Faults:

Left hand side power window motor failed at 105,000 km.

General Comments:

This is my 5th Astro van. I've owned a 1988, 1991, 1995, and currently have a 1998 and a 2002.

Overall, the vehicle has been really good for us. Ours is a big family (8 people) and it has been a perfect size - not too big, not too small, and supports seating for 8.

They all have been relatively problem free, except for the 1998. It had a long list of problems, many electrical.

This vehicle is great for towing a trailer. There's enough power to pull our camper trailer, a mountain of camping junk, and 8 people to boot, while the air conditioning is on.

The right hand passenger seat has limited foot room, and is not suitable for a tall person (taller than 6 ft).

The bench seats are very heavy. You'll typically need 2 people to remove and insert them.

Interior space is massive, and even more so when the seats are removed.

Because of the large interior, rear heat and air conditioning options are worth considering.

It tends to feel 'heavy' when cornering. This is a practical vehicle, not a performance machine.

It tends to get blown around on windy days, but it's stable enough to stay on on the road, or in your lane.

The vehicle is quite high for a mini van. You'll be able to see over and past most vehicles ahead of you, which is nice in heavy traffic.

The 4.3 V6 liter engine has been excellent. In all vehicles, I've had no serious problems.

I use approx. 10 - 11 litres per 100 kilometers. The vehicle is a nice compromise between economy and utility.