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Car&Driver's opinions - http://www.caranddriver.com/member/archives/1998/feb/html/0298_van01.html
comparison with a '95 is not really valid. (I own a '98 transport also). I don't know that I would
call it a luxury car, but it is big (at least the
extended weelbase). I don't think the earlier ones had a sellar record.
for my '98 transport.
In my opinion GM make the best vehicle. The transport and its sisters are great, but keep in mind that not every maker is perfect. If you own a 98 Chevy VENTURE a 98 Pontiac Transport or a 98 Oldsmobile Silhouette there is a MINOR work they have to perform to prevent some FLUID LEAK caused by the windshield wiper, you should be getting a letter in MAY of the recall if yours is one of the few. OTHER THAN that those mini-van are Excellent.
And 0.9% APR and 1.9% APR DO NOT LAST FOREVER
What do you mean "I didn't check the Toyota out because it too didn't have as much power" ? The last time I checked, the GM trio had 180 hp, the Toyota Sienna had 194 hp. You do the math.
hyperman -
The GM trio is nice, but they aren't the best minivans out there. However, if you want to end up looking like (if you're still alive) the crash-test dummy in the Chevy Venture crash-test, that's your business. There isn't one feature offered by the GM trio that isn't available on other minivans, other than a weird and kind of dumb advertising campaign that tries to make the Pontiac Transport Montana look like an SUV, a far cry from the definition of what a minivan is.
only on the GM trio.
Like: power sliding door, pollen air filter, side air bags, air inflator in the rear of the vehicle, On Star locator and emergency system, the most versatile seats in the industry, need I go on?
I can't believe people make such a big deal out of one crash test, that a couple of years ago wasn't even performed. These vans did fine in the government crash test, and every major automaker including the Big 3 and Japanese automakers, have questioned the validity of the offset crash tests.
Regardless, the tests should lead to safer vehicles, which is a plus.
2345
I do not question the validity of the offset crash-test though. You can't deny the fact that there are accidents where the two colliding vehicles do not collide center bumper to center bumper. And from the looks of it, the vehicles that score the highest in regular government crash tests (Ford Windstar and Toyota Sienna) also score the highest in this new type of crash test. This test merely shows that some vehicles cannot effectively spread out the damage / compression when the collision point is off to one side of the vehicle, and the GM trio just happens to be one of them.
all comperable vehicles.
I just don't understand some of the Toyota mentality. When I went to test drive a Sienna, the dealer said, we don't have any, but if you wait 6-8 weeks I'll order you an LE for $24K. I bought a Transport comparably equipped (except 8
passanger seating, anothe GM unique) for $22K two
days later. Sure Toyota has a great reputation, but it makes me want to vomit when people will buy something sight unseen just because it is a Toyota. Lets get one thing straight, the Sienna's reliability is UNPROVEN! (Have you read any of the posts of transmission problems?) Just because it is built on a Camry chassis, does'nt mean it will have the same repair record.
Whew, sorry for venting!
I got a new '98 Trans Sport extended with package 1SD, Montana Package, power door, leather, and tape+CD for $26,500 (retail about $29,500) through a broker. This model has everything. Plus I got a special $500 rebate from Pontiac (visit their website and send them and email? http://www.pontiac.com/homepage3.htm) and $500 from GM for customer loyalty.
Microsoft has a very good pricing system at
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/Pontiac/Trans_Sport
then select "new model details", "pricing", and "CarPoint auto pricer".
Yes, the Sienna is a new model, but Toyota has one of the best reliability records on the market. This is part of the reason why the Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling (at one point I believe it was the best-selling) vehicle in North America. It usually tends to be the case that imports are generally more reliable than domestics, that's what Japanese cars are famous for. Besides, this is the only problem I have heard about people having with the new Siennas. I have heard many more about the minivans from GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
I have only read one incident of a Sienna transmission problem. That was on the alt.autos.toyota newsgroup and then a link popped up called toyotarepair.com that implied this was a problem. I chat with two Toyota Master Diagnostic Technicians and neither has made this repair or even heard of this alleged problem.
Keep in mind that the Sienna is only about 700lbs heavier than the Camry which uses the same transmission. I sincerely doubt that the extra weight would cross the threshold of operability of the transmission. Also, I don't believe the Camry has such incidents associated with it.
I would also have to agree with Stratego that Toyota's reputation for reliability and quality during the manufacturing process far exceeds that of GM.
