# Fix Dodge Grand Caravan **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** caravan, dodge\ **Created:** [December 17, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543 "2008-12-17T22:20:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Patapon\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Patapon\_Rose](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Patapon_Rose)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/1 "2008-12-17T22:20:51Z")
My Dodge Grand Caravan was recently hit in the front driver side panel & fender & the insurance company just totaled it. Despite the fender bender, it ran well, though the alignment was slightly off. It has about 185k miles on it & was just beginning to have some transmission issues- in the mornings & the cold, it would slip from gear once or twice & then it would run fine. I am considering investing in fixing it or purchasing a used Honda CRV- 99 with 159k for $5100. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on the longevity of the Caravans or the transmission issue. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/2 "2008-12-17T22:25:10Z")
Sounds like the Caravan is more trouble that it’s worth. Also, do not buy a 99 CRV with 159k miles for $5100, way to much money. For $5100 you can get something with fewer miles and maybe a couple years newer. ---
**Author:** ![Patapon\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Patapon\_Rose](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Patapon_Rose)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/3 "2008-12-17T22:36:02Z")
I thought the CRV price was high too. There is a 98 with 140k but I don’t know the price yet. The Caravan was great but getting old & torn about fixing it since buying a used car can be a bit nerve racking. ---
**Author:** ![Youngtimer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/0ea827/32.png) [@Youngtimer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Youngtimer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/4 "2008-12-17T22:36:39Z")
I can second the advice to not get the CRV. Too much money for too many miles. I’d suggest to get a used minivan for the same price. Because of their “boring” image they depreciate substantially and for 5000$ you can find a minivan with lower miles and/or a later model year than the CRV. A 2002 Caravan or a 2000 Odyseey for example. I’d also look at the bright side: Through that accident the insurance “bought” your car that was beginning to need repairs anyway. You probably can get a few more months out of it and will probably come out of this with a small profit. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/5 "2008-12-18T00:26:37Z")
I think you total it and buy something else 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/6 "2008-12-18T05:02:29Z")
Not worth saving because it has outlasted its reputation. Don’t pay top dollar for 159,000 miles either. It’s worth $2,000 to me. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/7 "2008-12-18T05:28:30Z")
I think if I wanted to depart with $2K for that car I will have second thoughts. You can find a 2005 Caravan with 50-60KM for 5-6K even in California. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/8 "2008-12-18T12:15:52Z")
My advice is don’t buy anything past 8yrs/150k miles no matter what brand. Its likely to have some more expensive repairs/maintenance lurking. The name Honda and Toyota is absolutely meaningless for this over that period I state. ---
**Author:** ![Patapon\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Patapon\_Rose](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Patapon_Rose)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fix-dodge-grand-caravan/23543/9 "2008-12-18T15:06:05Z")
This has been really helpful! May i ask what opinions are out there about a 1999 Mazda B3000 with 100k for $2999? or a 2002 Mazda Millenia S with 72k for $6980? PT Cruiser 2007 with 34,612 miles for $9999 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS with 60,633 miles for $9951 2003 Mazda Protege with 70,415 miles at $8,550 I am unfamiliar with most of these models so any advice would be helpful!