need info on mini-van, please?

Anyone familiar with Plymouth Voyager? I have a chance to buy one from some friends. '96 model with lots of miles, but highway miles. I've never had a mini-van but borrowed one last yr for the Tenn RoundUp and loved it!

Does this model/make have any known bugs I should be aware of? (Right now the AC works, but only blows out air thru the defroster or the feet area, not thru the dash vents, which I can live with.) (Oh yeh, and the right front speaker doesn't work! Wahhh...).

Mechanically, it has new tires, new water pump from last yr, new belt. I believe I can get it fairly cheap...sounds like a rotor in one of the front wheels is making noise, brake job maybe?

Question: Anyone ever had one? Didja like it? Have bigtime trubbles w/it? Would own one again, or never again?

Thanks.

I just traded in a 95 Voyager that I bought new. 106,000 miles. No problems to speak of. Although there was a drip in the front somewhere; probably the water pump. Several other problems I created by running over things or into things. I had been told by a couple of people the transmission wouldn't go 75,000 miles. I think it has been one of the stronger points of the car. If the price is right and you don't want to do a lot of long distance driving, it should last a couple of years with TLC. I bought a new Dodge mini van.

I have a 95 caravan with over 130,000 miles and still going strong. I did get the trannie worked on at around 100,000 but they don't run forver with no work on them. Mine is a little hard on brakes but it is the extended length model so is heavier. Brake pads are not a major expense. If the price is right I would go for it.

Thanks folks...this one has (I think) 185,000) on it but my truck has more than that and I'm not worried about it (my truck). These folks are only asking $1400, and I believe I can offer them less and they'll take it. (On a trade-in the car lot would only give them $800...I imagine they were gonna re-sale it a double that.)

As for driving it around town that would be fine. I was actually thinking of taking it to Ky tho! They just drove last wkend to the mtns, 5 hrs there, 5 hrs back and had no problems. Plus, like I said, all the miles are highway driving which are not as hard on a car/van as stop and go city traffic.

Dare I take this on?

Check and make sure that the defroster and heater work and blow where they need to. Sounds like either a vacuum hose or the switch. Sometimes a tiny hole will be all it takes.The switch can be electronic or manual, and sometimes the manual ones get hung up.If electronic,you should be able to get one in a junkyard pretty cheap.If you'll email me with the particulars,I'll see what one will cost,new and used(we get wholesale discount)Some are cheap and easy to install and others are a bear.Need to know motor size to get exact.

Keith said that if your defroster works,you should be able to get by till he can look at it at the RU.Chrysler invented the mini van and they are the best product that company makes in my opinion.

Motor size...motor size...let me know and I'll dig and see what I can find out. The price sounds fine if the moter is the right one.

I think that is a steal. We paid $6000 3 years ago for a '96 Dodge Caravan and it now has over 250,000 on it I think. Had to have the transmission filter cleaned a few months ago but that is all other than normal maintenance like oil changes,etc. We also have an '87 Voyager with about 250,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. We did have the tranmisson replaced at about 125,000 miles. I would say go for it before he changes his mind or ups the price.

You sure you don't want a conversion van? LOL Hey, look at this. http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=VOYA&start_year=1996&end_year=1996&min_price=&max_price=&distance=100&advanced=y&advcd_on=n&make=PLYM&address=45230&search_type=used&x=50&y=10

Looking at the link that Badseed sent in, it looks like a steal to me. Minivans are expensive! I've got a Toyota Sienna, before that a Chevy Astro. in between I had a little bitty cavalier, and couldn't stand being so low to the road! I love my mini vans! I'd go for it, if it was me!

Shoe, we drive an 86 Toyota conversion van. I just drove it up here to OH by myself. 144,000 miles on it....The only thing that has been replaced is tires, etc. I'm heading home tomorrow! It it decides to croak, I hope it does so in Rutherford County LOL

I have a '93 Toyota Previa with 120,00 on it. Love it! Probably gonna buy an 04 Sienna, since they no longer market the Previa in the USA. The Voyager for that price might be OK but 185,00 is a lot of miles.

