2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Experiences?

[bdeboer]

I have rented at least 3 in the last year from the local Enterprise for work. They would get about 27 mpg freeway with a tail wind and about 22 driving into the wind hand calculated. I put around 800 miles round trip on them when I rented them. I like them better than the 2005 or so vintage as far as ride and power. The leather seat versions of them seemed to be more comfortable than the basic trim model also.

No experience towing with them.

 

[kf4uda]

Thanks to all for your experiences and opinions. I am not sure what vehicle we are going to go with yet but will add all of your post to the equation. We have been driving GM products for many years, but decided to look at other brands this time so I find myself having to research more.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Dont know if it was mentioned, but, the design was updated and the engine changed to a whole new series in 2011, so any comparisons to before then is basically moot. I do know that they are very popular and the smaller caravan based Journey is a sales leader and really popular. Now that I have my grandkids living with me, I am looking at the Journey. Every one I know who has one loves it.

edit: just read an article on a cars.com - jd power - usa today comparision of all the top 'van/car' based SUVs less than $38k and the Grand Cherokee won.. by far.

 

[aczlan]

My wife has a 2002 with just over 112k miles (we are the 3rd owner, my grandparents bought it off lease), my SIL has a 2006 Town and Country (from my MIL), now has ~90k miles.
My wife's is rusting apart (baseball wide piece rusted out down both rocker panels, tip of the hood is rusting out, PS line rusted through) and has also had issues with brakes (rusted brake lines), vacuum evap system (has been in 5-10 times to replace disintegrated vacuum evap hoses).
My SIL has had problems with AC (repeated), brakes, bad BCM, bad power sliding door motors, bad CD/DVD changer, etc, etc, etc.

I would not buy another Caravan unless they have greatly improved their paint and rustproofing techniques...

Aaron Z

 

[Midniteoyl]

After their supposed recall of 3 million vehicles with the gas tank located adjacent to the bumper on Jeep models causing fires & fatalities.......... they offered free trailer hitches.

Maybe this is business in ITALY... not here. I won't buy a key chain with the chrysler logo.

Oh.. nobody has recalls... ok :confused2:

 

[Midniteoyl]

My wife has a 2002 with just over 112k miles (we are the 3rd owner, my grandparents bought it off lease), my SIL has a 2006 Town and Country (from my MIL), now has ~90k miles.
My wife's is rusting apart (baseball wide piece rusted out down both rocker panels, tip of the hood is rusting out, PS line rusted through) and has also had issues with brakes (rusted brake lines), vacuum evap system (has been in 5-10 times to replace disintegrated vacuum evap hoses).
My SIL has had problems with AC (repeated), brakes, bad BCM, bad power sliding door motors, bad CD/DVD changer, etc, etc, etc.

I would not buy another Caravan unless they have greatly improved their paint and rustproofing techniques...

Aaron Z

See, thats weird.. I have had Fords rust out very quickly, and hear about Chryslers doing it too, but my 1993 Acclaim didnt and had 235k before I got rid of it, and my 1992 Caravan never rusted right up to the day my kid torn a tranny cooling line at 186k. My 1997 Intrepid didnt either, and it was @ 192k went I let it go, and I still have an 1985 D250 Prospector that is only just now showing rust around the rear fender openings. The Aerostar? forget about it... rusting from day one.

As with everything, there are good and bad ones. With the amount of them still on the road, I tend to think they are mostly good..

 

[Cub 7274]

I have a 2013 Journey with the 3.6ltr six speed and tow a small trailer with ease
I recently drove to Myrtle beach and averaged 31.8 mpg and sometimes getting over 32 and it only had 1500 miles on it
This vehicle replaced the 2009 Journey I had with the 3.5ltr and the 3.6 is far better I never got over 26mpg ever
Also they upgraded the seats and its a far better ride now.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I have a 2013 Journey with the 3.6ltr six speed and tow a small trailer with ease
I recently drove to Myrtle beach and averaged 31.8 mpg and sometimes getting over 32 and it only had 1500 miles on it
This vehicle replaced the 2009 Journey I had with the 3.5ltr and the 3.6 is far better I never got over 26mpg ever
Also they upgraded the seats and its a far better ride now.

This is what I heard as well... I just hate buying new, so am waiting for the 2012's to start reselling

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here Dodges rust the worst. I think rust must be regional by brand based on what is put on the roads. I see many 4 year old Rams with rust at the wheel wells and door bottoms. My 03 2500 Ram was rusting badly after 3 years and our Dakota rusted in the same places after 7.

My 06 F350 and 08 Titan dont have a single spot of rust. The wifes 07 BMW doesn't either.

Chris

 

[bdeboer]

See, thats weird.. I have had Fords rust out very quickly, and hear about Chryslers doing it too, but my 1993 Acclaim didnt and had 235k before I got rid of it, and my 1992 Caravan never rusted right up to the day my kid torn a tranny cooling line at 186k. My 1997 Intrepid didnt either, and it was @ 192k went I let it go, and I still have an 1985 D250 Prospector that is only just now showing rust around the rear fender openings. The Aerostar? forget about it... rusting from day one.

As with everything, there are good and bad ones. With the amount of them still on the road, I tend to think they are mostly good..

The nose on the mid 2000's around here all seem to rust.