hello, I'm considering a 2014 grand caravan, which a local dealer is selling for $7800. The van has 164000 miles on it but is mostly rust free besides a fender that's already rusting (why do Chryslers seem to rust so fast? ). My questions are, how has the pentastar/6 speed combo held up? Is this van worth buying at this mileage?

 

My 2018 with 40,000miles has an unacceptable amount of rust underneath. I've owned 2 new Hyundais, a new Nissan, and a new Chevy, I serviced them all myself and I never noticed any rust on the A-frame or body of any.
A bought new 2012 Ford Fusion had rust under it too under 3 years. I didn't own it but I maintained it.

If I were to buy it new again I would go to an undercarriage coating place and get an elastomeric (tar like) undercoating. Once the rust starts though that option goes out the window.

 

Well that's all depends kind of catch 22 question it all depends on how well the van was maintain from the very beginning. I'd asked for documentation like carfax and maintenance records if available or ask for the previous owners name. The 3.6l pentastar had his issues through out it's generations 2011-2013 some head casting issues Chrysler extend the head warranty to 10 year -150,000 miles, rocker arm wear causing engine ticking,2011-2013 oil by pass valve breaking Dorman solution fix Otherwise the engine seem to quite reliable there's some 3.6L with high mileage on the road the key is regular oil change with a good quality synthetic oil with high anti-wear properties Mobil 1 doesn't score very well in anti-wear compared to some other brands. Transmission has been plaguing the Chrysler mini van brand for many years and the 62te isn't exempt common problem is torque converter failure and low compounder drum with lands wearing out causing no reverse issues. I think every 62te should follow the severe service maintenance schedule use for taxi, police of frequent trailer towing. Again there's some 62te that has some high mileage.

Rusting is the same it depends how you maintain your vehicle I live in Canada where we have harsh winters with a lot or road salt being used my 2013 doesn't have any rust on it. Then again my ritual isn't exactly maintenance free I wash my van at least once a week during winter and once a month I go through an automatic touchless carwash with high pressure under body spray. In the spring I wash and wax with a good cleaner wax to get all the road grim off then follow by 2 coats of high quality wax then after with spray on hybrid ceramic wax. I wash the van regularly often followed by a ceramic spray wax. I'll reapply wax in mid summer and then again in late fall just before winter season.