At this time of year, it’s natural to get a bit nostalgic. When it comes to vehicles that bring us back – way back – the minivan is a source of memories, good and bad, for many of us. Chrysler obviously put the minivan on the map in a big way back in the 1980s, and this 1988 Plymouth Voyager is one of the best we’ve seen in some time. It’s amazing: for a car that was once everywhere, we hardly see these classic people-haulers come up for sale. Check it out here on eBay with bids to just $345.00.
That bid number shocks me as it’s rare to see a no reserve listing starting so low, and on top of that, to not see more action for this minivan at the moment. Spend any amount of time in Facebook groups that celebrate vehicles from the 1980s and you’ll see lots of enthusiasts eager to see preserved examples of the Caravan and Voyager hoisted up as examples of everything that was good with the era in which they came of age. The woodgrain paneling was practically a Chrysler product staple at the time, and the paneling on this van is in unusually good condition.
The listing notes this Voyager was used by an older gentleman prior to his passing and that the family didn’t want much to do with the van afterwards. That’s a shame, as it appears there is plenty of life left in this Voyager. Of course, that’s the problem with hoping your family will be as interested in your vehicle(s) after you’re gone as you were – most of the time, it’s just a nuisance to them. Mileage is listed as 162,000 but this minivan presents as though it has half that mileage.
The cabin is cavernous and can certainly be used in ways that don’t directly involve families or kid transport. Anyone who has a business involving doing work on site or showcasing products and wares can get a ton of use out of a van like this, and I immediately think of artists and craftsworkers who attend fairs and shows on the weekend. This Voyager would be a draw in and of itself to any pop-up stand or booth, not to mention incredibly useful for transporting knick-knacks back and forth. And if bidding stays as cheap as it is right now, you’re well ahead of the cost of renting a U-Haul a few times.
I have to say this, if this was near me, I’d be driving it by now. 1st, and foremost, it’s from Cal. You simply won’t find them much anywhere else. Not so much SW states, but Cal. because of its sheer number of people. I’m sure minivans arrived by the train load then.
I had the Dodge version, I can’t praise it enough. The mileage doesn’t scare me, all my vans went well over 200K, and not one head gasket issue! If someone took this good of care on the outside, I’m sure it’s well maintained, the utmost key to longevity. As of this writing, it’s up to a whopping $1039, going up in dollar increments, no doubt, probably the cheapest drivable vehicle to come out of that place, but hey, looks really good to me.
I’m telling ya’, don’t dawdle here, you won’t find a nicer one, any closer, it would be mine. FOR A GRAND??!!?? Heck, I could sleep in this on my future travels, if any. It’s an awesome find, not the vehicle so much, just the deal here.
Hey Howard – maybe I didn’t read the listing close enough but it looks like the van is in Tacoma, WA – unless you called the seller and found out it has a California history, of course!
Oops, thanks, I thought it was a Cal. plate, but can apply to any west coast area. Most of what I said can be salvaged, however,, :)
(Over $2000 already) One of the greatest features on one was the adjustable pedals. This must have been great for all the soccer moms and was the only way my short neighbor could have driven it. The power door mechanism were a pain but the drivetrain seemed bullet proof.
Good write-up Jeff. I thought your ‘Facebook group’ comment was interesting. I’m thinking about full-size wagons of the 60’s-70’s, Ford Country Squires probably being the best examples, and how they have become collectible over the past decade. Maybe it is time for the equivalent quintessential family vehicle of subsequent decades, the Chrysler minivan, to enter the same status?
Great looking example, it sure looks like less mileage. Love the red cloth interior. I’d say you could be the hit at Cars & Coffee, maybe park it next to a Pinto for double “we used to have one of these” effect.
As Howard said this is a good find. If it looks this good visually it’s probably the same mechanically. This was the second year of the 3.0 V6 which changed the minivan forward. This is a top of the line LE although you could get the wood tone on an SE back then. I’m kinda surprised to see that it’s only a 5-passenger. I wonder if the 2-passenger seat is stored or lost.
The interior looks luxurious. BUT, always detested VANS, which have evolved into SUVS and crossovers now ruling the roads. Personally believe they caused death of the station wagon. Now my beloved formal luxury sedans are rare! As I understand, Vans were classified as trucks and exempt from CAFE regulations! Don’t tell me an Escalade or Navigater is really suitable for formal events!
Well, Rick, station wagons were gasping for breath, and on the way out anyway. A new form of station wagon was needed, and Chrysler stole the show. So much so, the others didn’t even bother until Toyota changed all that. In Wis., if there were more seats for passengers than for cargo, it had a car plate, but no seats, you could get a truck plate for the same cost.
