1989 Dodge Caravan Base 2.5 from North America

Summary:

Chrysler needs to go back to the basics

Faults:

Motor mounts.

A/C compressor.

A/C compressor clutch seized up. The motor mounts were my fault.

General Comments:

I dogged this thing. It never left me stranded. Slow as molasses, but it was able to keep up with traffic.

I am a bigger guy and that front seat was awesome.

The 2.5L, along with the 3 speed auto, were a great match up.

This thing was quiet, hugged the road well and got 20+ MPG between city/highway driving.

I sold it to a co-worker who drove it till it had over 300K miles. Said the transmission finally gave out. The only thing is, I wish it was a wood grain model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2014

1989 Dodge Caravan CV 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Incredibly reliable, comfortable, and so simple

Faults:

Nothing has ever really "gone wrong" with the van. Original 3.0 liter engine valve guides were worn, resulting in tremendous smoking out tailpipe. I had the pros replace engine with a very nice low mileage 1997 3.0 engine.

Replaced original transmission with a quality rebuilt.

Things do just wear out in time. EVERYTHING has been replaced on this sweet extended mini cargo van with the rare back "barn doors."

Nothing has ever gone wrong with my van because I had EVERYTHING always up-dated and replaced by the pros.

General Comments:

Sure gonna miss my gorgeous little white extended cargo van with that nice roof rack. I'm finally selling it.

Whoever gets this CV will have many, many more years of carefree driving. Have had numerous comments from others regarding the nice condition of my CV.

Extremely reliable because I've had EVERYTHING replaced.

These are sweet little cargo vans. Especially the very rare back "barn door" extended model.

I'm wondering as I write this if this vehicle will go into collector or vintage status soon??

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2009

1989 Dodge Caravan 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Very sweet vehicle... goes very fast in the quarter mile

Faults:

Fuel line split.

Grille broke.

Tachometer quit working.

Windshield wipers don't work.

Passenger door plastic track broke.

Sound system is horrible.

Emergency brake doesn't work.

Gas tank leaks.

Rusty.

Paint in coming off.

Spark-plugs don't last long.

General Comments:

This van has served as a good vehicle over the years, and I love how it runs. I put blue bottles on it so it sounds like a truck. Also I put a new electronic volt coil on it, so it can reach speeds up to 105mph.

Email me a Gaundi@hotmail.com

You can see all the good things about the car at Cardomain.com.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th May, 2006

5th May 2006, 14:34

Very fast in the quarter mile? Did you add rocket fuel and booster?

17th Aug 2014, 03:18

It was the volt coil that made the difference ;)

22nd Aug 2014, 18:14

HA!

Love your 1/4 mile comment. Thanx for the comic relief!!

1989 Dodge Caravan cv 2.5 from North America

Summary:

Love it

General Comments:

Sweet, simple,easy to fix if some thing

should go wrong.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th October, 2004

1989 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5 liter turbo from North America

Summary:

Excellent family transportation and reliable service

Faults:

The fuel regulator gave trouble after about 4 years and it was quite difficult to isolate the problem (the dealer had no clue).

Radiator developed leak after about 140,000 miles.

Paint started peeling after about 10 years (probably typical for a car this old).

Air conditioner compressor locked up at 178,000 miles. (It had served flawlessly up to this point, needing no additions of freon.)

The transmission is showing signs of malfunction at 180,000 miles. Sometimes the car hesitates before taking off and clings to some gears too long.

The only other problems have been routine wear and tear (such as timing belt went out at 119,000 miles, fuel pump at about 140,000 miles, etc.)

General Comments:

This car was one of the best investments I have ever made. I would not suggest that anyone buy a minivan with a 4-cylinder engine, but this one was turbo-charged and felt like it (until recently). With the exception of a faulty fuel regulator that allowed too much gas into the engine, thus flooding it, the car has never required any time at the dealer. The van has served my family well in both town and highway driving, and only recently has shown that it might be time to get another (some transmission issues). I will be buying another minivan in the next few months, and I will be again looking at a Caravan, along with perhaps the Honda and Toyota minivans. I don't know whether Dodge deserves the reputation for making products of questionable reliability; however, based on my experience with this little minivan, they have done very well by me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 22nd July, 2004