TURBO Minivan: The 1989 Dodge Caravan Turbo Was The Driver's People Hauler

Learn more about this awesome minivan from Dodge, the 1989 Dodge Caravan Turbo!

[@OttoTetrazzini]

Unfortunately the buying public decided that the crossover - with 25% less space and 25% worse fuel economy - fits better in the same footprint than the minivan.

[@raymond_sycamore]

It's because millennial women REFUSE to be caught dead in them.

[@davidparker9676]

I don't believe the crossover was the choice of the buying public. I see it more as a concept pushed on the buyers by the car companies and government regulations.

[@plap.]

@@davidparker9676 yep, it was the chicken tax and the cafe standards that made trucks and vehicles based on those trucks have less restrictions to build and sell. The og idea was to give work vehicles a brake because they were nessasary but less efficient with more emissions. The manufacturers could spend less to produce with more profit in the end. They took advantage of the policies and basically killed sedans and wagons by producing something worse in all aspects except head room, they have lots and lots of useless stupid headroom. Now stupid SUVs are everywhere. Hate them and want wagons back. Now no one can see anything around the SUV in front of them sitting in traffic

[@timothykeith1367]

The original T115 minivan is pretty small - it had to be. The 2.2 Chrysler four and 2.6 Mitsubishi lacked oomph. The Mitsubishi 3.0 v6 eventually helped. The original is basically a crossover by another name.

[@mph5896]

It's about image. Soccer moms don't want to look like soccer moms.

[@MrPoppyDuck]

Three pedals and a turbo? Yes, please! Red velor interior is icing on the cake. Nice!!

[@davidparker9676]

I wish I'd known about these years ago. I'd only learned about the Turbo vans when they were already disappearing from the roads. I didn't know until now it came with a stick in the turbo variant. I'd love to know more from a driving test/review.

[@brentkiely657]

@@davidparker9676 tell adam to test drive the turbo caravan and make a video of it! Can adam drive a manual transmission ???

[@joeysplats3209]

I had a 1991 Plymouth Voyager AWD LE with the red velour, two removable bench seats, Harmon Kardon stereo, 3.0L V6 and the fancy side-mounted faux woodgrain-applique racing stripe. It was a great van but not much of a chick magnet. One of the best, most reliable and useful cars I ever owned.

[@jimmypatterson9854]

​@davidparker9676 I think all the k cars had the same engine and transmission. I once drove a turbo minivan like these but it had a blown headmaster. I also have a deliver all metal no glass delivery caravan I want to make into a camper van. I once drove a k care with a turbo as wewell. It had some nice power.

[@evanranshaw4659]

Only 911 factory turbo 5 spd vans were ever made. The turbo automatic vans were fairly common.

[@bigedslobotomy]

My wife and I had a ‘88 Dodge Caravan that we bought new. I got it with the 2.6L 4 cylinder (I think that’s the displacement it was) and non-turbo. I also got it with the 5-speed manual transmission and no air conditioning. It was a great car and lasted 275,000 miles before it started having gremlin electrical issues. (We lived in Iowa, which uses a lot of salt, which wreaks havoc with grounds and such). I was meticulous in keeping it maintained and cleaned (no small feat with 3 children who treated the interior like a garbage can!) It served us reliably all through the childhood years (until the kids were able to drive their own cars) and got 30mpg on the highway. Its color was exactly the color shown in this video (with the same red velour seats that you show!) This brings back lots of memories. Thanks!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, The size comparison with today's subcompact cars is a 'reality check'.

[@engineerisengihere44]

Exactly!! I am so glad he mentioned this. I daily a 1992 Taurus, definitely not a small car by 1992 standards, but compared to damn near everything modern on the road my car is so tiny

[@markosborne9558]

My late dad bought a new turbo caravan when he was 75 years old., and the dealer told him it might be too much for him. he bought it anyway. By 1980s standards it was mind bending. Left my V8 Buick Electra Estate wagon like it was sitting still. I loved riding in it. He didnt drive it gently either.

[@guylenz7113]

I bought a used Turbo minivan. We were shopping for minivans at the local Dodge dealership and I saw a gray unit with "Turbo" on the fender. I said "This one. I want to test drive this one." I'd already made up my mind when the sales guy told me it was more powerful than the larger Mitsubishi engine. Great vehicle. Near the end of it's life we'd pull out all the bench seats and load in a Honda 70 minibike to go trail riding with. Wish I still had it.

[@apl175]

9:25 the "Front Drive" indication was really a filler panel for the PRNDL if it was a column-shift car.

[@glennso47]

I remember the PRNDL . It was a 1945 model made by Henway. It was a heck of a vehicle. 😂

[@dowdyden]

David E. Davis! Now there's a name I haven't heard in 20 years. Love the video.

[@InTeCredo]

Did you know that Jean Jennings passed away a few days ago?

[@martinliehs2513]

@@InTeCredo I remember her writing as Jean Lindamood. Apparently, she knew how to weld, according to an intro penned by one of the other Car and Driver writers.

[@JeffW77]

@@InTeCredo Thank you for letting me know. She was a wonderful automotive journalist.

[@LongIslandMopars]

I remember him from Car and Driver.

[@glennso47]

Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass.

[@loveisall5520]

My sister and her husband had the turbo in two tone blue, a great vehicle for them. I got a Dodge Caravan for a couple of years as a company car and loved it for long distances here in Texas. Dead reliable, and while not cool looking, it was superbly comfortable and a joy.

