1997 Chevrolet Astro LS 4.3L

Summary:

Awesome!

Faults:

Fuel guage failed at 20,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is a serious truck.

More powerful than any van in its class.

Do not mistake the Astro AWD for a mom's car for the kids, it's a truck!

Like a Chevy, many little things do break, and yes it's annoying, however the overall dependability is amazing.

I was hit by a Volvo broadside on the sliding door with 2 kids in the van. The Volvo was totaled and the Astro needed $300 dollars of paint work. The sliding door is not quite the same, but my children never knew how serious it could have been!

Thank you Chevy for that extra steel beam in the door.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2004

15th Aug 2005, 10:12

How was the fuel gauge problem resolved? I own 97 astro 186,000 miles purchased new, a few minor problems, but broken fuel gauge still haunts me after 3 repair attempts (began at 55k).

26th Feb 2008, 20:05

I owned a 1996 Astro for 4 years and loved it. Then at about 140K all the structural things went (we had already done the usual mechanical repairs: tires, brakes, exhaust, etc.). When it started leaking gas, the power locks started locking and unlocking by themselves, the power window motors both went and then the sliding door almost fell off, well we had to get rid of it. Now, I wish I had it back as I can't decide what van to get next.

1997 Chevrolet Astro

Summary:

Great for the salvage yard!

Faults:

Seat belt for middle passenger broke at 40,000 miles.

Lights in the roof are very fragile and broke on 2 lights.

Gas gauge stuck on 1/2 at 45,000 miles.

Replaced driver's side window motor at 70,000 miles.

Replaced passenger side window motor at 75,000 miles.

Replaced drivers side window motor AGAIN at 80,000 miles.

The driver's side window switch at 80,000 miles.

Replaced the exhaust at 34,000 miles.

Replaced the radiator at 80,000 miles.

Replaced the fuel pump at 75,000 miles.

Replaced the water pump at 83,000 miles.

Replaced the power steering pump at 90,000 miles.

Rear hatch broke at 87,000 miles.

Now the catalytic converter is in need of replacement at 98,000 miles!

General Comments:

Seats are comfortable. That is truly the only positive comment I have on this vehicle.

The window issue is serious one that GM needs to address and does not. I took my van to have the windows repaired and was told he has had 3 vans in for the same thing in the last 6 months! That is a high percentage being that we live in a rural area with a total 3,000 in our community! And I have also run into tons of people who have experienced the exact same window problems with other Chevy models.

As for the rest of the problems, I'm sure it's wear and tear, but with owning 2 previous vehicles, Fords, I've NEVER had a feeling of undependability EVER with my other vehicles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th June, 2004

1997 Chevrolet Astro SLX 4.3 Liter V6

Summary:

GM Quality Grade Recommended

Faults:

The Intermittent wipers tend to go on as they please. This is an annoying at times when you need to use it.

When I first purchased it from the dealer was making a bad noise on the highway over 60MPH, but they fixed the problem.

General Comments:

Lots of power, Superior towing capacity and lots of spacious room inside.

The driver side seat is pretty comfortable, but that's because I do not have captains chairs which are better.

Once you own this van, people will ask you for favors due to its spacious interior, take it from me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2003

1997 Chevrolet Astro Van 4.3 V6

Summary:

A real piece of crap!

Faults:

(1) My drivers side window motor went bad, (2) the passenger side window button went bad. (3) The fuel gage reads full all the time, (3) hatch lifts went bad (4) windshield wipers stop when you are using them and then start again, (5) the fan speed control button stopped working, and (6) the inside door reflector's fell out. and this van is garage kept, only has 29000 miles on it and is a second car.

General Comments:

This van for the miles I have on it the new shape it is in and the way that I take care of my cars.

It is the biggest piece of crap with 29000 miles that I ever owned. I would never buy another GM product again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th March, 2003

26th May 2003, 17:44

I have had all of the above happening with our van. I still owe quite a bit on it and now I am looking at a minimum of $4,000 in repairs! The engine just died, the radiator repeatedly has rust in it, the van was overheating no matter what repairs we did to it. I have not had a good overall experience considering I do not know much about car repair. I have two children to cart around. I would not recommend it for reliability to anyone. Needless to say, I am willing to hurt my credit just to get rid of it and not spend the money on something that definitely was not worth it! DON'T, BUY THIS VEHICLE!

Donna and family.