Chevrolet Astro Vans

[JakesterUK]

I'm curious to hear if any one ownes/has owned one of these Astro vans and whether they're any good? I'm toying with the idea of one to use as a daily and wondered what sort of 'real world' MPG they gave.

[LeighW]

I've got a GMC Safari, which is basically the same except for the badges. MPG around town mid to high teens, up to mid twenties on a run. As long as you don't expect go cart handling or german build quality, they're not bad, although I don't use mine as a daily. Shop around though, there's a lot of crap about. Most tend to be Jap imports, they've got a bit of a cult following there.

Uk forum is astrosafari.co.uk, there's a buyer's checklist on there too telling you what to look for.

[BLUETHUNDER]

My brother owns one. Great spec. But personally,as the driver i find the legroom cramped. The engine cover is just to intrusive into the cabin. I also found it to be pretty heavy on petrol. Its a 2wd 4.3ltr

[redtwin]

We had one of these as a security patrol vehicle at work. Not the best conditions for any vehicle, but the Astro was dreadful. Literally falling apart even though never driven at more than 10 mph around the works car park.

Can't see anyone seeking one of these out, but then I don't quite understand Japanese cult fads.

If you want an American van then go for the Ford Econoline, much better built.

[HD Adam]

Mark, stop faffing about and get a proper car

My Mustang is an excellent DD. Get something like that.

[JakesterUK]

HD Adam said:

Mark, stop faffing about and get a proper car

My Mustang is an excellent DD. Get something like that.

ha ha ha ha Adam...

[balls-out]

go full size I say.
Other than my Mrs car (and my motorikes) this was my only vehicle.


A complete hoot that brought laughter and smiles to all and the kids loved it. Admittedly it was completely unsuitable as a daily driver and it didn't stay in my hands long, but a great experience!

[Mst007]

Just put my GMC Safari on Pistonheads classifieds. Its classified under Chevrolet (other) as no catgeory for GMC

I`m emigrating out to the States next month, wouldnt be selling otherwise, its black, very cool and reliable dayvan, £5250. See advert for full details.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1589851.htm

cheers
Mark

[Electron]

Had an Astro for year..... we use it to get down to the middle of France.

80mph cruising with four of us with loads of "stuff" ...



Spares are cheap and she's been brilliant ....

[Stu R]

balls-out said:

go full size I say.
Other than my Mrs car (and my motorikes) this was my only vehicle.


A complete hoot that brought laughter and smiles to all and the kids loved it. Admittedly it was completely unsuitable as a daily driver and it didn't stay in my hands long, but a great experience!

Apologies for dragging up an old thread, but how did you find the van to run overall? I'm guessing crippling thirst comes with the territory, but are they reliable etc?

Have been mulling over an Astro but I think a full size is the order of the day if possible.

[balls-out]

Stu R said:

balls-out said:

go full size I say.
Other than my Mrs car (and my motorikes) this was my only vehicle.


A complete hoot that brought laughter and smiles to all and the kids loved it. Admittedly it was completely unsuitable as a daily driver and it didn't stay in my hands long, but a great experience!

Apologies for dragging up an old thread, but how did you find the van to run overall? I'm guessing crippling thirst comes with the territory, but are they reliable etc?

Have been mulling over an Astro but I think a full size is the order of the day if possible.

Overall I loved it, but practical ? err umm.
thoughts.
14.5 mpg was the best ever I got out of it 250mile Mway run at 65mph. 10 was more typical, but I didn't really pay any attention for fear of spoiling my fun
totally reliable. all I did was standard servicing plus a front brake caliper seal rebuild. this is an american transit , milage isn't a problem
It was about 8 feet tall so multi-stories are out
was it very wide and long, so any car park was an embarrasment, one space wasn't enough - bad parking thread here you come.
the suspension was bouncy castle like. I had to slow down on many roads.
As a vehicle to travel with kids - great. geat waft along looking down at range rovers. the screen was like a modern wide screen plasma to a 70s TV - huge. 'Captains' chairs do comfy. Kids (up to 5) watching TV or playing PS2 in the back, separated stereo for radio 4 in the front. Cup holders that could heat or chil. mirrored and backlit ceiling.

its not a purchase you make with you head, but I'm glad I did. My son is still cross I sold it. err however if I did it again it wold be an astro...



