2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE review from North America
"Great cars"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Radiator-to-transmission cooling hoses started very slow leak at about 125K miles.
AC pump went at about 150K. Replaced with an aftermarket 2nd idler pulley, temporarily disabling the system.
Passenger heating/cooling fan is down to one speed (full blast).
Link for the drivers side of the anti-sway bar detatched at about 140K. The passenger side is loose. We do a lot of bumpy dirt road driving, not slow, so this may not be typical.
General comments?
Not quite as reliable as our Honda Civic, but close. This is our second Dodge/Plymouth minivan, both 3.3V6s, and we've had good service from both.
You need to put the proper transmission fluid in these (ATF+4). Also, I pull the trans pan, clean it out, put in a new filter, and new fluid every 50K (I use Valvoline synthetic at about 4.50/quart). I also use full synthetic in the motors, about every 6-7.5K. I have had not problem with the drivetrains, in either the 2000 or the 1993 we had previously, though the original owner of the 1993 did replace the trans. Put about 140K on the 1993 (60K to 200K), and have put 100K on the 2000 (72K to 177K current). The 3.3 has plenty of beans, though it's not as quick as our 1993.
I use Raybestos front brake pads which are softer (correct), wear faster but wear the PADS rather than the ROTORS. More importantly, the softer pads mean more powerful & predictable front brakes. Even in the Rockies they worked great.
Just getting ready to trade up to a new one (that's why I'm on here), rather than fix the AC.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2000 |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.3 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 56000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 177000 miles |
| Previous car | Plymouth Grand Voyager |
| Date of Entry | 5th June, 2008 |