[@Sundancer268]

I had a 1987 Caravan with the 2.6 Mitsu and 3 Speed. If Chrysler had not quit making this size, I would have continued with short version. The Grand versions just didn't fit my plans with just my wife and myself the only ones in the family. I think the Caravan actually was more comfortable on long trips than my 1998 Continental. By the way my Caravan was the same color inside and out as the one you are featuring. I did get rid of the Caravan at slightly over the 200,000 mile mark as it had cracked another cylinder head and I was tired of changing them, about 30,000 to 35,000 miles per head.

[@jblyon2]

We took many many long trips in an 86 with that powertrain, also the shorter non-Grand version. With the middle bench removed and the rear one moved forward to an intermediate set of anchors you had all the legroom in the world for the rear passengers and tons of cargo room. More than 2 decades after it was sold Mom still talks about how she misses that van. Of course you had to choose between that Mitsu engine running right, and passing emissions. The carb was useless in its factory configuration. To give you an idea about how powerless that van was despite having the more powerful Mitsu 2.6, the first time Mom drove its replacement, a 91 Previa (which had no supercharger option yet), Mom remarked "wow this thing has some pick-up!"

[@JamesReilly-d7o]

@@jblyon2 I understand your pain my mom had 84 new yorker with this engine. I had some buddies in a dodge service dept who helped me out and showed me how to rig this thing. If you look at it closely it has an electric solenoid stuck to it and one of procedures was to bend the linkage from said solenoid and switch a couple vacuum lines. it cost around 10 to 12 HP, but mom was no street racer and never noticed. but it passed emissions and all was well

[@bryantint1339]

They still have simple Caravan with Mitsubishi V6 from 1987.5 to 2007. Some were Chrysler 60 degree V6.

[@davidparker9676]

The factory (Mitsubishi) head was crack prone. There was an aftermarket head by AMC that solved the cracking issues and you could buy another head without the "jet valves" for even better longevity. That 2.6 found its way into several different vehicles from multiple manufacturers. The most impressive version came in the Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest with an intercooled turbo. Some of those Starions could be modified to make a solid 400hp with some turbo and fuel injection upgrades.

[@CoryRoy]

The hot minivans of the late 80s made 150hp, now the basic ones make nearly 300hp. They drive like muscle luxury cars and nothing beats their flexibility.

[@NorthernChev]

In 1994 I got my ass handed to me by a completely stock looking 2.5 Turbo Caravan at US-131 Dragway in Martin, MI. I was driving my modified '78 Pontiac Sunbird with a transplanted 383 stroked Chevy Small Block/TH-350-shifted V8 on nitrous. Despite "treeing" him at the light, he walked right on by me by mid-track. I was shocked at the time. LOL

[@moejr1974]

They are an interesting van. There are people out there that drag these thing into the 11's. still today. I would have loved to see your face when he passed you.

[@NorthernChev]

@@moejr1974 Dude, I was all cocky when we lined up. I was so confident that I had this in the bag I didn't even light the nitrous. I just ran it NA. LOL

[@mikeks8181]

Owned a 1978 Olds Starfire with a hopped up 307 in it! A 1982 Rabbit pulled up next to me at an intersection known for drag racing. I knew the lights very well since I lived there. The light turned green And that Rabbit was through the intersection Just Like real life! I did pass him halfway before the next intersection! He followed me into the McDonald's and we talked? He had a Compressor on it?! His was a Blown/ Supercharged garage build! Never Underestimate your opponent!

[@NorthernChev]

@@mikeks8181 I'm assuming you mean the Chevy SB 307, and not the Olds 307, right? I've actually never heard of anybody going through the effort to "hop up" a Chevy 307, considering a 350 is a direct bolt in for the Chevy 307. I mean, I'm just blown away that anyone would take the effort to convert a Starfire to V8 status and only put a 307 in it. It's just a weird combo, but, like all Chevy SBs they all accept the same hop up parts, so something is better than nothing, right? I love a Monza/clone V8 conversion no matter what engine they put in it.

[@mikeks8181]

@NorthernChev SB Chevy. It was in my friends Chevelle before he wrecked it.

[@TorCow1234]

I'll never know how the minivan went from "Hey, this is a damn good idea"... to "This is a horrible, embarrassing emasculating vehicle I cannot be seen in... stupid soccer mom!" As a kid, these things were a super comfortable way to travel. Comfy seats, room to move, air conditioning that blasted into the rear of the vehicle, reading lights, decent audio, lots of cubbies and storage, plus room for cargo at the rear... and it got similar fuel economy to a front drive sedan. It just makes so much sense. I've always liked the frontal treatment of the early Mopar minivans, from the stacked headlights of the first ones through the composite lamped 1987-90 models. The rear was pretty plain, and the piece of trim over the license plate lights went missing on at least 50% of them. I also remember circa 1994, that there was a first gen Caravan/Voyager slowly puffing blue smoke at every intersection, waiting to fog for mosquitos as soon as the light turned green. One of the Mistabushi (what my elderly neighbor called them) 6G72's hidden... features? that seemed precisely timed to deploy itself 5000 miles after the 7/70 warranty ran out. And the Ultradive transmission. Despite these foibles, I still really like 'em. ...and a turbo with a manual trans would circumvent both of these problems.

[@richard169]

You have to imagine the cabin filled with throw-away candy wrappers and seats stained with kiddie-drinks, and the windows rattling with the cross-talk of four or five or six screaming little girls. Anathema.

[@davidparker9676]

I always liked these since they were new. I never see them around anymore on the road, living in California. When they came out it was the cool family car and I had several friends whose parents sold their station wagons to buy the new Dodge/Chrysler minivans. My family owned a 2nd generation Plymouth Voyager for a short period of time before it was totaled in a major freeway crash. I have nothing but fond memories of these early minivans and their practicality.

