Caravan Owners Input Pls!

[Hailley]

Hi!

I'm interested in a 1993 Dodge Caravan 7 pass with 133k miles... could anyone with a similar make and year please let me know what to watch out for/what to look for when I go to possibly test drive it tomorrow?

Thanks!!

[jramirez777]

Our last Four vans that we have purchased have been Dodge Caravans. We have had good luck with them. We have two right now a 98 and a 92. Both are are running great. Although recently the 92 seems to not be getting as good of mileage as it used to.

[Uncletg]

Notice all the inquiries in this message board about transmission problems.

[yogi_123rd]

Beware the 4 speed transmission. The oil needs to be changed regularly to avoid problems.

[EVH5150]

Got a 1994 with a 3.0. Motors been good, trannys been good too. the only problem is the rust eating away at the bottom of the doors. I shoulda got to that earlier. Oh well...

[Hailley]

thank you very much, everyone!

I'll probably go take a look at it later this afternoon,
and it helps to know what people's experiences have
been.

[cswor]

i've had 2 dodge caravans (89 and a 96). i won't buy another. both had tranny problems around 100K and the older one had head work done. i generally like to buy a vehicle and run it a long time. the chrysler products just haven't proven durable.

[Hailley]

Thanks everyone!! I bought a 1993 Dodge Caravan with 136,000 miles on it. A few of my friends have had Dodge vans and they seemed to run for-ev-er, so I took the plunge.

CSwor- sorry you haven't had such good experience with Chrysler products. This is my first, so we'll see how it goes.

EVH--sorry you didn't get to the rust sooner! Does it work to coat it with turpentine? Messy, though, I'd guess.

Yogi-- do you mean to change the transmission fluid regularly? If so, how frequently?
I'll keep up on oil changes, too.

Uncletg-- I see that about the transmission problems. thanks for the heads up.

Jramirez-- glad you've had such good luck with the Dodge minivans!! (=

[kope49]

I change the fluid every year and include a flush of the system and new filter every other year. Make sure they only use Chrysler ATF+3 fluid. Shops may tell you you can use Dextron 3 - you cannot. The Chrysler owners manual says you never need to change fluid in normal use, that is an invitation to trouble.

There are numerous threads on this and other boards about the transmission fluid issue for Chrysler/Dodge's with the 4 speed automatic.

[Malichai]

watch for the tranny.. had to replace 1 at 50k and one at 100k.