The partner wants to get a minivan to haul the kids/grandkids around in. I'm not a super fan of minivans, but I do like the way Caravans look and are laid out. I value reliability and ease of repair more than style, speed, and flash. An '03-'04 is probably the newest we can afford. Is this a good idea, or a giant ongoing repair project in the making?

 

<<I value reliability and ease of repair more than style, speed, and flash.>>

Then get a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna.

Or figure out the difference in price between the Caravan and those reliable vehicles and set that money aside for repairs on the Caravan.

You can count on numerous electrical problems, from power doors issues to window regulators, liftgate problems to instrument clusters, body control modules to intelligent power modules. TONS of problems with rear air conditioning and heater tubes. Problems with A/C compressors blowing up.

The 3.3 and 3.8 engines are pretty rock solid. The transmissions, although much improved from the early days are still a failure item.

Aside from the electrical and transmission issues, they're a great buy. But there IS a reason they have such low resale value.

 

I'm aware they have their issues. I was hoping the later ones were a little better. Maybe some Mopar guys will jump to their defense.

 

My 2002 Grand Caravan Sport with touring suspension is great. The touring package with touring wheels and rear sway bar makes a noticeable difference in handling. Is it perfect? No, but show me a Honda or Toyota Van with equivalent miles and years that is. Toyota and Honda don't have all those spare parts in their warehouses to put on Santa's sleigh at Christmas.

Here's the MSN Autos information comparing the Caravan with the Consumer Reports fair haired Odyssey:
2002 Caravan: User Rating 8.1; Reliability 5/5
2002 Odyssey: User Rating 8.3; Reliability 4/5

2003 Caravan: User Rating 8.1; Reliability 5/5
2003 Odyssey: User Rating 8.5; Reliability 4/5

2004 Caravan: User Rating 8.5; Reliability 5/5
2004 Odyssey: User Rating 8.6; Reliability 5/5

Here's the MSN Autos site for checking the above and for looking at the User Reviews in detail as well as commentary on the reliability. http://autos.msn.com/ Kelley Blue Book values are there as well.

2002s had a few nice things that got decontented in 2003 onward such as heated wiper park area, two lights in the rear hatch, lite window/door controls; more data on overhead computer readouts; etc.

 

Hey, I own a Caravan (Voyager actually--and I like it)! Plus, I've been fixing my best friend's 05 GC for the past four years.

But I have to tell you--when you have to replace an A/C compressor, a rear evaporator, alternator, blower motor, EGR valve, power steering fluid reservoir, and power door motor/clutches and cables within the first 75,000 miles, that vehicle isn't going to be on the top of anybody's list. Check the forums and you'll see these aren't isolated problems.

They're are a great value for the money. But they're cheap for a reason. My point wasn't that you shouldn't buy one--just that you shouldn't be surprised when you get hit with all these pattern failures. Expect them and you too can be a happy Caravan owner.

If they were a great vehicle, they'd be selling for top dollar.

 

Yes depreciation is high, but show me any fleet vehicles that are unloaded by the 1000s when they are less than a year old, that don't send the prices downward.
The engine / transmission combo in these is as good as any other van out there, for sure.