1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy, easy to park, optional driver's side sliding door, optional ABS, good looks, easy-out roller seats
Cons
- Less than stellar reliability history.
What’s new
Available this year is a 3.8-liter V6 that puts out 180 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Caravans come with rear-seat mounted grocery bag hooks, and driver-side easy-entry Quad seating. All Chrysler products are equipped with "Next Generation" depowered airbags.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$234/mo for Grand Caravan LE
Grand Caravan LE
vs
$225/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Vehicle overview
If there is a perfect family vehicle in existence, it is the Dodge Grand Caravan. What's the data say? The average American has two kids and spends a little more than $20,000 on a new car or truck. The Dodge Caravan fits into this scenario better than Velveeta in a grilled cheese sandwich.
We like the Grand Caravan SE because it is the most flexible trim level. You can go with the bare-bones edition, or add luxury items like remote keyless entry, CD player with premium sound and a security alarm. A third way to spec an SE model is with a Sport Option Package, which includes a firmer suspension, alloy wheels, foglights and monochromatic trim. Oddly, the 3.8-liter V6 engine cannot be purchased on an SE model, which means the most sport your Sport can attain uses the 158 horsepower churned out by the 3.3-liter V6 that comes with the package. Still, a Caravan Sport is the raciest minivan you can buy, short of popping an extra four grand for the LE model and its 3.8-liter V6.
Step up to LE trim level, and you buy your ticket to a stronger engine, traction control, trip computer, snazzy trim and leather seating. At the top is the ES, which adds alloy wheels, foglights and a monochromatic paint scheme.
Grand Caravan offers several thoughtful details, but the most important are the easy-out rolling seats and the innovative driver-side sliding door -- a feature that makes so much sense, it's amazing that no one tried this before. Chrysler Easy-out seats are a snap to release and remove, though lifting the seat from the rear of the van may still require two sets of biceps. The driver-side sliding door offers the convenience of loading kids and cargo from either side of the Caravan. Also intriguing is the windshield wiper de-icer, which also comes standard on the LE.
Cupholders not only are numerous, they "ratchet down" to a smaller size. Except for an overabundance of climate controls and an oddly shaped column gearshift, the attractively curved dashboard is a pleasure to consult. Seats are soft but reasonably supportive, with moderate side bolstering.
Light steering response gives the Grand Caravan an undeniably carlike feel, with an exceptionally smooth ride. Highly maneuverable and easy to control, the minivan delivers just a hint that you could exceed its capabilities, as when rounding a sharp curve. A 3.0-liter, 150-horsepower V6 serves as the base engine, with a 180-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 optional.
With its combination of innovative features, carlike ride and handling qualities, the Grand Caravan deserves consideration from anyone looking for a family hauler.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan.
5 star(23%)
4 star(49%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(13%)
1 star(0%)
60 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
Don't buy a dodge all wheel drive van
SHuber, 03/08/2009
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Minivan AWD
I have spent thousands in repairs and tows, rentals, etc! I have replaced the serpentine belt (x3?),tensioner- recall- defective x2, tranny x2 (always unstable) recalibrated modules x2, idiot lights on (electrical sensor??)Dodge built this all wheel with their exact 2-wheel tranny from their Chrysler LeBaron CAR!! Not enough strength to last!! Plus underneath sits so low, it rips the … belts off every winter in water, snow... and that belt runs everything, another tow! Radio is intermittent, electrical problems with windows also. You have to take apart the whole dash to fix. Can't wait to get a nissan SUV!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Bad Transmission
Darrell Young, 07/24/2004
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan AWD
Its a sad that dodge cant seem to fix
the transmission problems in there
vans.When it hit 79000 miles the
transmission went out, water pump,
brake booster and master cyinder. Its a
good thing that I purchase the extended
warranty . I also would like to warn
everyone that this year of van does not
have a, Brake Shift Interlock this
means that anyone can pull it into gear …
when the motor is running with out
pushing on the Brake.Very,Very
dangerous.
3.88 out of 5 stars
DODGE TRANSMISSIONS ARE THE WORST
SteveRT, 08/09/2009
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan
I have place 2 transmissions into this van, These transmissions have a design flaw that allows an internal pin break free. When it does it will bust right through the housing and then you can't even rebuild it. Chrysler knows about this. There is a repair kit that Chrysler offers that will hold that pin in place on a rebuild. I didn't find out about it until I put the third transmission … in. has worked great ever since and I gave this van to my father in law to drive over a year ago. Picked up a 96 for the wife to drive . Transmission went in it too. Don't waste your time on Chrysler. this is why their new cars offer a lifetime warranty on drivetrain.
3.88 out of 5 stars
It's been an o.k. van
goose, 07/09/2002
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan
We have put almost 98,000 miles. No
major problems, transmission makes some
noise when shifting. The electronics
are unreliable - Dealer had to
recalibrate a/c twice when battery was
replaced. I am on the 3rd battery.
Brakes need replacing every 30k miles.
Tires only last 30k and few options
when replacing. Engine is very sluggish
when ambient tempature is higher than …
95F. Doors automatically lock at 15mph,
this could be a safety concern if a
quick exit is needed in an accident.
1998 Grand Caravan Highlights
LE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $234/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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