1989 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.0 V6

Summary:

The Original Magic Wagon!

Faults:

I want to remind everyone this is a 30+ year old vehicle. I have replaced the following below since I purchased the van back in 2019:

- All chassis component (brakes, ball joints, shocks, etc.): Everything was original from 1989 so these parts were worn out.

- Transmission repairs/service: Replaced solenoid pack and speed sensors, transmission control module, filter/fluid.

- Engine: Just a tune up.

- Air conditioning: Replaced compressor/dryer/orifice tube/condenser.

- Exhaust system: New muffler and catalytic converter.

- Interior: Replaced speakers, overhead compass, headliner.

- Exterior: New wheels/tires and polished paint.

General Comments:

I LOVE MY VAN! I grew up in one since the 80's when my parents purchased an 1985 Dodge Caravan LE (I was born in '84). They sold that van around 2005 so as you can see I have a soft spot for these Chrysler mini's.

The van I own is a 1989 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE which currently has 90k miles on it. I'm the third owner. The first two owners were elderly individuals who kept the van in a garage. The paint is a beautiful two-tone maroon/dark maroon exterior with a maroon interior. I upgraded the wheels with a set from the Chrysler TC Maserati since they are the same style as the Chrysler vans, but are polished instead of painted. Also, I limo tinted the windows. All the brightwork/trim/chrome/lights look immaculate. My van turns heads due to its condition and attracts others since it tends to stir up memories of folks either owning them or used to ride in one back in its heyday.

Comfort wise, it is top notch. Chrysler really hit the mark with the efficiency of the space inside. It is roomy and the seats are very comfortable. Overall it is fairly quiet inside with a hint of wind noise due to the brick shape of the van.

Performance wise it is adequate. I drive my van like a "soccer mom/dad" so it does just fine (it is no hotrod). The V6 for this year produces 142hp/173tq. Around town it does well keeping up with traffic, however on the highway I have to be a little patient, but she will drive 75-80mph easy. Gas mileage I average 17 city and 25 highway.

Handling and braking is again, adequate. If pushed, the van will lean over and understeer a bit, but never to a point where it feels uncontrollable or like it is going to tip over. Braking is solid, but since these vans are based off the Chrysler K-Cars of the time, it is just adequate.

In regards to cost, I spent around $4500 total and this includes the purchase of the van, the plane tickets fly my dad and I to New Hampshire, the costs to drive it back to Florida (kept it under 70mph the whole time while traveling), and to restore it back to good/safe driving condition. Well worth it in my opinion.

In regards to maintenance, this is the easiest vehicle to work on. There is plenty of room under the hood and underneath the vehicle to service everything, which is why I did all the work myself. The only exception is the air conditioning condenser which is located behind the dash. I let a trusted shop handle that work and recharged the system.

There are a few issues everyone needs to be aware if you own or plan on owning one of these 1st gen Chrysler vans:

- First is rust. Tackle any rust you see immediately. Doing so will save the body. I am fortunate my van has no major rust issues.

- The second is the A604 "Ultradrive" transmission. These transmission are actually reliable, however the electronics, not so much. My van had a stumble around 75mph where it would cut power abruptly. This is caused by the solenoid pack malfunctioning. The kit cost only $120 and it takes 45 minutes to replace and it solve the stumbling issue. I also had another issue where it would go into "limp mode" and stay in second gear only. This was caused by a bad transmission control module (TCM). $35 for one on eBay and it solved that problem. Now the transmission runs perfect. Also, in regards to the transmission fluid, ONLY USE CHRYSLER ATF 3/4 per the service/owners manual. It does NOT take Mercon/Dexron. Why Chrysler stamped Mercon/Dexron on the transmission dipstick, I couldn't tell you, but using anything other than Chrysler ATF 3/4 will grenade the transmission (this is the reason why owners of these vans had their transmission fail after the 40k service and why it cemented the Ultradrive as unreliable).

As I stated at the beginning of this survey, I LOVE MY VAN! I really enjoy my Grand Voyager and will continue to keep it on the road for years to come.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2021

16th May 2021, 03:28

Nice review :)

I get annoyed with manufacturers who demand a highly specific/"Designer"/"Boutique" transmission fluid for the transmission to survive (let alone thrive).

Call me crazy, but here's a radical idea: Spend a few dollars more in R&D to produce a transmission that doesn't require an exotic elixir to live ;)

17th May 2021, 00:40

This a a great review — a lot of details from a long-time owner! I am also impressed that you have kept a rather mundane vehicle in top shape for 30 years! I appreciate the resourcefulness and frugality you clearly must have.

