We've quickly outgrown our Mazda5 and are shopping for a "real van." I'm pretty much sold on the idea of a Caravan/Grand Caravan, but there are like 14,000 trim levels and I'm trying to narrow the search. Would prefer fake leather over cloth for cleaning purposes. Did that only come on the R/T's? Any other thoughts from the hive?
Given the resale values on these things, unless budget is a serious issue, buy the highest trim level you can find. And don't discount the Town + Country, either. We started out shopping mid-upper-range GCs, and wound up with a top-of-the-line T+C for not all that much more money.
More important are the years. Pre-2010s had some issues, and some models up to 2012 still got the problematic small front brakes. But 2012 and after should be pretty trouble-free, and avoid most of the earlier design flaws.
Go 2011+ for the punchier Pentastar V6 and better interior, and buy the highest trim level you can get your hands on (also look at Town & Countrys).
I agree with the comments above. We ended up with an ex-Enterprise 2014 T&C(S-model, IIRC) 18-months ago, with 58k on it for about $16k out the door. We've put another 50k on it since then, probably about 1/2 of them pulling a trailer. It's the automotive equivalent of a good multi-tool.
No manual, no track pack, but does have a stripper version so not GRM valid... 
So the 5 is great for 4 with the occasional 6, is there a new one on the way? Is a congrats in order?
Pete Gossett wrote: I agree with the comments above. We ended up with an ex-Enterprise 2014 T&C(S-model, IIRC) 18-months ago, with 58k on it for about $16k out the door. We've put another 50k on it since then, probably about 1/2 of them pulling a trailer. It's the automotive equivalent of a good multi-tool.
Definitely looking at 2011 & up. There are a bunch of 2016's with 20-30k miles for less than $20k, which I assume are also rental/fleet cars.
Can't really see spending the extra coin they're asking for the R/T's just for the faux leather.
No new kiddos on the way (hoping I didn't just jinx it.) Girls are getting bigger, It's getting uncomfortable for me to drive with them in it, and it's certainly no "hauler" when I occasionally need it for work. Not a bad vehicle, just not the right tool for the job in my case.
Tried to sell mama on a REAL VAN when we traded the Fit, but everything "looked too much like a van" lol. She's coming around now. And since I just bought a V2, I figure she's due for an "upgrade" as well 
Lookin at the T&C's now.
Do the second row seats fold into the floor or just the 3rd row?
If it has the mid row captain's chairs, they disappear completely. Called stow and go.
If it has the mid bench then no disappearing.
Yes, all seats behind the fronts disappear.
We love our 2016 Town & Country, we've owned 'em since the earlier jellybean versions and we keep going back to them. Meaning we just keep building a newer one. Our last one we bought off the lot.
Three kids, 14, 10 and 6 with friends and it does everything we need it to.
My mom picked up a '17 GT last week. It's loaded, 3 rows of leather, nav, 2 monitor dvd system, heated first and second row seats, tow package. I drove it yesterday, for a minivan it's nice. She was right around 26k, what we paid for the almost base charger sxt awd. The van is light years more comfortable than the '10 she has.
Wait, $26k for a new loaded Minivan? Are they really selling that cheap?
Also, related.
Don't forget the oddball VW Routan. Trim levels: S, SE, SEL... 2011+ got the 3.6 Pentastar. No Stow-&-Go but the second row apparently has nicer chairs than the S&G versions.
We bought ours new in 2011 for a song and it's been troublefree for 100k miles. Like you we wanted non-cloth (VW V-tec) and it was easy to find in SE and SEL trims. Also, VW was offering the free 3 year maintenance at the time so the used ones should be well maintained? I don't know if ChrysCo had that.
Those stow 'n go seats are pretty slick. My brother has a late model van with them, and with the seats all folded down he can carry a ton of stuff inside.
In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:
Yes they did dive a bit deep into alphabet soup for their models for both the Chrysler and Dodge. Then add in the VW Routan and the yearly special packages, there is not an easy answer for you. At the end of the day when I was working for the Pentastar I worked in the minivan group. The marketing guys basically said that we know we have to meet needs from contractor through to family hauler with side lines to grand parent shuttles and sportspeople. This was due to legacy of owning over 70% of the market if we shrink back from optimizing for the niche folks that we do own we risk them realizing that if they do have to compromise they might as well look at other brands.
GREAT CHOICE to get one of these. They will do the job for you for sure.
