Impressions

"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition)
03/14/2019 at 10:06 • Filed to: Oppo review, Caravan, Mopar, Long Voyager

After driving the new van for 2 weeks as of today, I figured I’d give a quick little write up on it.

She’s a 1992 Dodge Caravan with a 3.0 V6 mated to the A670 3-speed auto with 70,543 miles currently. She has two small spots of rust and typical paint peel of the era, but is in excellent shape her age. She’s a pretty basic model, lacking power options and coming with the 14" wheels stock. I’ve upgraded to 15" lace wheels off a Lebaron, with brand new Douglas All-Season tires.

Driving:

This van accels at being a comfy cruiser. The suspension and big sidewalls soak up bumps with ease, the interior is comfortable and quiet, and the 3.0 is happy to plug along on the road.

Handling:

This van exhibits more roll when cornering than my van or our previous Sport Wagon, nothing extreme, but noticeable. Most of this is due to it being a base model, so it lacks the bigger sway bar up front and lacks a rear bar. The 15" wheel upgrade has made this slightly less noticeable, while making the steering more responsive.

Performance:

Let’s face it, 141 hp in a minivan isn’t going to be fast. It has enough torque down low that merging on the highway or pulling out in traffic aren’t an issue. The gearing on the 3-speed seems better than I’m used to, which makes it quicker than I ever remember my van being with the same combo.

Economy:

So far I’ve averaged 22 mpg on my first tank and 24+ mpg since then. The first tank had a lot of interstate at 80 mph, to which the 3.0/3-speed is wound tight, so the terrible mileage makes sense. The rest has been mixed driving, some interstate, some 55 mph hwy, some stop and go city.

My best mileage was on our trip to Richland Center last weekend, cruising at 58 mph most of the trip I pulled 26.8 mpg.

Thoughts:

Honestly I enjoy the hell out of it, even it’s lack of performance is quite charming. I find myself spending more time cruising and spending very little time trying to screw off, which is a nice change of pace.

I can’t wait to get the couple rust spots fixed and get her repainted. After that I hope she serves us for many years to come.

DISCUSSION (13)

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 07:43

Nice! I missed a few posts, are you doing anything with the broken van? Parts for this one?

random001 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 08:11

It makes me happy to see someone so happy.

Brickman > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 10:02

You making me miss my 96 caravan :’(

150hp 4 cylinder with the same 3 speed. Made for some fun high RPM driving :P

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
03/14/2019 at 10:05

I have a new motor for it sitting in the garage in pieces right now. I’m doing some port work and replacing all the gaskets/seals/externals before I tear into mine to put it in.

I definitely won’t be giving up on my van any time soon.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Brickman
03/14/2019 at 10:07

Ha, I found when my car was still the 4 cyl it was actually faster if I let it shift around 4k than trying to wring it out. Joys of a motor with more torque than HP.

You just need to get another one. ;)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 10:30

Only Oppo could do a comparison test like this in 2019.

WilliamsSW > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 10:57

70k? That’s low - and it hasn’t been around the clock? I’m sure you would know if it was (interior wear).

Are you thinking about beefing up the suspension a bit, or just leave this one as is for a comfy cruiser?

Enjoy!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > WilliamsSW
03/14/2019 at 12:08

It has not been around the clock, unless it somehow has made over 1,000,000 miles. These read out to the 100,000 mark. The guy I got it from bought it from the original owner’s daughter after the original owner passed away.

I don’t plan on doing anything to this one other than fixing the couple rust spots and respraying it, it’ll just be our comfy cruiser. I have the car when I want to go fast, I have my van when I want to screw around off road, might as well leave one stock.

WilliamsSW > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/14/2019 at 12:33

Hmm, I didn’t realize they switched to 6 digit odos that early.

Nice!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > WilliamsSW
03/14/2019 at 12:36

I think they switched in 1991 when they went to the 2nd gen IIRC, I believe the 1st gens still had 5 digit.

i86hotdogs > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/15/2019 at 09:47

You’re living my dream. Keep it up, I like living vicariously trough your van journeys .

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
03/18/2019 at 08:32

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

do you play this in the van?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > pip bip - choose Corrour
03/18/2019 at 10:05

I have many times actually in my other van . I love that album and the album art!