By the end of the 1970s, Chrysler Corp. needed more than a government bailout to keep them afloat. They needed products that the public would buy. First came the K-Car, Chrysler’s first go at FWD economy automobiles. Then the minivan was introduced, which started something of a competitive revolution. The seller has a low-mileage second-generation minivan, a 1994 Plymouth Voyager. With three rows of seating, this is a surprising survivor in Elgin, Illinois, and is available here on Cars and Bids, where the current bid is $3,200 with no reserve. Thanks for the tip, Barn Finder Barney!
Chrysler president Lee Iacocca had a knack for developing cars that would sell. He did it at Ford with the Mustang in 1965, then at Chrysler with the K-Car in 1981. But the minivan might be the biggest success story, starting with the Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country in 1984. These vehicles were much smaller than regular vans, yet more functional than station wagons, which would eventually be killed off as a genre by the minivan that every manufacturer would begin to offer.
Finished in Radiant Red, this ’94 Voyager looks just like one we had back in the day. Ours had a beige interior instead of the grey here, and it may have had a V6 instead of the 2.5-liter 4-banger in the seller’s van. You don’t see many of these 30-year-old mini’s anymore because they were used up hauling kids to soccer practice. So, finding a Voyager with 32,000 miles might qualify as rare.
This one comes with an accident-free Carfax report indicating a gentler life than many of these Plymouths probably had. It comes with three rows of seating, and with the back two removed, a lot of storage space is available. This van was built in the early days of airbags, something only some of the passengers benefited from at the time. This Mopar has a few little nicks and chips, but nothing that is likely to be bothersome. It has a few new parts, including belts, tires, a tune-up, and a fluids change, so it should be ready to go at a cheap wheels price tag.
My in-laws had two of these vans. One like the subject van, and a later model 2007 unit. Both were (are) excellent vehicles. Mom no longer drives at 92, so my wife drives the van now. It has 71,000 miles.
I’ve done the brakes, alternator, fan resistor, and last week the window regulator. They are easy cars to work on.
Thanks Dixon. Rex I believe our buddy Howard had one of these also. I like the back seats out option.
The new owner stole this Plymouth with this mileage and condition it’s like brand new. I told my wife if I saw this before it was sold. I would of place a bid and buy it. It’s worth it. I had them in the pass and miss them. I loved taking long trips in them. Never got tried driving them. The four cylinder gets great gas mileage. It’s not the fastest, but it will get you from a to b with no issues. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
We had 4 of these in the family at various times 2 Caravans, 1 Voyager and 1 Town and Country. The Voyager and one of the Caravans were 4cyl. with 5 speed sticks, one Caravan was a 3.0 and auto. and the Chrysler was a 3.3 and fully loaded with wood paneling on the sides. They were all 1992 to 1994 model years. All good vehicles but the 4cyl. 5speeds were my favorites. My wife has a 2008 Grand Caravan now, not a bad vehicle but I think I will always like these better. Somebody got a good deal with this one.
The 2.5 was a good engine, but the 3.0 V6 was a better option.
The memories are strong with this one. A teenaged me worked at a Chrysler store when these were new. My favourite was my boss’ demo, two tone ice blue with grey cladding on the bottom and aluminum rims. It was a Grand Caravan with blue velour seats.
This Plymouth minivan is FAR better than the new ones. This one is smaller. It’s affordable. It held a lot. It’s frugal. It was well built. It was gasoline powered. Their current one is NONE of those things. What happened to reliable and affordable CARS and trucks? What happened to Plymouth? I see dealer lots crammed full of expensive and huge vehicles. They aren’t moving. America needs new automobile companies that will build what we want to buy!
i find it hard to believe that 94 mini vans are now considered a listing worthy to be on barn finds. not every 25+ year old car built is listing worthy. very disappointing
I wish there were more of these vans on barn finds. I would LOVE to find another low mileage 2005-2007 with stow and go. I bought my last one in Alabama (I live in Illinois) from the original owner with 60k miles on it. These year vans in Illinois rust SO bad it’s hard to find a good one in the rust belt
Apparently, 18 commenters so far disagree with you. For the most part, variety is loved here at BF.
In response to hairyolds68’s comments: I don’t see any published criteria for inclusion in Barn Finds….and I find that kind of refreshing. But, feel free to comment if you disagree: again, something I like about Barn Finds. Having said all that, I appreciate all the contributors who comment on some aspect of the vehicles, whether positive or negative. To the editors and writers and commenting community: thank you all for making this a great site.
