1996 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3.4

Summary:

A super reliable performance van!

Faults:

The blower motor failed at 110,000 miles.

The power window motor on the drivers side needed replacing at 120,000.

The AC Compressor has been humming for about 20,000 miles, but still works good.

We have some trans-axle slipping when warm. This is totally my fault due to towing my Son's broken down 3,000 pound car at 75 mph for 280 miles over PA and NY hills.

General Comments:

Very powerful V6 motor.

Comfortable on a long trip.

Use it like a truck, but nice enough to go out on the town.

The most reliable car we have owned.

A better job could have been done with the wind noise.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2004

1996 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3.4 SFI V6

Summary:

This Dust-buster Beauty JUST WON'T DIE!!!

Faults:

At 97,000 miles the transmission had to be rebuilt.

Replaced two sets of ball joints, and the tie rods twice as well.

The rear struts/shocks had to be replaced at 150,000 miles. (None of this is bad considering the way I drive-man this van takes a lickin and keeps on tickin!!!)

I have not had the Intake Manifold Gasket problem ever, but am now beginning to wonder because I am losing about a half quart of oil between changes.

General Comments:

First off, for a minivan, this thing FLIES!!! You put your foot into the throttle, and it has absolutely no complaints.

My family has grown to love her, and we will be sad to see her go. If they still made these vans, or had a used one with lower mileage, I would be first in line to buy it.

I love the long, sleek nose, and although it doesn't offer the most superb comfort for tall people (unlike my Olds Intrigue), it does very well.

The modular seating in the rear is one of the most brilliant ideas ever. It makes transporting things so easy, and the seats all lift out with the squeeze of a lever. Nice cargo carrying capabilities too.

The interior and exterior of the van have held up very well, fiberglass composite exterior will never rust, and the interior seems as though it was constructed of high quality materials. We love the power sliding door (A GM INNOVATION!!!) which also makes a variety of tasks a lot less complicated.

Also, the Trans Sport of old was rated very well in the crash tests/rollovers. I wish the same could be said for the new Montanas...

Bring back the Trans Sport GM!!! You had a very safe, reliable automobile going for you guys!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2004

21st Jul 2005, 22:38

I recently bought a 1996 Trans Sport with less than 50,000 miles. I look forward to adding at least another 150,000 miles to it. By the sounds of these reviews, it IS possible.

7th Oct 2005, 11:41

WELL, I just traded in the Trans Sport at 265,000 Miles... Engine still doing just fine (Never did have the Intake Problem...) for a 2005 Montana with the same motor. I can already see a big difference. My Montana (nee Trans Sport) seems like it was constructed with much cheaper materials than the 96 Trans Sport. It also seems to take forever for this thing to get up and go compared to the last van with 265,000 more miles. I really miss my van (this Montana will take some getting used to, it doesn't feel like it's mine yet...) Good luck to all you old school Trans Sport drivers and enjoy them while they last, because the newer models just AREN'T the same... sniffle sniffle. Other than that, the Montana (in it's favor) is MUCH more comfortable, and does indeed have it's own nice things that the last one didn't, such as a fully functional rear A/C and Heating unit, and now they've put the individual buckets on adjusters, so you can slide these seats to and fro. And also, the very last row folds flat, so there is no need to remove it. I have not had any problems with this one either, and I already have 29,000 miles on it.. Check out my review of the Montana!

1996 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3.4

Summary:

Super family vehicle

Faults:

Replaced driver's side power window switch once. Needs to be replaced again.

Front brake pads replaced, rotors turned at 108,000 km. Rear brakes at 70 percent remaining.

Transaxle seal for driver's side drive-shaft replaced, account slight transmission fluid leak, at 108,000 km.

Flushed cooling system, replaced "pink" GM coolant with new GM compatible "green" coolant, about 100,000 km.

General Comments:

Great vehicle. Snappy off the line. Like the individual bucket seats, ease of removal and installation.

Brakes had uneven "pulse" since purchase, corrected with recent brake job.

GM needs to make the power window switches a little more durable. One switch failed due to electrical fault, present switch does not let the driver roll down passenger window (mechanical fault).

Would definitely buy another Trans Sport or Montana - light years ahead of Ford Taurus "mechanic's special"!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2002