[@TorCow1234]

@@richard169 Oh yes. I've seen and been in those vehicles. Perhaps I was an exception to the stereotypical kid-dom, but I was strictly forbidden from touching glass with my greasy fingers, spilling drinks, poking unauthorized buttons, or sticking my used gum inside an ashtray. If mistakes were made, I got to clean up the mess. Screaming would've gotten me beaten for sure. So I was pretty much smaller statured adult the majority of the time. Most of my friends were a little less reigned in, but I don't remember many of us being able to get away with that.

[@Santor-]

Suv and truck advertisements drove the message home minivans were lame, and the much more profitable trucks was way cooler. People just accepted it. In other parts of the world that did not have these advertisements nor the same SUV and truck sales, do not have this stigma attached to the minivan. It's uniquely American made up stigma, for profit.

[@gayasparagus]

​@@richard169 i drive school bus. I'm used to it.

[@jdgimpa]

I was a Tech in a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge dealer when these vehicles were new. The most dependable drive train was the 3.0 V6 with the 3 speed automatic. As far as the 2.5 Turbo we didn't sell very many. I did own a 89 Plymouth Acclaim LE with the 2.5 Turbo and a 3 speed automatic. We bought it new and it proved to be a trouble free car. I did replace the head gasket once. That car was a real sleeper for the time. My wife loved to pick on 5.0 Mustangs!

[@woppini]

I worked on my share of those vans as well. I agree, the 3.0 was a good mill. The only turbo I worked on was in the Lebaron, and that thing would lift the front, torqued steered, and planted smiles for miles

[@LongIslandMopars]

I'm surprised. Every 3.0 I ever saw blue smoked. I'd have rather had a 2.2 Turbo like the one in my buddy's 86 Daytona Turbo Z.

[@mikekokomomike]

@@LongIslandMopars friend had a 3.0 Mitsu engine that burned oil. One time it quit running, wouldn't start. The rotor in the distributor had a crack and carbon trace that shorted the spark to ground. I found it for him.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@mikekokomomike cool. I remember my dad sorting out a carbon tracking problem in the distributor of my cousin's 68 Barracuda. Was running on 7 cylinders until we replaced the cap.

[@Shopdgap919]

@@mikekokomomikemy mom had the Plymouth Acclaim with the Mitsu V6. The engine was nice but it had the Ultadrive 4 spd auto (“one of the first electronically controlled automatics”) it was problematic. Towards the end you had to tap the break to get it to shift to OD.

[@HemiChrysler]

I still own my second generation, 1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 3.3 litre v6, 4 speed automatic. I've never had any transmission problems, but I have always used +4 ATF.

[@jacobnewkirk3385]

My '94 Dodge Grand Caravan ES lasted 225,000 miles before its 2nd transmission gave up. At that point, it didn't owe me anything else. I should've fixed it and kept it, though. Best van I've ever had.

[@HemiChrysler]

In 2024, I added a dedicated transmission cooler, something I should have done years ago. I dislike dual purpose radiators; if the barrier fails, coolant will ruin the transmission, and transmission fluid won't do the engine any favours. ATF now flows only to/from the dedicated cooler.

[@beavistechrock]

​@@HemiChryslerI did the same on my 99 grand cherokee 5yrs ago. Except I by passed the stock cooler altogether. The trans started shifting better immediately. The other downfall of the cooler inside the radiator is that the trans fluid can only get as cool as whatever the coolant temp in the radiator is. So most likely still well over 150 degrees prob closer to 200. With my little external cooler in front of the the condenser and radiator it keeps things much cooler. The only down side is on really cold days like under 15 degrees Fahrenheit my jeep won't shift into overdrive/4th gear until the fluid hits a certain temp. It usually only takes about 5mins at 50mph though. Luckily I don't live close to a freeway as that would be a issue with 3.55 rear diff.

[@HemiChrysler]

@beavistechrock yeah, I excluded the original radiator portion cooler too. ATF flows only to/from the dedicated cooler.

[@alantrimble2881]

You’re in the minority. The A604 was a time bomb. I had a ‘92 Grand Voyager and a ‘97 Town and Country. Both had the A604, both were meticulously maintained & both ate the trans. The A604 was a turd. I’m glad you’ve got a good one.

[@USNVA11]

I went through four Chrysler mini vans as company vehicles over the years. I just retired and loved them so much that I went out and purchased a 2020 Pacifica with only 30,000 miles on it. Already had it out camping and use it regularly to stuff full of RC airplanes. Love those stow and go seats !

[@engineerisengihere44]

I hate the new pacificas. First of all the dial for selecting drive modes is SO ANNOYING, second they just feel so much lower to the ground than even the 5th gen caravans. I could literally jump a 5th gen caravan no problem (ive done it multiple times), pacifica would get hung up on everything

[@joemazzola7387]

It says front drive because that was where the PRNDL would go but since it's a manual transmission it's a blank

[@davidparker9676]

It would have been cooler if it said "turbo" or even cooler if it had a "boost" light like the turbo Toyota trucks of the same age.

[@vwestlife]

Same thing on K-cars with an automatic transmission lever in the center console rather than on the steering column. They also had a blank covering up where the PRNDL indicator would go.

[@brentkiely657]

exactly ! i had a 1988 plymouth voyager SE (short wheelbase van) with the automaitc transmission and the 3.0 litre mitsubishi engine. Now i have a 2010 toyota camry LE . It has the 2.5 lire 4 cylinder and 6 speed automatic.

[@DSP1968]

People always made fun of these (and I occasionally did too), but there were good looking for the day and quite practical.

[@keepyourbilsteins]

The mitsubishi 3.0 had valve guides that were made out of soft bronze that wore like butter. I remember those smoke belchers well. As a baby auto mechanic and machinist i replaced many a set with manganese bronze replacements. The 2.5 was where its at though.

