I have a friend who might be willing to let me buy there 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan for a total of $2500. They told me the following about it...
186k. Just put a tranny in it. Radiator is 3 1/2 years old, heating core last winter, new windshield last month, couple of new sensors and new ignition module with two key fobs. Tires have decent tread too. Also, 1 of the sliding doors on the side doesn't open & close on its own.
I'm about as good with cars as a box of rock so I need the help. I would mostly be using it for my volunteer work at a local no kill animal rescue I've been volunteering with for over 17.5 years now! Would it be a good idea to buy it? TIA!
too much money for an old, badly built car. Strong no.
Worst van ever, all the work that had to be done already should be a red flag.
It's really awesome you've been volunteering at an animal shelter for that long!!! I would not buy that Grand Caravan. If you want a minivan, get a Toyota Sienna - they are way better built than those Chrysler/Dodge minivans. I would recommend you look at 2007-2010 model year Siennas - they use a metal timing chain so you won't have to worry about costly timing belt services. Plus, you can get a good deal on them. There's loads of space in them as well - I can easily fit my two pit bulls in my Sienna with acres of room for them to move around.
No they are not good vehicles to any stretch of the imagination
Gotta give the other side of the argument here:
If you are in a pinch and need a vehicle, it could be... OK... for under 2K if a mechanic says its fine. DEFINITELY get it inspected, and I would ask if the 'new' transmission was really 'new' or rebuilt.
You'll pay 3-4x as much for a Toyota Sienna of similar statistics!
You guys are failing to notice that people are living in the real world with real budgets!
Be careful, however. People usually sell vehicles because there is something wrong with them.
I personally wouldn't want to buy that vehicle, but I want to give the other sides of arguments to promote good decisions here.
But I encourage all of our members to consider the real life factors that influence car buying before pressing that 'answer' button!
What good is it if you cheap out on a car that breaks down, and you have to replace it anyway. You're almost always better off spending more up front, than being bled dry over time or faced with a huge bill for failed transmission or something.
Plus, we are talking about Caravans. They are NOTORIOUSLY bad.
@mountainmanjoe the 2013 in my fleet hasn't had any issues besides a thermostat and broken floor trim piece so far, both of which I fixed for minimal money :silly:
Just playing the devils advocate here. Because there are benefits on both sides of all arguments.
and that goes double for people who aren't tech savvy and reliant on mechanics
we've had the "but MY car isn't like that" discussion here before. The statistics are against you.
@mountainmanjoe well, true. But I take care of my cars and take it easy so that's probably why.
It helps. And maybe you just got lucky
@mountainmanjoe maybe! Sure didn't get lucky with the Neon and Nova though 😆