Dodge Van help Please
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 3
Dodge Van help Please
Hello
I know this is a Ford sight but I am looking at getting a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan . It has the 3.3 V6 70,000mi Air Tilt stow and go tinted glass . It is a company van that uses it on the high way and that is why the miles are so high. Its got new tires and brakes. They are asking 10,500 for it. My kelley blue book books retail at 12,505, Private party value at 9955, and trade in at 7525. I have never owned a mini van and to be honest this would be the most I ever spent on a vehicle. I got a wife and 2 kids so it would be for her. I guess my question is that how good are these vans. I have heard alot about bad trannys but some say that problems fixed. Do you guys think this is a good deal or should we just keep driving our 95 Olds 88 with 105000 miles on it. Any input appreciated. You guys allways seem to have good advice. This is alot of money to me so that is why I am asking for input.
Thanks Luke
I know this is a Ford sight but I am looking at getting a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan . It has the 3.3 V6 70,000mi Air Tilt stow and go tinted glass . It is a company van that uses it on the high way and that is why the miles are so high. Its got new tires and brakes. They are asking 10,500 for it. My kelley blue book books retail at 12,505, Private party value at 9955, and trade in at 7525. I have never owned a mini van and to be honest this would be the most I ever spent on a vehicle. I got a wife and 2 kids so it would be for her. I guess my question is that how good are these vans. I have heard alot about bad trannys but some say that problems fixed. Do you guys think this is a good deal or should we just keep driving our 95 Olds 88 with 105000 miles on it. Any input appreciated. You guys allways seem to have good advice. This is alot of money to me so that is why I am asking for input.
Thanks Luke
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,794
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
I once owned an 03 Dodge Caravan...it was great to us.
The trannys have a bad reputation, and they earned it. I was told to do the flush, and run synthetic transmission fluid. We bought the van with under 10,000 miles on it, and sold it with over 100,000. I paid the extra cash for the synthetic transmission fluid, and NEVER had any issues with that van.
Go for it!
The trannys have a bad reputation, and they earned it. I was told to do the flush, and run synthetic transmission fluid. We bought the van with under 10,000 miles on it, and sold it with over 100,000. I paid the extra cash for the synthetic transmission fluid, and NEVER had any issues with that van.
Go for it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> are asking 10,500 for it
Why would anyone pay $10k+ for a used mini-van with 70k miles, any make or model? When you can buy a 2006/7 brand new with the same amount of payments and a full warranty?
No dealer would give more then $3k for that at trade in, if that.
If paying all cash, there are better buys.
Such as if you are worried about safety, then buy an Aerostar and put the cash into your wallet.
You have to assume any vehicle with over 60k will need a transmission and budget for it.
Two of the weakess points in the Dodge mini-vans are rear end crashes and the transmission.
In a rear end crash, any truck of any size will plow right over the back of the bumper and up to the driver's seat. The vehicle has as much strength as a beer can in the rear. Though the bench seats with rollers is a nice touch. You will end up with a truck down the middle of the van with the family underneath, I hate the things.
Almost every Dodge I have ever worked on has had a transmission failure well before 100k miles. I am surprised this one has the OEM still in it. Just search this forum for "dodge transmission".
Dodge is one the few OEMS that mount their transaxle pans at an angle to help promote leaks and then to help it out, angle them towards the front so they get hit by road debris and curbs.
Unless they changed something in 2005 vs. 2000.
Why would anyone pay $10k+ for a used mini-van with 70k miles, any make or model? When you can buy a 2006/7 brand new with the same amount of payments and a full warranty?
No dealer would give more then $3k for that at trade in, if that.
If paying all cash, there are better buys.
Such as if you are worried about safety, then buy an Aerostar and put the cash into your wallet.
You have to assume any vehicle with over 60k will need a transmission and budget for it.
Two of the weakess points in the Dodge mini-vans are rear end crashes and the transmission.
In a rear end crash, any truck of any size will plow right over the back of the bumper and up to the driver's seat. The vehicle has as much strength as a beer can in the rear. Though the bench seats with rollers is a nice touch. You will end up with a truck down the middle of the van with the family underneath, I hate the things.
Almost every Dodge I have ever worked on has had a transmission failure well before 100k miles. I am surprised this one has the OEM still in it. Just search this forum for "dodge transmission".
Dodge is one the few OEMS that mount their transaxle pans at an angle to help promote leaks and then to help it out, angle them towards the front so they get hit by road debris and curbs.
Unless they changed something in 2005 vs. 2000.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
From: Leamington, Ontario
I'm with most people on this one, it's possible to get a brand new one for cheap I would go that route. Or look around at the dealers and wait for the perfect one to come along (If you are able to do that). But I would stay away from this one, way to many miles to be asking that much.