[@12yearssober]

Other than that the 3.0 was a dependable engine

[@thelorax7704]

Saw many a blue cloud behind those vans. I would think... that must be the 3.0. Nice vehicles overall.

[@edisontrent5244]

We had lots of issues with valve spacers

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@thelorax7704I just posted the same comment in another thread. I thought they were junk blowing blue smoke almost from new.

[@muziklvr7776]

Yep, mom's 1990 Plymouth Voyager had the smoking 3.0. I religiously changed oil on it every 3K miles with a new filter on the dot. The 3.3 engine is where it's at.

[@WhittyPics]

Practical family hauler. They weren't made to be beauty queens

[@will5150]

I was hoping they'd fit the 392 in the Pacifica and call it a Hellcat. I love minivans. They are arguably my favorite cars.

[@TwoDollarGararge]

Why it would be a meme machine that torque steers through the first 4 gears.

[@phantom0456]

Considering the fact that the Pacifica is FWD-based they’d have to reengineer the entire thing to accommodate a Hemi 😂

[@ronsmith4325]

I'd rather see them bring back the Magnum, that would be a great platform for this.

[@TwoDollarGararge]

@ronsmith4325 the issue is no one buys wagons.

[@megachonk9440]

While I'm sure they could have done it as some kind of insane concept, there is probably no way to fit a V8 HEMI engine, especially the Hellcat variant, in a Pacifica that would pass safety regulations for a passenger vehicle.

[@jameshoffman552]

I had an 87 Dodge Mini Ram Van Royal. Love the giant interior - added a varnished 4’ x 7’ luan sheet to the deck, a hatch in the roof, and headed 3,000 miles from Boston to Los Angeles car camping each way, climbing the CO Rockies on return.

[@Kizzle001]

Brings back good memories of the 1990 Voyager we had growing up. Had the 3.0 Mitsu V6 and one time on a family vacation, I closed my hand on the sliding door on the inside!

[@bobcoats2708]

Ouch! 😫

[@DanKirchner5150]

the mitsubishi turbo colts , with the 5 speeds were absolutely my fav car to buy for next to nothing , and have fun with til the wheels fell off .perfect balance of power and design ,gave my nephew one for his first car he loved it

[@12yearssober]

I had an 84 turbo colt 4 speed with the split transaxle option. One year only option. I wish I knew what I had when I had it.

[@DanKirchner5150]

@@12yearssober maybe thats what i had -all rusted but ive owned literally 100's of cars and this one was simply legend .and yes ive looked for another one and none have come up since

[@josephpiskac2781]

I live full-time in a 2021 Ram Promaster City compact van. It has great performance both in power and fuel economy. I have fitted it out very similar to an Amtrak sleeper compartment. I have some amenities like a large ultra HD flat screen, a snack bar and a propane cooking surface. 71 years old retired a perfectly good cottage on wheels.

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

I'm stuck in a house. Sure would be nice to head for some sun in the winter months.

[@oriontaylor]

For a possible upgrade for your current setup, consider improving from an Amtrak sleeper compartment to a Pullman sleeper in style!

[@mostlymoparih5682]

I had an 89 Caravan with the turbo and an automatic, I loved it. Drove it o Florida quite a bit and it was fantastic on the open road. It got good mileage and had plenty of power. Good video.

[@pices229]

There was almost no choice but to drive rear wheel especially before the 80s. American cars didn't offer but a few in front wheel drive like gm with Toronado and Eldorado. Front wheel drive will always be better in bad weather than rear drive, that's why now 90% of the vehicles are front wheel drive.

[@JamesReilly-d7o]

I worked at a Dodge Dealer at that time. And as good fortune would have it, I just sold my Daytona demo and asked to try out the turbo Caravan as my next demo. My favorite sport became hunting for pickups with loud exhaust that the would-be gearhead driver thought was fast. It was truly a happy day to catch one at a red light and to bate them with whistle from the turbo while holding the brake. It would bury any full-size pickup, just watch out for the 4-liter 5 speed 190 HP Jeep Comanches those little trucks were fast. At that time Dodge had some fun vehicles like the Stealth R/T turbo with 300HP and all-wheel drive you could hunt Corvettes with those. Or for a truly terrifying experience try a Sprit R/T which competed with the Taurus SHO. It had a 2.2 liter with a Lotus designed 4 valve DOHC head and a turbo it made 235 HP and 295 lbs. of torque and was only available with a 5-speed stick, it could spin the front tires in second gear if you really stood on it. Those were truly the happy days.

[@gordtulk]

Perspective is everything. Vehicles are generally far larger today. My perspective got jolt when I was at a Honda dealer that had a 1978 civic hatchback. It was shockingly small - hadn’t seen one in many years. Hard to believe that I travelled in the station wagon version thousands of highway miles back in the day.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Way back when I had a 1981 Honda Accord. At the time, it was the largest vehicle Honda offered in the US - and it was smaller than a 2001 Fit, which was the smallest car Honda offered that year.

[@ddhsd]

I had the 1989 Civic 4dr LX and then the 91 Civic SI hatch. They seemed plenty roomie for my 6'3 frame in my 20s. And I had come from my 1st car a 1974 Chevy Impala coupe. So I had size comparisons. I was recently in an 89 Civic at an auto show and was shocked how small it seemed. I swear I haven't added that many pounds in 40 years 😢😂

[@howebrad4601]

I have an 83 civic wagon and it is way smaller than even a honda fit. Cars have gotten to big but they waste a ton of space with huge dashes and gian consoles

[@tommywatterson5276]

2.2 4 cylinder turbo fuel injected in the vans. Plenty of power. I had one of these engines in my 87 2 door coupe lebaron. Powerful motor for 4 cylinder. The motor gave me no trouble, no head gasket issues. The dealership did tell me to do one thing....change oil every 3000 miles no matter what. Turbo was hot, and to save the bearings in it, keep clean oil in it. I did, and never had any issues.

