Need some Oppopinions -- '00 Chevy Minivan

"Zibodiz" (zibodiz1)
11/30/2014 at 14:46 • Filed to: Car buying advice, Oldsmobile Solhouette, Chevy Venture

I have an older ladyfriend (hard to guess, but I think she's in her 80s, still a very safe driver though). Her current vehicle is a '93 (I think) Dodge Caravan. It has 315k on it, and still runs well. She got stuck in some mud this past spring, and wen someone pulled her out, they ripped her driver's door off on a rock. They welded it back on, but it's really not the best, and she's convinced they also bent the frame, because it now feels 'uncertain' when you're at highway speeds. I can't really blame her; seriously, this thing died a long time ago, and somebody forgot to let it know.

Anyway, on to the current situation: She's very hooked on minivans, but wants one with 2 sliding doors, so obviously it's going to need to be a little bit newer. Her budget is only $800-1000, so that's pretty limiting. I've found someone who has a '00 Olds Silhouette that they would consider selling for her price, and they claim it's mechanically sound. I'm not a Chevy guy, so I know less than nothing about it, and I can't really find anything about it online (Edmunds has no information for this model of van at all). It's got the 3.4 V6 w/ a 4-speed auto tranny. Is it a reliable car? Would you feel comfortable with your grandma driving one in the winter? I'd like to find something like an Odyssey, a Windstar, or another Caravan, but I know it'll be above her price range if it's new enough to have two sliding doors. Any advice?

DISCUSSION (18)

bob and john > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:51

my advice? for 1K, she really cant afford to be picky about what she drives. Unless shes bringing kids around a lot, she is far better off with a car.

so either lok at all cars, or raise the budget

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:54

About the Chevy van: Do you want her to die? If yes, by all means it'll drive til the trans goes out.

My citroen won't start > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:54

Toyota Previa.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:55

I know that her budget is really low, but I would be concerned with her driving in the worst vehicle ever crash tested by the IIHS.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:56

I don't think you'll find much better for the price. Check on intake gaskets as well as trans fluid condition and service history. I would say those are probably the biggest weak points. It's certainly better than what she's got.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 14:58

You'll have to find a 2000-2001 Honda Odyssey EX.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/4722190987…

Something like that?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > My citroen won't start
11/30/2014 at 15:01

This. I forgot about those.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 15:02

I forgot about the crash test ratings. Avoid.

Steve in Manhattan > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 15:06

Not sure if these have 2 sliders, but I recall that they're pretty indestructible.

Kinja'd!!!

Maybe one from the last couple years they were made, whenever that was ....

Zibodiz > bob and john
11/30/2014 at 15:09

In my experience, cars & minivans of the same age are usually about the same price. She needs the extra room for all the random junk she moves all the time — she makes her living as a 'picker', buying things at yard sales and selling them to antique stores, so she really does need the room of a minivan. Even a station wagon would be too small, because she often has tallish things.

She actually got her Caravan for $250. It took a while and a compassionate car dealer, but she got what she wanted for a good price, and she's been driving it for 6 or 7 years. I'm sure we'll find something she can afford (and I'm going to be paying part of it, which is why the budget is as high as it is), but I just want to avoid something that's going to leave her stranded.

Zibodiz > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/30/2014 at 15:11

Trannys seem to be a chronic Chevy thing. Are there any good Chevy automatic transmissions?

bob and john > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 15:13

I said cars because minivans of that era are usually beat to shit. they are usually past the 3rd fam at that point.
it being a GM product doesnt help its reliability woos (motor might have been good...but everything else tends to ...well. fall apart.)

if she is a picker. Why not an actual van? something like a GMC savanna or a ford E150? you can find them at gov auctions for cheap. LS-based motor, and not really much to go wrong.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 15:18

Everything before the 700R4.

Zibodiz > bob and john
11/30/2014 at 15:30

That makes a lot of sense. She's not hip on driving anything larger than she needs (those 1st-gen Caravans were tiny, by van standards), but I'll talk with her about something a little larger and see what she thinks.

bob and john > Zibodiz
11/30/2014 at 15:33

yea. the main advanatge (other then the size, obviously) is that the mechanical for those machine were designed for a lot more mileage and a lot more abuse then a minivan. a minivan from 2000? unless it was well maintained, its about ready to die.

Slave2anMG > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/30/2014 at 17:56

Holy crap. That's astonishingly bad. That's Chinese made car bad. No, I take that back...I don't want to insult the Chinese cars.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Slave2anMG
11/30/2014 at 17:57

I'm terrified whenever I see families driving around in these.

anon-sxmcyecofnu1eocpqsk9iq > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
12/08/2014 at 23:21

This shit is allowed on roads?