I really want to buy a used Dodge Grand Caravan. New is more than I want to pay for a car. The Stow-n-Go seating and 3,500 lbs. towing capacity make it uniquely suited for what I want to do. BUT, I'm reluctant to pull the trigger because they are a Chrysler product. I usually buy a car and keep if for a good long time. My everyday car will continue to by my 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage (112k miles) which I will replace with a new subcompact when the day comes I need a new everyday driver.
So I have a few questions:
1. If I buy a Grand Caravan, am I buying a miserable unreliable money pit?
2. Am I better off buying a newer one for $15k+/- that has a couple of years left on the power train warranty or am I better off buying an older/higher mileage one with no warranty for $10k +/-?
3. I'm thinking about buying one from a car rental company because: (i) they have a lot of them that are still under power train warranty; and (ii) they have a program where you can rent the vehicle for three days (during which I can take it to a mechanic for a check-up) and, if I decide to buy it, the cost of the rental is credited against the purchase price of the vehicle. Bad idea? Good idea?
Thanks
1. Yes
2. Lease a new one or buy one which still has a lot of warranty remaining. You’ll need it.
3. Very bad idea
No matter which way you look at it, you’re gonna start to have problems as it ages. So I’d avoid it completely, or use it till I had warranty to fall back on, and then get rid of it.
First of all, they have horrible resale value so don't buy a new one.
You could lease one if you like it.
Don't buy one from a rental company. My family has had luck with that, but odds are against in this case...
These vans aren't that reliable, that is why you see 5 year old ones for for 5 6 grand.
For the price, its smarter to buy a 4 5 year old used Toyota Sienna rather than the Caravan.
1. Yes
2. I would only lease it and ditch before the warranty is up
3. Forget this idea
1. Yes
2. yes
3. Bad idea. Rental cars are often maintained poorly because the rental companies only keep them for a few years until they get another fleet of newer rental cars. Additionally, people who rent cars usually don’t treat them very well.
If you want a minivan, get a Toyota Sienna. It is leagues better than any Chrysler/Dodge minivan and it will last you a long long time. I have a 2006 Sienna and I promise the seats are super easy to fold down - it takes like 10 seconds. I’ve done nothing but normal maintenance and the car runs just like it did 15 years ago.
1. Not necessarily if well maintained, but a CVT used for towing just seems like a bad idea.
2. No, get one cheap if you're gonna get one
3. Probably had the crap beat out of it. I wouldn't.
If you really want one, I would go new. You can get them new for $17,600.
Dodge Grand Caravan - AutoTrader
i bought a chrysler grand voyager 2008 here in oz for under 3k, everything else was around 10k or more. mine was a taxi from when it was first purchased, deregistered as a taxi in 2018 then registered as private usage after that. i bought it from a car yard 8 months ago. having a bit of mechanical knowledge i went over the van alot more than i usually would due to knowing it was previously a taxi(all taxi inspection stickers in the engine bay and lpg system).i took of for a test drive and worked out what it needed maintenance wise.this van has an extensive service history, in this history it has had a TCM failure recorded once, i also read up how some check the transmission fluid without a dipstick in it. did all that, i had a good laugh at the plug covering the transmission dipstick tube. transmission in this does what it should do, no weird noises, no delayed shifting etc. mileage on this is now 470,000 klilometers (i bought it with 456,000). i did read up about all the reviews on this model covering dodge,chrysler and VW. maybe i was one of the few lucky owners of not having a money pit, i dont drive it like i stole it. if the transmission does fail in the van i know what i will be doing and that is not replace the transmission,just replace then car.i am not a chrysler fan of any sort, i simply took the "gamble" of buying a cheap van knowing you get what you pay for.i guess in a nut shell its like any other vehicle, it they and serviced and maintained they should be reliable. enough of my rabbling.
Well
I agree with the first three responses. As an owner of a 2009 used D GC 3.8L , it ran great, I keep it maintenanced, but I went to a bad oil change place and bad money hungry, deceiving Mechanic.
Please follow advice, it's risky! It's even worst if you're a WOMAN ♀️
I had better vehicle usage with my used 2002 Chevy Impala for 15 yrs. No major problems, kept it maintenanced and regulated who maintenanced that car.
Well, I hope you make a good choice, pray first. Trust that 🙏🏾🤗
