I have a 1996 Grand Caravan with 193,000 miles. I replaced the transmission at 158,000 miles and am about to replace the a/c. The estimate is about $1000 to $1800. My question is, on average, can I get more than 200,000 miles on this vehicle before the engine goes? It is running great right now. If I don't keep this car I will have to down size to a smaller vehicle which I really don't want to do. Any suggestions????

MEP

 

You need to include your engine size with your post.

 

Is the van paid for? If it is then if you have to put $1000 in the AC system that is a lot better then getting a newer car which will cost much more than $1000.

Just my 2 cents.

 

ok if you got the 3.3 engine so far i racked up 242,450 miles and still being driving almost 200 miles a night, and when i had the fuel pump replaced yesterday the mech. said that the van still ran as good as a low mileaged van, but i known people to get little over 300,000+ miles on them..

 

300,000 + miles on the 3.3? Sound like a Japanes car to me! That makes me happy so my 99 Sport with 85K has a lot of life left to it. I'm keeping it till I crash it or when those 2005 - 6 Honda Odysseys sell for cheap.

 

Asking how long a car will last is a little like asking if youll live to be a hundred years old. If you take care of it, it will last. Frequent oil changes, synthetic is better.

 

i got a buddy that works for a path lab and he drives a 1996 dodge grand caravan that as the 3.3 and he told me that it so far has 345,000 miles. but right now on my van i got 243,000 miles on it as of this early in the morning. but i use mine to haul lots of newspapers from the backseats are suppose to be all the way back to the tailgate.. and i do put mobil 1 in my van and i usually don't do oil change until i hit 8,000 miles or so

 

@usispals I own a '96 G. Caravan. I'm already having tranny problems at 119K miles. Just a heads up everyone

 

These vans are built very well and with proper maintenance, they go very far. My 02 GC Sport 3.3L has 168K KM (just over 100K miles) on it and I use it like a truck. I baby it and fix anything that needs repair immediately and use synthetic oils and it still runs excellent. My average mixed use fuel MPG is 17.7MPG according to the computer and if I still get well into the 20's on the highway.

I've towed over 6K lbs with my van, I tow a camper somewhat regularly. Again, I make sure to properly maintain the tranny and I don't jack rabbit start or force it to accelerate quickly when loaded. I added Air Lift airbags to the rear axle to give me the extra capacity to tow and it is amazing just how well these vans tow.

Now if anyone can tell me how to keep it from eating blower motor resistors I'd be happy, but other than that my van has treated me very well.

 

Typically, worn blower motor bearings put too much drag on the motor making it draw higher amps and blow the resistor block. Change the blower motor and it's a pretty good bet your headache will go away.