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In the market for a 99-00-01 Caravan/New Yorker/Voyager



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 5th 05, 01:45 PM
Bert Hochwald
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Default In the market for a 99-00-01 Caravan/New Yorker/Voyager

Dear Kind Fellows:

I am in the market for a 1999/2000/2001, maybe even 2002
Caravan, Voyager, or possibly even a New Yorker. Is there
any consensus about engine size/transmission/accessories/year that I
should make sure to have, or make sure to stay away from?

Thanks for your input,
Bert H


  #2  
Old March 5th 05, 03:58 PM
Daniel J. Stern
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On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bert Hochwald wrote:

> I am in the market for a 1999/2000/2001, maybe even 2002 Caravan,
> Voyager, or possibly even a New Yorker. Is there any consensus about
> engine size/transmission/accessories/year that I should make sure to
> have, or make sure to stay away from?


Which engine to get depends on how you intend to use the van. Which
accessories to get is totally up to you. The Chrysler version of the
minivan is the Town & Country, not the New Yorker. If you wish to drive at
night, get a 2001 or later van; their headlamps are "less poor" than the
'96-'00 units.
  #3  
Old March 5th 05, 09:53 PM
Bert Hochwald
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I'm interested in the V6 engines and have no real engine preference
other than it not have alot of design or manufacture faults.
Mostly about-town driving with a few long trips here and there.
Generally I prefer the fewest accessories that make the
drive pleasant, don't need digital dashes, power antennas,
spoilers, his and hers mirror settings, and the like.
Just interested to hear if there is an accessory that people
really like that goes with those years.

Since I have a '91 van, I'm used to night-driving with the
equivalent of flashlights taped to the front of the car.
The plastic lens-units are all discolored.

Thanks for the feedback,
Bert


"Daniel J. Stern" > wrote in message
n.umich.edu...
> On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bert Hochwald wrote:
>
> > I am in the market for a 1999/2000/2001, maybe even 2002 Caravan,
> > Voyager, or possibly even a New Yorker. Is there any consensus about
> > engine size/transmission/accessories/year that I should make sure to
> > have, or make sure to stay away from?

>
> Which engine to get depends on how you intend to use the van. Which
> accessories to get is totally up to you. The Chrysler version of the
> minivan is the Town & Country, not the New Yorker. If you wish to drive at
> night, get a 2001 or later van; their headlamps are "less poor" than the
> '96-'00 units.



  #4  
Old March 5th 05, 10:40 PM
Daniel J. Stern
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On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bert Hochwald wrote:

> I'm interested in the V6 engines and have no real engine preference
> other than it not have alot of design or manufacture faults.


The 3.3 and 3.8 are durable, essentially bulletproof, largely trouble-free
Chrysler designs. The 3.0 is a somewhat more troublesome Mitsubishi design
but will also last a long time if carefully maintained.

> Since I have a '91 van, I'm used to night-driving with the equivalent of
> flashlights taped to the front of the car. The plastic lens-units are
> all discolored.


Yeah, the '96-'00 headlamps are even worse.

DS
  #5  
Old March 5th 05, 10:14 PM
Bert Hochwald
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Right, the Town and Country, not the New Yorker. I wonder
where I pulled that from? Must be memories of the nightmare
'77 New Yorker that my dad once owned.

--Bert


"Daniel J. Stern" > wrote in message
n.umich.edu...
. The Chrysler version of the
> minivan is the Town & Country, not the New Yorker. If you wish to drive at

....snip...


  #6  
Old March 5th 05, 10:41 PM
Daniel J. Stern
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On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bert Hochwald wrote:

> Right, the Town and Country, not the New Yorker. I wonder where I
> pulled that from? Must be memories of the nightmare '77 New Yorker that
> my dad once owned.


Yeah, in the late '70s build quality was all over the map. If you got a
good one, you were all set to go, but if you got a bad one you were well
and truly screwed. Much like VW still today.
  #7  
Old March 5th 05, 04:52 PM
Bob Shuman
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Bert,

We have a '99 Town & Country Limited with 3.8L engine. It has been a very
good vehicle, but is heavier than the earlier vans (we owned one of those
too wit ha 3.3L engine) so gets a bit worse gasoline mileage. Both the 3.3L
and the larger but nearly otherwise identical 3.8L engines are solid. I'd
say the 3.8L is better for the larger size van. We would definitely buy
another as it is still in excellent shape and now has ~65K miles and looks
pretty much like new in most regards.

That said, here is my list of things that could have been improved based on
my personal experience and re-affirmed by this newsgroup pretty much daily:

- Headlight output is not as good as the early 90's vans, but from what I
understand better than mid to late 90's versions.

- Front disk brakes are undersized so pads need replacement too often (for
us, every ~22K miles)

- Front brake rotors are poorly made from cheap steel so needed replacement
due to warping, and deep pitting from road salt at just 4 years. (Quality
replacement parts have faired better.)

- Front sway bar bushings have worn out and now need replacement.

- Vehicle output Speed Sensor wore out at ~36K miles and ~4 years old.

- Starter solenoid contacts wore out at ~50K miles so needed replacement.

- Ignition lock cylinder has been replaced twice now in my van (once under
warranty and now again 3 years later) Note: this problem appears to be
specific to our vehicle

As to what to check when buying a used vehicle, I'd say check for the
following before buying:

- Good maintenance records (tune ups, gas/air/oil/trans filters, PCV, etc.)
and consistent visual appearance.

- Regular interval for motor oil changes of 3-5K miles.

- Vehicle was not used for towing and had transmission fluid changes with
correct ATF+3 or ATF+4 only at no more than 36K mile intervals.

- Serpentine belt, idler, and tensioner should have been replaced if vehicle
has > 90K miles

I can't think of anything more off the top of my head, but am sure others
will offer their experience and collective wisdom.

Bob

"Bert Hochwald" > wrote in message
...
> Dear Kind Fellows:
>
> I am in the market for a 1999/2000/2001, maybe even 2002
> Caravan, Voyager, or possibly even a New Yorker. Is there
> any consensus about engine size/transmission/accessories/year that I
> should make sure to have, or make sure to stay away from?
>
> Thanks for your input,
> Bert H
>
>



  #8  
Old March 5th 05, 07:40 PM
Daniel J. Stern
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Default

On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bob Shuman wrote:

> - Headlight output is not as good as the early 90's vans, but from what
> I understand better than mid to late 90's versions.


All '96-'00 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth US/Canada/Mexico-market minivan
headlamps are garbage.

  #9  
Old March 5th 05, 08:18 PM
Bob Shuman
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Default

Dan,

I will take your word on that since lighting is your subject matter
expertise. Sorry, but I was confusing my makes and models as I also own a
1996 Eagle Vision and 2001 Dodge Intrepid (both basically Intrepids) and
know the headlights are far better on the latter.

Bob

"Daniel J. Stern" > wrote in message
n.umich.edu...
> On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bob Shuman wrote:
>
> > - Headlight output is not as good as the early 90's vans, but from what
> > I understand better than mid to late 90's versions.

>
> All '96-'00 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth US/Canada/Mexico-market minivan
> headlamps are garbage.
>



  #10  
Old March 5th 05, 09:56 PM
Daniel J. Stern
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Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 5 Mar 2005, Bob Shuman wrote:

> I was confusing my makes and models as I also own a 1996 Eagle Vision
> and 2001 Dodge Intrepid (both basically Intrepids) and know the
> headlights are far better on the latter.


Very true!
 




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