1998 Dodge Caravan Base review from North America

Radiator.

Thermostat.

Transmission (moms BF fault).

Water hose.

Well we purchased a 1998 Dodge Caravan in the summer of 2006. It's in very good condition for 149k miles. Nice, stylish and reliable at a price that was easy on the bank account.

Exterior.

I really think the engineers at Chrysler did a very good job on the design of the vehicle; Chrysler's cab forward design just makes it look so sleek and sexy for 1998. It really looks like a truck from behind if you ask me. I think they were thinking of everyone (male/female); the back it looks masculine and strong, but as you move to the front it gets a little softer, but still keeps that edge. It's very aerodynamic and cuts through the air. They also hid the track that the door slides on, so it looks less like a minivan.

Interior.

Very sleek from front to back. The seats are very comfy, and the fabric seems easy to clean and strong. I hate the plastic; it rattles, but it's easy to wash when messes and dirt come on board.

The instrument panel is nicely laid out, but I wish the base model had a RPM gauge and a CD player. It's very quiet and it soaks up road noise.

Handling/Suspension.

For a vehicle that's really tall, it handles on the dime. It has a tendency to understeer in hard turns, but can be easily corrected by touching the brakes. Feedback from the wheel is artificial at low speeds, but you feel more connected at higher speeds. It does a good job at handling bumps. But the ones it can't handle, it sends it through the plastic.

Engine/Transmission.

Engine is strong and the throttle response is okay over 20 MPH. Transmission is good, but cannot be abused, or else it will die.