Trims

• The 1989 Dodge Caravan had three trims: C/V, base and SE. For that model year, the "Extended" designation was introduced, increasing the number of minivan size options from two to three. The "Grand" versions were thus the largest Caravans consumers could purchase.
  
  

Main Features

• Depending on trim, the 1989 Dodge Caravan had engine choices of a 2.5-liter 100-horsepower in-line four-cylinder, a 3-liter 141-horsepower V-6 and a 3.3-liter 141-horsepower V-6. The engines were paired with a three-speed or a four-speed automatic transmission. The '89 Caravan was a three-door vehicle and rode on 14-inch wheels.
  
  

Performance

• With a 20-gallon gas tank--only the base trim got one with a 15-gallon capacity--the 1989 Caravan had a fuel economy range of 18 to 21 mpg for city driving and 23 mpg for highway driving. For the 1989 Caravan, Dodge introduced an optional turbocharged 2.5-liter 150-horsepower engine, which it produced in limited quantities and allegedly could enable the Caravan to cover a quarter-mile distance in around 13 seconds.
  
  

Reception

• Reception of the 1989 Dodge Caravan has been mixed. While some people have praised it as a solidly built vehicle, the '89 Caravan--like all other entries before and after it--does not have a sterling reliability track record. Car editors at Edmunds.com in particular skipped the first generation of Caravans altogether in their overview of the vehicle, and noted that the pioneering minivan was overtaken within a few years by emerging competition.
  
  

Price and Availability

• When the 1989 Dodge Caravan was released, it had an original manufacturer's suggested retail price range of $11,157 to $16,462. Due to its age, it is exceedingly rare in the used car market. As of June 2010, one can be found within the $500 to $1,000 range.