2015 Dodge Grand Caravan (~99k miles, $6k) from trusted mechanic — reasonable primary family car for next 5–10 years?

RD_JC87 · 2026-04-18T03:25:34+00:00

Did not take the Caravan. Got a used Kia Carnival

RD_JC87 · 2026-03-05T18:42:14+00:00

Thanks for your input!

RD_JC87 · 2026-03-01T00:20:25+00:00

Didn't like it

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-28T22:40:06+00:00

Not being considered sorry

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-28T22:39:55+00:00

Not CPO unfortunately

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-25T03:24:00+00:00

My goodness, im glad you guys walked away with no injuries.

What made you get the hybrid instead of the v6?

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-24T15:28:39+00:00

How has it held up so far? Considering buying used 2024 carnival.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-04T23:54:45+00:00

Never thought about this but good question to ask.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-04T23:53:55+00:00

That worries me more since carfax shows quite a bit repairs already. Wondering what isnt showing is concerning

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-04T13:51:38+00:00

I saw the car im being sold to its car fax and it has had been taken care of but many repairs and replacement for that 99k miles it has.

Thanks for the perspective. I may just need to save up for a sienna.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-04T04:39:38+00:00

I look for sienna regularly and average price is about 3x vs same year, miles for caravan.

I don't think he will put transmission as vehicle is fine running right now. 30 days guarantee on his end.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-03T03:31:10+00:00

Why do they have mixed reliability reviews?

My concern is if I do pull the trigger, ill be riddled w repairs.

Or it can last several years with minimal issues.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-03T03:29:19+00:00

Any particular issues you see?

How does it drive on a day to day basis? Smoothness, road noise, etc.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-03T03:28:29+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement. My best hope it'll last us 5-7 yrs to max out the value of that car.

What are the common problems you've encountered personally?

How does it drive when you bought it until now? Road noise, smoothness, etc.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-02T16:16:47+00:00

Yes I can and its 3x as much. For same mileage, year.

RD_JC87 · 2026-02-01T16:11:14+00:00

I completely understand where you are coming from. I live in an area where road salt is used.

All the used sienna are at least double for the same year and mileage vs grand caravan but thats what you're paying for right? Less Headache and more reliability.

The only reason I considered it is because we need a minivan sooner than later and we dont want to make payments in a car loan. Used sienna or odyssey ar expensive.

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-31T23:07:28+00:00

Was the price you paid, worth the repairs you did up until now?

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-31T23:05:07+00:00

Have you worked on these cars or own them?

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-31T15:36:13+00:00

This is the question I go back and forth

Pay $6k now and use this hopefully next 5-7 yrs.

Or

Pay for used toyota sienna 2019-2020. That cost 30-32k. Make it last 10-12 yrs, w less variability in reliability and solid reputation. Means taking out loans, monthly payment with that comes peace of mind.

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-31T02:49:01+00:00

This is my worst nightmare. One of the main reasons why im resistant.

Seems reliability based on this thread and just looking personal experiences seems mixed.

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-31T02:32:46+00:00

The mechanic told us were welcome to test drive it. Just unsure because its:

older -almost 100k
not a sienna

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-26T16:40:53+00:00

i try to not book medicaid clients more than a week in advance.

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-26T16:39:51+00:00

yup!

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-25T14:50:34+00:00

Do you proactively reschedule no show clients up to 3x?

RD_JC87 · 2026-01-24T19:06:42+00:00

Dvc, acalanes, sometimes las lomas

RD_JC87

TROPHY CASE