[@user-pgchargerse71]

@@tommywatterson5276 I had an '87 Dodge Daytona Shelby with the 175hp turbo II. Ran it to 210,000 miles with no issues. Mobil 1 every 5000 miles.

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@user-pgchargerse71I came very close to owning a Daytona CS with the 175hp turbo. I regret not buying it back then. I remember the shifter being very notchy, though.

[@user-pgchargerse71]

@LongIslandMopars the CS was a cool package

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@user-pgchargerse71 yep. It was all business

[@joshuagibson2520]

I would buy this (even without the turbo) before I would buy anything else currently on the market.

[@jamesb2291]

I helped a buddy of mine srt4 swap a caravan back in the early 2000s. It was a great van. I've slowly been gathering parts to do an awd ecoboost swap into an Aerostar.

[@Carstuff111]

My great grandparents LOVED their Caravan, it was from the last year of the 1st gen. It was a small, fuel sipping box that did everything they asked of it, including driving cross country a few times!!

[@Primus54]

Bought a new fully-optioned 5-seat ‘85 Plymouth Voyager (We liked the grill better than the Dodge Caravan version… otherwise they were identical vehicles). The longer wheelbase version was not yet available and ours had the 2.6 Mitsubishi 4-cylinder. It was perfect for a family of two young children and a dog. Only issue before 70k miles, when fully loaded with the family, luggage, and Christmas gifts on a long road trip through mountainous regions, it would take full throttle to maintain 60+ mph. Blew the head gasket at 70k and replaced the engine with a rebuild, then finally traded it for the large Honda Odyssey that came out in ‘99. Overall it was a good purchase that bring backs great memories.

[@judih.8754]

Yes these were tiny by today's standards. I saw one on the road the other day (rare sight) and I was amazed at how small it was. Great vehicle for the times!

[@sharkinstx]

The 3 liter Mitsubishi V6 seemed to have some durability problems - I remember seeing lots of them huffing blue smoke, like an old small block Chevy.

[@howardfletcher7206]

Valve stem seals and guides would go bad early like 70-80k miles.

[@PhaQ2]

My 1988 Plymouth Votager 3.0L chucked the harmonic balancer after the keyway sheared in half. Chewed up the end of the crankshaft too. Cobbled it all back together with some JB weld and drove it until it started "mosquito fogging" out the neighborhood. Using oil from dollar tree, likely accelerated an already inevitable outcome.

[@mph5896]

My uncle worked for Chrysler on dyno testing and swore by how good they were.

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@mph5896I'm still shocked. Every one I saw blue smoked like an early 4.6 mod motor. Ford must have used the same valve guide seals as Mitsubishi.

[@loveydovey4u]

Oh yeah. My parents Grand Caravan engine rebuilt and a new transmission put in before it hit 100k

[@charlesdiggs5297]

I drove one as a rental vehicle back in 1990 with the Turbo engine. It was really pleasant to drive. I don't know about long-term ownership, but I had fun with it for the week.

[@approachingtarget.4503]

Had one that was awd. That 4 cylinder was decent on fuel economy even while driving additional drive train. Averaged 20mpg hwy and 16 around the city or off road. Yes...off road. We used our for hunting and fishing. The belly pan was able to slide over snow drifts during ice fishing trips. The issues that killed it was under the dash board. The Guage cluster would go out on a regular basis. The only competition was the Chevy ASTRO van. With its v6, the fuel economy wasn't anywhere near the turbo 4. If they brought this van back with basic mechanical gauges, and duel overhead cam systems. It would rule the industry. It could also haul a bunch for the chassis. Pulled a host of trailers with it from boats,four wheelers, snowmobile, and lawn mowing tractors. We had to scrap ours when we hit 285000 miles from rust. Best vehicle purchase I ever made. $6000 used with 20000 original miles on it.

[@jeffreyhalat1535]

We had a 1989 Plymouth Voyager! Turbo with wood grain panels. I called it the Turbo Wood Grain!!

[@AlexanderWaylon]

Those second row seats fit perfectly in street rods. These definitely didn’t survive as well as other vehicles of the era did I think they were pretty well used up before they rotted out in most cases.

[@volvo09]

Yeah these turned into work vans and got well used after they were done family hauling.

[@ragdolltrucking]

The horsepower and torque CURVE was what engineers were looking for when they chose engines in old cars, ive seen so many old car shows and even a couple times on this channel where someone says something like "the car had a 120hp 2.0 engine in 1990, but for some reason in 1992 it was replaced with a 2.4 that also made 120hp"

[@scottthomas7870]

Well, this past spring my 2021 Pacifica easily did 105 MPH on a straightaway stretch of eye-80 in western Pennsylvania. But when not moving that fast, the 3.5 registered 30.2 mpg on a 700-mile trip east. 'Course, I wasn't hauling anyone or anything 'cept myself.

[@jimkanellakos4699]

A stick shift minivan! So cool! I had no idea these Chryslers also had a manual transmission. These things ruled the roads in the 80s, then the updated type with plastic bumpers all through the 90s. Thanks Adam

[@12yearssober]

Asto vans has manuals as well early on.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@12yearssober Some of those Astrovans had 4wd...and chrysler also did offer 4wd in their minivans!

[@stevenbernier4206]

A 2.2 turbo 3 out of a Spirit R/T in one of those would have really been fun. Really a easy swap.

