96 grand caravan is it worth buying?

[comet240]

hi i can get a 96 grand caravan need some work but for like 1500 bucks canadian and has 128k on it i guessing its kms not mph but the dash the bigger numbers are mph

i wanna know from what i have seen the problems with it if its worth really buying or stay away from it its the 3.3 with the smooth idler pully more expensive pullie

[danielsatur]

Check KBB + NADA to determind what it's worth on paper, minus repairs.
I would'nt give anything more than $500 above the Trade in allowance.

[comet240]

ok ill look it up i also just wanted to know if its worth buying since it has some problems and what not and possibly trennay problem from other ppl might having it or mechanics but ill look that up on google

[danielsatur]

The Canadian dollar is worth more than ours, and there's alot of cheap Vans for SALE in the US.

How about a newer cheap SUV, that's easy to work on?

[Alphabravo]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

The Canadian dollar is worth more than ours, and there's alot of cheap Vans for SALE in the US.

How about a newer cheap SUV, that's easy to work on?

Why would he want to buy an SUV?

A minivan has more room for people and/or cargo than any SUV and overall get better gas mileage. Tires are cheaper, too.

I don't know of any SUV out there that can fit whole sheets of plywood. I once hauled a washing machine, my two large dogs and a front seat passenger. All without taking out the middle seat. Try that in an SUV.

SUV Stands for S*itty Useless Vehicle in my book :-)

[comet240]

lol plus if i go to the states to buy u gotta make sure its legal for canada stupid crap u have to have done blah

but i just wanted to know if iti s worth it, suv is too big and i really its a sports utlity vehicle and the center of gravity isnt there so they unsafe really they were orginally for sport not for regular driving , ya the tires gotta be like 16" least the mini vans got 14s lol

ah well

[Alphabravo]

$1500 CAN is probably a little high for a 96 with issues. Although your mileage seems pretty low, the equivalent of about 80K Miles.

I would first find out what the extent of the problems are. What exactly is going on with the tranny?

While they do have a bad reputation for trannies, I have owned 6 Chrysler Minivans and have had only one tranny fail on me and it had over 200,000 US miles, which is over 321,000 Km. The other vans have all gone over 150K Miles before I resold them. I currently have a 97 plymouth with 158K and an 03 Caravan with 123K. Just make sure you use ATF+4 tranny fluid. VERY important.

The 3.3 is a solid motor. I don't know what you mean by smooth idler pulley, but all of mine had those.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[danielsatur]

You can buy two, and tow one!
Use the one for extra parts, and convert into a camper.

Don't buy any, thats plagued with rust from the Great White North, we got plenty in NC.

Thanks for Cash for clunkers, we got a bunch of cheap parts.

[Bear]

I have a '96 Caravan Sport with the 3.3 liter engine and 123,000 miles on the ODO. So far I have had the transmission rebuilt at 117,000 miles, water pump at 120,000 miles, front struts at 100,000 miles and front wheel bearings (hubs) at 100,000 miles. Fuel pump went at 75,000 miles, front brake pads at 75,000 miles and rear brake shoes at 100,000 miles. So, that is my story, I would guess the biggest problem with these vans (and not every one has had the problem, but many,many, have) is the transmission. The other issues are probably in line with other manufacturers vans so if she runs well and regular maintenance performed (and of course price is right) she will make a good hauler. One owners opinion and mine is a daily driver.

[comet240]

ah ok all good points how much did it cost to have tranny rebuilt whats so bad about the tranny? if i use the atf4 does that mean i wont have my tranny go?

like i only read car facts that said tranny is bad so far i just tested it its ok

problem with this van i see the drivers door pin busted off so the interior lights always on
the abs light is on, the alarm light always flashing when running, the rear vent motor for the window doesnt work, the lights are blinking on the rear wipper settings buttons and clicking hte other buttons no lights come on, the blower motor only works in high mode dunno what id need to change on that, but frame looks good and stuff body has seen better days like the sides and stuff and mirrors dont work either lol and the drivers seat is busted the adjustment handle for back and forth came off in my hands and if u lean back doenst hold u very good there lol

[comet240]

oh as in for the idler pully there is 2 types for the 3.3 engine one is the smooth one where the belt rides on the back of it showing the groves of the belt

the other has groves on it and the bel rides that with the flat side showing out

of course the van i wanna buy has the first option and is twice as much as a regular one with groves in it lol

[Alphabravo]

I think that the particular van you're looking at seems to have too many issues for the price. I would stay away.

As far as those trannies in general go, the biggest problem is that people put in the wrong type of fluid causing them to go bad. Like I said, I have had six of them and only one tranny went bad and that tranny had over 200K miles.

They are overall great vehicles, in my opinion. Better than any minivan out there. I think they have the most room and are very comfortable and reliable, from what I have experienced.

P.S. The tranny that went bad was on an AWD van, which I think was a bad idea.

[Bear]

As to ATF+4 and no tranny issues, that is not a given. In my case the fluid of choice was ATF+3 and I changed fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. I paid almost $2400 US for a re-bulit tranny and torque converter (tranny had a bad planetary ger and would not up shift sometimes and at other times she would shift rough). The engine is soilid and my tranny works fine, and even though it cost almost as much as the van was worth to rebuild the tranny I could not boy more car at that price. You need to weigh your needs and the cost to purchase the vehicle you are looking at, go to Kelly blue book or Edmunds.com and see what a used van is worth.