A good Nice Family Van/Mini Van

[Mir]

What you all recomend
My budget is 5K
I was thinkin chevy Venture or Carvan ?

[Spidey]

Im happy with out Montana. Its the same engine and drive train as the Venture, just a bit better looking

[nano]

looks for a venture, caravan's have serious tranny problems

[Mir]

Im happy with out Montana. Its the same engine and drive train as the Venture, just a bit better lookingTell me how long you had it
What you like about it what you dont'
Plus Year and trim Line too :D

[Spidey]

Tell me how long you had it
What you like about it what you dont'
Plus Year and trim Line too :D


Had it for almsot 5 years. Bought it used with 33,333 kms.

I like the 8 passenger idea. Plus you can take each seat out individually. The Carvans back then just had one big bench, almost impossible to remove alone. Mind you this was really before the fold flat seating was mainstream.

Dislikes, not many. The battery is a ***** to get at, but any new vehicle nowadays the motor is always cramped.

Low on cupholders for the passengers. And I find them not very deep, so if you put a taller mug in they tip. But thats pretty minor

Year is a 2000, trim line I'm not sure. Its the middle one due to the 8 seating, but doesnt have the power sliding doors. A feature that would be handy now that the kids are older.

Side note: Ive also used to to haul a 2000 lb camping trailer every summer since we got it. No problems with the tranny, etc. I do make sure it has a good tranny cooler and change all my fluids when needed. Never had any real trouble with it

[Mir]

Spidey pretty much it is only cup holder thing :twisted:
WoW that is nice
Thanks :)

[Spidey]

Spidey pretty much it is only cup holder thing :twisted:
WoW that is nice
Thanks :)


Well its like comparing anything a few years old to new. I noticed the new mini vans use their space very well, more cubby holes and storage compared to the old.

You may not need an 8 passenger and just a 7. The 8 comes with a built in car seat as well. We thought if we were gonna get a van, might as well as be an 8

[Mir]

Well its like comparing anything a few years old to new. I noticed the new mini vans use their space very well, more cubby holes and storage compared to the old.

You may not need an 8 passenger and just a 7. The 8 comes with a built in car seat as well. We thought if we were gonna get a van, might as well as be an 8
I agree I will get a 8 passenger one
is it only Montana feature or what ?

[Spidey]

I agree I will get a 8 passenger one
is it only Montana feature or what ?

For that year it was. Made it easy to go van shopping because we knew that was the only one. I think the Venture did as well, but I know for a fact the Dodges and Fords didnt.

Also, you can fold all seats flat to haul plywood, etc

[conundrumfp]

looks for a venture, caravan's have serious tranny problems
But wouldn't the budget put him in the same model range as this? http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274344

[Spidey]

But wouldn't the budget put him in the same model range as this? http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274344


Not sure, never had the problem. I change my fluids to what the book says. I never seem to have any trouble

[tkyoshi]

It's all about maintenance really, but it's hard to see when buying a used car.

The main problem with caravan's 4-speed transmission was that people were putting in the wrong fluid. The 2000+ ones have a redesigned tranny so failiures are very low now.

That said, we've owned about 5 caravans and have never had any transmission problems with them.

The venture is also a pretty decent van.

[Slippery_Pete]

It's all about maintenance really, but it's hard to see when buying a used car.

The main problem with caravan's 4-speed transmission was that people were putting in the wrong fluid. The 2000+ ones have a redesigned tranny so failiures are very low now.

That said, we've owned about 5 caravans and have never had any transmission problems with them.

The venture is also a pretty decent van.

Exactly. Never get a 2000+ Caravan's transmission fluid changed anywhere but a dealer. That transmission requires only ATF+4, which is only available through DaimlerChrysler. Any other fluid will wreck the tranny. Many shops don't know this, or don't care.

[jimsmith]

i have a 2001 montana with 90,000 on it the transmision just @$#% up $2700 plus the rear wheel seals the abs sensor on the drivers side and at around 90,000 thats when the valve cover gasket is expected to go. im goeing to trade it in on a mazda 5 if im lucky :mad:

[Spidey]

i have a 2001 montana with 90,000 on it the transmision just @$#% up $2700 plus the rear wheel seals the abs sensor on the drivers side and at around 90,000 thats when the valve cover gasket is expected to go. im goeing to trade it in on a mazda 5 if im lucky :mad:


Ouch that hurts.