Mini Van Suggestions

Updated on June 27, 2009
J.S. asks from San Antonio, TX
4 answers

We currently have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and have no problems with it but it doesn't have any upgrades. We are considering getting a different Grand Caravan with stow and go and automatic sliding doors and trunk. My question is this, those of you with automatic sliding doors, have you had any problems with them breaking early? I'm concerned we will get this vehicle and then have problems with the doors breaking down. One more thing to fix. Any other recommendations for mini vans would be appreciated too. Except for the Honda Odyssy. We know we already love that van but it is out of our budget.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all of the helpful advice about the sliding doors. I think we are going to pass at this time.

More Answers

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with the Stow and Go seating and automatic doors. The Stow and Go seating is great, I love it!

The automatic doors...well, they were great and allowed the kids to establish their independence. I was able to hit the button when my hands were full and still get everything in the car without putting anything on the ground. Plus, we were told that if the door meets resistance, it will reverse itself.

Then 12 weeks ago we told my daughter to wait to open the door. She opened it anyway. I was in the front passenger seat. I reached back, over my head, with my right arm. I grabbed the top handle (by the window), and pulled. It should have stopped and reversed itself. It didn't. The motor whined, the door bucked and it continued to open. In the process it dislocated my shoulder, fractured my humerus, and tore two tendons. I'm pregnant, so the only thing they could do was splint it (it didn't warrant a cast) and now I'm in physical therapy. Once I have the baby, I will be having surgery because of the dislocation. (it isn't the first time I've dislocated the shoulder, so it requires some work)

Just be careful with the automatic doors. Make sure the kids are clear of them when opening and closing. And don't grab the door when opening or closing unless you're trying to keep it from closing on one of the kids.

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V.S.

answers from San Antonio on

I have a 2007 Nissan Quest and love it. I have never had an issue with the auto sliding doors and that is one of my favorite features. I also like the auto back hatch and windows down feature on the key fab. It has and aux plug so you can plug in an mp3 player. I like the air vents in all 3 rows and putting the 3rd row seat up and down is super easy. Nissan has a good reputation for reliability and longevity, too. Good luck.

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J.C.

answers from Austin on

I don't have any personal experience with the Dodge Caravan Stow and Go, but my daughter has one with the automatic sliding doors, and my boss has a Chrysler Town and Country with the sliding doors. They have both had to have their vans in multiple times for problems with the sliding doors, and I know that after the warranty has expired, the repairs run about $500 - $700. I will add that despite the problems with the doors, they both LOVE their mini-vans.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

hello there nice but a pain i had one and sister-in-law had one the door moter keeps going out on them.and then at times they will just stop and not close its a pain in the butt.very high dollar to get fixed i spent 2500.00 to get mine worked on had in the shop 6times good luck wish u well

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