1997 Chevrolet Astro Van from North America - Comments

I've had 6 Astro vans in the last 12 years, most having over 100,000 when I bought them. They have terrific power and weight handling ability. I have a pellet stove and buy pellets a ton at a time. My Agway hardware owner was shocked when I put the whole ton on and the wheels didn't even touch the fenders when I went over the rail road tracks. I have towed other vehicles with my Astros; even my sister's new Explorer to the dealer 5 times. So the small problems are no problem to me. These are tough vehicles..

As far as the rough idling some people are having at about 100,000; the distributor goes bad, the bearing it rotates on wears oblong. Cost me 145.00 for a distributor and it purrs like a kitten again.

Thanks Mike. ps each van I had, had over 190,000 on when I sold them to get a newer one.

I currently have a 1995 4.3 liter V6 Astro with 130,000 miles on it, and it is in perfect condition. It has pulled a 9000 pound trailer across the country and up the mountains twice with no problem and power to spare. I now drive it every day and it runs like new.

The only big things that I replaced were the fuel pump at 90,000, the passenger door window motor, and an air conditioner compressor in the 15 years I have owned this van

I bought a 1999 AWD Astro with about 100,000 miles that appeared to be well cared for. I replaced the starter on it a week after I bought it (left stranded). I loaded it up with the family and a 4000lb trailer and moved cross country with no problems.

I later discovered that the glove box light switch doesn't properly align with the glove box door, causing the light to kill the battery (left stranded).

A year later the fan clutch went out during a hot and humid Alabama Summer day, overheating the engine, and taking the water pump with it (left stranded). The day after it returned from the shop, the alternator and battery went out while driving home from the Chevrolet dealership (left stranded).

Almost a year later (135,000 miles) and another cross country move (military) the intake manifold gasket failed (left stranded).

Six months ago (145,00 miles) the fuel pump quit (left stranded). The fuel pump relay switch quit a week after that (left stranded).

Today (150,000) the check engine light came on, Mechanic stated that the O2 sensor was shot, and oh by the way your idler arms are shot too. I have owned several vehicles with various mileage, and I have NEVER had one of them leave me stranded. I am not surprised that GM's business is failing. I am currently wondering how much of a trade in value my Astro will afford me towards a Toyota.