1997 Chevrolet Venture LS review from North America

Early in the car's life I had to have a brake job done: approximately 19,000 miles.

The power sliding door failed to operate properly 4 or 5 times times. Two of those times it was still under warranty so there was no cost to fix.

At 81,000+ miles, the transmission died with no warnings. It died while my wife was driving home and she was stranded. I shelled out $2300 for a new transmission.

Two weeks later, at 82,000 miles, the water pump went bad and we had the car towed again.

Two weeks after that, the fuel filter was leaking and we had it towed once more.

Three weeks later, the engine service light came on so we took it into the service department. I was told that it needed a tune-up, even though the car was not supposed to require a tune-up until 100,000 miles. So, I had a tune-up done and a few others items replaced for a total of $300+.

The very next day, the car heats up and loses power while my wife is driving home on the freeway. After towing it in once again, we are told that the head is cracked and it will cost another $2500-$4000 to fix.

The very next day we head over to the Honda dealership and purchase a brand new Honda Pilot. The dealership gave me $2000 for it even though I had to have it towed in.

Will never buy another Chevrolet or American vehicle again.

This car was reasonably reliable and very comfortable at first.

I maintained this car above and beyond normal.

It died an expensive and agonizing death at only 82,000 miles.

Do not buy!