first van
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first van
Hi Everyone!, I'm buying my very first van and I might be getting a 2006 Grand Caravan SXT. It has the quad seating with 55K miles from a honda dealership. Before I make a purchase, can you please tell me what should I look out for or what. I never had a dodge/chrysler. Also let me know what are the common problem. The Carfax looks pretty clean. NO accidents, but I'm concern about the electrical
05/30/2007*
Brake rotor resurfaced
Front brakes replaced
Tires replaced
Air filter replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
Cup holder replaced*
07/24/2007*
35,953*
New key(s) cut and programmed
Body electrical system checked*
07/25/2007*
35,960
Body electrical system checked*
09/04/2007*
36,281*
Body electrical system checked
Light bulb(s) replaced
05/30/2007*
Brake rotor resurfaced
Front brakes replaced
Tires replaced
Air filter replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
Cup holder replaced*
07/24/2007*
35,953*
New key(s) cut and programmed
Body electrical system checked*
07/25/2007*
35,960
Body electrical system checked*
09/04/2007*
36,281*
Body electrical system checked
Light bulb(s) replaced
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Honestly, I would imagine those "body electrical system checks" were for problems related to the power sliding doors.
IIRC all of the SXT models came with power sliders in 2006. I was working at a Dodge dealership as a service writer in '07 and it was not uncommon to see multiple trips for 1-2 year old vans with power slider problems, many of them out of warranty by 36k miles, and still failing. Each repair was almost guaranteed to be in the $300-500 range, and when you figure that both sides could be affected, it started to get pricey.
My own 2006 SXT has the power sliders cut off and wire-taped over. I didn't do it - it came that way when I bought it used, from a dealership, with 42k miles on it, in 2009.
That's how much of a PITA that accessory was, that on a 3-year-old car with low miles, they would rather destroy it than fix it.
Trust me, I had at least one set of keys thrown at me by a customer, a woman in tears, saying she would never buy a Dodge after her @ 3rd trip to get something replaced on the PS doors and finding that it was finally out of warranty.
Other than that, it has been a great car and the few common problems are things like water pump, EGR valve, etc. that can be dealt with fairly reasonably. Key is maintenance -- get that trans flushed, flush the rad, etc.
Good luck and enjoy!
IIRC all of the SXT models came with power sliders in 2006. I was working at a Dodge dealership as a service writer in '07 and it was not uncommon to see multiple trips for 1-2 year old vans with power slider problems, many of them out of warranty by 36k miles, and still failing. Each repair was almost guaranteed to be in the $300-500 range, and when you figure that both sides could be affected, it started to get pricey.
My own 2006 SXT has the power sliders cut off and wire-taped over. I didn't do it - it came that way when I bought it used, from a dealership, with 42k miles on it, in 2009.
That's how much of a PITA that accessory was, that on a 3-year-old car with low miles, they would rather destroy it than fix it.
Trust me, I had at least one set of keys thrown at me by a customer, a woman in tears, saying she would never buy a Dodge after her @ 3rd trip to get something replaced on the PS doors and finding that it was finally out of warranty.Other than that, it has been a great car and the few common problems are things like water pump, EGR valve, etc. that can be dealt with fairly reasonably. Key is maintenance -- get that trans flushed, flush the rad, etc.
Good luck and enjoy!
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Thanks. So if I do get it. I should flush the radiator and tranny? Should i do a mini tuneup? The asking price is 11k , but i was able to talk the the dealer down to $9,100 OTD
How about tranny problems? I have cousin that had an 03. Hesaid he replaced the trany and radiators twice
How about tranny problems? I have cousin that had an 03. Hesaid he replaced the trany and radiators twice
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Honestly, I would imagine those "body electrical system checks" were for problems related to the power sliding doors.
IIRC all of the SXT models came with power sliders in 2006. I was working at a Dodge dealership as a service writer in '07 and it was not uncommon to see multiple trips for 1-2 year old vans with power slider problems, many of them out of warranty by 36k miles, and still failing. Each repair was almost guaranteed to be in the $300-500 range, and when you figure that both sides could be affected, it started to get pricey.
My own 2006 SXT has the power sliders cut off and wire-taped over. I didn't do it - it came that way when I bought it used, from a dealership, with 42k miles on it, in 2009.
That's how much of a PITA that accessory was, that on a 3-year-old car with low miles, they would rather destroy it than fix it. Trust me, I had at least one set of keys thrown at me by a customer, a woman in tears, saying she would never buy a Dodge after her @ 3rd trip to get something replaced on the PS doors and finding that it was finally out of warranty.
