Dodge Caravan 2015 basic model / stow & go
I have driven Dodge Caravans since 1986, primarily because they are the only minivan which can accommodate my very long legs. I'm 6 ft. tall and 4 ft. of this is leg. During the early 2000's I had to have a machinist move the track for the driver's seat back 2 inches. I did this for 3 minivans between 2000 and 2011.
Mechanically most of the 9 Caravans I've owned performed fairly well except for the one whose transmission died at 91,000 miles. Two of them had unreliable braking performance. There has been an unfortunate tendency for the designers to change functions which worked very well and did NOT need "improving". I refer to the setting of the clock, which used to be done by pressing a "dimple" on the dashboard with the tip of a pencil (h) & (min). This function has become so complicated that I can't do it. The same is true of the programming of the radio to select stations. Labeling of function buttons has become nearly unreadable.
All 9 of my Caravans have been hard on tires, which seem to wear out much sooner than expected, even when conscientiously rotated. The most gasoline mileage I've been able to get is definitely less than that advertised, even when operating in "fuel saver" mode.The more recent models (2001 & onward) seem to be much flimsier in build than the earlier models; just leaning against a door can cause an appreciable dent.
Despite some of my dissatisfaction with the Caravan, I shall probably continue with them until can no longer drive safely.
Anne S. Funderburk
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