Looks price fuel economy amenities like back up sonar, air-levelling suspension (with built in air pump for our bikes :-)) quick power doors

A little narrower than others Power heated seat has a manual back adjuster - what is that all about? limited number of cupholders and storage compartments

I must say I am quite amazed and impressed with this vehicle. This is our 4th (and probably last) minivan, having started with a Ford Aerostar in 1990, then a 1996 Grand Caravan, and finally a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country. I was initially attracted to the Montana because I like the look - more SUV-like but with better use of interior space and better mileage! The 0.9% interest rate on the lease was quite good (I stopped buying after the '96 Dodoge because the residuals on ALL vans are dropping due to proliferation of the genre) and the GM dealer was ready to do deals. I got the loaded GT model, which has leather, On-Star, both sides power doors and back-up sonar as well as the DVD entertainment system (as do they all these days, it seems) Having had a Town and Country, which some would say is the pinnacle of van-dom (including the hallowed Honda Odyssey) I was expecting a step down to the Montana. I was wrong. It is very comfortable and the 3.4 V6 is as peppy as the 3.8 of my T&C - but appears to use much less fuel. My T&C was a real pig on gas, averaging about 14 MPG according to the onboard computer. The power doors are a Good Thing and I am very happy I got the back-up sonar feature. Although the Montana is narrower than the T&C, it seems a bit longer. My big teenage boys (2) are quite happy back there so that is the best test of all. It is good at highways speeds and handles well - almost more sporty, but it is a van so how far can that go? I miss the seat memory of the T&C but that is about it. I see some of the previous negative reviews by people who bought used and, while I appreciate their plight, this is the risk of buying a used anything these days. I got a four year warranty to go with the 4 year lease so I am not worried. To not know the history of a vehicle is asking for trouble, so caveat emptor. I used this board to compare a number of products and I have noticed this same rating behavior quite a number of domestic vans. In any event, this is a worthy vehicle and if you are buying new, give it a look.

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after all that I have experienced I believe this vehicle has no strengths.As soon as I can get rid of this I will--to either toyota or honda-no more poorly designed or manufactured american products.

as mentioned above

bought used99 in 2002with 59000 kilometers.have had many of the same problems as mentioned in other reviews.Worn drivers seat,mushy brakes,slow to heat interior,noisy rear brakes,engine sounds like diesel at startup,transmission clunk,defective fuel gage sender in gas tank etc.

Roomy and comfortable

At 60m Losing coolant. Had to replace a plastic gasket - $600.00. Power sliding door latch recall. Check Engine light is on even after replacing EGR valve. $165.00 for part, did the work myself. Now suspect bad air-sensor. Rough shifting but added a bottle of trans lube and problem seems fixed. Possible bad CV joint or what ever it is that seems to slip when accelerating from stop. Driver's side power window "module" needs replacing per dealership. $ 500.00 to fix. Left rear brake needs frequent cleaning to prevent noise when brakes applied. Also getting uncommanded door locks/unlocks. All in all, reaching 60M has not been an enjoyable experience.

Like the ride, handling, interior comfort, fuel mileage, noise level okay, cargo capacity, leather seats nice. Very pleased for the most part. However...

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Comfy inside, room for family of five,best thought out seating layout, awesome gas economy and cruising range with the big tank,quiet ride, fair price and affordable finacing,sporty look inside and out ( looks a heck of alot better than the Venture IMHO)enough "get-up-and-go for everyday use. NOT perfect, but does what I want well. side mirrors are designed to pop back in if you pull them out. I found that out after I back up and took the driverside one out with a pole and the mirror was left hanging by the control wires! Everything went back together with no damage or need of tools.

center console could be laided out better.The three big knobs for fan speed,temp, and air ducting are ..well..too big!Obscures the microscopic buttons right below it.some fit and finish flaws here and there. I got what I paid for. The Japanese still have this area in their favor.

