Question for Minivan Owners

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Keep us posted. I want a new (to me) minivan so, so badly. My 14 year old SUV is on its last legs but DH is heavily opposed to getting anything new until it dies. Despite the fact that he cannot drive it with two carseats in it.

[DrBandMe]

very pricey on VW.

My dad is a mechanic and that is why I have always steered clear of VW. Everything you do to them is pricey.

I have a T&C and have over 200,000 miles on it. It hasn't been perfect but I do love her.

Are you able to do an overnight test drive? Really get a feel for it, put car seats in and out, try to back it up into your garage or out - stuff like that. Those are the things that sold me.

[DrBandMe]

And that's the beauty of it...it's discontinued and the car is now used so the price is pretty good for the features!

My advice is to stay away for this exact reason! Because it is a discontinued car dealerships want to get them off of their lot, so yes, you will get a great deal BUT the older the car gets the less likely your mechanic will be able to gain access to the parts you need to repair it. Which means $$$$$ for you. Now, I'm not saying this will happen instantly but if you plan on keeping this for 5 years or more, you might be SOL if you have a large problem (like an engine mount or transmission issue) because there just aren't parts to use. OR the mechanic could POSSIBLY go to a junk yard to get parts off a junked car. Depending on the part that is fine and not a big deal, but some parts I just don't trust from a junked car. Especially anything having to do with your safety.

This is just my two cents. I know you don't necessarily know me from Adam at this point, but this comes from YEARS of experience being a mechanic's daughter. I've fixed quite a number of cars with him in my day so I am not trying to blow smoke. Just be cautious... a deal today isn't necessarily a deal tomorrow is all.

Good luck! Keep us posted please!

[SoonerTexan]

My 14 year old SUV is on its last legs but DH is heavily opposed to getting anything new until it dies.

Sub Taurus for SUV, but it is leading to some whacked out car situations.

My advice is to stay away for this exact reason! Because it is a discontinued car dealerships want to get them off of their lot, so yes, you will get a great deal BUT the older the car gets the less likely your mechanic will be able to gain access to the parts you need to repair it. Which means $$$$$ for you. Now, I'm not saying this will happen instantly but if you plan on keeping this for 5 years or more, you might be SOL if you have a large problem (like an engine mount or transmission issue) because there just aren't parts to use. OR the mechanic could POSSIBLY go to a junk yard to get parts off a junked car. Depending on the part that is fine and not a big deal, but some parts I just don't trust from a junked car. Especially anything having to do with your safety.

Meh, I'm not worried because it is a Chrysler engine so it can be maintained in a similar way. I ran it by my dad (ironically also a mechanic) and said, "Now, I know it is a VW, but..." and he interrupted, "Yeah, but it is essentially a Caravan or T&C, they make them just across the border from Detroit in X Canadian town"

Don't ask me how the hell he knows that, but if he is okay with it, I am. He is anti-Honda/Toyota/etc. because they are "foreign" cars and hard to work on in his opinion...lol.

We did make it all the way over to Fort Worth to test drive it/look at it. I liked it a lot. It looks brand new and has all the features I really wanted but didn't think we could afford. My dad is hopefully going to be able to check it out for us mechanically Monday and we'll go from there.

[diggitydot]

I worked for Daimler Chrysler and you couldn't pay me enough to own a T & C. Too many warranty and recall problems for my tastes.

[DrBandMe]

He is anti-Honda/Toyota/etc. because they are "foreign" cars and hard to work on in his opinion...lol.

My dad too!! He hates the foreign cars! He tells me his hands are too big to fit into those tiny crevices. He also says some other things but I'll go ahead and censor those.

But anyway, I'm really glad you liked the car! I hope it works out for yinz!

[diggitydot]

My dad too!! He hates the foreign cars! He tells me his hands are too big to fit into those tiny crevices. He also says some other things but I'll go ahead and censor those.

But anyway, I'm really glad you liked the car! I hope it works out for yinz!

Dude has apparently never worked on a '95 Dodge Stratus. They over-engineered the shit out of that engine compartment. DH had to drop the fucking engine to simply change the water pump and that water pump was always going out.

[DrBandMe]

They over-engineered the shit out of that engine compartment.

Dad complains about that all the time: the engineers make these cars without regard to anyone actually repairing them. They don't give a thought to who's sticking their hands in there to make them run - they just want them to look pretty.

For example, fuel pumps are now often found inside of the gas tank. That makes changing them a huge PITA and also risky because of the fumes and junk.

[diggitydot]

Dad complains about that all the time: the engineers make these cars without regard to anyone actually repairing them. They don't give a thought to who's sticking their hands in there to make them run - they just want them to look pretty.

For example, fuel pumps are now often found inside of the gas tank. That makes changing them a huge PITA and also risky because of the fumes and junk.

Ford Explorers used to do this. DH got really good at dropping a full gas tank out just to replace the damn fuel filter or pump.

[SoonerTexan]

Got my daddy to look at it...said it was solid and a good deal. It does need a little brake work and 2 tires need to be replaced now. Thinking of trying to negotiate that in--going to do it by email tomorrow. Wish me luck! Hopefully we will have a newish car tomorrow night.

For anyone interested, the Routan has a VW engine (not a Chrysler as I thought, but the same as another VW I can't remember right now), but a Chrysler transmission ad other parts. He didn't think maintenance would be an issue.

[OrionGrad]

That's exciting. Good luck!

[Pollyanna]

That's exciting. Good luck!

Yes this!!

[ides]

Great! Post a pic when u get it! I like VW. They aren't what they used to be but are still nice cars. When we had one we found the parts weren't hard to get and there are lots and lots who work on them. Just avoid the dealership- they charge massively.

[SoonerTexan]

Just gave them our final offer. Let's see what they say. We're willing to walk away. I prefer this email/phone negotiation thing. Much less pressure than being in a dealership

It does come with a nice warranty Though the stuff we asked to be fixed (brakes/tires) as part of the deal wouldn't be covered. But man...to have a covered car for 1.5-2 years. That would be wow.

[Pollyanna]

Fingers crossed!!!!