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reliablity

This is such a hard thing to rate. I have own 2 Dodge mini vans in the last 15 years. They were/are my primary autos, and I have haul everything from appliances to mulch in them. In all that time I have never had a single major repair that wasn't my fault (hitting a deer doesn't count ). I never took that good of care of them and they only went to the mechanic for oil changes twice a year if they needed them or not. I have to say they are very reliable. I have friends who also bought one the same time and after a few years of repair headaches traded it in and don't have one good word to say about them and would never recommend them to anyone. I also know someone at work who had quite a bite of trouble with theirs and would not recommend a mini van but my parents have a 10 year old one with zero complaints. Jeb
 
Is something like a Ford Escape large enough for you? It certainly should be tall enough to make it easy to get into.

I had one as a loaner for a few weeks a couple of years ago, and ended up quite liking it.
 
From your list I'd go with the Ford Escape. My roommate had 2. I have problems with my back and hips and I had no problem.

Right now I own a 2011 Nissan Cube. Don't laugh; I can hear you all the way in NYC! It's high enough that it's pain-free to get in/out. You sit high and even with the seat raised there's still an amazing amount of head room. Both the windshield and driver's door are away and out of your face. I get 27 mpg in 50/50 mixed city/hgwy driving and 32 on road trips. It is quiet and smooth. User reviews mention the wind noise. Well, that's because the engine and tranny are so quiet, the only thing TO hear is the wind! The rear seat slides forward and back (while up) and the whole thing folds down.

It has crappy Toya A20 tires on it and I've never had a problem with snow and ice. Stability control+traction control+30-odd years of driving in snow = no problem this winter.

As for cargo room, I was able to fit my Maytag A710 into it with room for a tool box or 2. That said, there wasn't much room for anything else.

Just my 2 cents.

Jim
 
I would take a closer look at the 2007 Grand Caravan. I drove one for a while (actually a 2003 Town and Country, same engine and mechanicals though), and it was very comfortable, quiet, and had plenty of pep. I can't say how it was on gas though, I drove it mostly around town and it was in desperate need of a tune up. Don't let the higher mileage scare you (over the lower mileage of the Town and Country), I have seen plenty for sale around here with well over 200k. If the seats are "Stow & Go", they fold flat into the floor, if not, they can be removed fairly easily. If I had a need for a large vehicle, that would be my first choice. I owned a 1987 Caravan and it was pretty decent, but was just about worn out when I bought it (over 20 years old!)
 
We are on our 3rd Chrysler T & C.  Our first one(1998) is still going strong, it's my wife's daily driver, no. 2 (2003) was totaled last March when I was hit in the left front.  No. 3 is a 2008 that we bought used (3/13) with only 66,000 miles on it.  They all have given us good service over the years.  The 2008 averages 24-25mpg on the highway, and about 20mpg in town.  None of them have been money pits for us.  I really love the stow-n-go seats that the 2008 has. 
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Doug- I wasn't able to take time yesterday to fish for cars- the Honda you linked to has been removed (I assume sold). Thanks though!!

Dan- we really want something enclosed, but if not, I'd be looking at pickups.

Jeb- yes, very difficult. There are always diamonds and coal no matter which make/model you look at. I'm trying to see where there's a trend- like with the Dodge minivans, it seems the side door motors and rear heat can be issues across a good sampling of vehicles.

Jim- Escape- I couldn't find any in my range.

Dustin/Tim- I'm still considering the Dodges, even with the door motor problems that have been reported. The push-button opening is a great feature I remember from my Transport, but if they conk out they're still manual doors.

I've come up with some more possibilities if you wouldn't mind letting me know. Rich suggested the Land Rover, but it looks like it's pretty narrow to me and has those fold-to-the-sides third row seats.

2001 Honda CRV LX 102K miles $6k- http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

2003 Honda CRV EX 126k miles $7500- http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

2006 Kia Sedona 104k miles $7K- http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

2003 Land Rover Discovery 108K miles $7K http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

2003 Toyota Sienna 115K miles $7K- http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLX 107K miles $7500- http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...scending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&

And the '07 Pontiac Torrent.

Thanks again, all!! This really is a pain in the ***- hope I'm not being one!!!!!!!

