Chevrolet Express

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $25000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 Express 2500

Summary:
This is my 3rd Chevrolet Express cargo van
I use them for my contracting business
I currently have 65000 miles on this one
the last one I owned was a 2003 I traded it with 150000 miles and before that I had a 2000 that had over 250000 miles
This one is just like the previous ones in that it gives me zero problems and is very easy to service
I have owned Ford and Dodge vans in the past and the Chevrolets are far superior in every way
I need to use my van each and every day so I can't afford to own something that has to be at the repair shop constantly

Strengths:
styling,ease of maintenence,reliability

Similar Products Used:
2003 Express
2000 Express

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 -

Summary:
I manage a fleet of over 30 Chevrolet Express 3500 cargo vans for an electrical contractor purchased between 1996 and currently.We have experienced many problems with this vehicle.They list from failing intake manifold gaskets(silicone around ports on a plastic gasket deteriates),side cargo door hinges seize,due to rust,and break.Plastic front inside door panels break easily at the attachment points,power steering seals fail and cause leaks.I have a 1996 model which had 55,000 miles at the time,which had water enter the onboard computer(which happens to be in the engine compartment).It was filled with water and had corroded all the inner electrical components.The dealership recommened replacing the complete wiring harness along with the computer at a cost of $2300.00.They believed water had entered the computer due to a crack in the windshield. G.M. was in complete denial that the unit couldn't have been bad from the factory,but if you go to www.alldata.com ,it list this very problem in its list of technical bulitans G.M. supplies its technicians along with many other problems common to this vehicle.I understand that no vehicle is flawless,but seems to me that G.M. pays its engeneers based on how close they can design one to last 36,000 miles before problems surface,(that way, the vehicle is out of warrenty). When a problem does arrise, I am often told that we are the only ones experencing this or that problem.With a fleet of these vehicles,I see the same problems surfacing over and over again,year after year, with no design change to fix the problems that exist.I believe that G.M. stands to make money by being the sole manufacturer of commonly failing items on its design flaws.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 -

Summary:
I manage a fleet of over 30 Chevrolet Express 3500 cargo vans for an electrical contractor purchased between 1996 and currently.We have experienced many problems with this vehicle.They list from failing intake manifold gaskets(silicone around ports on a plastic gasket deteriates),side cargo door hinges seize,due to rust,and break.Plastic front inside door panels break easily at the attachment points,power steering seals fail and cause leaks.I have a 1996 model which had 55,000 miles at the time,which had water enter the onboard computer(which happens to be in the engine compartment).It was filled with water and had corroded all the inner electrical components.The dealership recommened replacing the complete wiring harness along with the computer at a cost of $2300.00.They believed water had entered the computer due to a crack in the windshield. G.M. was in complete denial that the unit couldn't have been bad from the factory,but if you go to www.alldata.com ,it list this very problem in its list of technical bulitans G.M. supplies its technicians along with many other problems common to this vehicle.I understand that no vehicle is flawless,but seems to me that G.M. pays its engeneers based on how close they can design one to last 36,000 miles before problems surface,(that way, the vehicle is out of warrenty). When a problem does arrise, I am often told that we are the only ones experencing this or that problem.With a fleet of these vehicles,I see the same problems surfacing over and over again,year after year, with no design change to fix the problems that exist.I believe that G.M. stands to make money by being the sole manufacturer of commonly failing items on its design flaws.

Price Paid:  $32000.00 from East Hills Olds/Chev

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Chevrolete Express 15 Passenger

Summary:
I sold my '97 Ford Club Wagon, and custom built my new Express b/c it is vastly safer. The Ford has a short wheelbase, lousy brakes, and drives like a rig. The Express is much, much easier to drive. Excellent brakes and steering. However, reliabilty (and I own 10 Chevies) has not been great. The tranny already has been replaced (3 weeks to locate), the steering is making noise, A/C is not as good as the Ford, and the interior is more plasticky than even I've seen. On-star is useless (and cost me $600), but do get the heated mirrors with turn signals and the base rear end (3.73) with optional limited slip. The dealers down here don't like working on the vehicle, as it is so large. The van actually rides better than my '01 2500 Suburban. '04 will be even safer with Stability Control.

Strengths:
Long wheel base, great brakes, much safer than Ford's van, overall size, room in back of last row (unlike Ford), great looking (and different) front end. Alot of vehicle for the money (especially if you know the rebates, incentives, dealer costs, etc.)

Weaknesses:
No AWD on long wheelbase. Tranny and overall workmanship, drivetrain (6.0 Vortex) is overrated. My 5.4 Ford, with 50 less HP felt faster. The Ford has better controls and interior. No interior lights on last row, no 12V plug in the passenger seats, way too much plastic, doors do not stay open, needs more sound deadening.

Similar Products Used:
1997 Ford Clubwagon, 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500, 2003 Chevy Avalanche.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $33000.00 from Waterloo, Iowa

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van

Summary:
I ordered a 2002 Express Passenger Van in early 2002 and found that the quality was a lot less than I had expected. Two common problems were: loose fitting plastic interior trim and the sideview mirrors that vibrate excessively at highway speeds. During winter weather, the snow melts on the roof and drains to the rear of the vehicle and down the rear tail lights an onto the lower hinge supports for the rear cargo doors. Due to light to heavy "ice" build-up at this concealed hinge area, the doors will not open without damaging the trim panels. Broke my first panel within our first 200 miles of use. Local Dealer was been very helpful to repair the problem and to attempt to determine the cause and "fix it". Third winter season so far, and we have had frequent ice problems even though the winters have been considered very mild. Chevrolet says: my vehicle has the only known problem. Anyone owning an 1997 - 2004 Express or Savana van have a similar occurrence with ice build-up ? Please contact me.

Strengths:
Vehicle looks good, 5.7 engine is strong and overall ride is decent.

Weaknesses:
Warm-up mode of the engine make it run faster and louder in the cold mornings. This "mode" also happens in 90+ temperatures after driving for several hours and stopping at a traffic light.

Similar Products Used:
92 GMC Passenger Van, 87 Suburban