I'm working on 4th Caravan beginning with a 1988 SWB Voyager. Passed this one on to son who killed it at 160,000. Bought a 1995 SWB Voyager. Not so good went through front brakes way too fast (<10,000 per set) with no remedy. Bought a 2002 SWB Voyager. Great car. Comfortable, fast, stable, roomy, good mileage. No trouble except for replacing rack at 100,000 and brakes at 80,000.

Brakes caused trouble at around 80,000. Rapid wear, ABS failure warning that went out with adding brake fluid. Went to dealer who I trusted. Diagnostics and a trusted tech said the ABS computer was fried - cost $600. Went to my local mechanic, trusted since 1978, who suggested the problem was old worn out brake lines. Replaced the brake lines - $200. ABS computer was fine and brakes went back to lasting $14,00 - 16,000 miles per set.

Traded '02 in (140,000miles) for a 2012 GC-Crew. 1 year later still impressed by quiet, speed, mileage (29mpg on highway), and handling though 12,000 miles later still adjusting to the extra length.

 

I can't believe everyone loves the old style of these vans. To me, they look like dirty, old, unreliable mini vans. If I had to pick any of the 01-07 vans based on style/looks, it would have to be a 01-07 Odyssey.

The old style looks overweight or something, I dunno I don't like them. Just my opinion. The new ones are different, and personally I don't think they're that boxy...it's not like there in the shape of a school bus with a flat front end. They do have some curves.

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't understand why you would think that they are dirty, old, & unreliable. Styling is of course a matter of taste, but I think they were one of the most reliable generations, our 91 had a LOT more suspension problems, rattled like crazy, the engine (2.5 I4) died at 127K, and friends that had V6 models had problems with the A604 transmission as they had not resolved the teething problems with that tranny, and small problems with the interior (the arm rests ripping holes in the side of the chairs).

The problem that I also have with the current generation is that every thing is so big on them, yet the interior is so small and VERY lacking in padding in the seats (I know that is the give and take with functionality with the stow 'n go, but I would rather remove a bench now and then if it meant I could ride in comfort for over 8 hours as I often have had to). The interior of the 08-10 models was to me a big step back having all thin, flimsy, hard plastic compared to the 01-07 very soft to the touch dash. The 11-13 is definitely an improvement in appearance but the materials are still hard (though not flimsy and thin). The 3.6L is very quick and seems to be very fuel efficient so far, I just hope it lasts as well as the trusty 3.3L V6.

 

I'll give you this, driving around I see a lot more of the 01-07 Caravans than the newer ones. I just counted like 6 of them I saw when I went to the store.

Would you recommend buying a used 01-07 over the current 2014 model? (Not that I'm going to, just curious)

 

It's hard to take your opinion serious when you refer to the '01-'07 model as dirty and heavy looking. Were they shipped with dirt on them? The Gen 4 was lighter, more aerodynamic, more roomy, more popular, more reliable and sold better. The yearly Gen 4 sales figures were about double the Gen 5. This is why Chrysler division is axing the Gen 5.

The sales figures for 2001 thru 2007 model varied between 150K to 250K Grand Caravans per year. The 2008 to 2012 model varied between 90K and 140K. The Gen 5 total sales will NEVER match the Gen 4.

I'd rather wait for Dodge to replace their horrible 6spd transmission. The 2014 still uses it. The future Gen 6 will adopt the aero people-hauling strategy and discard the decade old SUV-esque box design with it's vertical front window and massive truck grille. In the meantime, I'll put up with what I have.

 

I don't have any first-hand experience with the later models, but a lot of what I read sounds like Chrysler has been travelling in reverse with the later ones (relative to things totally aside from the way they "look").
I'm making plans to travel down South to pick up an '02-'04 as a second vehicle for my daughter's expanding family. If I can find one without rust, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. I consider my '03 to be rock-solid, and think that only rust can do it in. When the engine eventually falls out of the rusted out body, I'm sure it will still be running when they come to tow it away

 

Come shopping down here. Nothing rusts (unless a 100 year flood floats your stuff down the interstate)

One of mine is a 2003 TC Lxi I like these better than the new ones.

 

LOL - that is EXACTLY where I am planning to shop for one! My other daughter went to school in Chattanooga, so we know a bit about TN. My plan is to drive down 81, start in the Knoxville area, and travel as far west (Nashville/Memphis) as necessary on the pike. I was planning on skipping dealers completely and just lining up as many Craigslists in advance as possible, checking on the current availability as we travel south. I'll bring ramps in order to get a look underneath and feel that, along with a good test drive will tell me all I need to know. It's a big advantage knowing exactly what it's supposed to feel, look, and sound like! When I find a hit, I'll buy it on the spot, and take drive it up to my daughter who lives in MI, where it sadly will begin to rust (but hopefully will live for many more years).
If you have any suggestions on changing anything about this plan, I would be very interested to read what you have to say!

 

Wow, this thread doesn't leave me feeling very good about a new one I was hoping to buy soon...

I don't know what I'm going to do now, either way I'll update this with a picture of whatever I get.

Thanks for all the reply's/info.

 

The current van is not small, it's just smaller inside than gen4. It is not small compared to other marques.

The 6spd has three close ratio, deep gears 1,2,3....followed by three very wide ratio gears with earlier, lower RPM upshifts and converter locking action. Gears 4 and 5 have a strange slip bump engagement where the RPM drops quite a bit. The downshift on hills goes from 6th to 4th and then back up into 5th. The tranny physically can't shift from 6th to 5th. The quirky action of this tranny is not noticed by most owners, but it's is the result of Chrysler modifying the old 4spd to become a 6spd. At speeds under 30MPH, the RPM is higher than would be expected and definitely higher than necessary, so lower speed city economy suffers. Recalls and TSB's have been issued that reflash the powertrain computer to raise shift points. This has been done due to customer complaints about rough shifting. Despite the quirks these transmissions don't wear out prematurely.