Ddid they ever figure out the transmission?

Make sure the car has the right Chrysler fluid with no additives.

94 was the year that Chrysler made the big improvements. But past maintenance is everything. Especially that service was done and the right type of fluid was used. Use of the wrong fluid will cause the clutches to slip and die real quick.

My understanding was that the final wrinkles were worked out in models shipped after 2000. With anything that is still "factory" prior to that, you take your chances.

To my knowledge and observations, the newer the trans, the better it was likely built at the factory.

I had a 1994 GC, and I concur with what others say about past maintenance. The previous owner of my 1994 GC did NOT do any maintnenace to the trans, and then did a patch job on it to sell it. Even the guys who rebuilt it the first time screwed up. Fortunately for me, it blew up while on warranty, and they rebuilt it right the second time.

I would be very cautious of buying anything older than 2001. I know how much I spent on maintenance of my 1994, and it was nuts.

Since my 1994 was hit by a 16 yr old and written off by the insurance comapny, I took a bath on all that hard work.

I now own a 2002 GC, which I was offered an extended warranty on for a price of $2000. I purchased that warranty, and am I ever glad I did! So far, the warranty has covered just over $5000 in repairs in about 8 months. That is over 1/2 the purchase price of the van.

So even newer vans seem to be built - to put it politely - "cheaply".

A thorough mechanical inspection is definitely in order prior to purchase. But if I were you....

There is little difference in "book value" between a similarly equipped 1996 and a 1998. If you already have a 1996 and have kept it well maintained, then you are probably better of to keep it rather than take a chance on how a 1998 MAY have been maintained. That is, unless there is something about the 1996 that you do not like or is a potential show-stopper. But you have already rebuilt the trans. If it was rebuild correctly, and you maintian it properly, then you should have many years of trouble-free operation (from the trans!).

hth

My '95 LH experiences bear that out; the transmission is still as good as new, but it likes Chrysler's service on time. Also my friends '96 van transmission is fine.