1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager | Retro Review

I'd love a faux wood-grained minivan right about now. The '88 Plymouth Grand Voyager owner had no idea how rad they effortlessly were.
Show 712 | Original Airdate 12-17-1988
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[@TomSmyth453]

Without the success of these minivans you probably wouldn’t see Ram or Dodge today.

[@cindysue5474]

With out the K car you would of not seen Chrysler Dodge or Plymouth.

[@texan903]

@@cindysue5474 it's would not have, or wouldn't have, I think that's what you meant.

[@devinbiz]

Exactly, but these wouldn’t have existed without the humble Aries and Reliant

[@JK-tq4qf]

That wouldn't really be a bad thing considering how low the quality of their vehicles always have and likely will be. Before during and after the pandemic Dodge/Chrysler/Ram lots have had the most massive excess inventory of all the other auto makers. They just can't sell their garbage it seems.

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Meh. So what. Could’ve saved us all from the drawn out never ending soap opera

[@danteeightsix9069]

Many of my childhood memories were traveled in this van.

[@_.nascarfan95._]

nice

[@tientrinh943]

What do you do now

[@_.nascarfan95._]

@@tientrinh943 what

[@1989pulsar]

Yup

[@gerrydutch3589]

Same

[@Henchman1977]

It was always easy to spot the Mitsubishi powered Caravans by the clouds of blue smoke that followed them everywhere.

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

Ahhh good times!

[@440mgnm]

That’s no joke.. had that motor in an ‘88 Dynasty

[@tyronejefforeillyramirez7961]

Yeah the 3.0 Mitsubishi engine was an awful feat of engineering. Added to pollution around the world.

[@ANDERSONEXPRESS7]

Was the 2.6 a good engine

[@douglasb.1203]

@@ANDERSONEXPRESS7 no. It was horrible.

[@palebeachbum]

These things were everywhere in the 80s and 90s the way CUVs are everywhere today. I knew several people who owned one.

[@foxtrot685]

They were a status symbol, the way most of these CUVs are today. Everything just shifted to the crossover.

[@kellyvariste4831]

@@foxtrot685 Very true! These vans dominated the 80's just like the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable man those were the days.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@42luke93]

@@kellyvariste4831 Those Taurus sedans are so comfortable, they ride like a cloud and look so cool. I was fortunate to of ridden in one when my grandpa had one. It was the third generation one. Endless room in front too! He moved and had to get rid of it recently. Was truly a great sedan.

[@conservativejakemills635]

Yes there were a ton of these all over the country. No other car manufacturer at the time had anything that could compete with these.

[@kellyvariste4831]

@@42luke93 Yeah I wish the American automotive industry went back to making cars like the way they used to.

[@NFSMAN50]

Malcom in the Middle! The family had a 1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager with the same color and wood trim!

[@johnjones393]

For people who were not around in the '80s when these Chrysler vans first hit, it's impossible to realize just how massively popular these vehicles were. These vans were just about as hot as the crossover SUV is today. They seem incredibly dated now, but back then they turned the automotive world on its head and we're found in just about every suburban American driveway.

[@moejr1974]

Helped Chrysler get back on its feet along with the K car

[@miguelbaeza65]

Thanks for uploading it. Back 20 years ago minivans ruled the streets just like today with crossovers. Please upload a video of the Plymouth Sundance.

[@jtckentucky3481]

Amazing versatility with that folding 3rd row! Like it’s not even there!

[@mattt198654321]

Chrysler minivans were and still are the ideal vehicle. Incredibly versatile, 7 passengers or sheets of plywood in the back, 3600 lbs towing capacity, decent fuel mileage.

[@Jag-leaper]

Uh no longer...2017 + very unreliable ( pacifica platform)

[@saintsubie6661]

No...Kia, Toyota, Honda are better nowadays. The Pacifica isn't bad, but the competition has caught up.

[@fernandorocha901]

Chrysler minivans since 1983. I love this genertaion 1985-1988

[@donteadoss]

Still recall my childhood in the back of those minivans and the jump seat of the T&C station wagon - great times.

[@jefferysmith3930]

My best friend’s dad bought the first one of these I ever saw when the Grand Caravan first came out to replace his Astro. He was a traveling carpet rep. And needed the extra length. He put drove about 30,000 miles a year and got a new car every 2 years: It was fully optioned and really sharp looking. I rode in it many times and it was a joy. They fell on hard times and ended up having to keep it for several years. It slowly fell apart which was sad to see.

