aztecdriver Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 You know, I grew up working in my Dad's auto shop. Big Chevy man. His Brother, big Ford guy. We all had issues with Mopar. THEN, it comes time to do what I consider the ridiculous - I needed to trade my 1999 Ford Expedition on a mini-van. One toddler, another baby in the plans and it just wasn't working - 12mpg, in and out of car seats. So we start looking at minivans. After evaluating the costs, amenities for the money, and models available - I bucked my intuition and bought this T&C in 9/2002 - which has to have been the worst decisions I have EVER made. 2003 model, it's got 67k miles on it. Was into the shop 7 times in the first 3 years for the belt system - eventually, I took it back and they said it was out of warranty and it was going to cost to repair it. Had to write corporate and threaten lemon law lawsuit which got them to replace the entire belt train, finally fixing the problem. Brakes have sounded like it was a hoopty since 15k miles. I've had 4 sets of tires on it. Sunroof leaked. Transmission has yet to go out but I just flushed the brown sweat sock fluid once and it shifts like crap so I know that's coming. Sway bar links replaced - now twice - and the drivers side window transmission just blew up. I'm sure I missed several other repairs in there as well. This is the biggest POS I've ever owned - including the 1980 VW Rabbit that I bought for 40.00 and a junkyard engine I put in it for 100.00 It's paid off. I've not had a car payment in 3 years. It serves the purpose for now but I wish someone would have T-boned me in this thing a while ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gameplayer Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 My father retired from Chrysler some time ago. He has owned one in his lifetime...a 69 Roadrunner convertible he bought new. He has told me he will never own another Chrysler product. Sorry to hear of your problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gundry Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 They can and do add up in a hurry. Bear in mind, industry average is about $1200/year on maintenance. Not sure how old that spec is, but it was recently published in one of the repair journals. I think $1500-$2000 is more realistic, depending on the vehicle. Hope that helps you cope with your van... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 They can and do add up in a hurry. Bear in mind, industry average is about $1200/year on maintenance. Not sure how old that spec is, but it was recently published in one of the repair journals. I think $1500-$2000 is more realistic, depending on the vehicle. Hope that helps you cope with your van... I don't think I have spent $2000.00 total in the 10 years I have had my 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. I do my own maintenance but so far I've only had to do the basic stuff (oil,filter,air filter, one set of tires, wiper blades, spark plugs, etc.). I'll be replacing the timing belt in a couple of weeks and looking hard at the brakes. 99 K miles. It's been a damn good vehicle. CYa, Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boz1911 Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 I personally love vehicles like this...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basman Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 2002 Town and Country. new transmission in 2007, New engine in 2008. luckily both covered under warranty. only 80K miles and it sounds like a rattle box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 I owned a '96 Dodge Ram once. Never again. My '98 Ford Taurus was the best car I've ever owned. We bought it almost new with 13K miles. My brother drives it now and it's still going strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 I had a 93 Town and Country. The name was appropriate it would break down equally as often in the town or country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterready Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I bought a '09 Grand Caravan (new body style) for the wife last summer. Been in the shop two times already, 11k miles. AC went out a couple weeks back (now working after fix), sway bar bushings replaced (front end felt loose, still feels/sounds loose), driver side rear slider had latch to striker creaking noise when closed (still not fixed), compass and external thermometer have never worked from day one (still not fixed), felt clunk in transmission a couple times (not sure when this will go south). I've got the lifetime powertrain warranty (me thinks me gonna need it!) This is my first Chrysler and likely the last. I've owned GM vehicles most of my life, but I'm going Ford now. Just bought a 2010 Focus, 33 mpg out of my first tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CocoBolo Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 (edited) Well my last Chrysler was a 50 Desoto and it was a terrible car I sold it to mexico for a taxi ($25) after the main bearing spun and I put a piece of leather in it for a bearing. Those Chrlyser Van's are loved by their owners I guess for the 21 drink holders, but they drive rent cars more than the van because they are always broke. 2007 Camary 91K not one single repair, only oil changes and new tires at 75K, 34 mpg going to a from work. The Camary has more american built parts on it than a mexican chevy. I had a 350Z for a couple years, it was defective every time you romped on it lights would flash in the mirror. It also kept shutting its self off at 155 mph. When the first Jap cars hit conus they were junk they learned about quality (Earl Demming), now the USA auto people need to learn about quality then we will have more choices. Shooter ready that Focus isn't really a Ford, its got Volvo and Mazda in its blood. Edited May 26, 2010 by CocoBolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Provan Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I just traded in a 2006 Town and Country with 120K on it. The only major repair was the power steering rack started leaking at about 110k. Just tires, brakes, and oil changes. I replaced it with a Dodge Charger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Too_Slow Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 (edited) Yeah but Carl all you have to do is threaten to put the car through the coal crusher at work and they keep working out of fear. Brian Edited May 26, 2010 by Too_Slow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Provan Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Yeah but Carl all you have to do is threaten to put the car through the coal crusher at work and they keep working out of fear. Brian Don't tell my secrets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom S. Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 (edited) I know this is a hate thread, but maybe I can help. When you said belt, I automatically assumed you are speaking of the serpentine belt that drives the water pump, alternator, etc. There are two main sources of problems for these belts (on any car, not just Chrysler). One is the idler pulley, which either necessitates rebuilding or replacing. The other is a component being out of alignment. If any of the pulleys is out of alignment, even just a small amount, it can cause the vehicle to eat belts at a very quick rate. In this case, you have to find the offending pulley. Sometimes it's easy - you can just look or use a straightedge to find it - but - it may also be necessary to look at each component on the belt under load. In other words, the alternator pulley may look fine just sitting there, but when the vehicle is running and the alternator is under load, the pulley may move, either from a loose mount or warn out bearings. Too late to help you but maybe it will help someone else!!!! BTW: A Rabbit for $40????? Wow! Edited May 26, 2010 by Tom S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr4406pak Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I'm in the market for a minivan and was thinking of the Grand Caravan. From what I've read here I may pass. Which would you guys recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 This Hate rant has turned into a discussion, which is beyond the bounds of the rules for the Hate Forum. Thus, it must be closed. Please review the Hate Forum Rules: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8097 [note: this is a generic response] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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