Looking for minivan

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

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I've sold my 1998 Ram. I don't have much money, but would like a cheap minivan. I would be interested in any Nissan Quest, Mercury Villager, or 1996 and newer Voyager/Caravan van. I would most like the Grand Caravan/Voyager van.

Cross my finger that I find something for $1500 and under.
 
dereksbicycles said:
I've sold my 1998 Ram. I don't have much money, but would like a cheap minivan. I would be interested in any Nissan Quest, Mercury Villager, or 1996 and newer Voyager/Caravan van. I would most like the Grand Caravan/Voyager van.

Cross my finger that I find something for $1500 and under.
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Grand Caravan is junk. It's famous problem in the history.
 
Had a Dodge SE5 8-passenger Van, 1997.....No problems at all! Just minor upkeep. Just loved it and with 3 boys and 3 dogs...we still had plenty of room.
 
Thank for all of your replies. I have also thought about Ford Windstar, Previa, and Mazda MPV.

I don't know if I want a Venture or Silhouette. Pontiac Transport may work.

Definitely no Aerostar!!!!
 
dereksbicycles said:
Thank for all of your replies. I have also thought about Ford Windstar, Previa, and Mazda MPV.

I don't know if I want a Venture or Silhouette. Pontiac Transport may work.

Definitely no Aerostar!!!!
Click to expand...

All are pretty much junk, but stay away from the Previa. The engine is laid down sideways under the driver's seat and is a real pain in the ass to work on.

Big problem with most minivans is that they have not been properly maintained, so their transmissions crap out often. Look for one that has had its transmission serviced regularly.
 
Journey said:
I've had two Caravans, a 1992 and a 2003. Both are still on the road and have been great vehicles :). Guess we've been lucky.
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Grand Caravan or just Caravan? Depend where you live. Like country road made engine/transmission life longer than Major City or you just lucky.

My father had 1989?Caravan then 1992 (?) Grand Caravan and 2001 Grand Caravan with AWD and they has problem with PCM,shaft, transmission, and engine. He said no more dodge for him and he finally switch to Subaru forester 2012 and he love it so much. He always use Dodge since 80's. He is very heavy drive at Chicago area for business.
 
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You should keeps 1998 Ram because I noticed most trucks are reliability than most minivan.
 
The Highlander said:
Grand Caravan is junk. It's famous problem in the history.
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Famous problem in the history? I wud not say anything but I often see the fluid leaks (common in automatic trannies) and electrical problems. The OHV engines are good. Older Caravans are more problems...
 
dereksbicycles said:
I've sold my 1998 Ram. I don't have much money, but would like a cheap minivan. I would be interested in any Nissan Quest, Mercury Villager, or 1996 and newer Voyager/Caravan van. I would most like the Grand Caravan/Voyager van.

Cross my finger that I find something for $1500 and under.
Click to expand...

I pick newer (2000 and up) Voyager/Caravan vans over Quest/Villager vans... one reason is they (mini Chrysler vans) use OHV engines. The Mercury Villagers use a 3.0L, 3.3L and 3.5L V6 SOHC engines. Both Nissan/Chrysler mini vans are good as well. Chrylser mini vans are excellent for disabled/HC drivers cuz they are easy to modding the liftgates/ramps and more comfy room for the electric wheelchairs
 
dereksbicycles said:
Thank for all of your replies. I have also thought about Ford Windstar, Previa, and Mazda MPV.

I don't know if I want a Venture or Silhouette. Pontiac Transport may work.

Definitely no Aerostar!!!!
Click to expand...

Don't gamble on GM mini vans. I don't like the engine compartments cuz of very tight space. I tell you if I see any GM mini vans come in for oil changes. I will do oil/filter change, not check the air filter or serpentine belt or water pump. Neglect it. I follow the customer request period. If you want to replace a serpentine belt, you are more likely to spend all the day at your home. Pain in the anal.
 
green427 said:
All are pretty much junk, but stay away from the Previa. The engine is laid down sideways under the driver's seat and is a real pain in the ass to work on.

Big problem with most minivans is that they have not been properly maintained, so their transmissions crap out often. Look for one that has had its transmission serviced regularly.
Click to expand...

I've been working on a Previa for replaced valve cover gasket and distributor's O seal. I hate to flipping the driver seat back to open the engine cover lid to access the oil filler cap.
 
deafsmogtech said:
I pick newer (2000 and up) Voyager/Caravan vans over Quest/Villager vans... one reason is they (mini Chrysler vans) use OHV engines. The Mercury Villagers use a 3.0L, 3.3L and 3.5L V6 SOHC engines. Both Nissan/Chrysler mini vans are good as well. Chrylser mini vans are excellent for disabled/HC drivers cuz they are easy to modding the liftgates/ramps and more comfy room for the electric wheelchairs
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I hate to tell you. I used work at GM/Chrysler dealership. Chrysler 2008 or newer still famous problem with PCM and electric and they need replaced a new wired or PCM or overwrite/update firmware. Too many list to write down.

Yes, it's true about easy to modding for the electric/hydraulic wheelchairs.
 
Trust me, you won't find any good reliable vehicles for less than $3k. If I want good one, then it would be $5K or higher.

Best is get a good vehicle and deal with car payments. My experience proves that buying cheap clunker cost much more than get good one with car payments. Plus clunker means more time in shop than on road and I can't afford having my vehicle spend more time in garage.
 
The older dodge caravans are junk! had a '89 and hated it. '90's and older which is in your price range. The late newer ones in 00's appears to be better but has electrical issues.
have you looked at kia sedona's base models? They have best tow rating and in my opinion less electronic junks. if you can get 2005-2006 they have better mileage then 2007-2011. same engine,tranny but only difference is chip setting for epa regulations. better epa settings=less mileage.

With gas prices going up now to over 4 bucks a gallon soon, I'd hold off a caravan. There is no telling if prices for gas will go back down under 4 or not before or after labor day.
 
diehardbiker said:
Yep, I noticed too. I prefer pu truck over van. I have not had a single problem with my truck since I bought it 18 months ago.
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Right. My 1998 Ram pick up was very reliable, but I hate having a pick up truck. I prefer minivan or big van.
 
radioman said:
The older dodge caravans are junk! had a '89 and hated it. '90's and older which is in your price range. The late newer ones in 00's appears to be better but has electrical issues.
have you looked at kia sedona's base models? They have best tow rating and in my opinion less electronic junks. if you can get 2005-2006 they have better mileage then 2007-2011. same engine,tranny but only difference is chip setting for epa regulations. better epa settings=less mileage.

With gas prices going up now to over 4 bucks a gallon soon, I'd hold off a caravan. There is no telling if prices for gas will go back down under 4 or not before or after labor day.
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I did not check into Kias.

My family had a 1986 Voyager and it presented so many problems. I don't want any 1995 or older Voyager/Caravan vans. Thank for your input on '00 and newer. I may just avoid those '00 and newers.
 
Was read this thread.

I can't believe that you consider buy those. Those minivan isn't reliable. When they have over 100K miles they DONE. Don't argue with me. I see tons tons minivan in junkyard with 80,000 to 170,000 miles.


$1500 isn't going help you. But for now KEEP YOUR RAM TRUCK!!!!! And buy escort wagon for summer since gas will be $5 a gallon.
 
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