Thinking about a 2000 Caravan, input please!!

[thewoahna]

I am looking to sell my 2000 T&C 103k miles minivan and buying a 2000 Dodge Caravan (base) with 82k on it. I will be gaining about 2 thousand $$ in the whole deal. Should I do it? What are some of the pros and cons of the 2000 Dodge caravan? I know they did have tranny problems, do they still? Let me know what you all think....

Thanks!

[who fan]

You have the Town&Country. The Caravan is basicly the same vehicle with fewer amenities.

[thewoahna]

How is the tranny that comes with the 3.0? Is it reliable?

I know that there have been some issues with the minivan trannies.

[Jack12345]

I own 2000 Grand Caravan. Common problem - leaking transmission cooler lines. Dealer replaced 2 yrs ago under warranty, now they are leaking again.
Otherwise I like the car

[neon_rt]

The 3.0 engine itself is not very reliable.
The selling a T&C to get a Caravan base has me puzzled. Unless you are having some issues with your T&C why would you do that? Also, the question about transmissions is weird, you already have one like it, you could answer that question using your T&C as a reference. Some of the 3.0 Caravans had a 3-speed auto, they are more reliable than the 4-speed auto that is in the Caravans and T&C. The big issue with the Transmissions in the Caravan and T&C is that if you put the wrong trans fluid in it (even as little as a pint) the trans will fail within 10K miles or less. When you buy one used, you never know if the guys from W@lM@rt topped of the fluid during an fluid check/oil change. They don't even have the correct fluid at their facility, most shops don't. They just put in whatever they have and your transmission is toast one to six months later. I bought a '00 Grand Caravan used about two years ago. I got it cheap b/c the trans was slipping. Turns out that I found a receipt in the glove box from J1ffy Loob that showed they added a quart of Dextron III to the trans about 3K miles before I got the van. Two fluid and filter changes later, the trans is fine, but I don't trust it. It probably will need a rebuild soon. I bought it with 85K miles- now have 150K miles.