Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Mileage vs age (used Caravan: go older, low miles or newer high miles?)

pete c · 03-10-2013, 08:22 AM

May be in the market for a "new" minivan in the next year or so. I'm way too cheap to hand over 25-35K for a new one. Probably like to keep it in the 5-6K range.

My question is, is it better to go older, low miles or newer high miles?

Probably looking at Caravans. I had an 02 GC that was a pretty damn good vehicle for awhile. Sold it because having a small economy car fit our needs better at the time, but, the wife is bugging me about getting another. I will likely give my son my ranger in a year or two, inherit the wife's sonata and she'll drive the minivan. I really like the Odyssey and Sienna, however, I just don't see paying the premium they typically bring. And I don't think they have a thing on the Caravans in the reliability area. In fact, I think post 2000 caravans are more reliable than Odysseys as honda had their own tranny issues during that period.

I am kind of leaning towards newer, higher miles as chrysler seems to have figured out how to build a long lasting tranny now and the 3.3 V-6 is quite bulletproof and long lasting. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one in the 100-120K range with expectations of getting that much or more out of it.

I am kind of leaning towards an '06-07. These are the last two years of that body style. the '08s seem to bring a more money and could potentially have first year issues, although, that might not be a problem as I believe the changes are largely cosmetic.

03-10-2013, 08:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
pete c Master EcoModder Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: ellington, ct Posts: 829 Thanks: 44 Thanked 104 Times in 80 Posts	Mileage vs age (used Caravan: go older, low miles or newer high miles?) May be in the market for a "new" minivan in the next year or so. I'm way too cheap to hand over 25-35K for a new one. Probably like to keep it in the 5-6K range. My question is, is it better to go older, low miles or newer high miles? Probably looking at Caravans. I had an 02 GC that was a pretty damn good vehicle for awhile. Sold it because having a small economy car fit our needs better at the time, but, the wife is bugging me about getting another. I will likely give my son my ranger in a year or two, inherit the wife's sonata and she'll drive the minivan. I really like the Odyssey and Sienna, however, I just don't see paying the premium they typically bring. And I don't think they have a thing on the Caravans in the reliability area. In fact, I think post 2000 caravans are more reliable than Odysseys as honda had their own tranny issues during that period. I am kind of leaning towards newer, higher miles as chrysler seems to have figured out how to build a long lasting tranny now and the 3.3 V-6 is quite bulletproof and long lasting. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one in the 100-120K range with expectations of getting that much or more out of it. I am kind of leaning towards an '06-07. These are the last two years of that body style. the '08s seem to bring a more money and could potentially have first year issues, although, that might not be a problem as I believe the changes are largely cosmetic.