Just bought 2018 Caravan with 3k for 19k. Thoughts on Caravan.
Grand Caravan
- Thread starter tiger862
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JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Out of the 4 minivans we've owned from 2003 until now, our 2013 Grand Caravan was my favorite. Great to drive, comfortable, reliable, economical, etc.
I was thinking of getting one, for various reasons didn't. I didn't care for the height difference between gas and throttle, and would likely have shimmed the gas pedal to rise it up a bit.
Seemed decent otherwise. Maybe slow to downshift, fast to upshift, but nothing bad. Good visibility. Transmission is sealed but has a tube that can be used with a dipstick so it's a step up from the standard sealed transmission. [Dorman makes a dipstick but there's videos on how to use the engine oil dipstick for an even cheaper solution.]
I was dubious about buying used with high miles due to usage. Sounds like though you should look into the OEM lifetime warranty. Don't know the details but I'd look into that.
Seemed decent otherwise. Maybe slow to downshift, fast to upshift, but nothing bad. Good visibility. Transmission is sealed but has a tube that can be used with a dipstick so it's a step up from the standard sealed transmission. [Dorman makes a dipstick but there's videos on how to use the engine oil dipstick for an even cheaper solution.]
I was dubious about buying used with high miles due to usage. Sounds like though you should look into the OEM lifetime warranty. Don't know the details but I'd look into that.
I would buy one, especially at that price! Very comfortable and flexible. I like the Pentastar engine, sure it has teething pains with the oil filter cooler housing, but we are past that.
I know someone who swears by them but they also get rid of them before they get alot of miles on them. They drive nice and are nicely designed and functional. Ive driven one but never owned it.
In Canada the paint and rust resistance doesn't seem to hold up as well as the Japanese minivans.
However, they cost quite a bit less.
However, they cost quite a bit less.
For those prices I don't think I could justify any other minivan, new or used.
This is something Chrysler got right and I'm glad they left it alone even though they have the Chrysler Pacifica which is a totally different van on a different frame only sharing the Penta-Star V6 and nothing else. IMO the Dodge version of their van offerings, although not the fanciest looking thing on the road is bulletproof and highly reliable in its design.
My dad's 2012 has 300K and still going strong. No oil consumption on el-cheapo oil filters and bulk conventional oil. The PentaStar V6 is excellent and it's why I encouraged my father in-law to buy one. The Mercedes transmission although not the most smooth shifting in Eco mode does shift alright when that button is turned off as it doesn't skip gears and lets the RPM rideout a little further which encourages smoother shifts.
I would change the transmission fluid at no later than 60K miles with new ATF+4 regardless that they say it's a sealed for life unit. My dad's van has had this done and it shifts like brand new. You can get a $20 Dorman dipstick for these units to check the level by temperature on Rock Auto. Just wait until it has been sitting over night and start the vehicle cold and check it. Works fine this way if you don't have a scan tool to check it at operating temperature.
You can use the cheapest oil you can find that meets MS-6395 Chrysler spec in this engine and it will give you a good long life with 0 issues. They really are bullet proof engines.
Drive happy! My dad and father inlaw are.
My dad's 2012 has 300K and still going strong. No oil consumption on el-cheapo oil filters and bulk conventional oil. The PentaStar V6 is excellent and it's why I encouraged my father in-law to buy one. The Mercedes transmission although not the most smooth shifting in Eco mode does shift alright when that button is turned off as it doesn't skip gears and lets the RPM rideout a little further which encourages smoother shifts.
I would change the transmission fluid at no later than 60K miles with new ATF+4 regardless that they say it's a sealed for life unit. My dad's van has had this done and it shifts like brand new. You can get a $20 Dorman dipstick for these units to check the level by temperature on Rock Auto. Just wait until it has been sitting over night and start the vehicle cold and check it. Works fine this way if you don't have a scan tool to check it at operating temperature.
You can use the cheapest oil you can find that meets MS-6395 Chrysler spec in this engine and it will give you a good long life with 0 issues. They really are bullet proof engines.
Drive happy! My dad and father inlaw are.
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I had one, 2005 model. Some nickel and diming over the years & 125K miles (window motor, plugs, wires, turn signal indicator, tranny electronic solenoid) but was going very strong at the time of an accident totaling the vehicle.
Loved the performance, stow and go seats, legroom in the front and utility of the vehicle and had planned to keep it on the road for another 100K at least but the accident prevented it. It was a heavy vehicle and the MPG was acceptable, not great.
Loved the performance, stow and go seats, legroom in the front and utility of the vehicle and had planned to keep it on the road for another 100K at least but the accident prevented it. It was a heavy vehicle and the MPG was acceptable, not great.
I love these as the rental vehicles for our annual trip to Smith Mountain Lake, tons of room, relatively quick, and on our last trip got almost 28 mpg over an 8 hour drive. If the wife wasnt so against it, I wouldve grabbed a higher mileage one over the GL320 and saved some money. Id also look into the lifetime warranty, you really can go wrong for 3500 to go to any dealer and have it covered. I believe my employee has a 15 Ram and it was $3k at the selling dealer, $3500 to go to any dealer, anywhere.
Very happy with my 15. The stow and go is simply fantastic, and the amount stuff this minivan can swallow is quite impressive.
Regarding the ATF, I did a full intercooler exchange in about 20 minutes. You don't even need to jack the car up, it's that simple.
Regarding the ATF, I did a full intercooler exchange in about 20 minutes. You don't even need to jack the car up, it's that simple.
Congrats,
You will be happy with your purchase. My 2015 has been good. Only issue has been a bad gas cap and the passenger side actuator for the heating/AC acts up.
You will be happy with your purchase. My 2015 has been good. Only issue has been a bad gas cap and the passenger side actuator for the heating/AC acts up.
JC1 it might be a bad louver, these are common with Chrysler vehicles on some models. My Dodge Journey didn't even have 35,000 miles on it and mine had to be replaced.
Originally Posted By: camrydriver111
In Canada the paint and rust resistance doesn't seem to hold up as well as the Japanese minivans.
However, they cost quite a bit less.
I've never noticed this, there are plenty of ratty ones around due to how many of them are made. Rust resistance is highly dependent on maintenance, the only cars I 100% know have rusted away are first gen Mazda 3s.
In Canada the paint and rust resistance doesn't seem to hold up as well as the Japanese minivans.
However, they cost quite a bit less.
I've never noticed this, there are plenty of ratty ones around due to how many of them are made. Rust resistance is highly dependent on maintenance, the only cars I 100% know have rusted away are first gen Mazda 3s.
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