. It's actually my 4th Caravan 5th DCX van.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

I have had no problem with mine so I can't comment as to the first, but I completely disagree with your last two observations. Our Grand Caravan drives beautifully and handles better than the Odyssey we tested. We also test drove the Sienna and the Grand Caravan feels no different than either one of them...certainly not cheap. In fact, I like the GC better than both of them.

ITA and it's truly the best bang for the buck.

 

[pr surfer]

I have to disagree. I actually had a 2003 T&C traded for an '07 Odyssey HATED it they are cheap crap. I've traded that for an '08 Grand Caravan & couldn't be happier. It's actually my 4th Caravan 5th DCX van.

wow... I'll just bow out of this thread then.

If my opinions are wrong, then I don't need to be right with this crowd. Enjoy replacing your transmissions.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

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[CraftyMouse]

Well, you had a good experience, good for you.

Compared to a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna though, it feels cheap and is unreliable. I apologize for setting the bar high.

I've had 3 good experiences, actually.

Again, I have driven all three and found that there was no difference...neither in the way they felt, nor the way they handled. In fact, the Odyssey ranked last on our list with the Sienna and Caravan tied.

I don't think you've set the bar high, but I do think that there are some (not necessarily you) that think the cheaper model of anything isn't as good.

 

[pr surfer]

Well out of 5 only one tranny went and all but that one had well over 100,000 mi. on them. I had the Honda and at 4,000 started having tranny issues among a bunch of other problems so I'll keep my Dodge thanks and you do realize that Hondas have a LONG history of tranny failure as well.

Well good for you

My experience is based on the fact that I have driven both of those cars nearly as often as those who own them as a result of frequent car rentals. In a Caravan I see cheap plastics and crude engineering (albeit, I will admit that the seats are neat... hey, it rhymes!); in the Odyssey I see higher quality materials and better engineering.

Factor it in with my former stepdad who loved Caravans/Voyagers/Town&Countries, because they kept him in business selling transmissions.