2000 Caravan, fix or replace?

[nanette1985]

Caravan needs muffler, some kind of suspension repair, AC doesn't work, and the fan switch doesn't work. Except for the muffler, I've gotten estimates on the repair work and different places say that different things are wrong - which is not comforting.

A relative just bought a nice 2000 Caravan for $3600. She saw some nice 3-door caravans for around $3000 - I can do fine without the extra door, no more little kids.

Thoughts?

 

[desy]

If you have been keeping up the maintenance better the devil you know than the one you don't. the Van is about 9 yrs old you should expect a budget up to a G a year to maintain it properly, its still cheaper than buying new
IF you have the itch though for something new, you do have time to find the van some old couple bought and are ridiculous about maintenance schedules

 

[Vette73]

Find a good indi shop that will back up any estimates and diagnosis they give.

When I had my shop if I said I am 100% sure it was XYZ causing your problem and this is how much it will cost, that is what it did. If not I would not charge for the labor.

Some weird and/or non-remitting problems i would say i am not 100% but this is what I think. I was right most of the time but unless I was 100% i would tell someone, even if i was only 90%.


But how do you knwo those other cars you hear about/saw do not have any problem sas well? A used car is for sale for a reason.

 

[nanette1985]

Thanks for the really good answers - yes, I do know my car. So I took it to the shop and spent $800 for everything but the AC. Much less expensive, and a much better idea, than buying another similar set of problems. Thanks.