Help me buy a mini-van

[MrMarv]

The #1 problem with the Chrysler minivans since they came along in 1982 or thereabouts has been the transmission.

I'd never buy one under any circumstances.

Stick with the Asian brands.

 

[disneymarie]

We are thinking about buying a used mini van. We're hoping to keep the cost at or under $15000. Here's where I need your help. I can get a 2007 dodge grand caravan or a chrysler town and country with low miles or a 2004 Honda odyssey with around 60000 miles for around my price. Which to choose? The certified Honda, that has the reputation of being the best selling mini van or the newest and lower miles of the dodge/chrysler? Any thoughts???

I have not read all the post but I can almost predict that they love the features in the Caravan but HATE the problems with them. I had several transmission jobs including replacing it twice and one motor replaced, about a dozen recallsl anything from the wiper arms, to overheating componants, seat belt latches to name a few. BUT, they never took issue to the overdrive transmission they offer. As it is not a safety issue like the Goodyear tire problem was, they keep using this trash transmission.

My son bought a Dodge Daytona with the same tranny, same thing, two motors and two transmissions, finally had it towed out of here, I would not sell either car to someone and find out 1,ooo mike later the tranny went again.

My older son bought an Odysee and we find it amazing. With a Honda, or a as my Toyota Camery they are great. No little plastic things breaking, covers snapping, motor jobs at 55,000 miles etc.
The gas mileage is not so good as a 4 cyl car, but the value stays with a Honda and will not hold anything with a Dodge Chrysler.

As far as I can strongly recommend, Go with the HONDA!
Dianne

 

[packofjedis]

Everyone I know who has had a dodge caravan lost the transmission at about 100k miles, this is not likely to happen to a Honda or Toyota.

We actually just a month ago lost our Caravan to transmission problems. Only 96,000 miles on it in 9 years and it was shot. Unfortunately blue book value even in excellent condition was less than it was to fix it. So we donated the car.

I's go Toyota or Honda. I knew an auto repair man yrs ago who specialized in Hondas. He said Hondas are made to last and they'll easily go 200,000+ miles.

Plus both Hondas and Toyotas hold their value really well.

 

[d1gitman]

I know this is not what you ask BUT I have a 2003 Chevy Venture for the past 5 years. It now has 179K miles! The major thing we have done is the intake gaskets ($1100) other than the usual tune up, 0xygen sensor, tires. It has been a great vehicle. You might want to check into that if the others don't pan out.

we had a 99 venture and had to spend $1100 for intake gasket as well....hmmm

we have been odyssey drivers ever since. my mother has had a T&C with many minor issues from day one. She had a Windstar and had to replace the tranny at 30k mi. She now drives an odyssey. We are on our 3rd odyssey and love it.

Odyssey or Sienna, you can't go wrong.

 

[MissyDVC]

In the minority here but LOVE our 2008 Chrysler T & C. Had a Ford Windstar and it was nothing but problems.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We had a 2001 Dodge Caravan with 130,000 miles on it when my DH totaled it. It ran great and we had no issues with it, however, when it was time to replace we purchased a used Toyota Sienna because the resale and reliability.

 

[disneymomoftwins]

I am the warranty clerk in the service dept at a Toyota dealership. I handle all the warranty claims and also customer pay repairs for our dealership. I own a Toyota Sienna (this is my second one). I see the repairs for all makes of vehicles and hear stories from other dealers also. If you dont want a Toyota I would definitely choose a Honda. I actually looked at the Honda before I bought my last Sienna. My old Sienna was a 2000 model, had 135000miles on it and was still in very good shape. We sold it to an individual and it only took about 3 weeks to sell it.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I know this is not what you ask BUT I have a 2003 Chevy Venture for the past 5 years. It now has 179K miles! The major thing we have done is the intake gaskets ($1100) other than the usual tune up, 0xygen sensor, tires. It has been a great vehicle. You might want to check into that if the others don't pan out.

It could have been me typing this post. I think ours doesn't quite have that many miles, we don't go anywhere But we've had ours for 5 years too and those are the samethings we had fixed on ours...plus the heater in both of the front seats went out, but it was still under warranty. I wouldn't hessitate to recommend a 2003 Venture to anyone.

 

[4forMe]

Everyone I know who has had a dodge caravan lost the transmission at about 100k miles, this is not likely to happen to a Honda or Toyota.

Not true. We own a Honda Odyssey that is currently on its 4th tranmission at 87,000 miles. Therefore, I have to recommend the Toyota Sienna. We have three sets of friends that have owned them 5 plus years with no problems. We will be buying a Sienna by the end of the year.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Not true. We own a Honda Odyssey that is currently on its 4th tranmission at 87,000 miles. Therefore, I have to recommend the Toyota Sienna. We have three sets of friends that have owned them 5 plus years with no problems. We will be buying a Sienna by the end of the year.

Did you lemon law it? I def think.. no I know you got a lemon. Hondas have never been known to have transmission probs. I would look into lemon lawing it fer sure!!

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

Did you lemon law it? I def think.. no I know you got a lemon. Hondas have never been known to have transmission probs. I would look into lemon lawing it fer sure!!

Honda IS known for Tranny problems specifically the '99-'01 models and the '02-'04 have them as well just not as wide spread.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Honda IS known for Tranny problems specifically the '99-'01 models and the '02-'04 have them as well just not as wide spread.

known by who?? Hondas are known for not having transmission problems, unlike many other mini-vans. I'm not being snarky, but i'm not quite sure where you got that info from

 

[inkedupmomma]

Are you sure your not mistaking Honda for hyundai?/(many people do, and I just thought of it after i posted).

Also, ANY car/van/suv that has 4 transmissions being replaced while under 87k is def a lemon regardless of brand. No car should have that many tansmission issues.

 

[amyup]

known by who?? Hondas are known for not having transmission problems, unlike many other mini-vans. I'm not being snarky, but i'm not quite sure where you got that info from

The previous poster is right. If you have a 99-01 or 02-04 these have had frequent transmission problems.

 

[amyup]

The previous poster is right. If you have a 99-01 or 02-04 these have had frequent transmission problems.

But I wanted to add, we have an Odyssey and love it

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

known by who?? Hondas are known for not having transmission problems, unlike many other mini-vans. I'm not being snarky, but i'm not quite sure where you got that info from

Google is your friends as well as the Odyclub you are being snarky and can be snarky all you want even Honda has admitted the problem.

ETA here's a great link for you to browse.
http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/php/pdf/caht1not.pdf