I tried to order the Dodge version right after I’d read Chrysler started production on them. The Dodge dealer knew nothing about them, so I went to the Plymouth dealer and ordered one with almost every option they offered (except the wood grain) and with the Mitsubishi motor. Back then it was the only Chrysler minivan we’d see for close to a year. Drove it from NH to FL with wife and 4 kids in the back many times. My oldest daughter totaled it after 8 years and about 120,000 miles. Still no rust on it when it went to the scrap yard.
Owned 5 over 30 years. V6 was a great improvement over either 4. One got hit by a neighbor’s tree, karate chopped it, other 4 topped 200,000 miles before rust got them (New England), but never replaced an exhaust system. First one, 2.2 liter, almost as slow as a VW bus, sometimes would not run if engine was wet, like when rain splashed up under hood, after about 50,000 miles, dealer never figured out why, computer or sensor issue, just kept a distance from car in front of me on we roads or took my much maligned Cimmaron.
The distributor was mounted on the LH side (front) of the engine with a rubber shield to guard against moisture. My 81 Horizon would stall in the rain from new. When fully warmed up it ran fine. Endured a lot of jokes about how Chryslers don’t run in the rain. After I did the first tune up the problem was fixed. New cap.
Ah white van with wood grain The old man next door would say look that refrigerator is still in the crate
Family Memories! We bought a 1985 Dodge Caravan when my wife was pregnant and 4 years later ordered a 1989 Plymouth Voyager LE, all tricked out. We kept the Voyager for 11 years and then sold it to friends and it soldiered on for another 5 or 6. The best family van ever made, reliable, had enough power with the V6, and we even towed a boat to the beach. It is in countless family photographs and it was a perfect ride for out family until the kids were gone. One of the best, if not the best, niche vehicles ever made.
The Mall/Grocery store parking lots used to be completely filled with these vans, mixed in the Toyota Camrys, and Ford Tempos/Escorts, Aerostars, & Astro vans. The 80’s were a fun time.
I’m really disappointed to see people wanting to press survivors like this into daily driver status. These things are like tundra-preserved wooly mammoths. If you were to find a live one, you’d pamper if, not use it for your daily commute.
If you ever had one of those Mopar vans of that era you know how pleasant they were on the highway. They rode and drove good. This one looks like it has been loved and taken good care of. It is the short wheel base model and it has a hitch on it so must have towed something, although probably not something heavy. I got the following from the EBay ad: “factory AC but was removed long ago for emissions exemption”. ???
I had a 1988 Plymouth Voyager. Claret Red with red interior. It was my first ever new car and I loved it. Drove her until early 1996 and the transmission was slow to shift. I wanted to fix it but my wife said no. We bought a 1996 Chrysler T&C stretch next. The Plymouth had 80,000 miles; the Chrysler had 212,000 when the struts were badly rusted. My mechanic said it’s time. Terrific vehicles!
I have driven these since the 90’s, corporate job with minivan company vehicles.
now I drive my moms old van, 2000 Plymouth Voyager SE fixed up as temporary transportation after a bad actor totaled [hit and run] my sweet daily driver 2001 BMW 330ci.
my brother had ran it low on oil, and I replaced the engine 3.3 with a reman, still going strong after 45k miles as the bad weather/working on anything filthy get in and go vehicle
Just threw new inner/outer tie rods/front struts/rear shocks on it
drives fantastic
I’d like 1 but the astro, w/turtle top, 17s, and the AWD.
OR
a 1st gen cheb (’64/5/6) loos like the Subi’s bigger bro, not dad (108 inch WB).
Infact I guess I’d like any other van…
Sprinter, tranit, transit connect,
commer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commer_FC
furgoncino: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobianchi_Bianchina#/media/File:Autobianchi_Bianchina_Furgoncino_tetto_basso.JPG
and so on…
just ungreatful I guess~
In the mid to late ’90’s, I was delivery driver for a pharmacy that made regular, daily runs to nursing homes. The pharmacy purchased a new ’94 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.3 liter V6. It was normally used for the longest route, accumulating some 400 miles on weekdays, 200 on weekend days. By ’99, it reached 325,000 miles and had needed only tire, battery, brake replacements and one alternator. Driving it was a pleasure and confidence inspiring as it was extremely surefooted in Wisconsin snow.
Nothing screams the 80s like one of these or a 5.0 Mustang. Everyone had one or a family member, friend, neighbor.
It has been listed twice on ebay and the recent winning bidder made a comment that anyone interested in purchasing BEWARE.