17th May 2021, 13:18

"exotic elixir"? LOL

It's ATF+4 (which replaced ATF+3), available at your nearest auto parts store or gas station/convenience store. Hardly an "exotic elixir".

18th May 2021, 00:09

Uh huh. The reviewer bought this minivan in 2019, so hardly a "long-time owner".

Agree with the "rather mundane vehicle" part though.

1st Jun 2021, 21:45

Thank you for the comment. Chrysler ATF+4 is the standard fluid used in many Chrysler vehicles. They are available at any parts store, though it costs a dollar or so more per quart in my area.

1st Jun 2021, 21:51

I purchased this van in 2019. I literally grew up in one (parents old '85 Caravan) during the 80's and 90's. They gave it to me in late 90's when I started learning to drive. That was the first vehicle I learned how to work on back in the day before giving it back to them, which they promptly sold around 2005. Very familiar with these vehicles.

1989 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.3 V6

Summary:

Good American idea, but bad engineering and cheap materials

Faults:

(1) It was a project car from someone dumping it. Included a 3.3 V6 and transmission. So from the start of ownership, engine and transmission was replaced. The old Mitsu 3.0 V6 was no good due to puffing smoke. From this, should have suspected Chrysler quality is not up to par with my expectations.

(2) Power broke twice due to a cheap plastic ribbon. Bad design. Why use something like this for power windows?

(3) Rust in the body due to peeling paint.

(4) Shocks no good.

(5) Brakes are seizing... replaced both calipers, master cylinder, and rusty lines. Cannot believe the rust on these lines. How can they use such poor materials on critical parts like brakes?

(6) Fuel line leak due to rust.

(7) Water leak in the front windows, due to again rust.

(8) Exhaust has holes in it due to, you guess it.. rust.

(9) Headliner falling down.

General Comments:

This is an example of good American idea with bad engineering and cheap materials. Must be all that cost cutting back in the late 80's.

The Chrysler Minivan format is a good idea that was ahead of its time. However, the materials used in this generation minivan are totally horrific, even compared to vehicles of that era or older.

For example, safety items like brakes and fuel lines should be rust proof for up to a minimum of at least two decades. Not so on the Chrysler Minivans.

It is not just my vehicle, I've observed other T115 vans with similar problems. Now compare this with my daily drivers, which are just as old or older, and have more miles on original engines (Nissan S13 and Mercedes W123), it is like night and day. There is no excuse for the amount of problems the minivan should have.

I mainly bought this heap to haul things, but find that it is taking a lot of work to keep it on the road. Almost prepared to dump this thing in favor of a good Toyota or Nissan Truck for hauling.

It is also interesting to see how Chrysler is losing market share to imports in the minivan market they basically invented.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th June, 2007

18th Jun 2007, 11:34

Yet another person who buys a 10+ year old vehicle and expects it to be like new. Perhaps this has lots of rust because it has been neither garaged or has lived through many northern or Midwest winters. 14 years old and expects it to not have rust-Get Real!! I have owned 3 Dodge/Plymouth vans with 3.3 litre engines and have found them to be very reliable and useful machines. I agree that the 3.0 is junk, but it is not Chrysler made-it is Mitsubishi.

18th May 2021, 14:20

I know this review and comment was written a while ago, but well said. Amazed people are surprised 15 year old + vehicles with 200,000 miles on them have issues with the shocks, exhaust, and other parts.

Anyways, if the reviewer thinks 80's cost cutting was bad, he'll be pretty disappointed with early/mid 2000 era rubbish with electronic problems galore, AND the expected wear and tear on vehicles of that age.

19th May 2021, 17:46

I flew down to Florida to visit my son for a couple weeks and rented a new one. Managed to put over 600 miles running down to a marina and back from So Jax to Ponce Inlet by South Daytona. And all over. Pretty impressed. Picked it up at Enterprise and normally would never rent this type of vehicle. Very comfortable. Liked the auto doors and hatch and room. My last one (also not mine) was a 1985 brand new silver with dark blue with 3rd row seating. It was a company car and put around 40,000 miles on it. No real issues at all but was new. I had the chance to compare old vs new. The dash shifter was a change I wasn’t used to at first. The key fob was pretty nice on entry. One thing about rentals is you get to see and try new options and technology. It had adequate power with the 6. No sports car, but for distance pretty comfortable.