PS: I owned a ’92 Caravan 5 speed, 4 cylinder. It had more sport and more utility than a lot of so-called real SUVs. A careful study of it is worth the ink.
The best family transportation of all time. We started with an 85 Caravan and four years later bought a 89 Grand Voyager LE. The only issue, after 10 years of ownership, was changing the head gasket. It was reliable, and the V6 had the power you needed. It went to the beach, the mountains, was good in the winter conditions of the Sierra’s and the interior layout was perfect for our family. I heard a rumor that the minivan was coming back. I hope so. It was a hell of a value and one of my 3 favorite rides of all time, because it was so damn perfect for families.
nothing sez ‘im a real man’ like driving 1 of these ugly boxes does while blowing blue smike all over vehicles following this ‘beauty’…
That is not very nice.And blue smoke?….any vehicle can be abused or neglected….what A holes call “deferred maintenance “…to achieve thst
I’m thinking (hoping) flying Dawgs is being sarcastic….
I had a 1995 Dodge Caravan with the 3.6 V6, it was a great vehicle and required no major repairs. At 225,000 miles traded it for a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country which also logged over 200,000 miles with no major repairs. 2009 traded the T&C for a Dodge Nitro which was also a 200,000 mile plus vehicle with no major issues Wish I had the Vans back. Chrysler still has a Van, Pacifica which starts in the mid 40’s and a Voyager which starts in the high 30’s. Both out of my price range Both are twice as pricey as either of the vans I purchased new.
I owned 2 minivans, a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan and a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Both had the 3.3 Ltr V-6. The 96 had the same seating as this vehicle and the 99 had 2 captain chairs in the middle row. I loved both of my minivans. I’m not sure what it is called, but if you stepped on the gas hard from a stop, the right front tire would spin and pull you to the right. I drove 7, 2016 Chrysler Pacifica’s when I was working as test driver/evaluater. All 7 had the same problem with the right front tire. I thought Chrysler would have fixed that problem in 20 years.
Never was a Mopar fan. When Jimmy Carter/US bailed them out and gave them their second chance they made America proud. Economy, reliability and innovation. These vans were emulated by American and Japanese competitors. I owned two minivans and both were great products. If it had not been for the Chrysler Product turnaround and the minivan innovation, those Challengers, Chargers, Rams and Hellcats of today might not exist. Hats off to all those American workers at Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth Products that showed up and turned it around. Go Red White and Blue
Owned 5. Ordered an ’84 on faith, but friend’s K car station wagon had been a good buy. 2.2 liter 4, 5 speed, a dog, but a nice friendly, helpful, comfortable dog, like a golden retriever. Went 220,000 miles. Replaced by a series of 90’s, all used, with V6. Except for one hit by a tree in a windstorm, all went over 200,000. Bought a 2000, new, with leather. The best of all of them. Bought an ’06 used, had been flooded, only one that rusted out in New England. Eventually when it looked like none of my kids would be having kids, I said that is it, I was going to buy a 2 seater, got my Allante (but a 4runner with jump seats for 2 in the way-back now fits the grandkids.) Now, even with the V6 they do not have the acceleration or gas milage that even a Nissan Sentra has now for acceleration or an Audi Q5 has for gas milage.
SOLD for $5,200.
My parents owned a string of these starting from the very beginning – none of which ever gave them any major issues.
They had moved to these from the old style Plymouth Voyager and this was a huge step in the right direction for family haulers that could be used for long road trips in comfort.
These surely began the death knell of the station wagon.
5200 seems like one hell of a bargain, especially considering the price of new vehicles nowadays.
About 6 years ago, I was up in Columbus working, when a 2004 Volvo V-70 wagon crossed my screen. It was listed on Craigslist for $3000, with 70K miles on the clock. My wife loves her Volvo wagons and was looking to replace the one she was driving. The CL wagon was damn near perfect, so I snatched it up for $3K. 6 years later it’s rust-free, runs and looks like new, and was paid off right from the beginning.
I bought a 2004 XC70 about 7 years ago for $4K, with ~140K on it. Just sold it for $1K a couple months ago with 285K on it. Great cars, just take care of them.
Bought a 94 with the 3.3 new. Very nice vehicle, we got ours after our second kid was born. You can not beat a minivan for practicality. I spec’d the high end sound system, and it really hit hard if you wanted it to. However the trans went south at a bit over 100K. I think this was relatively common. I had it fixed, but sold it soon after.