Help me buy a mini-van

[wiggles]

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???

 

[ceecee]

How low are we talking mileage wise? Does the 2007 come with any kind of warranty?

 

[wiggles]

mileage runs between 20,000 and 30,000 miles. I'm not sure on the warranty. We haven't started talking to any dealers yet. Just started looking on the internet. None of the Dodge/Chrylsers that I have looked at have been certified.

 

[Lisa_M]

we just recently got a T & C van 2006 w/ 25k miles certified w/ an extended warranty to 80k for $14,500. I would keep looking as I wouldn't pay $15k for a van w/ 60k miles. Even if it is a honda

 

[inkedupmomma]

Your best bet is probably the honda. Miles have nothing to do with it in the end. Hondas are known o surpass vehicles in the amount of miles they can last. I would research the problems each car has. You can pm if you like, my df is a mechanic and knows lots about mini vans now that we finally bought one!

 

[jennilouwho]

Would you consider a Toyota Sienna? When I was researching those and Hondas seemed to be the best bet. We bought a 2003 with 58,000 miles on it a few months ago for $11,500. It needed new tires, but otherwise it's been great so far....

 

[tarheel618]

please google repair problems with dodge mini vans. I wish I had. I have a Grand Caravan and it has been a nightmare. I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy. I know some people may really like them but I hear (now that I own one) more bad than good.

 

[blessedby3]

I would go with the Honda. I just love those vans. We have a 2000 Ford Windstar and when we bought it 5 years ago we looked high and low for an affordable Odyssey. We could only find ones that were one or two years old and we couldnt afford them. I am hoping that when this Ford kicks the bucket that we will be able to get an Odyssey. Hoping......

 

[Belle4mygrl]

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.

 

[Feeln'Froggy]

I lemon lawed a dodge grand caravan and replaced it with a Sienna.
We had a problem with the serpentine belt on the caravan, 5 in less than 25,000 miles.
What a nightmare!
I would not wish a caravan on my worst emeny, ok maybe
I love the Sienna we have 125,000+ miles and no problems.

 

[majimikate]

Had a Voyager (the sister of the Caravan)...replaced the transmission at
40,000 miles, the radiator shortly thereafter, then air conditioner condenser one summer (the van was 3 years old at that point), and the a/c compressor the next. Sold van for $2500 under book value shortly thereafter, just to get rid of it. Replaced it with a Honda Odyssey, I'm on my second one now, love them. Great cars, no complaints. My husband is driving a 2001 Accord coupe with 247,000 miles on it, on which we have done brakes, tires and little else. I had an Accord prior to that which we traded in with 190,000 miles on it. We've never gone wrong with Honda, and will never buy a Dodge again....good luck!!

Chris

 

[SarahKate]

Definitely a Honda fan here! We just got rid of our 2004 Honda that we had for 4 years (we had leased it). We didn't have a lick of problems with it and were WELL aware that it was still relatively young as far as miles go - it had about 48k miles on it.

The one thing I will tell you is that I have read here on the Disboards that around the same year as our van there have been reports of transmision issues. That would be worth looking into a little further or maybe others will pipe up here.

We are Japanese auto fans all the way!

We had a Dodge Caravan before our Honda and it was just not well made. I don't think we really had problems with it, but it just felt cheap. My dad has a 1990 Voyager and it actually still runs.....he hasn't used it as his main vehicle for a while, but it does still run.

 

[ceecee]

I would go with the Honda. I just love those vans. We have a 2000 Ford Windstar and when we bought it 5 years ago we looked high and low for an affordable Odyssey. We could only find ones that were one or two years old and we couldnt afford them. I am hoping that when this Ford kicks the bucket that we will be able to get an Odyssey. Hoping......

If it's anything like our Windstar it won't be long!!! As far as reliablity and repair rates Honda and Toyotas both rank the highest.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

My brother-in-law works on the assembly line at the Honda plant near Birmingham. He recently bought 2 new vehicles......both Chevrolets...he would get a good discount on a Honda but said he had no interest in owning one. Personally I would not buy ANY vehicle with 60000 miles.

 

[mjkacmom]

Definately the Honda - you can get 200,000 miles out of them! Both of my parents drive used Honda Odysseys - my neighbor (who owns his own garage) convinced my dad to sell his Windstar and buy a used Honda that my dad found for sale - says they are the best minivan ever.

 

[tikilyn]

How soon are you looking to buy? Nissan is having a great sale on Quest as low as 15800.00 New. Here's a link to fatwallet http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/845337/ beware that tread is 150 pages long. I just bought my husband a 2008 Nissan Frontier crew cab 4x4 with Value Truck package for 17500.00. It MSRP for 27300.00. I saved about 10,000.00 on the trucks thanks to fatwallet. I also had to travel out of town to get it but it was worth it (so say's my husband)


HTHs

 

[wiggles]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I was leaning towards the Honda and also the Toyota Sienna. I own a toyota now(camry). Kinda of confirms what was in the back of my mind about the dodge/chrysler. Thanks again! I will go back to researchin.

 

[swilshire]

Definitely the Honda. We keep buying the Chryslers because they are cheap, but by 125,000 miles they are trash. I SO want a Honda. Even went to the lot and looked at them the other day.

In years past, Honda just wouldn't give good deals. I'm hoping with the crappy economy, that might change. Our current Chrysler has 98,000 miles on it, so I'm starting to worry about it.

Sheila

 

[TinkOhio]

Another Grand Caravan owner here who says to avoid Chrysler! I love how comfy my minivan is, but we have had nothing but problems with it from the get-go. Please... spare yourself the headaches!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

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.