Faults:

I needed something to occasionally haul lots of gear. A friend gave it to me because the tranny was shot. Got one installed for $1.4K and have been sure to use only Mopar tranny fluid.

Ignition coil shorted out and was easily replaced.

I rebuilt the engine at 160K due to the head gasket leaking coolant into combustion chambers. It was a fun rebuild.

After the rebuild, it blew oil out of all seals because the rocker arm cover PCV valve tube and the baffles were clogged with carbon deposits, thus pressurizing the crankcase. Couldn't find a replacement rocker arm cover so I boiled the old one in lye, which loosened large chunks of carbon from the rocker arm cover baffles and cured the PCV problem for now.

Torque converter lock-out solenoid died. Replacement was cheap but messy.

The original paint is getting dull, but it still has no rust despite being parked outside for 30 years.

Rear wiper motor just failed for the second time. National parts houses have bad info on replacement

General Comments:

It's a reliable box on wheels, easy to drive, gets reasonable mileage (20 mpg) and is fairly comfortable for 7 people plus gear. It's easy to load and handles 1/2 ton-plus payloads without complaining much. Road clearance is adequate for dirt roads in the mountains. FWD handles most snow. Doesn't rattle too badly.

It doesn't attract thieves and I don't worry about leaving it at trailheads. Minimal electronics to go bad. Roll-up windows. Insurance is cheap.

Driver's field of vision and mirrors are good. Other safety features are not to current standards.

There is nothing to tune up besides changing the spark plugs, which is acrobatic at best. It responds well to other regular maintenance (e.g., brakes, lubrication, A/C charging, belt replacements). Official Dodge shop manual is thorough but locating info in it is not intuitive (beats the heck out of the guesses on the internet though).

The Mitsubishi 3 liter engine went in a lot of cars so internal parts are available. The infamous valve seal problem was resolved by 1993. You have to be careful to get the right configuration on attachments like oil pumps, etc.

I plan to repaint it, replace the upholstery and get another 30 years out of it.

Faults:

Solenoid pack went bad after the first few months.

A/C compressor bad at 125k.

Heater core leaking at 155k, and not looking forward to that job.

Strut bushings rattle at 145K.

Drive shafts replaced due to bad boots, a simple cheap job.

I do all the work myself.

General Comments:

I like it. Still runs strong.

Heck of a deal, had it 8 years, paid $3800 and I've put on 80,000 miles. :)

Faults:

AC developed a leak about 49,000, garage said that this was his 16th Dodge this month.

Head gasket blew at 125,000 miles.

Transmission works OK, but needs to be babied sometimes.

Front seal needed replaced and valves tapped.

O2 sensor went bad.

General Comments:

This is my work vehicle and it is by far the best running and best handling car I've ever owned. The 3.0L has plenty of acceleration and always performs. I still have the original factory exhaust.

I love it. but I take good care of it too.

Faults:

Brakes replaced once.

Serpentine replace twice because of pulley.

Transmission seal currently leaking.

Water leak.

General Comments:

This had been a very reliable, very hardy van. This is hand down the most reliable car I've ever owned, and I've owned 14 in the 12 years I've been driving.

I've had this van for 4 years, and until recently I have had no trouble, despite not keeping up maintenance. This car has taking me on dozens of trips to Wilmington from Durham to see my parents, and it rides like a dream with plenty of power and great handling. I would definitely recommend this van! Take my word for it!