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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans - READ ONLY

7485 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2008 at 7:43 AM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

#7374 of 7485 head gasket by achislett Sep 22, 2007 (8:31 pm)
I'm planing to drive from eastern ontario to burnaby british columbia in the spring of 2008. My odyssey has 181,00 kilometers on the engine. The engine has been maintenanced according to the dealers recommendations faithfully. I'm concerned about taking a 4000 kilometer trip with an engine that is 8 years old. For example, would head gaskets fail if I were driving between 6 to 8 hours per day for about 5 days. Has anyone taken this kind of a trip with a 1999 honda odyssey?   Allan Replies to this message: bobber1 (Sep 23, 2007 6:51 am) shipo (Sep 23, 2007 6:59 am) achislett (Sep 24, 2007 4:46 pm) shipo (Sep 24, 2007 5:54 pm) and 1 more... maryh3 (Nov 18, 2007 6:51 am)
#7375 of 7485 Re: head gasket [achislett] by bobber1 Sep 23, 2007 (6:51 am)
Replying to: achislett (Sep 22, 2007 8:31 pm) No I wouldn't worry about that if the eninge is running fine and not using any oil. That's really not that many kilometers in the greater scheme of things. I have a brother with a Ford Ranger with 255,000 miles on it and it still runs like new and he routinely drives it from Lousisana to Iowa. Routine maintenance is the key and sounds like you've done that.
#7376 of 7485 Re: head gasket [achislett] by shipo Sep 23, 2007 (6:59 am)
Replying to: achislett (Sep 22, 2007 8:31 pm) Probably the easiest 4,000 kilometers your van's ever done, won't even tax the head gasket(s).   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: achislett (Sep 24, 2007 4:46 pm) shipo (Sep 24, 2007 5:54 pm) achislett (Sep 28, 2007 8:30 am) maryh3 (Nov 18, 2007 6:51 am)
#7377 of 7485 Re: head gasket [shipo] by achislett Sep 24, 2007 (4:46 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 23, 2007 6:59 am) are there certain things that need to be checked ahead of time prior to a 4000 kilometer trip? i.e. radiator, tranmission, fluid etc? Or should I just bring it to a dealer for a check over prior to going?   allan Replies to this message: shipo (Sep 24, 2007 5:54 pm) achislett (Sep 28, 2007 8:30 am) maryh3 (Nov 18, 2007 6:51 am)
#7378 of 7485 Re: head gasket [achislett] by shipo Sep 24, 2007 (5:54 pm)
Replying to: achislett (Sep 24, 2007 4:46 pm) Assuming that you've been maintaining the van all along you're probably good to go. That said, how long since you've had the coolant flushed, the hoses and belts replaced, the brake fluid flushed and the brakes checked?   While none of the above are a really big deal, if you're 400 miles from the nearest large town the last thing you need is a radiator hose or some such to go sour on you. Another thing to consider is when is your next oil change due? It's kind of a pain to have to stop for an oil change mid trip.   Another good thing to do is to evaluate the condition of your spare tire. Once again, getting a flat in town is no big deal, but of you're a long way from nowhere and the rubber on your spare is old and cracked, you may very well not make it to the next tire shop.   FWIW, I took two 2,000+ mile trips this summer in our old 1998 Grand Caravan with 150,000 miles on the clock and had absolutely no worries about it going the distance. Said another way, it's really no big deal for a well maintained older car to go on long road trips.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: achislett (Sep 28, 2007 8:30 am)
#7379 of 7485 Re: head gasket [shipo] by achislett Sep 28, 2007 (8:30 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 24, 2007 5:54 pm) Thank you for your feedback. I have a clear idea now of how to prepare based on what you've said. I can see the years of appropriate maintanence are going to pay off now. My wife is often concerned about the cost of things especially when going to the dealer. I'm not necessarily worried about cost of labor and parts, that's just the way it is. I'm more interested in knowing that mehcanic knows what he's doing and can admit when he's not sure. I l also prefer to know that I've got the attention of the dealer and that people are listening. Over the years I've built a good relationship with the dealer and given them lots of money but, now I see the pay back; I don't have to replace it based on high mileage alone.   Anyway, sorry for the rambling but many thanks. The rad flush is due and so is brake fluid.   Allan
