Minivan - owner maintenance

[tom_sawyer70@yahoo.com]

I'm beginning to look into buying a minivan and would like to solicit
your opinions on "owner maintenance" friendly models.

I am planning to buy a used vehicle and attend a local repair course at
one of the technical schools so that I can do general maintenance on
the vehicle and have a better understanding of the mechanics. I'd like
to balance reliability, convenience, affordability and insurance with
the basic skills to perform routine maintenance myself, as I search for
a reliable mechanic (relocated and am looking).

Are there any vehicle models within the past 5-7 years that I should
look for (or to avoid)?

Are there any particular vehicles that are more owner-friendly than
others (i.e., the spark plugs are all easily accessible, the fluids are
within reach without special tools, etc.)?

Thank you for your advice,
Dave

> wrote in message
oups.com...

> Are there any vehicle models within the past 5-7 years that I should
> look for (or to avoid)?
>
> Are there any particular vehicles that are more owner-friendly than
> others (i.e., the spark plugs are all easily accessible, the fluids are
> within reach without special tools, etc.)?

I would avoid Chrysler and Ford minivans in general. Some Fords had both
transmission and engine problems. Chrysler, at least, had some with doggy
transmissions. You should research it a bit to find out which models are
involved.

[bcrowell@excite.com]

I have had good luck with Chrysler minivans. My transmission lasted
90K miles, and then the dealer charged me only $300 to overhaul it with
all the latest retrofits. Chrysler engines will run forever, if given
reasonable maintenance.

[William R. Watt]

The April edition of Consumer Reports includes an annual survey of vehicle
maintnenace. Also there is an annual Canadian publication called "Lemon
Aid" which covers problems with used cars, vans, and light trucks, and
lists recommended makes and models. The CAA (AAA in the US) used to put
out an annual reliability survey. The public library where I live has a
complete set of back issues of various car surveys in the reference
section.

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> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I have had good luck with Chrysler minivans. My transmission lasted
> 90K miles, and then the dealer charged me only $300 to overhaul it with
> all the latest retrofits. Chrysler engines will run forever, if given
> reasonable maintenance.

I agree, Chrysler has made some durable engines over the years. Your
luck with the minivan was better than some people attained. There were many
complaints of early transmission failure. My daughter decided to buy one of
these
and I warned her that this might happen. In fact, it did, but I guess it
was under
warranty because Chrysler apparently took care of it.

$300 is pretty cheap for an overhaul. Suspiciously cheap. Do you suppose
Chrysler
subsidized the work, or was there some other dynamic in play?

[Hugo Schmeisser]

> wrote:

>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > I have had good luck with Chrysler minivans. My transmission lasted
> > 90K miles, and then the dealer charged me only $300 to overhaul it
> > with all the latest retrofits. Chrysler engines will run forever,
> > if given reasonable maintenance.
>
> I agree, Chrysler has made some durable engines over the years. Your
> luck with the minivan was better than some people attained. There
> were many complaints of early transmission failure. My daughter
> decided to buy one of these
> and I warned her that this might happen. In fact, it did,



Wasn't it the A604 transaxle that was dodgy? (pun not intended)

[larry moe 'n curly]

You may want to check the reliability records of the automatic
transmissions used in the Chrysler and Honda minivans because Consumer
Reports says that they weren't very good a few years ago, and the same
design is used now. The Chrysler 4-speed automatic has been
troublesome from the beginning.

[John S.]

wrote:
> I'm beginning to look into buying a minivan and would like to solicit
> your opinions on "owner maintenance" friendly models.
>
> I am planning to buy a used vehicle and attend a local repair course at
> one of the technical schools so that I can do general maintenance on
> the vehicle and have a better understanding of the mechanics. I'd like
> to balance reliability, convenience, affordability and insurance with
> the basic skills to perform routine maintenance myself, as I search for
> a reliable mechanic (relocated and am looking).
>
> Are there any vehicle models within the past 5-7 years that I should
> look for (or to avoid)?
>
> Are there any particular vehicles that are more owner-friendly than
> others (i.e., the spark plugs are all easily accessible, the fluids are
> within reach without special tools, etc.)?
>
> Thank you for your advice,
> Dave

I would look at Consumer Reports for information on cars with a poor
history. Yes, their survey has it's limitations, but it is useful
information in my opinion. Also read through the discussion forums on
Edmunds.com that cover the make and model you are looking at.

If you are looking at vehicles in the 5 to 7 year old range you will be
looking at cars then have accumulated some high milage counts - 100,000
miles or more will be common. Assure yourself that the previous owner
had all maintenance (not just oil changes) performed on or ahead of
schedule. Review the service records and get a copy of the CarFax
report. And have the car checked out by a competent mechanic -
preferably one familiar with that brand.

"Hugo Schmeisser" > wrote in message
...
> > wrote:

>
> Wasn't it the A604 transaxle that was dodgy? (pun not intended)

Both the A604 and the A606 have been problematic. Dealer charges for out of
warranty overhauls
may run in the nature of $1500-2000, and the $300 figure quoted earlier
looked very strange.