We land in 6 days time so I've started to look at cars etc, using www.autotrader.ca. I like the look of the Dodge Caravan, I could afford a 2003 model. Comments on them please. I drive a Toyota at the moment but they seem to be very expensive in Canada, yes I know there good but still expensive.

Also if you buy from a trader what charges do they put on and whats the best way to get a good deal out of them. Apart from string them up by there ballparks.

That model seems to be very popular, any problems specific to model may be here

LINK

This site is also good for safety info

SAFETY

The way gas prices are going this may help.

GAS

Hi John
We had one as a hire car for 3 weeks when we first got here.

Comments on it are :

Amazingly roomy..............can fit a single mattress in it when the seats are folded down. Great for the drive from the airport with all your worldly goods in tow.
Liked the tinted glass for the kids in the back.

Found the acceleration a bit sluggish.
Air conditioning was poor.....................but that may have been just that particular car.....?

But they are extremely popular over here...........so that must say something !!!

Thanks I'll give them a good look.

Yeah it says that they are cheap to buy, cheap to insure and expats are willing to buy them!!!!

The wife first had a 97 ..version ...sold at 50k miles ....no problems at all except the A/C ..failed at 44k ..exxxpensive .... was a known problem with the early ones ...but was good when working

Has a 2005 now ... no problems so at all ...

Get the 3.3 ... reliable engine ...

Yes someone told me that one of the engines had a few faults but the 3.3L was OK. Comments anyone.

We own a 98 model that we've had since Nov 2004. It's been a good buy except for the failure of the air conditioning towards the end of last summer. We haven't got it fixed yet as we are fearful of the cost! It's not very economic for short journeys of course but is large and roomy.

Hi there

I drove one as a rental for 2 weeks, over 3000 miles and it was.....acceptable. The suspension is quite 'wallowy' and when going to sleep at night, I felt like I'd been on a 30 foot boat in choppy water )

In Ontario, I've seen fairly new ones with rust emerging through the paint.

Little-B.

We hired one last year for our reccie to London Ontario
The van was new, never had one problem with it

It was I believe the 3.3 litre engine which I found was a tad under powered for overtaking

A/C struggled a bit with the high temps that we had, but otherwise loads of room to swing a dog ( not a cat ).

The kids (3) loved the room inside the van and the boot ( or trunk ) was a great size for storing all the beach stuff and beach balls when fully inflated

If I get over this year this will be the first thing I purchase, the Dodge Grand Caravan.
They seem reasonably priced in the auto trader

Eddie

we drive a 1997 grand caravan and its clearly the least exciting car i have ever owned by a mile!!!

however, its really big and has proved great for home renovations (8' x 4' gyproc boards in the back no problems along with 10' 2 x 4's!!!) i've also loaded a total of 2 tons of rubble in the back taking it to the dump!!! then theres the airport runs for when your family come to visit, 7 people and 7 large suitcases easy-peasy!

The down side, apart from the overwhelming dullness of it is the fuel consumption which realistically is about 20 miles per gallon!

theres loads and loads of them around for sale. at christmas i paid$2500 for our 1997 SE model.

Hi John,
We had the Grand Voyager (UK version of the Grand Caravan) back in England it was an excellent car.
The only thing I would say though is that if you can stretch to it, get the Stow and Go version (05 onwards I think?). This is when the seats fold into the floor, otherwise taking the seats out is a pig, those seats are very heavy.
We had the 3.3 and were averaging about 18.5 mpg, so it was very thirsty.
Seem to be able to pick them up quite cheaply over here though.
Good luck.

You can say goodbye to any streetcred you think you have

One of our vehicles is (for hauling two giant Labs - minus the middle row of seats) a `98 Plymouth Grand Voyager version - 200,000 klm on the clock.

No Oil or Coolant leaks either!

It`s a little under powered compared to a Ford Windstar/Freestar or a Chevrolet Venture & family etc.

The thing to be aware of with the Chrysler / Dodge Grand Caravan etc. - is they are the more expensive of the choices when brand new - and depreciate the fastest of all the choices - so by the time they are around 6 yrs old they are the cheapest to buy, compared to Ford etc.

What ever you get - the year to avoid is younger then 2003 - as the depreciation is a killer.

In Canada - unlike the UK - when a car gets to around 8yrs old - it`s second hand private sale value will remain unchanged even if it`s still with you on it`s 15th birthday!

We bought a 2003 Grand caravan for $15k (inc taxes). Okay it isn't brilliant on fuel, but it's acceptable and I have to say i love it! It's comfortable - loads of room and no problems so far.
I would say go for the Grand over the standard Caravan. Much more conveneient for the hordes of visitors....
Another aside - they are one of the cheapest cars to insure in their class...
The Stow'n'Go is fantastic if you can afford one (which we couldn't) but the seats that fold aren't brilliant for adults. Okay for kids, but too flat for an adult for any period of time.
HTH
Graeme