[@vwestlife]

Part of the reason why they pointed out how well the extra length was integrated into the styling was that the extra-length versions of many full-size vans had the additional length very obviously tacked on, even including a knockout plug for where the side marker light would go on the standard-length version.

[@nlpnt]

Good point. I wouldn't have called it "hidden" - those rectangular rather than square rear windows were a dead giveaway - but it was certainly well integrated compared to the 15-passenger/carpet store special extended vans.

[@ford2219]

Which vans had the knockout plug?

[@vwestlife]

@@ford2219 Ford Econoline.

[@matthewbowen5841]

You could legitimately see the seam where the long rear cap was attached on the extended length Ram Vans! So for Chrysler specifically, this was a revelation.

[@devinbiz]

Exactly

[@mikeyveloster7615]

I love the woodgrain on the exterior, i guess the modern version of woodgrain would be the Bronco Sport Free Wheeling special edition

[@jbar_85]

In the 90s, my aunt had one. It was very useful when we visited and fit all us kids and parents in it. No issues.

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

I know it's boring but I think Motorweek should bring back turning radius and parking. People still do these things and it helps to make a decision.

[@JVelez-we9my]

I think the best thing to happen to minivans in the 80’s was having the LWB option. Some of these were so short and stubby with the SWB, but the LWB versions were perfect. While Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge had the LWB options, the Astro and Aerostar had extended rear end overhand models that also served that purpose. I wish some of the foreign vans also had that too.

[@SavageBunny1]

My aunt had a Turbo one she thought it was fast 🤣 she still talks about it till this day.

[@devinbiz]

For the time, it probably was

[@davidmacphee3549]

It WAS FAST! Especially with rear seats out. Whoopie!

[@jeremyb4493]

Look up the turbo model vans on KZbin. When molded, they are very fast. But nothing special aside from that.

[@saintsubie6661]

the way that van leaned in the cones made me nervous, lol. Chrysler minivans used to be "the" people mover for the Joneses. Times have changed!

[@moparpower0788]

The first car i remeber my parents having was a 90 all maroon base model voyager. Then they got a 3rd gen 96 caravan. Minivans were the best.

[@forterierocks]

My buddy had one for a work van (house painter) we beat, jumped, swamped and over loaded that thing so many times and it just asked for more, little 4 banger was tough.

[@325xitgrocgetter]

I always remember being at a boat dock next to one of these back in 1989...I was in our Dodge Dakota and it walked up the wet boat ramp with no issue...the Chrysler minivan put on a pretty decent tire smoke show until it had enough front drive traction to get up the ramp.

[@KenanTurkiye]

4:49 this goes out to all the tech savvy new gens out there, out your hearts out! :)

[@WSNO]

These and the General Motors APV vans are my favorites. This is the type of vehicle that is perfect for me to go yard saling in, as i love to pick up tons of stuff, and to bring friends along. A cargo van is too much, and a station wagon is not as tall. Mine will surely be ordered with wood panels and velour upholstery! Make mine a Plymouth™️

[@ce9345]

Just a fun fact, the mitsubishi 3.0 V6 and the grand caravan and voyager were actually introduced during the 1987 model year.

[@Altavilla22Mike]

Always amazes me when a brand new vehicle already seems to look 30+ years old right from the showroom floor

[@loudring6247]

😂

[@Trance88]

Style was hard to keep up with in the 80's and early 90's. You saw cars in 1990 that were boxes on wheels and by 1992-93, cars were getting curvy and rounded.

[@ryancraig2795]

The fit and finish on these things was shit. The fake wood paneling didn't help.

[@Altavilla22Mike]

@@ryancraig2795 yea my friend’s parents had one of these exact vans when we were in high school with a fresh driving license. I remember my friend picking me up in it in the rain and spinning the tires while the ground was wet lol, it was torquey but slow. I also remember the entire interior was all the same color plastic from top to bottom.

[@mattmaverick703]

My Dad bought a used 1990 Ford Aerostar in fall of 93. By 97 it was a total rustbucket. Always wished they got one of the Chrysler vans these seemed to be way more reliable, held up and handled better in bad weather unlike that Aerostar which seemed alot older than these, yet these came out in 83 2 yrs before the Aerostars did!

