Hi gang,
We just picked up the new commuter and runaround, but need 2nd vehicle. '88 Voyager is not DD status any more. I need reliability and quick parts availability, as in, on the shelf locally. So I was trying to be looking at stuff around 2005 or younger, also wanted "winter capable" and "can tow something" so had been tryna find small crossovers that sip gas.
Anyhoo, just found a "Last of the 3.0s" 2000 model year Caravan with low miles for year. It's 3.0 and 14" wheel so presumably it's 3speed A670/31TH as well. Price is extremely tempting.
I remember I had these on the avoid like the plague list because of strut tower rot issues in that generation. I'm not sure if Chryco managed to improve things by 2000. So that's definitely one area I will be looking at real close.
Now that was the biggie, but I've forgot what other things happen if those check out and I slather them in oilspray or something. Dashboards can get bad connections like the Neons I think...
Apart from that, were these the ones that could have chronic body control module issues that went poltergeist and locked and unlocked the doors etc or was that 4th gens?
So clue me in on current part availability, anything crucial going unobtanium? Is they as good on snow as a K-car descendant should be?
Also, what is the SMEC in these, SMEC-II and is it super tweaky for code throwing? I'm wondering how many improvements I can inflict before I'm having issues. Gotta have codes clear for e-testing.
Thanks much for the hints,
RW222