Chuck
 
Dealer story

So, I've contacted a couple of dealers with questions, very simple ones. I always add in that I'd like email contact only for now. However, the phone number is a mandatory field in the query form, so I give it. Yes, I've gotten calls to come in and test drive with NO acknowledgment that I even asked a question or requested email only.

But one dealer, Boch, really took the cake (they have the 2002 Caravan with 72K miles for $8k). I emailed with two questions and requested email only for now: Can the third row seating be completely removed, and are there options on the vehicle not listed in the ad that bring the car more than $2K over the blue book price accessed from the ad?

10 minutes later the phone rang. It was them, and they left a message for me to call to arrange a test drive. 2 hours later, another message from a manager asking me the same thing.

When I got home from work, I called to speak to the general manager. He wasn't there so I spoke to the sales manager, letting him know I was hesitant to so as I was familiar with how that works (the SM protects the salespeople). He listened to me, apologized profusely, and said he had had the discussion with his staff before about actually reading the queries when they come in. He then said he realized that I probably had a bad taste in my mouth for the dealership, but would personally take care of my questions if I wanted, and would allow a call back in about 20 minutes. I said sure! Never got a call from him.

Yesterday, a woman with a title called while I was gone (Rich got the call), then sent an email, asking me to call to arrange a test drive. I used the unsubscribe link to opt out.

This morning she called again. I told her the right hand should know what the left hand is doing, that I had discussed this with the sales manager already and I should not be getting calls. "Oh, there isn't a manager in this morning, sorry. I'll take you off the call list." A follow up email asking me to call for a test drive came in from her minutes later.

Then, 2 hrs later, an email came in from the first person who called Friday. I replied that I had opted out yesterday so their system must not be working. He replied that he'd take me off the list.

So tomorrow morning, I'm going to call the general manager and explain all this to him. I'm not expecting miracles, but at the very least I'll get it off my chest. Best case scenario, he'll reduce the car to KBB price or close. I seriously doubt it, but it can't hurt. The only reason I'd even consider a car from there is that they have great customer reviews and a lifetime powertrain warranty.

And they wonder why car dealers/salespeople have the reputation they have!!!!

Rant over!
 
In your most recent list, I'd check out either of the Honda CRVs or the Toyota Sienna before anything else.

Dealing with car dealers is often a pain.
 
That generation sienna had major transmission issues and i believe that generation was also prone to the whole oil sludge issue. The generation after was a little better but not much.

You mention the element was too small, I don't think those CRV's above will be much if any bigger. Otherwise would be worth considering.[this post was last edited: 3/16/2014-21:01]
 
My '99 Chrysler 300M has been very reliable. Only significant repair (other than warranty recalls for minor stuff) was a transmission speed sensor. I went to the cloud, diagnosed it myself, got a new sensor for about $25, and the installation took about 30 minutes - mainly just to jack up the car and put it on stands.

I do all my own maintenance: oil changes, coolant, transmission fluid, differential oil, etc. I let someone else mount and balance the tires, though. It's a very comfortable ride with more than enough power and handles decently. It can also carry a lot, but I wouldn't try to carry any mulch in it :-).

I happen to like Subarus a lot - their flat four and flat six motors are marvelous. I rented a Legacy once (sedan) and loved it.

If you were buying a new ride I'd suggest the Ford Transit. It comes in a variety of body styles, seems perfect for hauling, and is frugal on gas (or so I read). Probably one of the most practical rides out there since the VW Microbus went away.
 
Thanks, Rick, but the 300M is a "regular" car and I need something higher. Same with the Legacy. And, for the Transit, I need to go used right now.

Thanks Doug and Scott. A mechanic I know who is keeping track of what I'm looking at recommended the 01 CRV followed by the 06 Kia and 04 Hyundai, though he thought the price on the latter two was a bit high. I'm gonna do an in-person of a CRV hopefully tomorrow to check out the size. Otherwise, I may ask why the Hyundai is so far above KBB.

Wonder what tomorrow's ads will bring up???