Still - I'm glad nothing broke - engine access wasn't so clever

Edited by balls-out on Wednesday 8th December 20:17

[Getragdogleg]

I have a 95 Astro AwD, its a good bit of kit but mine was bought cheap and I have repaired almost everything except the body work which is perfect. This suits me though as I like to know its all ok and not trust what another muppet in another country may have bodged.

I took the middle row of seats out and have converted it into a camper with full size electric double bed, wifey and I think its great, roomy, warm, and way better than a VW. I found it comfy to drive and I am 6 ft. the front passengers footwell is a bit small due to the heater box on the bulkhead but she puts the seat right back and its ok.

Its a big American waft box. I don't regret buying it and we are looking forward to doing Europe in it next year.


ps: I also bought a second one as a breaker so I have lots of spares for mine, I found the second one in a field locally and gave £400 for it with a blown motor.

Join Astrosafari.co.uk, they are brilliant.

[Stu R]

balls-out said:

Stu R said:

balls-out said:

go full size I say.
Other than my Mrs car (and my motorikes) this was my only vehicle.


A complete hoot that brought laughter and smiles to all and the kids loved it. Admittedly it was completely unsuitable as a daily driver and it didn't stay in my hands long, but a great experience!

Apologies for dragging up an old thread, but how did you find the van to run overall? I'm guessing crippling thirst comes with the territory, but are they reliable etc?

Have been mulling over an Astro but I think a full size is the order of the day if possible.

Overall I loved it, but practical ? err umm.
thoughts.
14.5 mpg was the best ever I got out of it 250mile Mway run at 65mph. 10 was more typical, but I didn't really pay any attention for fear of spoiling my fun
totally reliable. all I did was standard servicing plus a front brake caliper seal rebuild. this is an american transit , milage isn't a problem
It was about 8 feet tall so multi-stories are out
was it very wide and long, so any car park was an embarrasment, one space wasn't enough - bad parking thread here you come.
the suspension was bouncy castle like. I had to slow down on many roads.
As a vehicle to travel with kids - great. geat waft along looking down at range rovers. the screen was like a modern wide screen plasma to a 70s TV - huge. 'Captains' chairs do comfy. Kids (up to 5) watching TV or playing PS2 in the back, separated stereo for radio 4 in the front. Cup holders that could heat or chil. mirrored and backlit ceiling.

its not a purchase you make with you head, but I'm glad I did. My son is still cross I sold it. err however if I did it again it wold be an astro...



Still - I'm glad nothing broke - engine access wasn't so clever

Edited by balls-out on Wednesday 8th December 20:17

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds pretty much as expected! Definitely sounds like a good idea for some snowboarding / biking road trips and general silliness

[Fieldy86]

We use our 96 Starcraft Brougham conversion AstroVan daily for the 2 kids & the dog.

Love it.

[the_scorpion]

balls-out said:

go full size I say.
Other than my Mrs car (and my motorikes) this was my only vehicle.

That looks stunning.

[philoldsmobile]

I had an 87 pre-vortec Astro LT with 200,000 miles on the clock.

quality is an interesting issue, everything feels plasticky and cheap, but nothing ever broke or fell off, its fit for purpose rather than good. very solid where it matters though

passenger vans get considerably better MPG than day vans, and in my case reliability was spot on. don't get it tracked by quick fit - they don't have a clue what they are doing, and try and track it with the pitman arm in the wrong place, then try and tell you the steering wheel is on the wrong spline (not possible)

[Getragdogleg]

philoldsmobile said:

passenger vans get considerably better MPG than day vans

This is because the extra day van stuff weighs about twelve tons, I took the middle row of seats out and a lot of other trim/wires tvs videos and the like and the van sat a good inch higher, when I took the carpet out of the back to replace it i found two layers of underlay and a huge steel plate that went under the seats, the steel plate took two of us to remove and was braced by more steel plates under tha van.

I am not kidding when I say I think I removed quarter of a ton from my van.

[philoldsmobile]

wouldn't doubt it for a second. Also add in the low top on the passenger vans (less wind resistance) ind it makes a very tangible difference. Day vans are noticeably much heavier feeling to drive, as well.