2011 Dodge Caravan or 2006 Toyota Sienna
xomandykinsox
Member Posts: 2
We are a new family of five and I'm cramped in a ford taurus right now. For six months I've been searching for a van that we can purchase with cash. I've found a Dodge Grand Caravan for $15,500. It is a 2011 with 30,000miles on it and still covered under the 100,000mile waranty. I'm very interested in this car but when I mentioned it to a friend who has his own mechanic shop he told me he would never spend that much money on a Caravan. He recommended a Sienna or a Odyssey. Well, I've done a little bit more shopping... and I've found a 2006 Sienna that has lots of features I really like. -- These are all private party. I'm not sure much on the details of the Sienna since the person has not responded to my questions just yet. So which would be a smarter decision? I am not interested in getting something new in a few years. I would love to go to 220,000 miles or more. I understand each car will need lots of work in the future. Any advice?
Dodge Grand Caravan Mainstreet 2011 30,000miles and under a 100,000 mile waranty. They have all the service papers and a carfax they just don't need 3 vehicles. $15,500 (over kelley blue book by $1000)
Toyota Sienna XLE 2006 109,000 miles. $13,999 (I do not currently no many details on it)
Dodge Grand Caravan Mainstreet 2011 30,000miles and under a 100,000 mile waranty. They have all the service papers and a carfax they just don't need 3 vehicles. $15,500 (over kelley blue book by $1000)
Toyota Sienna XLE 2006 109,000 miles. $13,999 (I do not currently no many details on it)
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Answers
Actually I did just that back in April, some 15,000 miles ago. Got an '09 Grand Caravan for $10,5k and used it to move. It had 125,000 miles on it when I got it.
Cars aren't cheap....
Whatever you decide to make an offer on, it's cheap insurance to get a pre-purchase inspection done. Maybe your friend with the shop could help you there.
But it's a used car out of warranty. So it's always a gamble. We're shopping right now, but mostly because we finally think we want to downsize (we've had a minivan in the stable since '89, and never had kids to tote; just too much junk). But the higher miles on this one have me a bit leery. But yeah, I'd buy it again.
Our last van was a '99 Quest purchased new and sold back in April when we moved. It was acting up and the AC dying was the last straw. I always wanted bragging rights on driving a car 200,000 miles and the Quest made it. Barely. 220,000 may be too much to expect without "significant" expenditures. Setting a few bucks aside now and then in your "car repair fund" might be a good thing to do (but with 5 kids now, good luck with that.
btw, we say the Mainstreet (without options) is worth $13,693 as a private party sale. That $15.5k number is more of a dealer retail price. You can appraise it (and the Sienna) yourself and dial in the options and price better at this link.