Power is good. Seat heighth is nice, unless your tall, you might hit your head on the ceiling.

Gas mileage, clunks and sqeaks, that dealership cannot fix.

This van might be the biggest minivan but is it worth it. There is a clunk in the front end that the mechanic at the Cheve dealership told me that Cheve can't fix so they're calling it normal, the service rep also told me it's been happening for the last nine years. I like the size but not noises, mpg and not having an alert to wether a door is open or not. Also you have no choice about using inside air or outside air.

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I had an 83 GMC Safari and don't remember any of these problems

Power, towing capacity, family hauler, AWD works great in snow, spacious, great service from various Chevy dealers

Gas mileage, AC works poor in hot weather, rear doors won't stay open when loading

Would definately recommend. It's done everything we've asked of it. We had some intial problems in the first 12,000 miles: 1) windshield whistles at highway speed 2) transmission went out at 10,000 miles....chevy fixed it then 500 miles later a bearing or something went out in tranny...it's been rebuilt twice...no problems so far (23,000) 3) outside temp sender went out 4) numerous leaks fixed by replacing seals 5) shudder when turning...they replaced the front diff fluid with a better fluid 6) clunking in rt front suspension....replaced shock

Once all of these problems were taken care of it's been great. Tows our popup (2700lbs) no problem

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geared just right
Powerful
carries 8 folks
good off-roader(no sand dunes)
built-in beer coolers
happy face
so much better than that Aerostar thing
wins in accidents, especially if a Mazda 626 crosses its GREEN LIGHT path

We no longer own it
began to burn a little oil at 150,000mi

The Astro Van and good times go so well together. Unless someone would want to restore one form the 80's, I highly recommend a brand spanking new one, it's only the best minivan on the face of the Earth.

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Lotsa torque, roomy, comfortable, cheap to mantain, a couple major problems (even after 14 LONG years and over 400 000miles or 700 000km, nice cruzer, got it for only $5000 cnd, good braking with a full load.

Rear bumper gets dented too easily (luckily they are only about $60 canadian, and allignment problems since the chasis is starting to warp, alternator has burned out 3 times, fuel pump required replacement, brakes wear out fairly fast. (I HOPE CHEVY HAS FIXED FUEL PUMP AND ELECTRICAL WOES)

I recommend this vehicle to anyone who would like a solid, dependibe, people mover, tug anything type of van. I have had mine 14 years and counting, and am still quite honored to use it as a REAL work vehicle. I have never had it overheat, never had to give it a boost during winter(and yeah it still has the stock battery), never had it stall on a hill, highway, road etc., but it has stalled right in the driveway due to a fuel pump at 12 years old, alternator has never "blown up", it has just gone gradually. It has a nice ride on any street, more than adequite handling, RWD for tough jobs, fair fuel economy for the size (4.3L)and power of the engine(all it is, is a chevy small block with 2 cylinders chopped off, which is why it has MASSIVE torque). The truck chasis has served it's life. Braking is good, but my complain is that they wear out quicky, problem solved by using larger rotors on front, switching to rotors on rear and semi-metallic pads. I wouldn't reccomend this vehicle to people that want high fuel economy(allthough the new one gets good economy), or to people that drive only themselves, or people that want really good traction(or u can opt. for a 4WD model), or people that don't like larger vehicles. I have bought my self a brand new(in '96) 1996 chevy astro almost identically equipped to my old one, and have had no problems what-so-ever.

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1996 chevy astro, i bought a new one a couple years ago since i was pleased with my old one

This car is sweet. It is a box on wheels so it is perfect for storage. It goes 0-60mph in 7 seconds or less.

nothing

The car is awesome! I love it no complaints.

I called it my "chunka" van. It always started and was completely reliable. It ultimately saved my life when a semi side swiped me on
the driver's side and peeled its side all the way off. I owe it all
to him.

Rear wheel drive, minor problems, but nothing to complain about.

My van was as faithful as an old dog. It owed me nothing the day it got totalled and guess what? After kissing a semi, it still started and ran. Thank you chunka for giving your life for me. Sorry you got
so banged up. May you rest in peace.

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It is above all other vehicles.

