My neighbor is thinking of selling their 94' (V-6) with 130,000 on it. Here's the problems known:

1). The tranny (original) is very hard to get into gear, but after the engine is warmed up, it shifts okay.

2). There's a good size oil leak.

Other than those two problems, it runs fine. Question: is it worth to pursue buying it? Or will a rebuilt tranny and possible engine rebuild be hardly worth the few thousands?

Are there inherent problems with this year's model?

If I buy for $2,000.00, I could probably get a newer (used) Caravan

$2000! Try $200!

I can see so many things wrong with this deal- first of all it is your neighbor- do you really want to buy a car that you admit might be bad from someone you would see all the time again?

Second- for that dough you could get a lot more van.

Third 130,000 miles is really high. While an oil leak is to be expected and can be managed, a transmission problem in not gonna go away.

If you are even remotely considering this vehicle get it to a transmission shop for an estimate before you buy. I think your neighbor is trying to unload a car.

I totally agree with "xylene". If you want to keep you neighbor as a friend or a friend a friend " never buy a used car form them". 130k is kinda high miles and with a known trany problem that may cost you between $2000-$3000. Tranies are notrously problematic on these vans. It cost me $2000 for a rebuilt one on my 88' with 110k and I was sorry that I did it after the fact. Mainly because that was just the beginning of the major repairs it needed there after. It kinda sounds as if your neighbor is at the point where I was before I repaired mine. Only he has made the the better choice and that is to sell it before anything else happens. So keep your neighber as your friend, he'll get over the fact that you didn't buy it. But you may never it when the next big repair bill comes in and the next and so on. Ride On, digimon

He is trying to unload it, as it's taking up space in his garage and space. He was in fact, going to "give it away", due to the problems.

I remember my sister-in-law had a GC, but a 92' and it always had tranny problems, and was re-done 2 times. I just need a basic van for short distance deliveries, but don't want to put too much money into it.

That's a good idea on the tranny inspection before buying. Maybe he'll go back to "giving it away", I like your $200 price.

I don't mind seeing him, he's a good neighbor and I think the first price was just a number from the sky without really thinking. We purchased a 89' Acura Integra for my son and it's been a great car for over a year. But that's an Acura, not a Dodge.

But that tranny review could help to get a lower pricing if it's not within my means to pay for the time being.

Pass

PASS.. I just sold my 94 GC ES with 128K for $1500. No leaks & working tranny.