How long have you owned your minivan?

Doing a quick search I did not find this posted anywhere, but do let me know if this has been covered. (I am assuming duplicate topics can be deleted.)

So, how long have you owned your minivan?

Oh, yea, this is my first time trying a poll.

Thirteen years.

1 month, but own a 1996 Ford Windstar for 10 years.

Had a dodge type since 1984 when they first came out. Total of 5 different vans. The latest is a 01 T&C. Have a 96 with over 311.000 miles on it.

Been 8 years but it was three years old when I bought it.

Orignal owner of a 97 GC purchased in early 1997. 184,000 miles. this was my second GC had a 92 prior, only got 110,000 or so of it and traded it in on the 97

:cool:I thought it was a screwy concept but had too many kids, so I tried leasing one in '96. Decided it wasn't bad but needed AWD, so I bought a Limited '98. Ran it to 110,000 then bought a used '01 LXi AWD. That one was very expensive to keep on the road, so I gave it to my daughter at 100,000 and bought another used 2003, Limited, AWD. All Chyslers. The last year of AWD was 2004. So I'm about out of options. Present one has 70,000 and a bad power window (thats why I'm here). The kids are grown. A salesman tried an AWD Pacifica on me but I didn't bite. If I had more cash the R-350 AWD would be an option. I never owned a foreign car, so it would be a big step. My daughter's LXi is still running well - she has the seats removed and uses it for her business.

1998 Grand Voyager, 3.0. Bought 2 years ago, at 175K miles. Now has 220K. Had transmission rebuilt last year. While I wish I had had the time and knowledge to diagnose and possibly see if a less expensive measure could have been taken, I'm glad I decided to pay the expense and not give up on it, only to be replaced with car payments.

Have moved across state with it, helped others move, shoved an 80" sofa in the thing, lumber, and hauled hundreds of pounds of books.

Would like to continue to learn more about repairing it myself. I have a Haynes manual, and look forward to consulting the nice folks on this board for future help.

I've had my '92 PGV SE since about June of '92. I also have an early '05 Caravan SXT, since April 2004.

Just bought my 6th van about 8 months ago. it's a 2003 GC. I'm still keeping the 97 GV I bought over a year ago and prior to these I had: a 95 T&C, 92 GV, 92 GC, and an 88 Voyager LE. Always bought used and they've all been good to me except the T&C which blew a tranny. The longest I've kept a van was about 3 or 4 years. They are great work vans.

I am 2cnd owner and have had it for 4 years now. The only problem was a new tranny at 97,000 but since then it has served us well.

3 vans over 15 years. Ran up to 240,000 on a 94 grand voyager before selling it in 2002......bought a 98 windstar, put 80,000 miles on it (had 70,000) when i bought it, totaled it on the highway with only a few scrapes and bruises for injuries......replaced it with a 2006 T & C which now has 40,000 on it.....all good vans, good utility vehicles...will probably buy another when this one wears out........

I`ve owned it for 10 months. I have a wife and 4 kids so it`s good for taking all of them out. New waterpump, replaced radio fuse and new tires. Also had ignition lock cylinder rebuilt by a locksmith. Currently tracking a short in a fuel injector wire. But despite all of that we love it. It`s clean inside and out.

We've had an '01 T&C for almost 5 years. It's our 1st minivan, probably our last. Tranny problems left it sitting dead in the driveway.:banghead: Any buyers? They're very functional, but I don't think we need something that big for the one or two times a year we pack all our crap & go away (we are 5). The dog can stay at home. Seriously, any buyers?

I bought my 2000 T&C LXI in October 1999 (new). I have maintained it pretty well and suffered no major issues with engine or transmission. It has 158,000 now. The 3.8 V6 is still strong and only uses a little oil. From the forum information, I should expect to rebuild/replace the transmission if I keep it another year or two.

What is the best approach to the transmission when the day comes that it needs to be rebuilt or replaced? Go with a rebuilt one or have a shop rebuild it? Any recommeddations on rebuilt transmissions?

