1999 Chevrolet Astro Cobra 4.6 V6

Summary:

Luxurious, Roomy and Reliable

Faults:

The driver's side automatic window gave out. It would just stop with the window half way open. Very inconvenient when it was raining. The dealer replaced it as it was covered by the warranty.

The rubber molding is loose and falls down on the dutch doors in the back of the van. It lets water in the back if there is a heavy rain. I haven't taken it into the dealer yet to have that fixed so I don't know if it's covered by the warranty.

The front brakes squeak and sound like they're grinding under hard stops. The previous owner took it to the dealer several times with the same report. I had the brakes replaced, but it still makes the sound. I had a trusted mechanic look at it and he said that some road dust had gotten into the rotors. He cleaned them, but said it would probably happen again and that it shouldn't affect the performance. The van stops OK, but the sound is annoying.

General Comments:

Overall I love this van and wouldn't trade it for anything else. The dealer gets 5 stars. They are always courteous and never give me any trouble when I take it in.

It's great for trips and super comfortable. The Cobra package makes the van feel like a limo. It has almost every possible convenience and people always compliment us on the plush interior.

The V6 engine provides the perfect combination of power and fuel economy. In town driving, it has no trouble keeping up with other cars. In the mountains of Tennessee, with the van fully loaded I had a little trouble holding the 70mph speed limit, but so did most of the other vehicles around me.

Overall it's a great vehicle for families or couples that like to travel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th June, 2003

1999 Chevrolet Astro LT

Summary:

This van was poorly designed and tested, and I wish the manufacturer would recall it

Faults:

The motor on the window on the driver's side often stops. There have been incidents when I could not close the window, or open it, while driving or parked. Often, either snow or hail and rain entered the car since the automatic window button would not respond and the window was either up or down, or in the middle. Once the driver's door opened as I was making a right turn; I had to stop to try to correct this, for safety reasons.

The CD/cassette player is located right in front of the cup holders, making it inconvenient to keep drinks in the car for fear of liquid being spilled over the CD opening.

In addition, every so often something happens to the automatic door open/close mechanism. I am still not sure why, but there have been more than 2 instances when I could not drive the car because the door would not close. I had to manually pry the mechanism with a screwdriver in order to unlock whatever locked in the actual door lock, and I consulted a Chevrolet Dealer's mechanic by phone the first time this happened -- this person suggested using the screwdriver.

General Comments:

I am extremely concerned about safety. I feel uncomfortable driving this car, and I truly wish I could afford selling it so that I would not have to be concerned about the window's open/close mechanism and the door locks each time I drive it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th June, 2003

1999 Chevrolet Astro LS 4.3

Summary:

Car crap, dealer terrible

Faults:

Counting the original I have had 4 fuel pumps in this van in 31,000 miles. The amount of time they last is decreasing rapidly. Last one almost made it for 6,000 miles. Dealer tells me it is because I buy mid-grade fuel, with too much ethanol. Rubbish, all grades can have up to 10%. He must think I am an idiot, but it is he who truly is. I have talked with other dealers in the area and they just cannot believe what I tell them about my dealer. Called Chevy tech support. No luck, it is run by people with no tech skills whatsoever and they will tell you that. They called the dealer to find out what is wrong, not anyone at GM Corporation. Dealer and support are crap. This may be the last GM car I own. I have bought GM since 1965, but probably no more.

Have had the brakes done twice already.

General Comments:

This car is not fit to sit on blocks in my back yard.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th July, 2001