[@TheLeggedOne]

I'd buy a new minivan if they still had wood grain

[@jareknowak8712]

You can add one yourself.

[@42luke93]

I would get one if they still offered a column shifter over a crossover.

[@42luke93]

I agree with the wood too!

[@TobyCostaRica]

Why not just add wood veneer or vinyl with wood grain print

[@JDMHaze]

@@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587 lmaoo

[@VDPEFi]

Needed new shocks from the factory!

[@zyxzyx3030]

My parents bought the first year "Grand" Caravan..I was probably 7 years old.. That thing was a workhorse, it was black with wood grain..

[@GyroPyro121212]

The first vehicles I remember in my family are my mom’s old S Van and my dad’s ‘66 Bronco. These old vans were pretty reliable and a farcry from the low teens highway mpg of their full size counterparts.

[@johntyson]

My grandmother bought one for driving all of us grandkids around when we visited. I’m 43 now and she still drives her van to church.

[@MarkMeadows90]

My parents had a 1989 Voyager, not the Grand Voyager. Red/magenta in color. My dad bought it brand new in 1989 and had it for a little over 10 years. I loved that mini van.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

The mini van of the 80s and 90s!

[@johnharper2016]

These were and still are great vehicles. As to the trans problems it is critical to service the trans every 30k miles and use only Mopar fluid. The later ones started to morph into the midi van size. The best combo was the 4.0 engine. Great runner and plenty of power. Oh, the brakes will need regular attention as they are a bit undersized for the job.

[@rightlanehog3151]

This is one voyage, I don't plan on taking ;-)

[@troysanchez776]

The Voyager took me to the clinic to get a vascectomy.

[@mediocreman2]

It's a Caravan though

[@thewiseguy3529]

These did ride quiet and soft. Very comfortable. They did have that going for them. .

[@matthewbowen5841]

Chrysler van suspensions were made of marshmallow right up until the 2011 Pentastar update. Then, for some reason, SPORT!!!!

[@thewiseguy3529]

@@matthewbowen5841 true

[@fernandorocha8459]

@@matthewbowen5841 is true

[@jeepthing98]

Both our 84 Caravan LE and 90 Grand Caravan LE had the woodgrain applique and I liked it even as a kid. I don't know what my parents paid for the 84 but the 90 was just shy of $20,000.

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love this generation of Plymouth Grand Voyager, 85-88 is my favorite

[@MultiTelan]

I would still love one of these. I have a soft spot for every minivan before the Windstar.

[@krisone5253]

This dude is so likable! He gets to ride in brand new cars and road test. Then he tells like it is for a Brand New Car!

[@NewCastleIndiana]

I owned three at the same time. And more over time. Minivans are the best

[@creeguyvernon]

Our family had the SWB Le model, everything about the van was perfect 💯 the only negative thing was the transmission, it failed twice during the vans life and we sold it in 2000 for a then new 2000 Pontiac Montana 🎉

[@scottschlossberg3137]

Can still see the puff of blue smoke when taking off at a green light.

[@emeyer6963]

Yep!By 30000 miles they all did it.

[@danielreigada1542]

I remember back in the day the tell tale sign that it had the 3.0 V6

[@Miguel-ek8db]

my dad had one of these mini vans and would travel from chicago to gto mx every year from 94 till 99

[@lervin78]

My folks bought an ‘88 Grand Caravan in 2-tone maroon without the fake wood paneling brand new. Lots of memories from childhood!

[@danteisme]

My parent's had an 89 grand voyager for years, was my first vehicle actually. Boy did that thing love to eat oil and go through transmissions though lol. I think it finally died on its fourth transmission, and after about 100K miles it really ate oil.

[@kevinbarry71]

That sounds about right

[@444mopar]

Those early 4 speed autos were crap. Chrysler sure never could figure out how to build a transmission with more than 3 gears! I know in the standard length minivans you could get the 3L with a 3 so which wasn't as problematic. Some of the 4 banger ones could be had with a stick shift but those were rare even back in their day.

[@JDMHaze]

The new caravans transmissions crap out also lol my job had one

[@worldlinerai]

The transmission issue was the reason my dad dumped our 1990 Voyager. The cost of the transmission rebuild was about the KBB price of the entire van (in 1999). Plus the engine burning oil and oil leaks.

