Dodge Carvans updated page three

[CraftyMouse]

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.

We've never replaced a transmission in 15 years of Caravan ownership. We've never even had one repaired. The only repairs we've had done are to the brakes (at an appropriate mileage) and tire replacement (again, at appropriate intervals). My friend has an Odyssey and it's in the shop constantly. I think you can get a lemon with any make/model, but we have had no problems with any of our Caravans.

 

[pr surfer]

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.

I felt that the steering in the DCX Trio/Duo offers more play/less accuracy and the suspension isn't very compliant and is in fact rather floaty, whereas the Honda and Toyota offer more accurate steering and have a nicer suspension. With the Honda, I dare say the suspension is almost sporty.

 

[iluvliloandstitch]

We just bought a 2008 Grand Caravan...i really like the way it looks inside & out and it drives so good...i love all the new features on it...perfect for our family..

 

[bigbabyblues]

DH family has had several. His parents had two, aunt had two, and grandma is on her 4th one. His mom had transmission problems with two of hers. His grandma had a few problems with her previous and several issues with the one she has now (I think it's a 2006, but not 100% sure), but not transmission.

DH refused to buy one because the seats were uncomfortable for him. I don't like the way it feels overall, but I've only drive grandma's twice.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

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.

There in lies your problem rentals are beat to crap and you really can't judge based on them. I had a rental Sienna that stranded us on the side of the highway with on'y 11,000 mi. on it. Does that mean they're a bad car? No it means it was a rental & beat to crap rahter quickly. I feel better to judge since I've actually owned and driven both.

 

[tinatark]

They're extremely popular because you get so much car for your $$. I would never buy a "new" one because of the initial depreciation (true for most new cars) - but if you need a dependable van, buy one a couple of years old and get an extended warranty.

 

[pr surfer]

There in lies your problem rentals are beat to crap and you really can't judge based on them. I had a rental Sienna that stranded us on the side of the highway with on'y 11,000 mi. on it. Does that mean they're a bad car? No it means it was a rental & beat to crap rahter quickly. I feel better to judge since I've actually owned and driven both.

I've never had one with more than 1000 miles, but I'm also an Avis Chairman's Club member, so that likely has something to do with it. Also, during my time spent with the Obama campaign in PR, we had a small fleet of new cars rented from the dealer (the Honda dealer in PR also has a rental biz), which had Odysseys in it, and whenever we had to supplement, we'd rent from the Enterprise next door. The only vehicle we had an iota of trouble with was a Town & Country from Enterprise. It had 2500 miles and was overheating like crazy, trim pieces were loose, and the passenger side sliding door wouldn't open from inside.

 

[goofyernmost]

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

Me thinks that has more to do with the driver than the car. Anyway, I have owned two, not recently but a couple of years back. I had tremendous luck with them, no serious mechanical issues, high mileage achieved and two vehicles with close to 200K on each and the transmissions were never even serviced during that time, much less worked on because of problems.

I currently have a Cadillac DeVille and I am thinking seriously about trading it for another Caravan. I am single but I loved the feel and handling of the Van. If you don't want it to be sluggish, just get the bigger V-6 engine. It has all the power anyone can possibly need.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I own one and I can not wait to get rid of the thing and I will NEVER own another Caravan as long as I live.

Yes, as a PP stated you can get a lemon with any make/model but my Caravan as put such a sour taste in my mouth I refuse to take another chance with one.

Here are the things my Caravan has been in the shop for (it is a 2002 with only 72,000 miles on it)

Antifreeze reservoir because there was a crack in it causing to leak antifreeze

Rack and Pinion

Power window on the driver's side was stuck and would not go down. Had to replace a part for that

Instrument panel - the speedometer totally stopped working while driving down the highway!

Power lock on the driver's side --- one day I could not unlock the driver's side door from the outside (this happened at a different time from the power windows)

Sway bar links and bushings

Thank God most of this stuff was covered under the warranty would I would have trash this thing long ago.

Oh and just recently the A/C is sounding funny. I am sure now that is going out too!!!

I personally from MY experience would not recommend a Caravan. Some people have good luck with them, I am not one of them.

Next minivan I will buy a Honda or a Toyota

 

[TJ's Mom]

I am not happy with mine. It is 5 years old with 83,000 miles. There have been some problems like window issues ,AC issues, and my radio just died!

