Any of you have Chevy Astro vans? I’m considering trading in my big pickup truck for a smaller cargo van, but wonder how reliable they are. I don’t put a lot of miles on the work rig, less than 10,000 a year, but occasionally need it for a long trip, so it has to be reliable. And it needs to carry lumber from time to time, so I’ll need a roof rack that can hold several hundred pounds… and sheet goods have to go in the bed.
My current rig is a Dodge 2500 4×4, which can haul anything but sucks down the gas and at 105,000 miles I’m afraid it’s reached the really expensive part of its life cycle. Already had to replace the engine, now worried about the tranny… I live in a remote area, nearest garage is 45 min away, nearest Chevy dealer shop is 2 hours… so avoiding trips to the shop is a big priority.
I’d be interested to hear from Astro owners, what model year you have, how long you’ve had it, how many miles you’ve put on it, and how reliable it has been for you. TIA!
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” A. Einstein
Replies
AW,
I too was in your shoes. However, for me, I ended up with a E-150 cargo van. I went for a used one that I purchased at a dealer. I got a 99 cargo van with 50,000 miles for $9,300. It's full size, holds more when I need it and does not burn much more gas than the Astro.
When you consider them new... the Astro is usually only a $1,000 less that a full size. That's what I found a few years back anyway.
______________________________________________________
Joe B.
Full House Remodeling &
JPB Systems LLC. - Remodeling Marketing Tactics
RemodelingRiches.com
I have a '94 Astro. I think it's a great work vehicle.. I've got a rack that will hold 400# which I mostly use for ladders and lumber. The bed will hold 4x8 sheetgoods (though not much--limited to about a 3 or 4" stack).
My problem was in buying it with 119,000 miles already on it. Do NOT do this. In two years, I've spent over $4,000 in repairs on top of the $6500 I paid for the thing in the first place. Astros are very expensive to work on as the motor is absolutely inaccessible. A tune up will run you near a thousand dollars.
I'll probably buy another much newer one this summer. I recommend the same.
One other thing: my model weighs in over 6500 pounds...which means I was able to take the 179 deduction on it and write the whole thing off in one year . Kinda nice.
I've got the GMC variant..Safari. ALL WHEEL DRIVE..if it did not have the AWD I would be driving something else..my last van was also a Safari..(86 I think) and would slip in wet grass..it blew a head gasket at 187,000 miles, and leaked every fluid like a seive. A total POS..bought it used for 2500.00.
This one a 96 has 190,000 on the eng. and drivetrain..all Ihad to replace was the front pumkin when it lunched a seal, and ran dry.
The 4.3 L V6 is good motor, and I did replace a fuel rail and EGR valve..other than that it is reliable and the body is in good shape..it has not seen road salt very much. I don't have a HD roof rack partially cuz I don't always need one singin in the wind, and second I have a ladder rack on my one ton truck..but, with no drip rails the roof racks are limited.
I drove 300 miles with a load of lumber flatstacked from floorboard to top of the dash..even took out the passenger seat to fit all in..drove like a dream. And still got 15+ MPG on the Hiway. That had to be almost a ton of semi green wood.
I'm still convinced a van is the way to go, and I like the size of the Astro/Safari..not a full size truck frame, and better than a true MiniVan..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
What kind of mileage does the AWD get? I would really prefer that over a front drive. How reliable is the AWD - any problems with CV joints etc? I have a Subie with about 175K on it and the AWD has been great, after the original CV boots were replaced.
Like you, I think this is a good size, especially if I can get 10' sticks in it. I'll check with a local guy who makes custom aluminum racks and see if he's ever put one on an Astro. But I've been caught in unexpected rainstorms a couple times with a load of KD hardwood on my rack, and it would be really nice not to repeat that experience.
I see an ad for a 2000 Astro AWD for $11,000. Mileage not given, so hard to tell if this is decent price or not. Anything in particular I should watch out for?
Thanks for all the information! What is a "front pumkin," btw?"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
Milage averages 22 Hiway (empty) 18 moderate load..beating around town..15 to 18.
The front pumpkin IS the allwheel part..that year they were all REAR drive..this is a front differential with its own driveshaft off the transfer case . It is AWD all the time, not selective.And it is true ALL wheel, not 2 limited slip differentials.
just the other day gassin up another builder was filling his Chevy and was aking about the AWD Safari..told him the exact same I told you..
I really can't get this stuck, without doing something real stupid.
If that astro has low enough miles go for it..great vans.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Edited 6/1/2004 7:58 am ET by SPHERE
I have a 93, had an 89 with 225,000. It was still running great, but it seemed like I was pushing my luck on long trips so got rid of it.
Present owner still driving it with no probs.
Think the next one will have the dutch doors, I think sheet goods can go in through there and hang out, long stuff too.
Joe H
I've got a pick-up now and am moving to a van...hopefully by the end of the year. I'd love to buy a Dodge Sprinter, especially with the fuel prices. I'll probably try to find an off lease van with as low as miles as possible.....
jocobe
We have a 96 Astrovan - we've put 130,000 miles on it (bought it new). We use for family transport, transporting materials (DIY) and towing a 4' x 8' trailer for dump runs/camping trips. It has been a workhorse for us. I've never had a thousand dollar tune up on it! One drawback is for California smog they have to access inside the console that's between the front seats which adds around $60 to the cost of a smog test.
We get 18 - 23 miles/gallon depending on where we're driving and what we're hauling. Front wheel drive only. My concern is that this van will never die and I'll have to drive it until I do.
"A completed home is a listed home."
From what I understand, they are built on the same platform as the S-15, which has a find place in my heart as the least expensive hardest woreking truck I have ever owned. It constantly suprised me ( even the time I lost the rear slave cylinder on the brakes. That was one hairy ride)
;)
my stepson has one and several tradesmen I know and none of them express any dissatisfaction.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I have a 86 Safari with 315,000 Kilometers. That's about 220,000 mi.
We got it with about 120,000KM (75,000 mi) in '91. Used it for a passenger van until '00, then took out the back seats and it's a work van today.
You need to have the idler arms replaced every 60,000 mi. on mine. Finally put in a new engine at 180,000 mi. and it has it's share of starters, alternators etc.
On a $/mi, it's cheaper than my wife's Bonneville. I'll get another one as soon as I can afford a new one.
As far as tune-ups, I had one done 45 days ago. Including a Cat converter, I paid 575.00 Canadian. It takes 10 minutes to take the dog box off.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
Here's my 98 gmc safari w/170,000 paid 1200.00 for it
Its got 3/4" ply on the walls so I can att. any thing to the inside I want and 4x8 goes
underneath