-Large fuel tank 100+litres gives it good range on long trips -Fuel economy is accepable -Truck style frame design -Seating for 8 -Ample power -Good manuverability at low speed for parking lots -Reliable -Low maintenance -Parts are reasonably inexpensive

-Astrovan typical "clunk" noise when shifting from first gear was like that from new and other owners have told me about a similar sound with no ill effects -when making sharp turns in parking lots front tires skip annoyingly -most 80's and 90's GM interiors are very cheap and this van is no exeption. -weak front steering assembly -Really crappy front passenger leg room due to wheel-well hump. poor cargo room behind rear seat due to short body (shortie is no longer available). -Front Seats don't move back very far. -Front seat adjusment lever can't be used when seatbelt is used (really poor engineering.

Our Chevy Astro shortie 2WD has 188,400Kms we have put 42000k on it since we bought it with almost no periodic maintenace besides oil changes,& 1 brake job. Repairs included 1 muffler, 1 minor front end repair,1 alignment, wiper motor (my fault),and front wheel bearings. Overall the van has been great and the repairs minor so far.

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Recently purchased a used 1999 Astro AWD Cargo van for business.

6500lb towing cap.,rear drive,reliable powertrain,comfy seats,rear door options,the toughest in the mini-van class,available all-wheel drive,doesn't bottom out driving over medians,curbs,etc.(don't ask).This van has a more upright stance than others,allowing you to see further ahead in traffic,increasing your safety margin that much more.The 4.3L Vortec V-6(what they call the 4300 Vortec now)is acceptable in terms of daily driving, but if you find yourself in Noah's ark syndrome(full load of people and gear plus trailer),this engine may wheeze a bit.New models now come with rear disc brakes ,ABS all around.

a v-8 option is needed(think DOHC NORTHSTAR).Body flex is way too much,a stiffer frame/body combo would work wonders here,as to facilitate a driver side sliding door(hear that GM?)

GREAT VAN,IN RESPONSE TO ABOVE REVIEW.ASTROS DO RIDE LIKE TRUCKS,THEY'RE BUILT ON A HALF-TON REAR DRIVE TRUCK PLATFORM.THAT SAID.THIS IS A SOLID UTILITARIAN,COMFORTABLE DAILY DRIVER,ROAD-TRIPIN',GROCERY GETTIN',KID TOTIN'...WONDERBUS(notice i didn't say plush)

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N/A

lots of room

not happy with ride and handling ability.

We Just bought a 2001 Astro AWD. It is in nice shape and looks great. However, we are surprised at the way it handles and rides. We also have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan and it's ride is much better! We are wondering if something is wrong with the Astro. It bounces quite a bit and it seems to weave very easily. Also, when you accelerate from a stop, there is a grinding noise that almost seems like the wheels are not turning smoothly.?? Any opinions?

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Dodge Grand Caravan

I put on Goodyear Wrangler RTS tires & ride is much better andbetter in snow.turns on a dime. comfortable on long trips, good vision,

Sucks gas, Window sticks, Eats serpentine belts(on third one),Rear door lock broke, steel wheels keep rusting,

I have been pretty lucky after reading most of the other reviews.Did brakes and rotors at 51,ooo kms and need them again now 105 kms.Yes, also needs idler arms now. Anyone try aftermaket pads Or I.arms with any success? yes, also needs idler arms now.DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE!

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89 Aerostar(started smoking & wouldn't quit 95 Astro 125Ks, no trouble, still running

I put on Goodyear Wrangler RTS tires & ride is much better andbetter in snow.turns on a dime. comfortable on long trips, good vision,

Sucks gas, Window sticks, Eats serpentine belts(on third one),Rear door lock broke, steel wheels keep rusting,

I have been pretty lucky after reading most of the other reviews.Did brakes and rotors at 51,ooo kms and need them again now 105 kms.Yes, also needs idler arms now. Anyone try aftermaket pads Or I.arms with any success? yes, also needs idler arms now.DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE!

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89 Aerostar(started smoking & wouldn't quit 95 Astro 125Ks, no trouble, still running

Room Room Room, Dutch doors, rear air,rear heat, 2nd row radio controls, AWD, driver and passanger elect. six way seats,

squeaks and clunks

I originally bought this to replace a Plymouth Voyager lemon mobile, to pull our pop-up camper. We have four teenagers and need the room. I wanted an LT, but couldn't find one, so I settled on this loaded LS. It has been a very good car, except for the ABS/AIR BAG system. The van was at the servicing dealer so many times, and the dash was out of it so many times it now sounds like a piece of s---. I complained to G.M. and the BBB and G.M. came through with a 6 year 100k mile extended 0$ deductible GeneralMotors Protection Plan at no charge, and also gave me 2 months of payments back due to the problem! I will buy another G.M. product but we are outgrowing the Astro. I've got 40k on it with very few problems, brake rotors warp easily, rear end clunks and the squeaks from the disassembly too many times to fix the problem(pinched wire). Next truck will be a suburban, a little more beef in the right areas will go a long way!

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2 crysler minivans first 89 went through 7 transmissions, second 95 went through 5 transmissions stay away from chrysler unless you are good freinds with a trans shop!

View, powerful engine

Does drink gas!

Nice van, No problems. I have 122000 miles and just had first repair...water pump. I've been happy with it! I'd buy another one. I read the other reviews below and I agree with the "Mark" below. It sounds like that person bought a van that obviously hadn't been taken care of. Any car will rattle and break if it's treated poorly and not maintained right!

Comfort, longevity, versatility

aerodynamics on a brick! Wind blows it around.

Great van! I just read the bad review below....what an idiot. These vans are great, but you HAVE TO SERVICE THEM!! The review below clearly shows that some people don't know how to maintain their vehicles by flushing the coolant every 30k (which if not ever done, causes seals and head gasket problems) and changing oil when needed. I'd recommend this van to anyone. I've got 202k on mine and it still runs and rides great and just uses a little oil between changes.

body sheet metal resistant to corrosion.

See above. Too many to list.

I absolutely hated this vehicle. It was a complete nightmare. What happened to Chevy's "so-called" rock solid reliability? At only 110,000 miles, the front and rear seals started gushing oil. Starting at 90,000, both the head gaskets started leaking massive ammounts of antifreeze. The leak in one of my head gaskets leaked into one of my cylinders and destroyed one of my pistons. This was shown through antifreeze in my oil, excessive blowby at my pcv breather, and very bad compression on my #6 cylinder. The egr system quit working, so I disconnected it and capped it off with vaccuum line caps. The exterior door handles kept breaking, the paint started peeling off in sheets, the window tracks on both front doors started rattling, the back door rattles, the plastic dash rattles, the bumpers are rusting out, the catalytic converter got plugged up, the interior sidewall carpet tears and comes off with no provocation,on and on and on. and on. Chevy-sinks like a rock.

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None as poor quality.

room, quick accel, handling, 3rd party options

climbing hills w/ big loads but then again so does every other vehicle right? but u can get a v8 conversion for the van so it's all good

i love this thing to death...it handles very well and has tons of 3rd party products to choose from.