It has not been bad until the last year but I probably would not get another. Good news - it is paid off!

 

[RI&BMOM]

Have to agree with jacksonsmom. We owned a 2003 Caravan and had nothing but problems. Traded it in after two years. Our problems started within the first two months. We had that van at the dealership constantly. Transmission and brakes were the main problems. Power locks and windows would stop working. We weren't the only ones who were having problems with their caravan. Hopefully they have worked out some of the bugs in the newer models.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have a 2005 with the stow and go. Its been pretty good but lately its been lurching forward when we start it. DH took it to the dealer and he said he couldnt find the problem, wth? Anyone else have this problem? Overall we got this one because we ran the other one into the ground with about 173K miles on it. So they have been pretty reliable for us.

 

[Patch'sD]

Funny, I just called to donate My 1992 Caravan to Cars for Kids. I had it since my 16 Daughter was born. This ends my 22 Year run with Chrysler Mini Vans. In that time I have had 2. a 1987 and the 1992. Never had a problem besides new tires and brakes. Great Car.

 

[dcentity2000]

We rented one and it was very comfortable



Rich::

 

[livie1205]

I am on 2nd one and I LOVE it! I also got the stow and go and it runs great,plenty of get up and go and does not look or feel cheap. I sold my old one at 79000 miles without ever having one problem with it....my dh wanted me to have a new car because we had a new baby.The person I sold it to is still driving it....

 

[NowaSki]

My dad had bought an original Caravan in '85, and he is on his 4th Caravan.

I bought a '98, and wasn't to happy with it. Mechanically no problem, I just didn't like how it felt on the Highway at highway speeds.

We traded it in for a '02 Honda Pilot. We love the Pilot, but DW wanted to go back to a mini-van. I wanted the Odyssey, but DW wanted to try the Caravan again. We bought a '08 earlier this year with a 4.0L engine and six speed trany.

I really like it. It is great on the highway compared to the '98 model. We took it on a trip in July to Lake George, NY in the Adirondack Mountains. Drove to the top of Whiteface mountain one day. Did great on the steep hills.

We kept the Honda Pilot, that's my everyday car, but the '08 Caravan is very nice. Get the 4.0L engine if you can.

The kids love the dual screens. The boys can play video games on one screen while DD watches a movie or satellite TV on the other. The one thing I wish it had was headphone hookups, you can only use their wireless headphones (they give you two, cost $70 for an extra pair).

 

[LuvN~Travel]

We had a Dodge Caravan for about 14 years. The last two or three it didn't even run anymore. It also went through about three transmissions, not to mention any other part it could think of! lol It also had the shoddiest wiring and paint jobs I've ever seen. We could never track down the problem with the wiring and that was more than one person trying to do so!

When those commercials come on I just turn the channel or mute the TV! lol

Kim

 

[happygirl]

OP here

Thanks everyone for the comments. We ended getting it a 2002 hunter green after I posted the thread I started reading up on them and saw they do have a lot of brake problems for some reason. So the dealer put on new brakes for us.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Congrats on your new car! We got our Sienna in October, and I didn't think I'd like a minivan, but I do.

 

[sha_lyn]

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

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.

I've owned 2 caravans. bought a used 96 in 98, then bought a brand new one in '01.
I have never replaced a transmission.

We have a 2005 with the stow and go. Its been pretty good but lately its been lurching forward when we start it. DH took it to the dealer and he said he couldnt find the problem, wth? Anyone else have this problem? Overall we got this one because we ran the other one into the ground with about 173K miles on it. So they have been pretty reliable for us.

It is the 10% Ethanol in they've added to the gasoline

OP here

Thanks everyone for the comments. We ended getting it a 2002 hunter green after I posted the thread I started reading up on them and saw they do have a lot of brake problems for some reason. So the dealer put on new brakes for us.

I did have problems with the brakes in the 96. Mechanic never did find anything. DH took it in the last time and the mechanic basically said I was imagining it even though DH would often be with me, or diving it and when the warning like for the anti-lock brakes would come on.

We sold it to a co-worker of DH's who knows his way around under the hood of the car. Turns out one of the lines was weak and would colapse sometimes.