Mark,
I would suggest that you service the transmission..new filter and fluid ATF4 every 30,000 miles. You may never have to replace the transmission. All that I have ever done with mine is just that, in addition I replaced a leakinging shift soleniod (pretty common) a few years back. It seemed like it shifted smoother after that.

A transmission shop owner once told me that the transmissions are these vans are actually very hi-tech and given what they cost for Chrysler to produce vs other manufacturers trannys a real plus for Chrysler..however because of the hi-tech nature of them..that the routine service was much more critical than say a GM tranny. Thing is we're all used to having vehicles that never need much in the way of transmission maintenance, so we ignore it, and you risk major problems not doing the mainenance on these vans.

Another thought is to avoid overheating the trans fluid. I saw a chart on a website once that showed how fast the ATF4 lost it's lubricating properties as it's temperature raised. I don't remember the specifics but it was scary. Since most of these vans don't have a seperate transmission fluid cooler...it's a section of the radiator..it's important to make sure of the" health" of your entire cooling system....coolant level, radiator water pump cooling fans etc. if your van ever overheats...remember so is your transmission!! If I ever had a overheated engine situation that lasted for any amount of time. (I never have had) I would change the trans fluid right away to avoid any problem down the line.

Spit

Bought my 98 GC new in 12/97. Have 142k miles now with very few problems, all minor. Still have oem water pump, belt tensioner and alternator. Have the trans fluid changed every 40k. Starting to get a little wheel well rust and the headliner got wet from water getting through either the roof rack or the body seams on the roof. Sealed it with silicone but the headliner is sagging. Biggest expense struts from Sears at 95k. I believe these vehicles were beaten up by Consumers Reports to much because of late downshifting transmissions which hurt their reputation badly. I use it daily for a short commute, it still gets 17mpg local and 24mpg hwy with the 3.3.

8 years. '96 T&C LXi, now with 139,000 miles. TWO trans replacements, but I still love it. Wipers only work when pushing the "wash" button and 3 of the power door locks no longer move the latches...but I still love it. Everything else is replaced/new, and the leather is still really nice....so I still love it.

But....I just bought a Suburban so I could tow and go places I wouldn't drive the T&C luxo-van, sooooooooo...she may go to a new owner.

8 years. '96 T&C LXi, now with 139,000 miles. TWO trans replacements, but I still love it. Wipers only work when pushing the "wash" button and 3 of the power door locks no longer move the latches....

If the sliding door lock are not working, check the contacts in the door jambs. they get dirty and stop the locks from working.

I bought my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT in October 2005 (new). I have maintained it well and suffered no major issues with engine or transmission. It has 108K now. But there were minor issues. Both power door motors, Alternator, intake, head and valve cover gaskets, were replaced. The 3.8 V6 still runs strong and only uses a little oil. This is my
3rd and last minivan. Kids are out of the house.

I have a 96ES w/214k 3.3l - just replaced the alternator and gas filler neck and is still going storng. Tranny rebuilt at 150k. I 've had it for 4 years Paid $1.5k

I also have a 97 Expresso with 175k, tranny replaced at 130k. I've had it for 3.5 years Pd $800

Both have lots of runing board and sliding door rust repairs, but hope to get at least another year from each.

Buy them old and cheap and run 'em til they drop.

1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 3.3L engine. Owned 13 years. 204,500 miles on odometer, original engine and transmission, no major repairs to either, original exhaust system. Think I'll go for 300,000 miles, if I can keep the body together.

We have had our 98 Grand Caravan for approx. 8-10 years now. We are second owners, had about 70,000 on it when we got it. It now has 240,000 miles no major engine or transmission problems!!! A guy at work says we should have it bronzed.

We have had our 98 Grand Caravan for approx. 8-10 years now. We are second owners, had about 70,000 on it when we got it. It now has 240,000 miles no major engine or transmission problems!!! A guy at work says we should have it bronzed.

when I bought my 98 new, Consumers gave them poor reliability ratings. Sold it last year at 160k Changed water pump and rear brake lines at 155k. Great car.