2018 Grand Caravan?

[supton]

I'm not clear on how well the 3.6's and 62TE's have held up, other than, like anything else, they can and do have issues. The 3.6 has lifter(?) problems and the trans is like all other slushboxes, something of a wear item. But not that different than everything else out there (oh oil cooler thing).

I found this one, which looks to lack power liftgate or power sliding doors. The fact that it's been on the lot for 6 months makes me wonder if $13k for an '18 with 79k is too much? (and it has a sister on that lot too) (and both are from NJ which makes one wonder about what kind of miles those are) I'm on the fence as to wanting power lift gate--I might get something like this for my son who is disabled and might be using a mobility scooter in a few years. Or just use myself I guess, could make a nice all around vehicle. [He drives like 10k/yr and I'm looking at 25k for myself. I don't mind the 'rolla but it has way too much road noise on the highway and is useless for doing anything other than commuting.]

I really don't want to spend this kind of money but this is the new reality in used cars.

 

[99Saturn]

(and both are from NJ which makes one wonder about what kind of miles those are)

?

 

[svtrit]

The lift gates are reliable. It’s the power doors that have multiple problems with door lock mechisms and the door latching mechanism.

The rest of the van is fantastic.

 

[supton]

?

NJ has cities. NH too but unless if one lives in the city then the miles racked up tends to be at higher speeds and in less stop & go.

I know not all of NJ is city but just like when one says "NY" most immediately think of NYC, when I think of NJ all I think of is a suburb of NYC. Thus to me those miles might be "hard earned".

 

[dishdude]

It appears to have been some kind of a company vehicle. If it's been on the lot 6 months maybe you can negotiate a discount.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Consider this Transit Connect instead

There's also the 4-cylinder Sienna from 2011-2012 if you can find one.

 

[Nick1994]

I still can’t get over the prices these days.

My grandma bought a 2014 Grand Caravan SXT with 27k miles for $16,500 in early 2016. Sticker price at a Dodge dealer.

Will you need to convert it to have a ramp or will he be able to lift the scooter into it? A minivan probably has the lowest floor that’s for sure.

 

[97prizm]

I'm not clear on how well the 3.6's and 62TE's have held up, other than, like anything else, they can and do have issues. The 3.6 has lifter(?) problems and the trans is like all other slushboxes, something of a wear item. But not that different than everything else out there (oh oil cooler thing).

I found this one, which looks to lack power liftgate or power sliding doors. The fact that it's been on the lot for 6 months makes me wonder if $13k for an '18 with 79k is too much? (and it has a sister on that lot too) (and both are from NJ which makes one wonder about what kind of miles those are) I'm on the fence as to wanting power lift gate--I might get something like this for my son who is disabled and might be using a mobility scooter in a few years. Or just use myself I guess, could make a nice all around vehicle. [He drives like 10k/yr and I'm looking at 25k for myself. I don't mind the 'rolla but it has way too much road noise on the highway and is useless for doing anything other than commuting.]

I really don't want to spend this kind of money but this is the new reality in used cars.

My parents have had good luck with their Dodge grand caravan. 2015-16. Yeah the door lock motors and one other thing have been quirky. It's been a really solid van. I don't know how Dodge or stellantis has screwed up the Chrysler Pacifica. It has really terrible reliability.

 

[loneryder]

?

Rentals

 

[cptbarkey]

My mom has an 2014 with very low mileage, it’s a stripper AVP in red with tan interior. The side door molding, and one roof molding has come off due to bad glue from the factory. The horn stopped working due to the clock spring failing. I don’t really consider these things terrible. It is only used for transporting her for medical visits, or ranch errands.

I also personally owned another 2014 fully loaded, no issues with any electronics or the hatch, however did have a cylinder head failure that Dodge covered. Get an extended warranty, whatever you do. It will get used.

I think Caravans are excellent budget vehicles to own.

 

[supton]

Will you need to convert it to have a ramp or will he be able to lift the scooter into it?

Probably a lift someday, but the next vehicle will be the one in real need of conversion I think. This one, when the scooter starts needing to be “required”, wife or I will man handle it in or out.

 

[JTK]

Of all the make/model minivans we owned over the years, my 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SE was my favorite. I bought it new for ~$21K and we owned it ~4yrs and ~80K miles. It was comfortable, powerful, economical and trouble free.