Other than that, it has been a great car and the few common problems are things like water pump, EGR valve, etc. that can be dealt with fairly reasonably. Key is maintenance -- get that trans flushed, flush the rad, etc.
Good luck and enjoy!
IIRC all of the SXT models came with power sliders in 2006. I was working at a Dodge dealership as a service writer in '07 and it was not uncommon to see multiple trips for 1-2 year old vans with power slider problems, many of them out of warranty by 36k miles, and still failing. Each repair was almost guaranteed to be in the $300-500 range, and when you figure that both sides could be affected, it started to get pricey.
My own 2006 SXT has the power sliders cut off and wire-taped over. I didn't do it - it came that way when I bought it used, from a dealership, with 42k miles on it, in 2009.
That's how much of a PITA that accessory was, that on a 3-year-old car with low miles, they would rather destroy it than fix it.
Trust me, I had at least one set of keys thrown at me by a customer, a woman in tears, saying she would never buy a Dodge after her @ 3rd trip to get something replaced on the PS doors and finding that it was finally out of warranty.Other than that, it has been a great car and the few common problems are things like water pump, EGR valve, etc. that can be dealt with fairly reasonably. Key is maintenance -- get that trans flushed, flush the rad, etc.
Good luck and enjoy!
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Thanks. So if I do get it. I should flush the radiator and tranny? Should i do a mini tuneup? The asking price is 11k , but i was able to talk the the dealer down to $9,100 OTD
How about tranny problems? I have cousin that had an 03. Hesaid he replaced the trany and radiators twice
How about tranny problems? I have cousin that had an 03. Hesaid he replaced the trany and radiators twice
Price doesn't seem bad although I was just in the market for a new van for my wife (she never liked the color of ours, LOL) and the dealers were telling me mine was worth about $6500 wholesale according to their auction comps (2006 model with 65k miles was the $6500 one and they went down from there as low as $3500 for a car with 101k miles or so). We ended up keeping ours with @ 82k on it for now.
I have heard of transmission problems but they mostly seemed to be in the previous generation. By 4th gen (2001-2007) they mostly had them ironed out although your cousin would probably disagree with that assessment since he has had trouble.
Knock on wood, ours is doing well and I just had the trans flushed at 60k. It is a nice car and I hope to have it for a while yet.
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I have a 2005 SXT and both Power Sliding Doors work, but I mostly open and close them manually. They probably use brushed permanent magnet lost cost motors to operate these doors, and the more you use them the more they wear out. So just use this remote feature rarely to avoid breakdowns, like when your handling a bike to put in and out and you need the remote convenience.
Record Breaker
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it is really not a bad price for the condition. Minivan are generally higher maintainence than Sedan, can't expect it to be bullet proof.
change trans fluid like every 30-60k miles, depending on driving habit, and your trans will be fine.
Tune up is not due until like 75k-100k miles, depending on driving habit.
Electrical problem are really just Luck of draw these days, regardless of what make and model you go with. But luckily, Unlike some of the Imports, parts are cheap.
Make sure your A/C works!! good luck with the purchase!
change trans fluid like every 30-60k miles, depending on driving habit, and your trans will be fine.
Tune up is not due until like 75k-100k miles, depending on driving habit.
Electrical problem are really just Luck of draw these days, regardless of what make and model you go with. But luckily, Unlike some of the Imports, parts are cheap.
Make sure your A/C works!! good luck with the purchase!
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Hi Everyone! I went ahead to and purchased the van. My wife loves it and she said it drives like a van. Its in very good condition. New tires and brakes. I guess the dealer forgot to replace the 3rd break light. My other concern is that when I try to open the trunk from the key fob, nothing happens. The lights will just bink twice. I have no problems opening the two side doors. Now i need to shop for floor mats since it didn't come with one.
I got the van for $9,000 Out the door at the local honda dealer. Caravan SXT with 55Kmiles.
I got the van for $9,000 Out the door at the local honda dealer. Caravan SXT with 55Kmiles.
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Funny, for some reason our 2006 EATS third brake lights lately -- two in the last six months.
It's either a 921 or 922 bulb and it's fairly easy to remove and replace on your own if you want to. You need a Torx head screwdriver.
Congrats on the purchase!!
It's either a 921 or 922 bulb and it's fairly easy to remove and replace on your own if you want to. You need a Torx head screwdriver.
Congrats on the purchase!!
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