What 2000's Minivan Has the Most Reliable Engine and Auto Trans?

"backRoads" (backRoads) 09/21/2015 at 10:52 • Filed to: None

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My father-in-law is a bearded camo-wearing deer-hunting fly-fishing ‘murican with a heart of gold. He’s been driving this 1997 Dodge minivan for 10yrs and it recently rolled over 300,000 miles. He camo-wrapped it, pulled all the seats out and put in a fishing rod holder and an air mattress for weekend fishing trips. Its third transmission has about had it. Time for something different.

He wants to spend around 3k (in the mid-atlantic area) for something in the mid 2000’s. He doesn’t care about options, he cares about longevity of the expensive bits. So.. what should we be looking for?

BigBlock440 > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 11:06

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You should be looking for not a minivan. Minivans all seem to use transmissions that were designed for cars. Go for the full-size vans to get the truck bits if you’re looking for longevity.

LongbowMkII > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 11:10

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I’m not sure there really is one.

maybe a 2nd gen sienna. the first gen has trans issues and oil sludging issues. but at that price it’ll be rough.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 11:14

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I’d say a late model GMC Safari/Chevy Astro, because truck engine and trans, but those are more mid-size than mini. Can be found stupid cheap though.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 09/21/2015 at 11:16

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Didn’t you have one before the Bimmer?

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 09/21/2015 at 11:17

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Seconded. They’re also available with AWD and the mechanical bits - should they die - are as ubiquitous and cheap as they get. They’re hell on fuel though.

Under_Score > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 11:20

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MPV. My mom had a 2003 years ago. Some minor issues, but the engine and transmission were good.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 11:27

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I’ll second Logansteno with the Astro/Safari. Van on an S10 chassis with rear-or-all wheel drive and a dead-simple setup. If he doesn’t wrench on it, anyone can.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 09/21/2015 at 11:29

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Yeah, mine was older though.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 09/21/2015 at 11:31

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Actually the Astro is a unibody/front subframe setup. I thought for the longest time it was a full-frame too. You're right about a dead-simple setup though, except spark plugs are a bit of a bitch to do.

backRoads > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 09/21/2015 at 11:38

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Good tip. He’d not like the loss of the second sliding door or the extra height, but the other advantages might overcome. This one is nearby:

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5225035385…

Snuze: Needs another Swede > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 12:59

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Came here to suggest the GMC/Chevy. We had a few of them (dad owns a small business) and all were basically bulletproof.

boxrocket > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 14:05

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Uhhhhhh, Mazda MPV and Kia Sedona? Or a Ford Ranger with a camper shell.

Minivans aren’t exactly known for longevity past a certain age and mileage. Pre-2008ish minivans are largely disposable appliances.

911e46z06 > backRoads 09/21/2015 at 19:11

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Miata