Used Caravan warranties

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Saychris2, Feb 8, 2004.

  1. Saychris2

    Saychris2 Guest

    I began looking at used Grand Caravans recently (2000 and later). Learned
    about the tranny concerns from the group (thanks for the heads up) and wonder
    about warranty transfers. One used car dealer claims the 7 yr/ 70K powertrain
    warranty does not transfer. Of course he offered to sell me an extension of
    the 3 yr/36K warranty. Whats the real scoop? Feel free to offer other advise
    about this vehicle.

    Thanks
     
    Saychris2, Feb 8, 2004
    #1
  2. Saychris2

    jdoe Guest

    the warr. IS transferrable. It could be he's hiding something about the car.
    Make sure you can buy one with traceable service history, mileage history
    and so on. BTW Don't rely on CarFax they are so inaccurate they should be
    shut down for fraud. Use autocheck.com MUCH MUCH more accurate and better
    detail. same price too.
    Larry
    PS alot of the trans stories are old dirt being dragged up. They work quite
    well now.
     
    jdoe, Feb 8, 2004
    #2
  3. The tranny problems are way overblown so take what you read here with a
    grain of salt. Independent sources of data such as Consumer Reports
    (although take them with a grain of salt also) don't report any unusual
    failure rates with Chrysler vans and believe me, if there were problems,
    CR subscribers would be screaming bloody murder as they do about every
    little thing that goes wrong with an American car.

    When I bought my 2003 this past summer, I was told that the 7/70
    warranty wasn't automatically transferable until the 2003 models. I
    didn't ask if it could be transferred for a fee or not at all on prior
    yeras, as I was only looking at 2003 models. I paid $500 or so for an
    extended warranty on my 96 minivan based on all of the hype about
    Chrysler transmissions. It was a complete waste of money. My 96 now
    has 146,000 miles and the transmission hasn't hiccuped once.

    I now own two minivans, so that tells you what I think about them. I
    think they are very practical vehicles for a family. Not the most fun
    thing to drive, but if you need to haul lots of people and stuff
    frequently, they are hard to beat. I get 22-24 MPG which is pretty good
    a vehicle this large and versatile. Biggest problems I've had have been
    electrical - clockspring, various switches, starter, etc.


    Matt
     
    Matthew S. Whiting, Feb 8, 2004
    #3
  4. Saychris2

    jdoe Guest

    I'm amazed you get this kind of fuel economy. My 99 only averages a little
    under 16. Hell my suburban avgs. 14! I do tend to have a lead foot and my
    wife punishes anything she drives so that may be some of the answers.
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Feb 8, 2004
    #4
  5. The warranty transfer question is a tricky one - there are so many different
    scenarios.

    If the vehicle originally had a 7/100, then the warranty cannot be
    transferred unless the original owner had a DaimlerChrysler Service
    Contract. If the original owner purchased a DCSC, then transferring the
    DCSC also transfers the 7/100.

    If the vehicle is an '02 or an '03 with a 7/70, then the warranty stays with
    the vehicle for life - no transfer fee and no limits on the number of
    owners.

    If the vehicle is an '04, then it most likely has a 7/70 that can only be
    transferred once with a $150 fee.

    To add to the confusion, there are some '04s that have the 7/70 for life
    coverage (early build units), and there are some '04s that never had the
    7/70 when they left the factory. (Rental units to the Fleets)

    Bottom line, when you find a vehicle that you're interest in, ask your local
    dealer to run a VIP on DealerConnect - that's the only way to know for
    certain what type of coverage the vehicle has and whether it is
    transferrable.

    Final thought, if you do elect to extend your coverage with a Service
    Contract, make sure that you get one that is Factory Backed.

    Good luck with your vehicle search.


    SBH
     
    Scott B. Hogle, Feb 8, 2004
    #5
  6. Saychris2

    cloaked Guest

    I have a 94 GC with the 3.3 v6. I get about 20 city, and 25 highway. I
    agree with the other poster, not bad considering size and varsaility.
    :)
     
    cloaked, Feb 8, 2004
    #6
  7. Well, I live in a rural area so my driving is probably 80% highway and
    20% in town. I won't say city as the three closest towns have either no
    stoplights or one! Also, my wife and I drive fairly conservatively. We
    seldom get less than 22, and that is mainly in the winter when cold. In
    the summer, 23 is typical with an occasional 24. On the highway on a
    trip, we get 24-25. I got a low this winter of 18 on my old minivan,
    but that was with temps as low as -20F.

    If your minivan is getting 16 in the same type of driving as your Burban
    is getting 14, then I'd say you've got something wrong with your
    minivan. My K1500 pickup gets 16 in the same type of driving as my
    minivan gets 22-24.


    Matt
     
    Matthew S. Whiting, Feb 8, 2004
    #7
  8. | I'm amazed you get this kind of fuel economy. My 99 only averages a little
    | under 16. Hell my suburban avgs. 14! I do tend to have a lead foot and my
    | wife punishes anything she drives so that may be some of the answers.
    | Larry

    You should do better than that! I get worst 18, average 20-21 around town and
    25 or so on the road. My winner was 28 on a trip to Myrtle Beach about 5 years
    ago. 1997 Grand with the 3.3 V6.
     
    James C. Reeves, Feb 9, 2004
    #8
  9. Saychris2

    Saychris2 Guest

    Thanks for the advice. I will request an "autocheck.com" review. Another
    reply suggested that a "DealerConnect" check will verify all warranties still
    good for a particular Caravan.
     
    Saychris2, Feb 11, 2004
    #9
  10. I still have '92 GV 3.3l and it gets about 23 mpg on highway trips.
    Had a new transmission because of having the wrong tranny fluid I
    think. Great vehicle though. I just tried out my newer '97 GV 3.8l.
    It got between 26-28 mpg on a 1400 mile trip. It is a quieter and
    softer ride than the '92.
    Rudy
     
    Rudy Allemann, Feb 12, 2004
    #10
  11. Saychris2

    jdoe Guest

    I don't know how you people get mileage like this. Do you drive over 50? At
    the VERY best on any 3.3 or 3.8 van I've had I've never seen better than a
    21 to 22 avg. on highway. I do drive hard (generally 75+ mph) or many times
    tow a small boat, but still you guys showing mileage like that must never
    put your foot in it. ;-)
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Feb 14, 2004
    #11
  12. I generally run 70 on the interstates and get 25 MPG give or take
    depending on load, wind, weather, etc.

    Around home I drive 55-60 and get 23-24 for typical trips that are
    mostly highway with some in-town driving. Don't really have any cities
    in the sticks where I live! I also know that the throttle is a
    continuously variable device and not a two position switch. :)
    I never tow with either of my vans, and I'm sure that would drop the
    mileage dramatically. I have a K1500 for towing. It doesn't get 20+
    MPG. :-(


    Matt
     
    Matthew S. Whiting, Feb 14, 2004
    #12
  13. Keep in mind that mileage varies in different areas of the country.

    Mileage is better in areas that they don't add alcohol to the fuel during
    the winter. (or add
    less of it) Alcohol is added in some areas as an anti-smog device also it
    keeps fuel lines
    from freezing.

    Mileage is slightly better at sea level elevation rather than high
    elevation, as more oxygen is in
    the cylinder due to higher air pressure.

    Mileage is better in temperate or cold climates as the A/C isn't switched
    on.

    It's also better during the day since your not running headlights which put
    a load on the
    alternator.

    Ted
     
    Ted Mittelstaedt, Feb 16, 2004
    #13
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