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This did not fix the problem, we have had it in 3 times and they have rotated the tires, re-adjusted the alignment etc but it still wants to wander. Strange thing is, it does not only wander to the left but also to the right. You have to constantly correct the steering yet the head mechanic says it is the way the Caravan handles. The dealership allowed us to try another Caravan, same model. year and mileage and it was much better.
Anyone had this problem and know what it might be? The dealership has promised to fix it but we need to figure it what to fix !
You can email us at candlemaker@telus.net if you have any info. Thanks for the help.
If all of that isn't good enough, Dodge is now offering a free portable DVD player with the purchase of any new 2003 Caravan. All you need to do is perform a "Build your own Caravan" on the Dodge web site, and you will be presented with the option of filling out a form for an eCertificate for the free player.
I was trying to talk my wife into either the BMW 525iT 5-Speed wagon or a new Chrysler Pacifica, but she wanted the space and utility of the Caravan, so that's what we are doing. :-/
Regarding our experience with our current van, it has 75,000 miles on it, and is as fast, rattle free and tight as the day we bought it. That and the fact that it has only seen the inside of a dealership twice since it was purchased (30K and 60K service) has proven to us that this is a great vehicle. Other than those two scheduled services, the only things that the van has needed has been normal oil changes (I use Mobil 1 and change every 7,500 miles), wiper blades (annually), front brake pads and rotors at 30K miles and again at 65K miles (I do them myself, and I do use a torque wrench, which seems to eliminate any problem of warping the rotors), and tires at 48K miles.
I'll keep y'all posted on the new van.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Did you look at the new Sienna at all? I would love to hear your thoughts on that if you did.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks for the reply though.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
I've spent ~20 hours in it over the last couple of years, and it's a nice ride. Drives good too. He's up to ~60,000 miles including the 5,500 mile recent road trip out here and back, and nary a problem.
Steve, Host
Can you help or suggest some thing?
Thank you for reading this!
Walter
During its time with us, I kept it on a constant diet of Mobil 1, kept it shod with the same OEM rubber from Michelin that came from the factory (one set), replaced the front brake rotors and pads twice, replaced "The Belt" once and mounted a number of sets of wiper blades. Other than that, there was not so much as a burned out light bulb. Not too shabby. ;-)
When we first picked the van up, we were literally on our way out of town, in this case, up to Maine. During that trip, we averaged about 18.5 MPG, and I thought that wasn't too bad given that we had opted for the larger 3.8-liter engine. Over time, the mileage has increased to the point where we would consistently get over 22 MPG on a road trip, and something in the neighborhood of 19 in mixed city/highway driving.
The only truly annoying item regarding the 98 was the "Speed Control". It would work just fine on normal (relatively flat) roads, however, there are several places on I-84 in Connecticut, and other places on I-70 in Maryland and West Virginia where the hills appeared to be too much for the system. On the way up, the van would slow down from say 75 to about 55, unless I would use the gas pedal up the hills. Weird problem. :-/
Finally after five years of spilled baby bottles, spilled coffee (I don't drink coffee, hehe) and the various road related hurts that the van has suffered, Mrs. Shipo decided that she wanted a new one. The only reason why we won't miss it too much is that we have its newer sibling, and I trust that it will serve our family every bit as well.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Total Before Discount: 38,060
Special DVD Discount: 1,220
Total Price: 36,840
We then negotiated a deal at "Invoice" and took the 3,500 rebate, so the entire deal worked out to be 30,540, which is only about $3,000 more than we paid for our 98 GC Sport, which had FAR less content. I think that this is a pretty good deal. ;-)
Speaking of content, WOW does this thing have a lot of buttons and controls. I'll bet it is going to take me half of the night just to peruse the Owners Manual and figure out how to use everything. The good news is that I can sit in the middle row, and watch something intellectually stimulating like Die Hard or Last Man Standing on the DVD player while I am learning how to use the van. ;-)
I will post more as I become more familiar with it.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Yes, he's done a number of repairs (including two headgasket replacements), but overall I though it was darn good for a vehicle with that kind of mileage. Still more amazing was the body. Chrysler vehicles sure don't rust as quickly as Ford and GM around here (Rochester, NY). This Caravan had a rusted out sliding door and there was rust on the rear hatch door. But that's it!
Dusty
Dodge is teaming with Disney to offer a special rebate in tandem with Disney's release of the DVD special edition of its box office smash, The Lion King. In time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the minivan, Dodge will equip special-edition Lion King DVDs with a $500 coupon good toward the purchase of one of the company's Caravan/Grand Caravan minivans. Disney also will run a sweepstakes on its Web sites where entrants can win a new Caravan. Lion King characters will also appear on Dodge's NASCAR race cars at the Kansas Speedway race on Oct. 3-5. Dodge and Disney had a similar deal last year as Disney released the DVD of Monsters, Inc."
Steve, Host
I have read about a recall on earlier models(clock spring) but can find nothing on the 02.
Our appointment is only for a scan. If we need parts they have to book it in later. We do have the extended warranty and have been told that we will be given a vehicle to drive. Only problem is the distance we have to go and the fact that we were told we get a car free for only 3 days.
The dealership we bought at has a very good reputation so I'm sure they will work with us. This is why we are having to wait too, they are very busy.
Within ten minutes of leaving the dealership I was on the phone with one two hours away whose online inventory showed they had an ES with the original 2003 price which was about $600 less. The inferno red color was not our first choice as our other vehicle is a similar colour. Given that this was $600 less on the sticker plus did not have the $875 trailer package which we do not require this seemed like potentially a good deal, first color choice or not.
Asked to speak to the sales manager and he immediately offered a price that was $300 over invoice and offered to go 50/50 on the accessories and would deliver to our home for free. Deal was done in 10 minutes and was incredibally stress free.
Vehicle gets delivered Friday and I can't wait. Return our leased 01 Maxima SE on Thursday. I sure will miss the Max, but with a 8 week old baby, a boxer and possibly another baby in our future, the minivan will be a necessity.
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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They are the closest we have right now. They also have an excellent reputation.
Mine was a Voyager too.
Steve, Host
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html
6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Pop in for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
Steve, Host
www.plymouth4less.com/voyager-parts.html
www.shopcarparts.com/plymouth-voyager.html
www.usedpartx.com/plymouth-voyager-parts.html
Dog days of August (nwitimes.com)
Steve, Host
We finally figured out why the van steered so poorly when we bought it in May, the stabilizer bar was bad. Why were they not able to figure it out then?
It handles much better now, we still like the van. The dealership is working things out and we are pleased. Anyone had to have this work done?
Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans
Steve, Host
had a circle around it like it does when you put it into gear. Only the reverse should have had the circle. This has happened to me twice.
I just play with changing back to park and the reverse and the other gears and it finally works.
This is a 2002 Caravan SE. If anyone knows what this is, please help ! Thanks