[@kevinbarry71]

That's Chrysler; give it more power, make it heavier, make it bigger, but don't make the brakes any bigger

[@DavidAndre657]

MW HITS -- Extra Room -- Careful Styling -- V-6 Power -- Front-Wheel Drive -- Car-Like Handling

[@JustinJenseninCurrentEvents]

My dad used to have a 1989 LE edition.

[@jinglebells1238]

I remember my uncle had problems with his radiator fans sometimes not working on hot days. He had a 1995 Chrysler voyager. Well it started to overheat while we were on the highway from stop and go traffic. Finally when traffic was lighter he figure if he goes faster it would cool off. Nope it didn't work and 8 minutes later (boom) the engine blew and it started rattling and steaming everywhere. Antifreeze pouring out below the engine. I believe he blew the head gasket. lol

[@jareknowak8712]

This generation was not very popular in Europe, but the next one was a hit.

[@MarkWyche]

3:00 - 3:41 : Makes this best video on KZbin, ever. Period.

[@johnmaki3046]

I always thought the MoPar minivans (let's face it "brands" had NO DINSTICTION at Chrysler Corp since the late 60s) were PRETTY DAMNED GREAT BASIC RIDES! They were DEPENDABLE (in general, MoPars ALWAYS were), they were comfortable and WELL SUITED to ANY purpose!

[@Daniel28021991]

I love this vans!

[@V8Power5300]

I wish minivans weren't replaced by SUV's and crossovers. It would be even better if stationwagons till existed

[@RLKRAILTIES]

My grandma used to own this exact model and exact color.

[@Acejustforalaugh]

The King of Minivans !!

[@Acc0rd79]

We went with a Sienna SE minivan as Toyota quality is outstanding but as a little kid in the 80's I know many kids whose parents owned these Dodge Minivans!

[@seikocitizenwatches]

Starter of minivan trend in the USA

[@landyachtfan79]

I forgot this one in my requests last week. Thank you so much. 1985 Toyota Van, please.

[@Jisstifer83626]

This van and the grand cherokee was what helped lee iococca save chrysler from bankruptcy.

[@markvanloo309]

He is saying that they got a lot of mail. I was thinking about e-mail :D

[@rml695]

I grew up in one of these, clear through my senior year in high school, and to this day I wonder what it would be like to rescue one and do an EV conversion with it.

[@JolliAllGenGamer]

Haven’t seen these on the road in prob 15-20 years? My parents were going to get this, but got a Mazda MPV instead.

[@ANDERSONEXPRESS7]

I wish i could have bought one this body style brand new

[@zvezdankorica574]

Nostalgia-when America was America-miss dose days

[@ridewithgw]

I remember those vans as a kid.

[@42luke93]

The Malcom in the Middle mobile!

[@42luke93]

The exact same color with the wood!

[@johnnymason2460]

This V6 did better in fuel economy than the old 2.6 liter I4. It's too bad antilock brakes weren't available back then. It needed them. Airbags as well.

[@black98rt]

I remember that about everyone I still saw going in the mid-late 90’s smoked like crazy.

[@moejr1974]

yeah the 3.0L Mitsu was a smoker till you fixed the valve guides. The 3.3L Chrysler was a much better engine when it was offered

[@DavidAndre657]

MORE MOTORWEEK RETRO REVIEWS ... ... JUST AROUND THE BEND !!!

[@jsciarri]

Calm down and take your pills.

[@buoyant69]

I always thought these vans made GM’s A car wagons look extra sexy in comparison.

[@TheCOZ]

Wood paneling on a Plymouth?! Fancy.

[@bluefever02]

I wish they'd re-release the review for the 87 Toyota 4wd van

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

Yessss! My pops owned 3 of them! They were great

[@Modine.]

0:21 When John said they get mail about the minivan test he ment snail mail.

[@markwagner4909]

A friend has one that was short wheelbase 4WD It was really nice

[@cjiekel668]

Ford starvans are my favorite because my mother has a 2002 ford windstar sel two tone

[@DoubleSmackJacksSmackAttack]

2:34 I miss those huge chunky turn signals. I don't want some swoopy thin line of turn signal, give me a big block of cheese!

