Buying a used Chrysler Voyager (1997-2008)

As the days of big, inefficient passenger cars faded, North American motorists began to embrace different designs. At one extreme was the single-cab pickup, at the other the minivan with space for up to nine passengers.

Throughout the 1980s, Chrysler had been a pioneer of the North American minivan movement. During that time, export-market Voyagers were derived from the box-like Dodge Caravan. Then in 1996 arrived the third-generation version -- handsome, spacious and very well-equipped.

Within months of the new model’s release, right-hand drive versions built in Austria were en route to Australia. They soon delivered viable competition for Japanese-sourced passenger vans.

The 1997 Voyager range began with a short-wheelbase $45,000 SE and ran through to the Grand Voyager LE at $53,800. Most significant in defining basic and Grand versions was a 152mm increase in wheelbase for improved passenger legroom.

The Voyager range was powered by a durable and torquey 3.3-litre V6, with four-speed automatic transmission mandatory. At 116kW the Voyager V6 had only slightly more power than a four-cylinder Honda Odyssey but delivered 25 per cent more torque. This translated into decent low-speed acceleration and the ability to tow without frantic grabbing for lower gears whenever a hill loomed.

The basic SE was equipped with dual airbags, antilock brakes, power front windows and air-conditioning. Stepping up to the longer Grand Voyager delivered additional space but little else to justify the $5000 price jump. For better equipment in an LWB Voyager, buyers had to cough up for an LE version with leather seat trim, alloy wheels, power front seats, remote locking and roof-racks.

Sold from 1998-2000 and at almost $60,000, the rare LE LTD delivered an even more sumptuous interior with a six-stack CD system and 10 speakers dotted throughout its cavernous interior.

The RG Voyager arrived in mid-2001 and introduced a more powerful version of the 3.3-litre engine alone with a new grille and larger headlights. Side-front airbags across the range, a CD stacker and interior upgrade for the SE, were welcome additions. However, by 2004 the basic price had increased to almost $54,000.

From 2002 until 2006, all-wheel drive was optional on the Limited model. With no extra power to counteract the additional weight and prices that originated at $76,000 (then climbed to $79,000 and slipped eventually to $72,000) buyers and finance companies weren’t filled with confidence and very few AWD Voyagers were sold.

The updated RG model delivered from 2005 brought serious improvements to equipment and safety features. These are the Voyagers to choose if funds allow.

A new seating system made the RG Upgrade a far more versatile vehicle than before. A power increase to 128kW helped cope with weight that, in Limited trim, topped 1860kg. Rear disc brakes which had been available on the Grand Voyager since 2001finally made their way to the entire range.

By this time the base model SE cost $55,000 but included dual-zone air-conditioning and a trip computer. Buyers who jumped to the LX or Grand Voyager enjoyed the convenience of powered side doors which could be opened by remote control. Inside a Grand Voyager SE was a luscious combination of leather and timber, airbags everywhere, heated rear seats and self-levelling rear suspension.

Strangely there was no reversing camera but from 2005-06 a Vision version was available with Parking Distance Control and DVD screens.

Despite all of the extra gear being packed inside Voyagers of all kinds, continual price rises saw 2007 sales down by 60 per cent on the model’s 2002 peak, when more than 1200 were delivered.

Inside is plenty of space for seven passengers and a decent amount of luggage. Alternately, the rear pair of seats can be removed completely to provide a massive cargo space. The ‘Stow ‘n Go’ seating system available from 2004 provided a claimed 256 combinations of interior layout and also collapsed the rear rows into sub-floor bins so the passenger area became a monster cargo platform.

Typically American suspension saw the rear axle supported by single leaf springs while the hard-working front-end used struts and coil springs. As the front tyres need to steer, transmit power and handle the majority of the braking effort, tyre life will typically be less than 30,000km.

Ride quality even with a load aboard is very good and compensates for handling that can see the monster van lurch and lean in tight bends. Up-spec models with larger, lower-profile tyres should deal better with Australian conditions than early versions.

Brakes are a Voyager weak point. All versions came standard with antilock brakes but drum rear brakes on SEs (and pre-2001 Grand Voyagers) can overheat during long descents or when the vehicle is heavily laden. The brake pedal even on a good day is typically mushy and can get scarily ‘long’ once the system starts suffering heat stress.

The car-like driving position should accommodate most people and forward vision is excellent.

External mirrors need to be properly adjusted as LWB Voyagers are 5.1 metres long and almost two metres wide. Be warned -- snagging panels when negotiating narrow carpark ramps or tree-lined driveways isn’t difficult.

Airbags were standard from the outset but that didn’t save early Voyagers from poor scores in crash tests around the world. Improvements to structural integrity, interior layout and passive safety systems in post-2004 models have seen the car rate better against other models in their category.

Fuel consumption averages 15L/100km but when carrying a full passenger load or towing can get well into the 20-25L/100km bracket. The 75-litre tank really isn’t adequate for the distances Australians like to cover between fuel stops.

>>If the transmission is slow when slotting from a forward gear to reverse or hesitates when upshifting under full throttle there is a problem that could be very costly to repair.

>>Check the timing cover, cylinder-heads and bottom edge of the transmission/engine joint for oil leaks. Coolant leaks from the heads denote possible gasket failure and a Voyager to avoid.

>>Forward weight bias and a hard-working front suspension will chop out bushes and ball joints. In addition front tyres can be expected to last 30-40,000km but inner edge scuffing due to suspension wear can halve that distance.

>>Operate the rear doors and tailgate several times to make sure that slides aren’t binding and the locking mechanism activates every time. Remote-opening doors can suffer electrical problems.

>>Trim quality isn’t up to Japanese standards so look for worn and broken interior plastics. Make sure all of the seat belts deploy and retract as they should and that the webbing hasn’t been jammed under a seat or in a door and been damaged.

USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design & Function: 14/20?
Safety: 12/20?
Practicality: 16/20?
Value for Money: 15/20?
Wow Factor: 9/20?
SCORE: 66/100

ALSO CONSIDER: Toyoya Tarago, Honda Odyssey, Mitsubishi Grandis