1994 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3.8 V6
Summary:
A very sporty, high quality, reliable minivan!
Faults:
The previous owner told me that he had replaced the alternator at 95000 miles.
The steering rack blew a seal at 150000 miles.
The transmission was rebuilt at 205000 miles, as it was starting to shift roughly.
The fuel pump got weak at 220000 miles. It didn't quit, it just ran rough.
General Comments:
This van is great when it comes to changing it from a passenger van to a cargo van. Each of the rear five seats come out in about 5 seconds. Because they are individual buckets seats and not bench seats, you can lift them easily. I use the van as a family van and to haul the equipment for a band that I am in. It is amazing how much it will hold.
The van is very reliable. The things that have gone wrong since I have owned it have actually gone longer than I would have expected, except for the steering rack. The van still has the original exhaust system in perfect condition.
This Trans Sport is very easy to work on. I perform all the regular maintenance myself and am amazed at how easy everything is. Very well thought out. My wife has a 1991 Trans Sport with the 3.1 and things are not as easy on hers.
The interior is very comfortable, but there have been a few things break. The plastic housing where the light switch is located has a mounting tab broken off so the switch is a little loose.
The 3.8 V6 engine must be the best GM motor ever. At over 220000 miles it uses about a half of a quart of oil in 3000 miles. The performance of this engine is very good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd January, 2003
13th Mar 2011, 11:32
Another update.
I am still driving this van and it still is on the original engine (and exhaust system). I now have over 378000 miles and it's still going strong!
It still looks great except for some chips in the paint on the hood. I will probably have the hood repainted soon as the rest of the van looks great when cleaned up.
Still loving it.
19th Aug 2008, 00:04
Just an update...
I am still driving the van as of 8-19-2008. It now has 334592 miles on the original engine.
The van still runs very well. It is a little loud due to a crack in the exhaust manifold but the rest of the stainless steel exhaust system is still in great shape.
The only other thing is that the AC has a leak. It works fine when charged but will leak down in about two to three weeks. I haven't tracked down the leak yet. This just started this summer.
I still love the van and still drive it about 60 to 100 miles a day.
John.