1994 Dodge Caravan review from North America

Fuel pump. $350.

CV Axel, both sides. $100.

I had always heard how horrible Dodge Caravans were, that their transmissions died, and that they were pieces of trash. But when I had the opportunity to buy this beat up, ugly old Caravan from an old lady in 2000, when the car was already 6 years old, for only $50, I could not pass it up. Dodge or not, you can't say no to a $50 car.

I did not care about this car at all. I bought it so my aging mother would have something to take to the store every now and then. Lo and behold, I ended up driving this thing more than my own cars.

Because I cared so little about this car, I did not treat it well. It went 5 years without an oil change, tune-up, transmission service, or any kind of maintenance of any kind. I put the cheapest, crappiest oil, gas, and transmission fluid in it. I worked it way too hard and drove it like I was trying to kill it. I figured it only had a few years left anyway.

This is an amazing vehicle. After almost 7 years of constant abuse, it is still the most reliable vehicle I own. It has surpassed my Buick LeSabre and my Pontiac Sunfire. Even my Honda Civic eventually met its fate, but this hunk of junk Caravan still lives on, like some undead creature crawling out of a swamp. I am both mortified by its will to live and heartwarmed by its reliability.

I'm convinced this car is possessed by the devil. It's the only explanation. I don't think I could kill it if I tried.