1998-1999 mini van.

fish_freak

fish_freak

Retired Mod
Feb 15, 2002
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Great Barrington, MA
Well Im in the market for a cheaper mini van and Im probably going to be looking at these model year's. I will definately buy american as the Jap ones are to much money. Now what Im wondering is what do you all think of these choices and which one you would get or any experience in owning any of these.

I have a felling I am going to end up buying a caravan. There is a million of them for sale and they average the best price. I have read a lot of reviews on them and over all they seem to be good van's besides the transmission problems I have read about. Im also little leary on a couple of fires I also read about.

The next most likely would be a ford Windstar 98 probably. While I dont like the exterior of this van as much (99 was nice but $$$) It seems that it may be a little more reliable than than the dodge. I'm not sure on this though as I have read of these haveing problems as well. It seems like a decent van but looks kind of cheap overall.

Last would be a Chevy Venture. For what ever reason these ones seem to be the most expensive yet have the worst review's. My old boss had one that was nice and seem to run great but Im not so sure about them.

So people tell me what one of these is the best?
 
I have a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan and it's actually pretty nice. It's the family edition. i.e built in child seats, and sliding doors on both sides. Never had a problem with it and I've had it 2 years. The worst thing was a broken wiper motor last week and I did that myself. Didn't even have to sell our first born to afford it either. lol
 
The dodge transmissions really are crap. We had a grand caravan and it just gave up one day. Same with many others that I've seen. They just decide to stop.


That said, they're probably the best choice anyway. If you go back to the Chevy/GMC Astro/Safari-------they're tanks. You cant beat them.
 
Are 9 -10 year old mini vans really that expensive? I have never had a mini van or ever priced one so I'm not sure what the prices are.

You live in a northern state wouldn't a 4 wheel drive SUV be a better option? My sister recently bought a 2004 trailblazer and she only paid 14,000 for it. Depending on what you are looking to spend and how bad the winters are around you SUVs have dropped in price because of gas prices so you may be able to find something within your price range.
 
tai95 said:
Are 9 -10 year old mini vans really that expensive? I have never had a mini van or ever priced one so I'm not sure what the prices are.

You live in a northern state wouldn't a 4 wheel drive SUV be a better option? My sister recently bought a 2004 trailblazer and she only paid 14,000 for it. Depending on what you are looking to spend and how bad the winters are around you SUVs have dropped in price because of gas prices so you may be able to find something within your price range.
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Yes lol not the american ones but the Jap ones are really high. I don't spend a lot on car's. I bought one new car in my life and financed another that was four years old and will never do either again. It was just a total waste of money for me. I am a trained mechcanic so I can fix them myself but I would prefer not to lol. I don't want an SUV this is for my wife and we need a good family car and we want the space. Im not a big fan of SUV's. 4X4 is a waste here. Yes we get a lot of snow but its populous here so they clean it up quick. 4x4 wastes gas otherwise.

Any way..... any one else?
 
I've heard from many, many people that the Honda Odyssey is the way to go. My next door neighbors bought one to transport their 2 children and 2 Irish Wolfhounds and they love it!
 
phaedraeos said:
I've heard from many, many people that the Honda Odyssey is the way to go. My next door neighbors bought one to transport their 2 children and 2 Irish Wolfhounds and they love it!
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I used to work on honda's at the dealership and while nice they are not worth the price. 99-98 go for over 8000
 
My mini-van experience with the Caravan/Voyager Dodge vehicles has been excellent. Had former business partners who purchased one when they first came out, drove it to Disneyworld and back with the kids numerous times (@1000 miles rt), went to antique shows up and down East Coast---seems like it lived forever, with just regular maintenance. I had one, then my ex bought one (me, for the dogs and art materials, he, a Grand for antiques) and they were both champion, although his did have some tranny problems.

Chevy Astro--we had one for the business, it was stripped out, and felt cheap as all get out. The tall floorboard stick wasn't comfortable to me, never felt secure, and I LOVE stick shift. I thought it was a pretty crappy vehicle--experience with Chevy vans and trucks has not been good--cheap paint, cheap interiors, don't age well, not too dependable.

A friend bought a Ford Windstar. It was a lemon from the get-go. She had problems with electronics, engine, paint peeling, lots of under-noise. Traded it in for a Dodge minivan. (And I'm a Ford truck woman).

Hope this helps. I truly believe, over the years, that the Chrysler Dodge product has proven itself over and over. Good luck!!!
 
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