 

[Skippy722]

13k isn’t horrific… our 2018 Grand Caravan was $18,500 with 40k on it in 2019. So far all we’ve done is replace the alternator at about 112k miles. Which honestly, isn’t that bad of a job if you jack up the passenger side of the engine.

 

[Number_35]

I'm not clear on how well the 3.6's and 62TE's have held up, other than, like anything else, they can and do have issues. The 3.6 has lifter(?) problems and the trans is like all other slushboxes, something of a wear item. But not that different than everything else out there (oh oil cooler thing).

I found this one, which looks to lack power liftgate or power sliding doors. The fact that it's been on the lot for 6 months makes me wonder if $13k for an '18 with 79k is too much?

I really don't want to spend this kind of money but this is the new reality in used cars.

If the van were rust-free, that would be a reasonable price here.

I think by 2018 any significant issues had been sorted.

The 3.6 had some valve train issues in the early years, but has been really solid since at least 2014.

The 6-speed automatic is well-regarded.

I'd like to get one of these 5th-gen vans, but the pricing remains prohibitive here. Our 4th-gen '07 (with the old-school drivetrain) continues to serve us well.

 

[Kira]

The 3.6 had some valve train issues in the early years, but has been really solid since at least 2014.
The 6-speed automatic is well-regarded.

This is what we learned whilst shopping for one.
In 2020, a friend found a leftover 2019. His has been trouble free.

The only trouble I heard about was that some of the plastic covers on the side doors' arms (parts which connect doors to the channels they glide in) were loose. I checked his and they were in place solidly.

He did a good thing. He gathered the parts to install a spare tire. That included the winch mechanism, the jack, a cover (used in the stored position) and a wheel and tire.

 

[Number_35]

This is what we learned whilst shopping for one.
In 2020, a friend found a leftover 2019. His has been trouble free.

The only trouble I heard about was that some of the plastic covers on the side doors' arms (parts which connect doors to the channels they glide in) were loose. I checked his and they were in place solidly.

He did a good thing. He gathered the parts to install a spare tire. That included the winch mechanism, the jack, a cover (used in the stored position) and a wheel and tire.

It sounds like your friend bought the AVP version (CVP here) - no spare, no roof rack, a bench seat in the middle row, and fixed windows in the sliding doors.

I would be open to one of these, but like your friend would definitely install the spare-tire carrier, tire, and accessories. The supplied 12 V compressor and tube of sealant would not cut it for me.

 

[supton]

It sounds like your friend bought the AVP version (CVP here) - no spare, no roof rack, a bench seat in the middle row, and fixed windows in the sliding doors.

I would be open to one of these, but like your friend would definitely install the spare-tire carrier, tire, and accessories. The supplied 12 V compressor and tube of sealant would not cut it for me.

I suspect I could live without a roof rack--I hate lifting things over my head and have rarely used them in the past.

That spare tire, it's under the vehicle, right? How does that work out when one has a flat and it's not perfectly flat ground?

Actually: now that I think of it--when the rear seats are down, is there any sort of cubby hole for storing stuff, like something other than a cheap jack? A place to safely store away the typical junk that goes in the trunk.

 

[Kira]

American + Canadian Value Packages? I'll ask about the sliding door glass. It renders those doors lighter, yes? .....fewer wires in the harness too.

The spare lives under the front passenger seat.
The crank is more central; through a hole in the floor of an armrest cubby, IIRC.
If an earthen hump impedes access to the spare, move the van. I don't know where the jack stores.
Actually: with the Stow and Go seats in use, the big tubs they store in can be used for smuggling, they're so big.

 

[supton]

Actually: with the Stow and Go seats in use, the big tubs they store in can be used for smuggling, they're so big.

I figure, the middle row will be usually up, but the back row usually stored.

Wife and I were discussing it earlier. We found it quite amusing that we are finally shopping minivans... just as the kids are of the age to move out. Ok that's a year out but you get the idea. We managed baby strollers et al with a sedan for years.

But I wouldn't be shopping had we not lost two cars in two accidents. I'd be fine with pressing on with sedans, putting off a larger vehicle for another 5 years (when daughter is out of college)... the timing is right to get a minivan I guess, but only accidentally.

 

[Kira]

All I can tell you is that when minivans came out in the '80's, I said, "What took 'em so long?"
They are practical vehicles. Like everything else, they may be too fancied-up for many, nowadays.
To this day I regret passing on my pal's Mopar; so early, it had no AC.
I particularly liked the vehicle's size.