When I bought mine ( 2014 model, bought at the very end of 14) The model breakdown for the GC was like this:
American Value Package- (AVP)--- sliding door windows don't retract, fixed 2nd row bench--- starting NEW at $20K
SXT--- Options abound, including leatherish seats, DVD players, back up camera / etc
RT--- Quicker steering rack, "sporty" Blackout package available for more appearance zoot
30th Anniversary Model---- (what I bought)--- gives ability to mix and match options. Also fancy badging, because what's the use in having a 30th Anniversary Grand Caravan.....if no one knows you have a 3-0!
I'm right around 25K miles at this point, and it's been a fantastic tool for a variety of jobs. And yes, with all the rear seats stowed, you can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back. With the seats up, you can store at least 50 pounds of contraband in the compartments beneath the seats--- you know, if that's important to you.
The one thing I didn't order, which I really wish I had was a roof rack. Dealer-installed ones are expensive, and my old Yakima "rain gutter" rack won't fit. Besides that bitch though---- it's been an ideal daily / boat hauler / dog taxi / road trip machine.
Thanks so much for all the input!!!
The idea of being able to use it as a REAL art/stuff hauler on occasion without removing seats is a real plus.
Shoppin now!
I've always been terrified of rental/fleet vehicles but there are a TON of 2016's with 25-35k miles in the sub to low 20's, vs. 2014's with similar mileage/similar price. Obviously I'd need to look at/drive either option, but is being terrified of a former rental car irrational?
In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:
Fear of many things isn't justified but I think fear of old rental cars is a justified fear if shopping for reliable comfy family cars. If it was a Ultimate Track Car Challenge mid engine conversion project minivan then whatever.
It just adds a ton more variables I think. It doesn't mean the one owner car isn't a worn out piece of junk. But at least I can try to extrapolate from that owner how well they maintained the car.
In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:
Regarding formal rentals, here's my take on it: I know Enterprise does a pretty good job on fleet maintenance, so from that standpoint I'd call it a plus. Obviously there's the unknown history of the rental drivers, but 1.) most of these were probably used as intended - for hauling a group of people/kids - so I doubt they've been airborne, or had too many reverse neutral drops. 2.) Even if they've been through such abuse, they apparently survived this many miles already. Considering the abuse I put my vehicles through, I consider them to be "broken-in". 
I bought a formal rental also. Consider stow n go a must. It's really amazing how many times I want to haul lumber or concrete or plywood and one minute later, I have a completely enclosed 4x8 spot to put anything.
The roof rack is pretty great, it takes a few minutes to pop it up, but it's slick and strong.
Ours is a 2011, and we have no trouble with the brakes, but I suspect the later are better.
The one thing I looked for is the smaller wheels. Tires are expensive, and sidewalls are cushy. I'll also say I hated Hankook H727s on it, too wallowy.
You are going to love doing oil changes. It's a ten minute affair. Literally nothing on it has been difficult, even the transmission fluid. Pro tip, you can use the oil dipstick as a transmission fluid dipstick, just scratch a new line on it.
I didn't even know they were available with a non retracting sliding door window. Definitely get one with.
Friggin sweet. Thanks for your wealth of knowledge, dudes! There's no shortage of them in a 50 mile radius, so the next trick will be finding a day off to drive around looking at a few.
When you go for a test drive, be sure that the "Economy" button is turned off on the center console. (It's a bright green light) This mode is designed just for steady-state highway cruising. If you leave it engaged running around town, the trans will feel clunky, and the van won't be as responsive as it should be.
We replaced our 2003 MPV with a 2011 T&C about 2 1/2 years ago. It was loaded with everything but the tow package, for $20k, 50K miles, one owner (original MSRP was $35k+). We did have a 2012 Caravan R/T for a day but then engine light came on, code said a bad cat, so we returned it. I like the blackout look of the R/T's outside, but like the T&C's interior better. Make sure you research the TIPM/ electrical issues so you are aware of them. Our charging system went nuts and cooked the alternator (it caught fire), causing the TIPM to malfunction, and damaging the battery. It was a $2500 repair not covered by warranty. I still get a battery light every now and then, but I think there is a short in the proximity warning wiring. Not every van is affected by the problem. Nevertheless, I love the van, so much room for people and things, super comfy on the highway, and I've camped in it. It's been on a few several hundred mile trips since the electrical problem and hasn't skip a beat. On pure highway trips I can get 25+ mpg, around town is about 17. The ECON button doesn't make a huge difference in fuel economy, maybe 1 mpg, but it does change the way the van responds to the go pedal. I turn it off, my wife keeps it on. Oh, and 2012+ gets Blu Ray, ours has dual DVD's, the "premium" sound package adds a sub in an otherwise convenient rear shelf, but I prefer the sound quality of the "standard" package.
I thought I read somewhere the caravan r/t trim had the same suspension as the vw routan.
Also 20x9 srt8 cherokee wheels..
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