Faults:

Fuel pump. $350.

CV Axel, both sides. $100.

General Comments:

I had always heard how horrible Dodge Caravans were, that their transmissions died, and that they were pieces of trash. But when I had the opportunity to buy this beat up, ugly old Caravan from an old lady in 2000, when the car was already 6 years old, for only $50, I could not pass it up. Dodge or not, you can't say no to a $50 car.

I did not care about this car at all. I bought it so my aging mother would have something to take to the store every now and then. Lo and behold, I ended up driving this thing more than my own cars.

Because I cared so little about this car, I did not treat it well. It went 5 years without an oil change, tune-up, transmission service, or any kind of maintenance of any kind. I put the cheapest, crappiest oil, gas, and transmission fluid in it. I worked it way too hard and drove it like I was trying to kill it. I figured it only had a few years left anyway.

This is an amazing vehicle. After almost 7 years of constant abuse, it is still the most reliable vehicle I own. It has surpassed my Buick LeSabre and my Pontiac Sunfire. Even my Honda Civic eventually met its fate, but this hunk of junk Caravan still lives on, like some undead creature crawling out of a swamp. I am both mortified by its will to live and heartwarmed by its reliability.

I'm convinced this car is possessed by the devil. It's the only explanation. I don't think I could kill it if I tried.

Faults:

Seats started to wear in the driver side and passenger side.

The master cylinder went out at 177,000 miles.

Transmission blew at 177,500 miles.

General Comments:

Besides the minor faults I found the car to be dependable, comfortable, and has a great engine.

Faults:

We bought it used from a private owner, so we weren't expecting it to be perfect.

Transmission started slipping shortly after we bought it. Knew a mechanic that knew a guy that had a caravan with a blown motor, but a good rebuilt tranny, so we had the tranny swapped for under $1000.

Heat never really worked right. If you where in the way back, in the winter, you would freeze.

Serpentine belt comes completely off if you drive through a large puddle, or take it through the car wash. We were told that the belt was stretched out, and replaced it, but still have this problem.

Side door won't unlock (power locks) using the switch on either front door. You either need to use the key from the outside or reach through the passenger side to unlock it.

Center seat will not come out easily. Need to kind of pry on it with a screw driver to get it to release.

Had to replace the power seat (drivers) with a standard non-power one after a short in the wiring caused the motor to burn up.

Clutch plate on the a/c went out, causing the a/c pump to smoke. Scared the heck out of me because at first I thought the darn van was on fire.

Rear windows rattle.

Had to replace the latch and window on sliding door. The latch would pop open every time the door was closed, and we could not get the latch off of the window to just replace the latch.

Plastic door panel on the tail gate rattles.

Rear passenger quarter panel is rusting out - again.

Paint is starting to flake on the hood and fenders.

General Comments:

Not too bad as far as caravans go.

Would consider getting another in a few years, unless I find something I like better.

Pretty comfortable. Rear seat could use some work, but good for the kids and dogs.