Scott
I don't disagree that Toyota has a good track record in reliability. If not for them their US counterparts would not have the competition to improve. But, also remember that the same people brought us the original Toyota mini-van based on another fine auto chassis. Then they brought us the Previa. Both were known only for reliability. Neither impressed consumers judging by the sales volume. Obviously, Toyota was not impressed either as their model lineage continue for decades. Let's hope the cliche, "Third time's a charm" becomes a reality for Toyota. I will let one more year pass before I purchase one.
Stratego: Okay so I made a mistake about your precious and perfect Sienna...ooops! I can appreciate your opinion and am sure you value it very much. This is a Pontiac Trans Sport area, not a "I think the GM van sucks and the Toyota is King". Please give it a rest or create your own topic to spout in. Let's use this area to talk about the virtues AND/OR problems with ownership or potential ownership of the Trans Sport.
Ownership update: Almost have 3000 miles on my '98 Montana and love it more everyday. I get lots of compliments on its looks and features at work and at the car wash. I'm averaging 17.1 mpg but that's mostly an 18 mile city commute to work, lots of hills, lights, and traffic and I like to get to speed quickly (no granny starts from the stop sign). It has plenty of room for my wife's wheelchair without blocking the rear view and the versatile seating arrangment allows me to use one of the seats folded up to keep the wheelchair from tipping over when turning.
I'm sure most of the other mini-vans these days are fairly reliable thanks to the Japanese pressure on American manufacturers regarding quality. I think my Trans Sport is stylish, well built and recommend one to anyone looking to buy a mini-van. If Toyota, Ford ('99 with four side doors), or Chrysler/Benz had steering wheel controls, it would have made my decision more difficult.
Hopefully my fondness for the Trans Sport will continue. I'll update in another few thousand miles. And Stratego, try to be a little more accepting of us poor little fools who bought Pontiac. Why don't you just feel sorry for us rather than so spiteful (Merriam-Webster: full of petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate and annoy).
gained another 25% (40 pounds), I would'nt sign up for any more 100 Mile bike rides! Like I said, reliability is UNPROVEN. There also needs to be more of them on the road to make an accessment. Lastly, does anyone know of a CREDIBLE rating of reliabilty? Newsgroup postings are anecdotal, and CR, don't make me laugh, did you ever take one of the surveys (nuff said there)?
I bet the guy at ponitac who put the controls on the steering whell never thought it would be decision maker for some people. Do you flip TV channels every 2 seconds too? Oh, sorry that was me who does that. Incidentally, the Tran Sport I bought did not have a CD player, so I added an aftermarket changer with a remote, not on the wheel, but fits nicely in the palm of your hand.
It was the 8 passanger seating that sold me on the
van though.
After having the van for a couple of months and a couple of thousand miles, I have to say that my only regret is that I don't have enough cash to buy a 2nd one! I am constantly pleased by the thought that went into the selection and integration of the features. There is really nothing that I don't like about it.
My wife drives it most. She's about a month away from giving birth, and I really feel good about the safety & security features; Self sealing tires, ABS, traction control, side airbags, auto locks & lights, and the compass and temperature built into the overhead display (expecting mommies can be forgetful, as in locking doors, switching on/off lights, driving the wrong direction, etc.). She's putting about 200 miles a week on it which I will take as a vote of approval considering she's not working now.
I think my favorites are the simpler things like being able to pop out the seats in about a minute to load the back with plywood or sheetrock, or just to make it easy to clean the carpet or the seats. Also, the automatic ride height adjustment makes the van really versatile rather than potentially versatile. And the orange-red dash lighting is something I've admired since I saw it in a friend's Audi 5000 15 years ago.
Hope everyone else is enjoying theirs as much as we are!
I traded in my Saturn, I just missed the $500
loyalty cash back coupon I think. Can anyone let
me know if I am entitled to the rebate.
Thanks
Tell them to use Saturn as a model to treat employees, and keep jobs in America.
P.S. I am not a union member, and don't know anyone who is in the UAW.
Here's a story: http://www.autoauth.com/topstories/aw3.htm
And links to GM where you can e-mail them your comments:
www.cadillac.com
www.buick.com
www.pontiac.com
www.gmc.com
www.chevrolet.com
www.saturn.com
www.oldsmobile.com
Wes
The new GM Minivans are made in Doraville, Ga.
Enjoy!
had decided on a GM Pontiac Transport. Now I'm apprehensive about buying. Questions: What will this do for dealers? Will they more or less willing to negotiate? HELP!?
of the best reliability records on the market." you have to think twice because there is no source to back up your judgement that the Ugly looking Sienna is RELIABLE. I have only heard of transmission problem in the other minivan conference.