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

I had an 86 Dodge Caravan, and to date it was the easiest vehicle I have ever owned to get in and out of. Mine had the Mitsubishi 4 cylinder engine in it that I never could quite figure out (all kinds of vacuum lines and various gizmos), but it ran fairly well and was great for running the paper routes I had at the time. It seemed that anyone with more than one child had a minivan back in those days. Mine was used for everything---the paper routes, grocery getter, family car, fishing wagon---you name it. We eventually moved on to a full sized van because we ended up making 4 children and a minivan just wasn't big enough for all of us, but I have to say I really enjoyed that Caravan when we had it.

[@michaelbrown5601]

My parents bought one of these in July 1989, and took 11 yr old me along to the dealer to help them pick one out. They liked the short wheelbase SE. I asked my dad to consider the turbo. He took my advice! They’d still have it had they bought the manual.

[@crabbymilton390]

One of my work vans was a 1989 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN cargo version. It was sure nice to drive when new but it developed horrible problems over time. It had the 3.0 V6 and 4 speed automatic. You name it when it came to problems. The engine burned oil to make a steam locomotive to take notice. Lost track of how many transmissions we had to replace. Then people wonder why CHRYSLER had to be bailed out a couple times.

[@Iexpedite1]

My uncle was a the president of the union at his factory. He visited us one year in a turbo minivan. I believe it was a Plymouth, but its been a while. I was in to cars and hearing that turbo spooling up as he rowed the manual transmission, it was catnip to me.

[@KTMsteve]

That stainless steel dual tip exhaust. Let the world know you had turbo power.

[@Ericstrains]

I inherited my dad’s used 1989 grand caravan and drove it through high school and part of college. It had the Ultradrive transmission and, yes, it was terrible. Replaced the transmission 3 times before finally leaving it on the side of road when it failed again. When the transmission was working, however, it was great for road trips. Lots of room of my band’s road gear!

[@tonydacosta2273]

Long live the minivan, the smartest and best choice for families. Thank you for the great channel and for your wonderful work. Best wishes for the holidays. From a fan from Montreal, Canada.

[@sgnt9337]

we had an 89 Chrysler minivan (standard not extended, with 2.5 liter 4 cyl). very useful and practical vehicle. The removable third rear bench seat weighed a ton!

[@jamesengland7461]

Adam, the 3.3 had 158 hp, and the 3.8, 166. Loved my 3.3 and Ultradrive; yes, it failed at 146k and I had it rebuilt, but it shifted QUICK! and the 3.3 screamed to redline, much to the surprise of V6 Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang drivers, along with V8 pickups. Yes, I won most of the time.

[@Ed_Stuckey]

I've owned a 1998 Caravan, 2001 Caravan, 2001 Chrysler T&C, and 2001 Grand Caravan. I purchased all used but got reasonable service from them.

[@n84434]

You need to find a Super clean low mileage example for the collection. Every once in a while, I see low mile Caravans out there for sale

[@Foxbat1155]

You just convinced me to watch "Planes, Trains, and automobiles" again.

[@francisslevin5047]

My babysitter (private daycare) had two of these in the early 90s. Both were exactly like this one. When the first one wore out, she searched for a carbon copy. The first ones 3rd row seat was a blue one out of a junkyard van

[@johnrobinson5156]

Chevy Astro had manual transmission w/ 4.3L V6. 3/4 of 350 V8. Family van that can burn rubber. Add HD springs + tires, it handled well too!

[@WilliamCameron81]

All - wheel drive?

[@daveh2612]

I have an 86 Astro with a 2.5 5spd manual. Moves halfway decent for a 4 cylinder.

[@pices229]

I loved the looks of it. We had one and it never gave us any problems, and it was super practical, whether people hauling, work or camping, that thing just went even with just 4 cylinders and no turbo. It was like part of the family.

[@wayneknodel3347]

While in the car business in the 90's, I took in trade one of these short wheelbase vans (with woodgrain no less) that was actually 8 passenger, because it a bench seat in the front. I wish I'd kept it, because it was in great condition, and I have never seen another so equipped!

[@glocke380]

One big selling point was driving in snow, if you ever drove a RWD van in snow...

[@Henry_Jones]

I had a grand marquis. It was driving 2 cars at rhe same time. Steer the front then countet-steer to get the back end lined back up.

[@kennygee2715]

I drove rear wheel drive vehicles up in New Hampshire. It's not as bad as people say. Remember, before the 80s very few cars were front wheel drive and people got along just fine.

[@megachonk9440]

Yes, I remember borrowing my sister's Aerostar many years ago to move with. I drove it home in a snowstorm with all its back seats removed and no weight at all in the back. That thing was a wild ride. You're probably not supposed to drift a minivan down a highway on-ramp. It was one ridiculous ride home.

[@kennygee2715]

@@megachonk9440 one other thing.. today's RWD cars aren't as bad. they are more balanced as the engines are now aluminum. In the old days the engine was cast iron so the rear was much lighter in comparison to the front end. My Trailblazer is actually quite balanced so in RWD mode it's not bad at all.

[@timblaes7028]

They don't make hot minivans anymore, WHAT? I've got a 2017 Sienna SE Sport turned suspension, Sits an inch lower than the other models, 19'inch gun metal grey wheels. 296 horsepower, 8'speed transmission. 4 perforated leather captains chairs, dual air, Power windows, seats, etc. Magazines have tested it at high 6s to low 7s 0-60 And it looks good doing it.

[@davidparker9676]

I drove my brother's Sienna and was shocked how much torque and HP it had. Very quick van!

[@howebrad4601]

Technically what you have is a minivan but they are way bigger than the original chryslers

[@davidparker9676]

@@howebrad4601 Every car is bigger now. Compare a 1980 Honda Civic to a current one.... totally different cars. the new ones are huge in the same model.

