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’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
My first Astro van I had for 14 years, put 260k miles on it and the only things I replaced were tires, batteries and one water pump. The only reason I'm not still driving it is because it would not pass the CA smog check. It didn't smoke or use oil but it didn't pass. The tech told me if I put a new catalytic converter on and then immediately rechecked it, it would pass. I said the heck with it and traded it in for a new one.
You can haul 10' lumber and still shut the doors. 49" wide particle board lies flat on the floor. The thing is a real workhorse.
Sounds like just the rig for me... nice to hear that 10' sticks will fit, I'm tired of having KD hardwood get rained on. Maybe I'll call about the 2000 AWD model for $11K."Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
I had an ex delivery van Astro that had 100K or 200K and was BEAT. I drove it all over the bay area for a couple of years. Good van, would buy one again if I could get the same deal. Traded a junk rifle for it.
We test drove an Astro and rented a GMC Safari for a month. They seem to be reliable b/c I still see alot of them on the road. My complaints were more driver comfort related. I don't know how big of person you are, but the Astro has a tighter cockpit than the Ford Aerostar, especially for foot space. The seat sits up off the floor higher on the Astro than on an Aerostar....if you're tall you'll find yourself leaning forward to look up at traffic lights b/c the roof line gets in the way of your view. I just found the Aerostar to be more comfortable for my tastes, especially on longer trips. I seem to recall putting 4x8 sheets in the Aerostar, and longer boards will fit between seats or over the passenger seat.
Also, the Aerostar has a much better ride than the Astro....independent suspension. We had no major trouble with the Aerostar before trading it @ 94K for a 15 passenger gas hog. I still miss it, but 6 kids, wife, and suitcases just don't fit in a minivan.
Edited 6/1/2004 6:06 am ET by scotty
If you are a AAA member you can most likelly call them and get info about the model you want to purchase. I know that here in Quebec they offer advice. They can tell you a lot of important information like the most common problems on that model, average price for repairs, red book value, and so on.
Hey, thanks for starting this discussion. I am also thinking of trading my pu in for a van. I've been contemplating a used VW which has good carrying capacity and is economical to drive. I am also interested in the smaller vans such as the astro, but I never looked into them because I simply thought that a 4x8 sheet wouldn't fit with the doors closed. Is this true or false?
You guys who have or had one....how does the astro drive? Pleanty of get-up-and-go? How about fuel economy?
Thanks again....
I just traded my fullsize Ford van for a AWD Astro. I ended up buying a passanger van so that I can have the seats if I need them,plus it's much quieter with the fabric interior.I get about 18 Miles per gallon, yes you can put a full 4x8 sheet on the floor but the higher you go with the sheets you have to push the seat way forward. I mostly use my van for tools shuttling. If money was no object I probably would go with the new AWD Chevy van. The secondary side doors open from both sides , very nice. After all the shopping I decided the Astro was the biggest bang for the buck.Do yourself a favor and don't buy new . I paid $16,000 for a 03 and they wanted $35,000 for a new one .I bought a returned rental. They don't hold ther value very well but it seems to be a nice van. I live in Colorado and it has plenty of power over the mountains I have never hauled a trailer with it but I,m thinking about getting a 14' enclosed for cabinet and material transportation. I' v been having trouble finding a roof rack I like , the factory one is junk.
Tim,
We bought a brand new one in late 1991. It was used for operating a vending business. Wife had 100 cases of pop loaded in it once (22lb per case) plus some candy and junk food. It didn't hurt it but I chewed her out pretty bad.
It now does yeomans service as a paint contracting van and has 238k on it. Valve covers have never been off and it doesn't use a qt. of oil between changes (every 3K religiously!). It has the 4.3L V-6 and heavy duty auto. trans. It's had 3 tune ups, one front end alignment and a water pump besides batteries, tires, belts and regular preventative maintenance. I think it is the finest single vehicle ever built on American soil!! When it dies I'm gonna' have it bronzed and make a monunment out of it!!!lol
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Go for the Astro! I had one, my wife wrecked it, and I will soon get another one. I also bought it used, with 35K miles, and when it was totaled, it had 175K miles. I once was hit right on the drivers door by someone running a stop sign. We tipped up on the side, and came down. The driver's door was smashed in, and I received no injuries. The inside didn't even look damaged. Very well made.
I hope to always have one.
We bought a 97 astrovan last summer with 39k miles on it and paid $8700(so. cal.) After researching by talking to knowlegable friends and another chevy mechanic, they reassured us that it was a good deal. Best thing is that most of the years that this car was made, the parts are interchangeable(for the most part) and it's they only van that actually sits on a truck chasis. As one friend said"chevy just seemed to evolve the van with improvements, whereas other makes are revamped every few years."
If you only put 10,000 miles a year on your vehicle then an astro van is OK, I used one for long distance towing and after the second day I kept trying to chew my left leg off. (no place to really put it that was comfortable)
AW
Bought a 85' in 89' for $2500. Owner had not changed oil in that time. Engine was wasted. Dropped a new GM 350 crate engine in and put 250,000 miles on it before I parked it in the drive-way with a leaking radiator.
I gutted the entire rear captains chairs and added a ply floor all the way to the front console. By running 14' & 16' lumber down the center, could carry with a few feet sticking out and the rear doors bungy strapped together. Sheets slid in standing on side leaned on the front passenger seat worked also.
Recently dropped a new radiator in and gave it to a struggling young couple that needed family hauling capability. He is a mechanic, so hopefully it will get another several hundred thousand miles.
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I had a v6 astro. and it was old when I got it. Those motors run and run. I put 100k mi on it. traveling to havasue arizona from so cal with my boat in toe, doing the travel softball thing with my daughter. Also I had a business that requiered alot of delivering, I'm not sure there all like mine was, but i used to load that thing to the teeth, I calculated a few times and knew I had over 2000 pounds in it. you can put 2 pallets there with the seats out.
john g
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