It is your decision, if you need minivan space and can’t go above 30K this is a fine option. Unfortunately, with the reduced number of manufactures making minivans and the seeming lack of concern about producing enough minivans, the prices are high. For minivan pricing and your budget, the Dodge is probably about the best you are going to do.
Now, I am normally a big fan of minivans. However, my only comment would be decide if you really need the space for two kids. For not that much more per month you could get into a new base trim Ascent or Traverse, which will likely have a much lower total cost of ownership.
Thank you for the affirmation of the dodge being about the best I can do. I looked into a Traverse, and actually test drove one, but the back seat is difficult to get to compared to a minivan with 2 car seats in the middle row. My in laws frequently are with us in the car- and at least the back row is an actual seat with leftover room for a real trunk.
Normally I wouldn’t either but welcome to 2023- The land of produce less cars, charge more per car, and make the same profit! Honestly this car probably cost about this new but nothing I can do about it. Throw in 5%+ interest rates and here we are.
The reality is that fed rates really should be closer to 10% prime or higher to put a choke on IRL inflation (as opposed to the Potemkin numbers parroted by propagandists)
It’s all a math equation to get to a certain profit per car. A educated buyer needs to see what rebate they are offering for financing at that rate and figure out if they are better off doing that, holding the loan for a month or two and then refinancing at say Pen Feds ~6% rate or foregoing a potential rebate and financing new from PenFed at about ~5.5%.
True points and yeah, re-fi is always an option a few months in. I was just more shocked at such a high rate on a new car, where typically you’d see lower rates which act as an incentive on their own. I guess thats not necessary with a 9-12 month waiting list.
@Walper You might as well get yourself a new Ram 1500 at this point. Plenty of space for your 2 kids and strollers and it’ll be way cheaper .
I love minivans as much as the next guy but I think this thread is less about having a problem with carmax and more about whether you’ve landed on the right vehicle. I tend to agree that if space for two kids and their stuff is the concern there are many other options out there that don’t involve buying a used Dodge Caravan (that was almost certainly a former rental and beat on accordingly).
Go out of state and/or find a Honda dealer with lower fees. Maybe @mani_is_kool can help?
I recently did a 4 day minivan rental with a Chrysler Voyager (rebadged Pacifica) and was once again reminded of how CJDR minivans always have the worst seats in the segment, going back 20+ years.
I communicated with Mani years ago before Covid, that’s a blast from the past name I didn’t know he was still in the biz. I just reached out again- thank you for the suggestion!
Unfortunately not able to help at this time. Too many people overpaying on everything here in S. Florida which screws everything for the rest of us. But why are you comparing a used 2020 to a brand new Odyssey or Sienna?
OP, rather than shopping a 2020 Caravan, have you looked into a 2017 -18 Sienna or Odyssey pricing ? See what you can find on that side. Reliability wise, you will be ahead of the caravan, pricewise maybe factor in the extra warranty your adding to the caravan which you may not need on the Odyssey or Sienna.
Also, when shopping at Carmax, understand you are going to pay a hefty premiuim on the price of the car (no wonder their warranty is cheap). Instead try searching at brand make dealers which have non-matching brands standing. For example, VW dealer with an Odyssey or Sienna listed ( Yes ! Few folks have been lucky)
Dont be stuck with shopping in S. FL. You can always fly out to a neighbouring state and drive the car down. My first swapalease for a family member back in 2011 was Dodge Grand Caravan lease which I picked up in Connecticut and drove down to Fort Lauderdale . Not saying you have to go that far but just dont narrow your search radius to Sfl at this time.
A RAM 1500 can be ordered with the front bench seat (I own one and love the front seating room) and can seat 6 if the person sitting in the front middle is no taller than 5’8". 2 car seats in back. 1 in-law in back, 1 in front, wife snuggled up next to you in middle seat. If anyone gets too rowdy, threaten to throw them in the bed. Lockable tonneau cover to keep the strollers out of the elements.
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which I picked up in Connecticut and drove down to Fort Lauderdale 
. Not saying you have to go that far but just dont narrow your search radius to Sfl at this time.