1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE review from North America

Bottom line - Comfortable & stylish, roomy, well-priced--but a true mechanical nightmare.

Parking brake cable snapped ONE DAY after purchase.

Paint came off the gas filler cap door very first time van was washed (dealer discovered they'd never undercoated on that spot).

Repeated and very costly electrical failures. PCM computer blew at 60K miles, which also fried the ignition coils and auto fuel shutoff relay ($1800). The replacement coil blew again 1 week later.

A/C control module blew twice, replaced under warranty.

Burnt through front rotors after only 10K miles (and we're very gentle drivers..)

Head gasket blew at 40K miles.

Transmission leaking badly at 60K, so had to have it re-sealed (approx. $650).

Both dual sliding doors rattle incessantly; 4 trips to dealer failed to resolve this.

Replacement front struts I had put on at 65K miles lasted all of 6 months before front end sagged and new struts again required.

Constant annoying rattles and squeaks virtually since it was new.

Nylon hex nut which holds donut spare tire is frozen--can't loosen it--thus spare has never (and may never) be used!

"Easy-Out Roller" bench seats OK, if you're a champion weightlifter (very heavy and awkward to remove).

Weak headlights--poor design.

Recently started having problems starting... often takes 6-10 times for it to catch. Suspect bad solenoid.

Transmission currently "bucking" when decelerating, so I fear an imminent, total tranny failure.

Other "normal" and anticipated replacements (battery, water pump, serpentine belt replaced). No big deal.

As soon as I pay off our 2nd vehicle, I'll ditch this van. We've learned our lesson the hard way--next van will be a reliable (though more expensive) Honda Odyssey EX.

It's one of the least expensive minivans out there, and has a lot

of interior space--but the mechanical

upkeep and repairs totally negate

these advantages. Go the extra $4000

and invest in the Honda or Toyota! I

wish we had done so.