Chuck
 
I would skip the Kia if I were you- Friends of mine just bought a 2003 Sedona and everything about it screams "CHEAP". One door handle is broken off inside (you have to roll the window down, open the door from the outside, then roll the window back up!), Another door only opens from the inside, the sunroof doesn't work, all the buttons and knobs have the lettering worn off, the cloth seats are worn and nasty looking, rust in weird places ETC.
 
Avoid the Kia!!!

+1!

 

Around this time and from the mid-1990's, about 50% of ALL vehicles had their engines replaced due to head-gasket/cylinder linings. The Korean's licensed the Rover V6 for these, and those engines were quite troublesome to begin with, even more so if you throw in a brand-new Korean manufacturing facility that can't get things right!

 

Just research "Kia Sedona" (or Carnival) "Head gasket," and you'll see what I mean. Cars with mileage all over the place with persistent problems.

 

Although, I hear Kia picked things up later on in the run of the Rover V6 - but they weren't perfect still.
 
I remember we test drove the minivan and SUV Kias when I was looking for a car (bought the Aztek) and one of them seemed really cheap. I thought it was the SUV. Apparently my memory can't be trusted!! Thanks!!!!!
 
Success (I hope)!

She's mine, lock, stock and no payments! The settlement from the Aztek plus just a little help from my checkbook took care of it. It's an '02 with just 84k on it, my local mechanic gave it a green light, and it's loaded too! The only thing I have to get are the remotes for the locks/doors and a center console. The remotes are on the way and I'll have a locksmith program one once they're in (supposedly easy to self-reprogram a second one if you have one that works).

I don't know if I could have stood another week of looking through the ads, sifting out this and that, and getting in and out of Rich's spare (though I'm thankful to have had access to it!).

Thanks all for your help!!

Chuck

perc-o-prince++3-30-2014-16-51-19.jpg
 
Congratulations Chuck. That is a fine looking minivan. Chrysler has the most experience in the design of those vehicles. I have driven a friends in the past that looks similar to yours and I was impressed with how quiet, smooth and easy to drive it was.

Have it with many years of good health and happy driving,

paul
 
Good job!

Good the best van on the road! Keep good on the trans serves! Caravans have a 999.9999 micron filter in the trans that should be replaced every 75,000 mi! And use the ATF+4 fluid. If you don't do this you will find the one week point in a caravan.

Anthony
 
It's an '02 with just 84k on it,

I think you'll be happy with the T&C, its comfortable, rides nice and is very useful for hauling everything from lumber to W/D sets.

The 3.3/3.8L engines are relatively bullet proof, but the transmissions can fail if not maintained, I would have your mechanic change the trans fluid and filter soon. As with other Chrysler products they have rust issues, especially around the rear wheel wells, fuel filler door and door bottoms. Those areas and the underbody should be flushed out with a garden hose regularly. Also, the A/C evaporators are known to leak, replacement cost is around $1500 as the dashboard must be removed, (don't ask me how I know).

Otherwise, they are good vehicles and can easily go 200,000+ miles.
 
absolutely beautiful........congrats.......

my sister has the stow n go seats in hers......great for storage of items, as well as folding the seats quickly out if sight.....on any given notice!....
 
YAY for Chrysler Mini-Vans

Between my brother Jeff and the business that Jason and I run, we have purchased 13 of these spanning from 1984-2008 and 8 are still on the road, 2 reached around 300,000 miles and none have ever failed to reach at least 160,000 miles.

And between my brother and I we have purchased over 30 Union Built American Made Chrysler cars and trucks since the 70s and have NEVER been disappointed with ANY of them or wished we had not purchased any of them.

Chuck I think you will love your new van, and just think of all the cool stuff you can bring home in it.
 
I had bad luck with Chrysler products earlier on. Then I was given a Dodge Caravan to drive to the nine million phone company places I had to go to and it turned 200,000 and still worked like new. Just what I wanted, a white soccer Mom van. You got to remember, if you subtract Rhode Island from New England, Maine has more land mass in square miles than the rest of all NH, VT, CT, MA combined. So I did alot of miles in bad weather and that Caravan always got me back home. But I think it was the service the phone company did on their vehicles every night after I finally went home that made all the difference. If you service your vehicle and dont neglect issues, you'll be good
 

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