I have read an article where the keyless entrance remote didn't work and door wouldn't OPEN... source: 'edmunds 1998 minivan comparison'
SO YOU CAN'T REALLY SAY THAT TOYOTA HAS RELIABLE RECORD.
Hard to say, I had difficulty locating a Trans Sport 3 months ago when I got mine.
I would like to offer my opinion about your purchase: If you have a car you want to trade in, consider selling it yourself. Some cases it doesn't matter, but in some it does. In the case of my Chevy conversion van, I got about 2x what the dealer was offering. Edmund's used car prices closely reflect reality (in Florida).
Also, get a price on the van you want from buying services such as Auto-By-Tel or Microsoft CarPoint. I priced Trans Sports at Invoice + 3% when I was shopping. After that you can visit the dealer and know if they're making an effort to sell, or if they're playing games. If you have Windows 95 or newer on a PC, you can use a tool at carpoint.msn.com to run through option packages & prices called CarPoint AutoPricer (???).
If you are looking at a Trans Sport, go to the Pontiac web site and ask them (email) if they have any extra rebates. Somehow I received a coupon from Pontiac for an above-and-beyond $500 rebate, and I think it was from emailing them. Also, if you currently have a GM car, and are buying another you are elegible for a $500 loyalty rebate.
Good Luck, and enjoy!
The other day I was looking through CR's Buying Guide and found that Toyota was the only major manufacturer with models not listed in the "Used Cars To Avoid" section. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this is definitely a reflection of Toyota's reliability.
As for the C&D report, you're always going to find a vehicle that has at least one little glitch. To me, a faulty key-fob remote would be the least of my worries.
And as for your closing comment, I can't prove 100% that the Sienna is reliable, but I CAN prove that Toyotas are reliable. Besides, it is pretty general that imports (save for the Korean autos) are usually more reliable than the domestics.
Stratego and hyperman you are in the WRONG TOPIC.
You must have missed the Toyota Sienna topic on top.
You can also check out other sites:
www.intellichoice.com
carpoint.msn.com
www.autosite.com
www.consumerreports.org
Good luck. (Rebates on TransSport are now up to $1500!)
wes
I just received a recall notice for my 1998
Trans Sport, problems with transmission. It may not be in park even if it indicates it on the
shift. I also read that GM is recalling the Venture and Silhouette for seat problems(Pontiac was not mentioned). However, I will follow up to
find out why Pontiac seats were not included.
Has anyone else received a recall notice pls
let me know!
Do I wait until the strike is over and order the 8 passenger or just jump for what is out there now?
The transmission went out in the Grand Caravan for the third time outside of warranty (of course), so I would like to jump quickly.Does anyone know how the strike i
If you go to the NHTSA site,
http://www.nhtsa.gov
you will find recall information. They should have the latest info.
2345
We will be a family of four in another few months, and know many other family of fours, so the 8 seats works out well for 2 family events. With your normal 'payload' of 6, it may not be as big a deal. I do like the center buckets because they are so easy to remove and handle once they are out. It does not take me more then 10 seconds
from the time to open the door until the time the
seat is out of the van. The one minor downside I have experienced with the center buckets is the seat belt buckles are buried kinda deep in the seat and are hard to buckle (at least with a booster seat in them).
Thanks for info, just to let you know my van
checked out ok in regards to recall. However, they replaced my master cylinder. My brake peddle was going all the way to the floor. I have only 2,900 miles on my van. The dealer said that the part was defected from the factory. It's a good thing the the part was available. The strike is starting to take effect regarding parts for GM cars.
We have a '98 Trans Sport that's about 4 months old, and we really like it. No problems. Be sure to understand the enhanced maintenence because there's things like fluid/filter changes not required for the transmission, coolant change only at 150K miles, and etc.
Enjoy!
Nannymann@aol.com
Purchase price: $25, 679 ($1 over invoice)
Residual: 61% (will make purchasing at the end a losing proposition)
Security deposit waived ($0)
Interest rate: 9% (this really stinks)
36 months, 15K miles: $354 with tax
Money to start: $4000
I live in California so we don't get the rebates that the rest of the country does, so you may be able to do better. Just watch how they vary the residual. I would prefer a lower residual and a lower interest rat to maintain the same payment, just in case I really like the car and want to keep it at the end. For $372(which includes the refundable security deposit) I'm getting a loaded GLS Silhouette (MSRP $28,990) which I may go for instead(has 4% interest rate, lower residual, leather, power pass. seat).
Hope this helps, let me know what you get.
I tried to email you at AOL.COM, but they kicked back the email. Write me at scottbusey@hotmail.com if you'd like to discuss Montana.