[@megachonk9440]

And... they don't actually make the Sienna like that anymore at all. All trim levels now come with a 245hp turbo 2.5L hybrid powertrain connected to a CVT. Toyota decided with the most recent generation to drop the V6, lower the horsepower, and build a full size minivan that gets 40mpg+ instead. It's still a fairly luxurious vehicle, as are pretty much all minivans still in production, honestly. But it's easily the slowest minivan out there now.

[@megachonk9440]

​@@howebrad4601 As noted in the video, the Corolla is bigger than the OG Chrysler minivans. Those original minivans would seem small compared to current compact cars.

[@maniacjack3700]

I think these minivans were just a great cars. They look nice in my eyes. Had a soft ride like a limousine. And comfortable seats. Could be used as a family or utility car in the same day. Lot of room inside. My chief used it as a family cruiser. Then removed rear seats ad used it as a service car, full of tools. And also pulled trailers. Car of gold.

[@TonyBarr99]

I was an engine design engineer at Chrysler from 1985 until 2009. I remember the 2.5L turbo 5 speed minivan. We had one as a department car and it was such a hoot!

[@Jonathan-bk3dq]

I love the sound of the 2.2/2.5 K engines. Especially with the whinny three speed automatic.

[@FTRV]

I have 4 kids and had even more Caravans. I've owned 5 over the years and loved them. When I had my first two kids I would take the middle seat out and leave the rear seat in the rear. I loved having all that space in front of the rear seat.

[@motorcityrcattack9872]

When i was in my teens I remember these vans. I'll admit I've always been a chevy guy but back in this day I liked the dodge minivans best...especially the turbo version.

I drove a "cargo" version of a 1986 model of these, eight to ten hours, five to six days a week, in Vancouver's horrible traffic, delivering for a boutique bakery, in 1987/88. Never once had a mechanical problem.

[@benjaminepstein5856]

We had an Aerostar with a five speed manual when I was growing up. It was rather bare bones, but it took us all over.

[@DAN-wv6zk]

Just got a 2016 Caravan this summer. Nice, white with the All American Value Package. Sad they don't make these since 2020 now?

[@NathansMoparGarage]

I saw one of these running at the drag strip years ago. It got up and went pretty quick for a van.

[@ivanchester1525]

I feel like Chrysler had a comeback with their minivan in the past few years. They are so highly optioned now and priced a little better than their Japanese counterparts. I grew up going on vacations with my grandparents that owned the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans from the mid 80's through the 2010's. I distinctly remember sleeping behind the front seats on the flat floorboard on a road trip from Tennessee to Massachusetts for multiple hours in comfort when I was a pre-teen in the early 90's. Definitely remember automatic transmissions were an issue on all the models causing my grandad to either cuss the service manager or trade it in for the new model.

[@jeffreytillson3700]

Thanks for mentioning the 1989 transmission issues, that validated a childhood memory! I was 13 years old, learning about the Lemon Law from my dad after our Grand Caravan had two replaced in a fairly short span...

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Yes!...I luckily had the tried and true Torqueflite transmission in my Voyager. Chrysler just HAD to get fancy, and offer a 4 speed...that was a "mini disaster", affecting 15-20% of those minivans.

[@LYNDONGOLDEN]

My first real job, summer 1989, I was 16 years old. I was working for a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership as a service department porter. I was super excited to drive the newly launched turbo minivans. There was something exciting and special about them, especially to a 16-year-old with a brand new drivers license.

[@gregkocher5352]

The caravan had AWD around the early 90s. I was able to find a used 94 awd Astro. Gave it away at 318,000 miles. The awd was great.

[@nicholas5623]

My dad had a mid 90s trade van that he used for a work van and his personal car. We took that poor van to the cottage and back a few times and it was 8+ hours one way. Never left us stuck

[@DrDavidErickson]

I grew up riding in the back of a ‘87. The first year of the extended body, it was produced before it was officially a Grand Caravan and just had Dodge Caravan badges. With the 2.5L and a 5 speed manual it didn’t accelerate quickly, but it could cruise on the highway just fine. I would have loved some turbo, but my father would never have paid for such luxuries. But it was dead nuts reliable and easy to maintain. We drove that thing all over the country, including to Alaska and back one summer. My dad drove it for 18 years and more than 200k miles before buying a 2005 Grand Caravan. And yes, the shifter is the lowest I’ve ever driven. It’s almost at the level of the seat!

[@markcollins457]

The second generation mini vans by Chrysler had the best styling to date. The third and most recent generation looks more like an appliance.

[@johnandrus3901]

Very nice! They were actually very good, utilitarian vehicles and served their purpose quite well. I bought a used one for my out-of-town car and it served me well for a number of years, until the Chicago winters took their toll. It was clean and ran like a top. An excellent video, as always.

[@WydGlydJim]

My racing buddy neighbor had one. I think he would say it was one of his favorite all time vehicles. We were late for a softball tournament one time in a neighboring town, and I remember we made up some time in that little screamer! 😂

[@compu85]

We had a 91 Caravan LE AWD for years. It has the 3.3, long wheelbase, and the Ultradrive. White, gray cladding, and a comfy blue velour interior. The transmission started to act up, and mom promptly sold it.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Starting in 1990, and ending in 2010, my wife and two kids experienced a Plymouth minivan, then a Toyota Sienna van, followed by a FordWindstar van, and finally a KIA Sedona!...My wife and I loved those "people movers", despite folks telling me, that my driving a minivan, meant that I was nothing but a sexless "drone" Dad!.....Well....being a married man generally was thought of the same way, according to my single friends!.....I enjoyed driving those vans, very comfy, pretty reliable, and the FWD was good for getting home, when caught in a rare snowstorm! FWD, and also AWD, are two things I will never not look for, in a car!