[@waynerogers6621]

From my observation these chrysler van dont hold up longterm Paint peeling,rust mechanical problems I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna with 175,000 miles and it looks and runs like new. That said we've come a long way since 1988.

[@42luke93]

Perfect example of the imports. They would get laughed at at first like the Toyota previa here. But would eventually be unstoppable due to great improvements over the years compared to competitors.

[@redneckhillbilly8788]

Toyotas are over priced and overrated

[@waynerogers6621]

@@redneckhillbilly8788 Not overpriced or overrated BUT if you think they're overpriced you don't want to know maintenance cost at a Toyota dealer. Need new plugs installed? $699.00

[@CoftheJ69]

I can hear the CRT whine!

[@KenanTurkiye]

5:36 I remember them wheels, I used to like them, I think they also were on a Mitshubishi badged vehicle too, can't remember which, I guess Chrysler-Mitsubishi cooperation was ''well-footed''. :p

[@SataniaMcDowel]

Tons of them on the road today!! My aunt had one until some kids put sugar in the fuel tank back in the day. Damn kids from the era 😂😅

[@Trance88]

Ha! I guess it just depends on where you live. This generation of Voyager/Caravan is pretty much extinct here in Michigan.

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

Nothing left here in Iowa. They pretty are rusted away. I’ve seen a few 90s versions, not much. Even the 2000s already rusted up bad.

[@Krzrrazrrokr]

Tons? I barely see one older than 2010 out and about anymore. I have not saw one from this generation in at least 15 years

[@daviddaniel387]

I would have loved to have seen a Chrysler Plymouth dodge salesman commission back then I'm sure they had trouble keeping these suckers on their lots

[@ericbritton9346]

My sister friends mama had a 1989 Dodge Caravan not the Grand Caravan, but it was a Yellow Cab.

[@brettcannon74]

I'd like to order one immediately Chrysler!

[@flight2k5]

These were absolute garbage 🤣

[@4HBirtcher]

Keep in mind that 3.0 v6 is from the Chrysler New Yorker and Dodge Dynasty sedan that MotorWeek failed to mention!

[@444mopar]

Minivans got the 3.0 in 1987. The cars didn't get it until 88.

[@4HBirtcher]

@@444mopar Wait I thought that Mitsubishi made Chrysler 3.0 v6 wasn’t there until 1988 first with the Dodge Dynasty/Chrysler New Yorker and then later with the minivans!

[@mtjm]

That wheel hop 😅

[@corssecurity]

Those 2.6 Mitz engine had real problems with overheating and warping the heads.

[@TheEclecticHandyman]

3:05 yikes that thing is about 1 degree away from rolling over

[@luistijerina6575]

Cuantos kmxl rendian estos motores el 4 y el 6 cilindros?

[@senseicorey9979]

This was my first car at 16

[@mariposamoreno]

sorry to hear lol

[@senseicorey9979]

@@mariposamoreno don't be! I packed that thing with people and went to concerts. Great times

[@matthewcurran82]

They never show the 5 speed... I had one years ago..

[@billyn1155]

Very vivid memories of riding to soccer practice in my friends (Black with red interior) complete with a chain smoking mom and an ashtray full of butts.

[@aayonce4]

Lmaoo

[@Scott_From_Maine]

I wonder if some upgraded brake pads would help that stopping distance.

[@ryancraig2795]

Better tires than whatever Chrysler sourced up from the lowest bidder.

[@albear972]

It had a *voltmeter* _and an_ *oil pressure gauge!* John Davis must have had a stiffy looking at that minivan dashboard.

[@PhillyDee215]

👉💨💨💨MY STEP POP HAD ONE OF THESE😯I THREW A BRICK THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD LONG STORY🤦‍♂️‼️

[@jbar_85]

My crack head neighbor still has one. You hear it rolling by when she has a moment to put down her cigarette and drive away.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

TOYOTA SIENNA IS OUR VAN 2008, AND IT'S THE BEST !🐯🐯🐯👑👑👑

[@ManiaMusicChannel]

Idk what the designers thought but the 90s vans and early 2000 ones were ugly and got the soccer mom reputation, those boxy designs would have been a bigger hit in the 2000s if they had continued with the evolution of the boxy minivan

[@jareknowak8712]

The White Jacket period.

[@cowsgonemadd3]

Can't imagine towing much of anything with 136hp.