1993 Dodge Grand Caravan ES from North America - Comments

Brakes was the first thing we had repaired/ replaced.

The fuel pump was replaced twice, on second time, we had to replace the fuel tank too ($610).

A/C has been maintained 2 times.

ABS brakes recall service twice in 1997 and 8/2004, plus accumulative ball ($224). Troubleshoot the "no power" on ABS Brakes and replaced fuse ($250).

9/2004 - water pump leak, replace with lifetime warranty $26.

Serpentine belt, idler pulley, tensioner belt replaced 8/2004 ($220).

Battery replaced several times (at least 4 times).

Transmission rebuilt on 9/2001 ($1289)

Brake pads and seals replaced several times.

Front strut replaced ($290) now has lifetime warranty.

We have done $4900 in repairs since we owned it in 8/2000.

Purchased vehicle for $7300 in 2000 mileage 70,000.

Paint is still very good, carpet, power seats, lights, and sound system are all excellent. It's a great looking vehicle. I just wish it ran as good as it looks. It wasn't always this bad. When we first bought, it actually ran very smooth and had no problems with it, very comfortable, we were so proud of it. After a 900-mile vacation, we had to replace the brakes. The vehicle had to sit in the carport because we had other vehicles to use 12/2000 thru 8/2004). When we tried to get it started again, we had all sort of things to replace. Chrysler the dealership and the corporate 800 number is no help. Seems like we have more problems with it when it after picking it up form the Dealer's Service Center.

I made a similar mistake some years ago: I paid $8500 for a car (not a Caravan) with 80,000 miles on it. Don't do this! Either buy an old cheap car for under $3000, or buy a new or almost new car with under 24,000 miles on it. It costs just as much to repair an old clunker as it does a newer car. You're throwing good money after bad! Brand new Caravans can be bought for $15,000, and in my opinion that's a much better buy than paying half as much for something with 70,000 miles.

I concur with this advice, I have 2 Chrysler Town and Country vans, one, a 1995, was purchased for $6K with 80K on the odometer, the other, a 1994 was purchased for $200 with 130K on the odometer and about $2K was put into it to fix the transmission and many other small items. The 1995 has about 110K on it now, and the 1994 has about 140K on it, and they are both equally reliable and functional and will probably last the same amount of time - but it's a pretty significant difference in price. The big problem is too many used car buyers put an undue amount of importance on a used car with less than 100K miles on it, this puts a pretty significant "knee" in the price/mileage/age depreciation curve. Your best deals are used cars with 110-120K miles on them that show that they have been very well maintained and gently driven.