[@CParks5784]

Had a 92 grand caravan. 386 k. Never had anything better.

[@glennso47]

I had something that was better because it was a used pos that had been in an accident and had a side door from an older Caravan that needed a separate key to lock it. I was desperate for a vehicle so I bought it when I was young and stupid. It was a great vehicle but I wish I had bought a better one.

[@ronsmith4325]

A friend's parents had one of these back in the day. I loved how you could always hear the Chrysler turbo spool up, sounded like a spaceship to me as a child. My parents also had a 5-speed Mazda MPV in the early 90's. You can't buy a minivan unless it has a CVT these days.

[@ManiaMusicChannel]

I actually like that boxy design, way better than the curvy 90s, 2000s generation

[@J.W.W.]

These were quick

[@tonyelliott7734]

The little Dodge Omni turbo was really quick. With very little modification they would run 13 second quarter mile times. I had one back in the 90s and it hurt a lot of people's feelings 😆 I also had a 71' Z28 at the time that ran a low 12 second quarter mile but I drove the Omni on the weekends more than the Camaro because it was so fun 😂

[@redsoxfan26401]

I remember when my parents bought a 1986 Plymouth Voyager brand new. Ah the memories...

[@barrykochverts4149]

My Dad bought a wheelchair modified minivan of this generation when Mom was in a care home in 2006 so he could take her out for family functions, and it was pretty comfortable and actually felt nimble.

[@judgegixxer]

My father bought an 85’ Grand Caravan brand new. It had the 2.6 Mitsu. It was a a dog. It had no power, blew smoke used oil. He got in a big screaming match at the dealership. Went across the street bought a new iroc and showed up at home with it to my mom’s dismay. My brother and I were all about it. 😂. The minivan was nice though, I liked the interior.

[@Islandcitymedia]

My first van was an 84 dodge mini ram which was a caravan cargo van. It came with no rear windows but mine was a conversion with a bed in the back. Later i got an 89 Plymouth voyager with a manual transmission. I dropped a LeBaron turbo engine in it. I never knew they made a turbo version.

[@jaex9617]

The minivan is still a much better vehicle for what most people *actually* use a vehicle for than most of what's out there today.

[@jhoncho4x4]

My friend had one of these turbo 5 speed mini-vans. With 2 people in the vehicle, it was clunky with cable shift but sporty. Loaded up with people, hot day, and a/c on, made it a total dog that required high octane fuel to prevent engine spark knock.

[@rustyshackleford3649]

My mom had an early year 1987 with the newer style lights, 2.2 and a 5 speed. Rare bird. Lasted 10 years before she upgraded to a newer caravan.

[@jetsons101]

Back when they were sold new, they came with a bag of soccer balls in the back storage area.

[@LilDiabloRob]

Granddad had a V6 FWD and grandma had an outgoing V6 AWD back in the 90s when I was a kid. Seen and heard a turbo manual one at my first job in the early 00s. We all turned our heads thinking it was a Neon SRT 4 at the time but it was the Van. Same color and everything lol

[@Mazalgn9]

I definitely would drive this today!

[@ryanstevens6010]

I have the spiritual successor to this model, namely a 2012 Mazda Mazda5 Sport with the 6-speed manual transmission, a rarity in the US. It’s almost the same size, has similar power (157HP) and, with its multilink rear suspension, is an absolute joy to drive through the twisties, with surprisingly neutral handling. It’s pretty peppy, and the smooth MZR engine loves to zing up to 6,000 RPM. I will never part with this car - it’s just that good. Although I like the beige interior on mine, I’d love to have a dark red interior like the one on this featured van. That color reminds me of the interior in the Rabbit GTI I had back in the ‘80s, my first ‘real’ car.

[@kroge007]

Had the Plymouth Voyager and loved that van.

[@stephendeluca4479]

I am not a mom nor do I have any interest in soccer, but I have been a Caravan/Grand Caravan driver since 1998. The price is right. They are comfortable, reliable, versatile, boringly unobtrusive vehicles. Great for long trips, short trips, medium trips. Good visibility, good enough acceleration. Foldaway seats are great. Chrysler made a mistake discontinuing them. They sold a steady 100k + plus each year.

[@frankraniere6103]

I owned an 88 Voyager and it was my first minivan but the best of 3 different ones I had. I also had an 88 Aerostar which was a tough hauler. I moved family members several times and it handled it perfectly. But it was helpless in snow. My 3rd minivan was a Mercury (Nissan) Villager. That one was pretty good too. The original Chrysler minivans should have been kept close to the original platform and size. My Voyager was very comfortable but my Aerostar had air ride seats! It was a great long distance runner with 145 horsepower 3 liter Vulcan V-6.

[@JeffW77]

I was in Anaheim, CA having dinner and reading a car magazine. There was an article about these new minivans. I thought, "Well, this is really cool." Memory is fuzzy, the Mazda Miata may have been introduced in same magazine--either R&T or C-D. Then a few years later, there is a scene in David Halberstam's "The Reckoning" about how Hal Sperlich and Lee Iacocca adapted Ford's unused plans for a minivan. Ben Bidwell, ex-Ford and now Chrysler was having dinner and spotted Gene Bordinat of Ford a few tables away. Bidwell wrote a note and had waiter deliver to Bordinat: "Gene--Thanks for the minivan. It was very generous of you. We'll do 160,000 pieces this year." Halberstam devotes several pages to the minivan in that book. One of my favorite sections.

[@metal--babble346]

stick shift old Plymouth minivans are SUPER FUN to drive