Possibly buying an older Caravan with a 2.5 anyone have any thoughts/advice?

fix_or_repair_daily · Nov 25, 2011

I've been looking for a cheap vehicle that needs some work to use for a DD, and I came across an 89 Caravan with a 2.5 4cyl and 3 speed auto with only 85k. It has a solid body, but they say it needs engine and brake work. I do know that the 2.2s and 2.5s have head gasket issues as I have worked on them before. Any other known issues with older Caravans? What kind of fuel mileage is normal for one of these? Finding parts shouldn't be a problem because there are several U-Pull-It junkyards close to where I live. I'm going to email the owner to find out what kind of engine problems it has.

Josh

06RangerXLT · Nov 25, 2011

ya want a dd, so you pick a mini van? get a old civic.

rusty ol ranger · Nov 25, 2011

Mileage pry wont be that good...you got a 110hp engine moving a brick...

later,
Dustin

Explorin94 · Nov 25, 2011

Turbo it and make it a fast DD.

Honestly...I would keep looking, you can find something better.

Ozwynn · Nov 25, 2011

you need to ask yourself several things

1. why is it that an 89 only has 85,xxx miles?
2. why does an engine with 85K need engine work?
3. what do the strut towers look like?

personally I would run...... run fast, run far .... as far away as I could get.

stegomon · Nov 25, 2011

eeewwwww

snoranger · Nov 25, 2011

Stay away from it. If you buy it, then you'll have to find a Daytona turbo to swipe the drivetrain out of.

fix_or_repair_daily · Nov 25, 2011

As for it being 110 hp pushing a brick, I can't imagine it being too much worse than a first gen Ranger with a 2.3. I don't mind fixing and driving something slow and ugly especially if it is only a few hundred bucks. Can't get much worse than my first car which was a v6 86 midsize Ford LTD, or the Aspire we have now with 63 hp. About 4 years ago I bought a 2.2 turbo 1986 K car wagon with 71k and almost no rust on Ebay for $162. I immediately resold it to a friend, and 2 years ago at almost exactly the same mileage the head gasket went for no apparent reason. He had the head resurfaced, and got new head bolts and gaskets and I helped him fix it. It has been fine since and now has well over 100k. As for the body, they say it has pretty much no rust and has spent almost it's whole life in southern VA. If I get it, I would just take out all the rear seats and crap so I could use it to haul stuff when I need to.

Josh

Funnyman141 · Nov 25, 2011

we haven't had any issues with the 2.5 in my fathers 89 S-10 with 168,000 mile on it until I rolled it (killed the body not the motor) not sure about the caravans but I know the motor can be a good reliable little workhorse.

snoranger · Nov 25, 2011

Funnyman141 said:
we haven't had any issues with the 2.5 in my fathers 89 S-10 with 168,000 mile on it until I rolled it (killed the body not the motor) not sure about the caravans but I know the motor can be a good reliable little workhorse.

Which one? The Chevy motor (in the S-10) or the Mopar motor (in the Caravan)? :icon_confused:

Ozwynn · Nov 25, 2011

Funnyman141 said:
we haven't had any issues with the 2.5 in my fathers 89 S-10 with 168,000 mile on it until I rolled it (killed the body not the motor) not sure about the caravans but I know the motor can be a good reliable little workhorse.

put down the marijuana cigarette and re-read what you wrote ........

the 2.5L in the S10 ........ not even close to the same animal.... thats like calling a 7.3TD IDI a powerstroke......... all they share is a displacement.

that Isuzu 2.5L is like a cockroach........ or the energizer bunny ..........

the 2.5L in the caravan is a little more tempermental........

Ranger Sport Honduras · Nov 25, 2011

The 2.5 on the Rangers is a bulletproof machine tho.
but yeah just because its a 2.5 and other same displacement engines are good, it doesnt mean all 2.5s are

Funnyman141 · Nov 26, 2011

sorry, lol I had a major blonde moment last night, I shouldn't post late at night anymore :icon_twisted:

Ozwynn · Nov 26, 2011

Funnyman141 said:
sorry, lol I had a major blonde moment last night, I shouldn't post late at night anymore

the first step to solving the problem is admitting you have a problem

Funnyman141 · Nov 26, 2011

BDAB said:
the first step to solving the problem is admitting you have a problem

I admit to having problems, most mental, my other problems has to do with insufficient funds, and not enough room. :icon_rofl:

Possibly buying an older Caravan with a 2.5 anyone have any thoughts/advice?

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