#7380 of 7485 Re: head gasket [achislett] by maryh3 Nov 18, 2007 (6:51 am)
Replying to: achislett (Sep 24, 2007 4:46 pm) I have 172,000 on my CT&C. I loved the new 08 T&C so, I ordered one. Wanted it before X-mas when we plan to do a 800 (each way) mile trip to see family like we do every year. It looks like my new 08 T&C may not arrive on time so I did the following:   Received a mailer from a local Dodge dealer offering a $19.95 oil & filter change and a coupon for a free 23 point safety check. Dealer did a good and honest job and said low front brakes, nothing else. I then asked them to check the suspension since everything is still original except struts and shocks which I replaced at 143,000. Dealer said bushings are worn. Brake job at dealer $200, bushings $200. Paid only $19.95 for the oil change.   Have had only 1 brake job -- at 105,000 with Midas who gives free pads for car life. Replaced front brakes for $90 instead of $200 with Midas's free pad replacement warranty (still pay for labor though). Said they can do bushings for $150 but it is not unsafe if I do not replace them, just noisy and perhaps bouncier. If my new van does arrive in time I won't replace them.   Within this last month we have taken this high mileage van on three 200 mile trips. Goes fine. Suspension is worn but adequate.   If you have maintained the vehicle reasonably well (and I am not NEARLY as good as some of these posters) you should be fine.
#7381 of 7485 with some luck by marig0107 Nov 18, 2007 (9:34 am)
looks like we might finally get rid of lemon caravan. woohoo.......... It's a 98, has had lots of maintenance, unfortunately with lots of repairs. Looks like it needs one more, but I don't think we'll do it. Power steering has a leak.   So if things work out, husband will trade it in for a toyota truck, as old as maybe the van or slightly newer, but hopefully we'll have better luck with it.   Wish us well the next few months that we can somehow budget that in. Replies to this message: marig0107 (Mar 05, 2008 6:44 am) shipo (Mar 05, 2008 7:14 am) marig0107 (Mar 05, 2008 7:23 am)
#7383 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [marine2] by marig0107 Jan 27, 2008 (12:03 pm)
Replying to: marine2 (Aug 26, 2007 9:52 am) marine2, thanx for the nice comments. I just spoke to her again, she still has the gas leak problem and has missed a few days work dealing with it. So even though it's free, it's not, kwim? She said they had to call the fire dept because it had pooled up so bad in her driveway. Yikes.   Then she said her son was pinned in the sliding door and her husband had to work frantically to get that child out, not to mention the dog being pinned. At least it was a big dog I know, not funny, but I can't help it.   She also said her brakes are worn. She has to brake about a block away. LOL Well, that's what she said. So more time off work to get that fixed. What gets me is that this car is newer than my car which I bought March 07 and she's had that many problems.   My van is a 98 and it started having problems within a week or two of having it, but darn, it wasn't as many as that. Not sure what quality control is like these days, but they failed on her van.   sigh.....it stinks when all you can afford is this. I told her to force Chrysler to take it back, but she won't. I know her and she'll keep dealing with all that. I'd be a wreck right about now.   So yeah, at least I can hope and pray we'll be rid of ours soon. The phenomenal deal we got early on on it has been spent towards repairs. I won't even count the regular maintenance. Right now we are holding it together with spit until we can get something else.   you sound like us with our first dodge. We have a 93 shadow and our 16 year old is now driving that. We bought it when he was 2 years old. We kept it in great shape and other than the typical chrysler crap paint, it's been good to us.   Good luck to everyone else on their car buying. Replies to this message: marine2 (Feb 03, 2008 6:24 am) marig0107 (Feb 04, 2008 1:29 pm)

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