I spent over two months checking every minivan on the market before I settled on the extended wheelbase Montana.I got one without the powered doors because I have absolutely no need for it. As some have said here, what sold me on it was it's brilliant seating layout. The fact that you can fold the rear bench down like an stationwagon for extra space is wonderful. All other models except the Odyssey(Mazda's too I think)requires you to remove the bench.I got the eight seat set up. During last summer,we took it on a 3,000 Km camp trip half way up BC to the Panhandle and it ran flawless loaded up to the windows with stuff for a family of five.Kids sat in the middle row and I pulled out the rear bench for the camp gear.In town, it is a great people mover. Parking is tough sometimes because of its size.But it's tight turn radius is great for getting in and out of places.As it passes its first birthday, we have covered 16000Kms with no issues to deal with. Brake and tire wear are both normal.Nothing has fallen off, siezed,snapped,or popped.I kid you not! I don't know what plant some of these other lemon Montanas were built, so far, I don't think I have one of them. Nevertheless, I bought a 8year/180,000km ext warranty. A neccesary evil for all American products.Personally, I feel that review sites like this don't always give a balanced view of a product.Use your head when reading reviews!Some people just don't know how to look after anything and when they run it into the ground, it is someone else's fault.My neighboor has a 2000 model and they have had no problems except the power doors. I found the seats to be reasonably comfy for an American product. I have had around 1000km to a full(90 litres)tank of gas on the highway and that was with it fully loaded.My 3 kids really like the middle and rear seats.For a van, it handes well. ABS saved the life of a black bear near Prince Rupert. If I had the chance to choose a van again, I would still pick a Montanna. The Odyssey would have been first choice if not for the out of reach price tag and less attractive financing route. On a road test of five vans, the Montanna came in fifth over all. But for me, it came in first because it fulfilled my personal set of needs. check this website for more info. http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/46418/article.html

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Windstar. friend has one. third set of tires in five years. numerous engine problems. Even he told me not to buy a Ford. rented a Sienna and a Caravan. Sienna while rock solid was too small for my fam

drives well.

things are falling apart, after reading the reviews of others, maybe I should sell now??

bought the van new, liked the look. Replaced tires at 29,000 replaced pass. side window motor also. Now that the warranty is over, the drivers power window is inop, cost is 500 to repair.

Gas milage, comfort, Looks, size, and power

Wiper motor stopped working at all speeds except (ultra fast). Haven't fixed yet, dealership said it would cost over $500.00 to fix.

When I purchased this van, I test drove just about every make out there except foriegn models. The venture was the most comfortable with the most options.

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comfortable

dex-cool!!

radio lights burned out, left front light cover fell out,(had to buy a whole new light $150.00) only needed plastic cover. have to add dex-cool often, transmission started slipping at 95,000 miles!! over $2000.00 to fix power sliding door does not work at 70,000 miles, $350.00 to fix

roomy,comfortable seating,exceptional exceleration,great style,great safety features,easy read dash componants,good sound system.

2 days after purchase replaced both rear shocks,rattle thump noise all the time when driven over rough surfaces, took through car wash water leaked around back hatch,takes a while to heat up heater,poor windshield wiper design,font of hood all plastic wouldn't take much force to bust when shuting hood.

bought used w/27000 mi was a program vehicle,first mini-van ever owned chose montana cause of style,options& price.2 days after purchase problems began, i have owned several other pontiac vehicles in past im convinced finally no more pontiacs ever again.

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none in the mini- van catagory, again i'll never buy another pontiac.

gas milage and seating

bad radiator, poor choice for coolant by GM., Radio lights burnrd out at 20000 miles. Rear A/C had to have valve replaced at 20000 miles. Hard as hell to change the battery

i have had the montana for over 2 years. We have put over 70000 miles on it but have had to deal with several problems. Overall not bad, but i wouldn't buy another

Quietness, excellent gas mileage, good brakes, and for a domestic, excellent fit and finish. Very good stereo and climate control system. Traction Control.

A tad slower than my 3.8 litre '99 Plymouth, no horn buttons, funky 1970's multi-function control stock for cruise/wipers, cup holders are mediocre.

I took the Montana on a three year lease and this is my third minivan since 1993, having had two Plymouth Grand Voyager's, a 1992, and a 1999 previously. The GM Visa points lured me and after 11 months of use, I have not had a single warranty problem or complaint.

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