We bought a 93 Voyager after I wrecked our jeep cherokee in 1996. (7 years ago today). It had around 60,000 miles on it when we bought it and used it to run back and forth to Rochester MN for my surgeries. When we traded it off in 2000, it had over 200,000 miles on it and we didn't have to do much of anything to it other than regular maintenance. Dave says he still misses that van. It ran great, and was very confortable. What Dave liked most about it was that you can see out of them so good.

We got $6oo trade in for it.

I know they hit and kill deer nicely as they skid sideways on the ice. Paying for the new used radiator wasn't too bad for cost either. I borrowed a 96 from a friend while my truck was in the shop and wouldn't you know it that was the first time I ever hit a deer! I hope the last deer I kill too.

(for Shoe. My friends friends who were visiting from Mexico picked the deer up the next day and made it into GOOD food. YUMMY)

Hah...now what a sales piece that is, Pondy! So I can get a van AND hunt deer!

I drove this van yesterday...ran smooth! Seems to me like it would make it to Kentucky.

Thanks for all the info, folks! Great!

Drove two Voyagers and loved them both. Nice ride, lots of room, few repairs, great A/C. One had three seats. We took the middle seat out and that big open area was wonderful for groceries and plants. Also gave my long-legged teenage son room to stretch out. Personally, I like Chrylsers and have driven them for ages.

Thanks, Honeygirl.

I hope to go ahead and buy this van tomorrow. Ya'll talked me into it. Altho it is high mileage I know the people took great care of it (even saved all the records/receipts from regular maintenance and any repair work), plus the mileage is highway miles, not stop and go traffic. That should count for something.

Wish me luck! Or good hope!

Horseshoe, I don't think you need any luck. You have done your research (DG), and the car is recommended by all. I turned mine (95) in today and thought, "Maybe I should have done those few repairs that have added up." I got the low-end 6 cylinder model. A few new features, and a few less features, as well. I will miss the drawer under the rider's seat a lot. Not sure I need power windows, power mirrors, and 2 back doors. It isn't fun to buy a new car any more; the cost takes the fun out real quick.

Here's to many miles of travel!!!

HAH!....I believe ya Golddog! No fun buying new stuff!

This one has the power windows (which I don't care for), power mirrors, seats 7 (like I'd ever haul that many) and no drawer under the driver's seat (I think there is under the passenger seat tho).

Will post a pic when I get it.

I hope you get a really great deal on it! Remember you are in the drivers seat on price now!

Be sure and install a deer catcher on it. lol

Mine's a 92. I always swore I would never own a mini-van. But I found this one at a local dealer and it was in great shape with only 74,000 miles on it. It also has the integrated baby seats; just pull the tab, fold down and wow! instant baby seats!---perfect for my day care...no more lugging three baby seats in and out of my wagon. That was 7 years and more than 100,000 miles ago. I LOVE this van! We have done regular mainteneance, replaced the brakes a few times and the transmission at 140,000 miles. I have every intention of driving it into the ground. Then I will give it a just and repectful burial--- and go out and find me another!

Sierra...thanks!
I actually now OWN the van. Yep. And will drive it from NC to KY this next week (hopefully making it all the way there and back)!

Had front end brakes put on today. It drives great! Love it! Wish me luck folks!

Thanks to you all!...you talked me into it! What a great DG family we have, eh?

Shoe?

Did ya get that deer catcher? :>)

I think getting the deer is too easy already around here...no deer catcher. Maybe I should put on a cattle scooper on the front, like the trains have.

scoop em up and put them in the cargo area for later use. Then you can just drive around the countryside when your freezer is empty and collect till it is full again.

My Voyager has 250,000 miles on it! It is dented right behind the driver's door, the paint is coming off, and the windshield is cracked, but it runs like a top. I moved recently, and did it ALL in this van - the seats fold down to make a full-sized pickup bed. IMHO, you can't beat this vehicle - it hauls kids, dogs, plants, furniture, soil - you name it - needless to say, I WILL buy another when I get rid of this one.

I took the small back seat out and put the larger one forward. The hauling space is what I need. 8' boards will fit, and even 10' boards if they are moved over to the passenger side foot area. 10 bags of mulch, fertilizer. Even trellises and obelisks. Plus the new one can carry stuff on top as well. Also great for vacations.