My only complaint with the 2008-2010 models is the seats are uncomfortable. They could use a little more padding and have nicer material. The newer 2011 and afterwards has been upgraded.

Yeah I know the styling maybe outdated, the interior is plasticky but where else can you purchase a vehicle that can haul plywood, drywall or 6 people in relative comfort. I know the seats can be hard for long trips so use a pillow......most driving is done close to home so while the chairs are not the greatest I find the car's reliability better than average.

I don't understand why these cars get such bad reviews? I had a mini van from the early 90s and admittedly it was garbage. It went through three transmissions.

I reluctantly purchased a 2000 in 2007 and just got rid of it in 2015 with 240,000 kms. It is not uncommon to get 300,000 on these vans. On my 2000 model everything was original. The only thing I replaced was the A/C condensor because a stone hit it and sway bar line. Other than brakes, heater hoses, rad hoses, timing belt (3 litre engine) I had no problem with the car. Mind you I'm handy and do a lot of the repairs my self but it was the most economical car I ever had. Repair parts are plentiful and inexpensive.

Now in Chrysler's defense they developed ATF+4. Because their transmissions are so finicky I replaced the fluid annually. The main cause of transmission failure is hot and or dirty fluid.Install a good oil cooler and replace the fluid annually and you will be problem free.

I now have a 2009, bought it 2 years ago and have had no major problems as of yet. I hope they don't go out of production. At 6'4" tall and 55 yrs old I don't fit into many cars.

People have complained about premature brake wear. I can replace front and back brake pads and rotors for about $400.

If you have a Caravan with a 4sp transmission I would install a Dorman Transmission Oil Pan part # 265-801. On amazon.ca its $35. This pan fits ALL dodge 4 speed transmissions so ignore amazon's warning it doesn't fit. This pan comes with a built in drain plug. Every 2 oil changes I drain the tranny pan as well and replace 3-4 litres. If you allow the pan to drain over night you will get 4.5 to 5 litres outs.
It does helps if you start off with a transmission originally filled with clean fluid. This way you will always have clean fluid in your transmission. I buy ATF+4 from Car Quest for $7 litre fully synthetic. Its cheaper than synthetic motor oil. So for about $60-$70 a year I will have a transmission that will last the life of the vehicle. My last van was a 2000 caravan with 250000km....transmission shifted like it was brand new.

Parts are plentiful and inexpensive. Even independent garages are able to fix then without highly specialized dealer equipment some cars require.

It helps if you are handy and can do the repairs yourself.....brakes are easy to do and my only advice is change your transmission fluid annually. I had a 2000 caravan with a 4 spd transmission. 225,000 kms and it still shifts like its brand new.

A lot of people complain about the mileage. Remember the 2008-2014 Caravans are much heavier than their predecessors. I drive 80% highway and average 12 litres per 100 kms......I drive 25,000 per year. Using $1.20/litre my annual gas cost is $3,600. If I had a more fuel efficient vehicle say at 9 litres per 100km which very few do it would cost me $2700 for gas. When was the last time you went to a dealer and spent less than $500? You can buy a lot of gas with that. The mini van is the most versatile car around.....fold down all the seats you have a cargo mover.....all seats up you seat 6 comfortably. I was conscience about the gas mileage but when I do the math as above I would trade off fuel mileage for reliability in a day. For a 3.3 litre V6 getting 22-25 mpg imperial I can't beat it.....as for styling....all cars depreciate to point they are worthless. Save your money and go with reliability.

I bought mine in 2007 for $5600 with 80K.....I just gave it to my daughter with 190K. Easily passed a safety and there wasn't a spec of rust anywhere at all. Even the brake lines were intact.
Orig transmission....only thing that broke was a stone hit my a/c condenser. I installed a screen behind the grill and a/c blows cold air, though it now smells.

Best car I ever had......only repair was replacing an alternator. Everything else was just maintenance.

One reason why so many people have tranny problems is they don't replace the fluid. Tranny's worst enemy is heat and dirt. Install an oil cooler, change the fluid annually and I also installed an inline filter. The tranny shifts like a rolex watch.

I look at cars in getting from point A to B....could care less about the gadgets as they usually break.....its also the only significant purchase that depreciates so much. The cheaper I can transport my self the better.
If someone is buying an older mini van stay away from the Mitsusquishy engine....tappet noise will drive you crazy

Seats are a little hard but I can live with it. Had a 2000 Caravan with 200K on the original transmission. The secret? Install a trans cooler and change the trans fluid annually. The only thing I replaced was the alternator and usual maintenance stuff. Best car I ever had.

So I stuck with what works. I'm 6'5 and can't fit in most cars....most SUVs get the same mileage or worse and all I've tried have sloping windshields forcing me to limbo to get in.
The 2009 has a built in oil cooler but I installed a large one which was easy. Even after a long trip I can put my hand on the cooler and its only warm. Heat kills your tranny.

Not fond of rear HVAC.....tube run under car and susceptible to corrosion and expensive to repair. When the time comes I will just plug it. Can't say its a rocket off the stop light but no problem passing at 120/130 Km.

In the end, you cannot get a more versatile vehicle....you need room for people you got it....need cargo space, no lugging seats out and plenty of space. I hope they don't stop making them.