Hi All,

I am researching to buy a Used Mini-Van. I see lots of Dodge Caravan around Toronto and I see its prices are slightly cheaper than several Japanese Mini Vans.

Could some one Please comment on your experience with Dodge Caravan, Plus and Minuses. Esp.. factors related to its performance during Winter, Insurance cost, Maintenance cost, etc..,

My budget is around 10,000+ and I am looking for 3-4 year old, rust free, accient free vehicle.

Appreciate your reply.

Thanks,
Jay.

We bought a 2000 Dodge Caravan in Nov of 2004. Price was C$ 6500.00.
This was from a referred dealer who knew the history. It had 170,000km on it and ran very well. In fact it still does, and we have had no trouble with it.
Insurance is PL/PD for C$421 a year. I would suppose they are not the best selling minivan for no reason. I would think you would be happy with it.

We have a Dodge Caravan that we bought new in January 2000. We are happy with it.

The seating capacity is useful when overseas family members visit us and we take them to the Rockies. When my husband buys lumber for DIY projects, it's useful to be able to remove the back seats and have lots of cargo space.

The vehicle has served us well. We have no complaints about it.

I guess it depends what your primary use for the vehicle will be. If you just want a run-around car, I'd be inclined to buy a small car and join a car-sharing club so that I could have occasional use of a mini van when I needed one.

If you think you would put a mini van to good use, then I think a Dodge Caravan is a valid choice.

American cars generally have poor resale value compared with the Japs and are regarded as inferior products (rightly or wrongly) , ..My own experience with Toyota products are they are very well made and VERY reliable and most of the consurmer guides would tend to bare that out.

As with all 2nd hand cars it pays to know where the car was driven before.

In area where there is either high salt use in the winter or just in the area coasts rust is a problem.

We run a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE Expresso version.

We acquired it last fall for $4,000.

For an 8 year old motor it does the job, we leave the two mid row seats out (captains chairs). So as to move the two giant Labs about.

For the best idea on availability check out - www.autotrader.ca

I have owned / hired the Ford Windstar 2002 and the Chevrolet Venture 2004.

I would say the Venture was the most comfy over potholes.

The Windstar has the more gutsy engine, flying up hills in top gear.

The Voyager is under-powered.

We are going to buy an AWD Venture soon, around a 2002/3.

Check out www.lemonaid.ca Jim Edmunds is not impressed.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!!!

I believe that's Phil Edmonston you are referring to and his website is here http://www.lemonaidcars.com. Generally there is not much in the line of specific info on his site, you have to buy his books or borrow them from the library for that.

Cheers
Steve

Yes Steve. That's what I meant. So much for relying on memory . I usually buy the Lemon Aid book whenever I'm purchasing a new vehicle (about once every three years, alternating between my car and the better half's). I like having the book with me when I go for test drives etc., so it's worth the $30 or so to me. Of course in one sense it's a rip off because at least half of the book is the same every year. Many people just go to the library as you suggest and photocopy a few pages for the vehicle(s) they're interested in.

we have just leased one for 27 months at $230 a month. It's great. I still miss my M reg Clio though

We bought a 2 yr old Dodge Caravan Sport back in 2004 from a main dealer and paid 16,000 for it. Although the mileage was quite high it had the 5 star warranty which meant everything that should have been done on it was and would be till it reached 100,000kms. It's been reliable and comfortable, though I wouldn't say its very economical.

I wouldn't generally go for a Chrysler or a Ford for that matter. Its only that I live in Windsor and all my wife's family and friends either have worked at the big 2 or are working at them now. People do not like 'foreign' cars around here that much as they think it is undermining Canadian Industry and people's livelihoods....'keyed' bodywork syndrome. Personally I would prefer a German or Japanese vehicle...but sshhhh...I didnt tell you that. I guess it's just what you are used to.

Mildly relevant would be that some of the kids I work with reckon that they can break into a Dodge van in seconds, but won't touch my Toyota Sienna, not least because I share offices with their P.O. I suspect. Given the amount of these delightful chaps and chapettes currently getting acquainted with youth correctional facilities for nicking cars/vans, they seem to know what they are talking about, even if they keep getting caught.