-The Vortec V-6 thinks it's a V-8, but gets excellent gas mileage at the same time.
-Towing capacity (5500lbs)
-The cost (our friends bought a new 2000 fully loaded for $22K. You can't touch a car wannabe Caravan or Windstar for that.)
-Excellent vehicle for long trips.
-Passenger capacity (8 people), and it still has plenty of cargo space behind the rear seat.
-Excellent visibility.
-Cargo space when rear seats removed
-Built on a truck frame
-Rear Wheel Drive
-I hate to admit it, but for a mini-van, it looks pretty sharp.

-Numerous small and one big mechanical problem.
-Inadequate driver legroom.
-Engine cover is difficult to remove.
-The 25 gal. gas tank will put a dent in you wallet at the pump.

Have yet to regret purchasing this vehicle, particularly having traded the Caravan in on it. It is extremely roomy inside. It has the towing and hauling capacity of truck with the added ability to haul up to 8 people. With three children, that latter point is important, since they always want to bring their friends along places. It is larger than all other mini-vans (in my opinion it is in a class by itself, not a mini-van, not a full size van), with a much stronger engine (this thing will accelerate going up a steep hill with no strain). Some people complain that it rides like a truck, but since it is built on a truck frame that's to be expected.

I mentioned some mechanical problems. Specifically:

-The differential has required complete overhaul twice
-The windshield wiper motor required replacement
-The fuel pump required replacement.
-Transmission fluid is now leaking into the radiator.

With the exception of the differential problem, these are all seemingly small problems. However, I would not expect such problems on a vehicle that is only four years old.

However, despite these problems, as I stated earlier, no regrets.

If you are looking for a great ride, sports car like handling, and don't plan to tow anything bigger than a grocery cart, this isn't the vehicle for you.

However if you have a family, need to haul or tow a boat, jet-ski, trailer or whatever, and like to travel, then buy this vehicle first, so that you won't have to trade something in on it later.

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Dodge Caravan - no real comparison here. The Caravan was an oversized car, front wheel drive with an underpowered V-6, no room to speak of, no towing capacity, and fuel injection problems, not to mention it was just plain UGLY.

trailering was ok except for the overheating.

Impossible to keep tires on it, Chevrolet should have to replace the tires. Passenger leg room is awful. AC compressor replaced 3 times. The paint is poor quality. Alternator went out. Motor mounts had to be replaced at 50k. Fan clutch went out at 60K. The door handles break. The interior is cheap looking.

For a personal car I drive an Isuzu, maybe the beat most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned. I always buy Toyota, Isuzu, VW, etc. My experience with american cars is awful. I've had Porsche, Mercedes, Saab, Isuzu, Toyota, VW, Audi, Honda. All of those cars were great cars except the Saab liked to overheat. I find the american cars and their dealers unacceptable.

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4 Caravans, and 3 Astro's. These are leased company cars, and my only choices available.

It is a very durable van - because it is a TRUCK not a car like the others. The all wheel drive is great offering traction all the time. Ride is good and room is good. Yeah, the little FWD vans may seat 8 but WHERE DO YOU PUT THE LUGGAGE??? YOU CAN"T - unless you have an Astro.

A little more power is always welcomed. But it isn't bad.

Highly reccommend.

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No other van compares.

Durability, run forever on a tune up. Good fuel mileage, Hit a deer and cost me $30 in parts to fix - deer was'nt so lucky. Lots of front end lube points, rear seat removal relatively easy, easy to get to rear seats, exhaust replace @ 100k, rear heater functional, tinted glass is a must

Replaced 2 alternaters, both idler arms, tie rod ends, rear heater coolant lines, wheel caps, electronic gauges, A/c must be recharged annually, clunky tranny, replaced heater blower ( drop in from 79 caprice) more squeeks than a bagful of mice, eats tires, wiring harness to passenger pwr window, No driver or passenger leg room, front end brakes replace 60 k, location of cable and retracter mechanism on spare makes it susceptible accumulation of gravel and road salt, not a good thing to find out with a flat at night in the rain.

Bought used in 94 @ 30 k. V 6-8 pass, Loaded -pwr seats, mirrors, windows, Now 145 k. I test drove a number of products and liked the ride, handleing and visibilty, tried a Lumina (no thanks NASA). We drive a lot of rural roads and the suspension takes a pounding. Lots of room for kids and loads of storage including rear compartment The Fords I have driven were all supplied by work ( not my choice). Would buy another but dump before 110k.

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83 Chev 1/2 ton, 97 Ford 1/2 ton, 90 chev 1/2 ton, 95 Ford 1/2 ton