Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Pontiac Montana
I have a 1992 Pontiac Transsport. Despite all the
dustbuster comments and the mediocre Consumer
Reports reviews, I am really happy with the van and
have had virtually no costs except for routine
maintenance. The van has 67k miles and now I'm in
the market for a new one. I really like the 34
pound seats for easy removal when I need to take
them out so I am first focussing in GM minivans.
Has nayone made the switch from the pre-1997 GMs
to the redisgn? Any experience, comments?
dustbuster comments and the mediocre Consumer
Reports reviews, I am really happy with the van and
have had virtually no costs except for routine
maintenance. The van has 67k miles and now I'm in
the market for a new one. I really like the 34
pound seats for easy removal when I need to take
them out so I am first focussing in GM minivans.
Has nayone made the switch from the pre-1997 GMs
to the redisgn? Any experience, comments?
0
Comments
It is nice to hear such a positive comment on the '92 Transport's reliability from wlh. It would be great to find out if more recent purchasers of that van have had the same experience on good reliability and performance.
We also are considering a Plymouth or Dodge grand caravan. Info is appreciated on any
thanks
Reliability, comfort, power, handling, are important to me. Thanks.
Test drove it and the Astro/Safari - what a huge difference. The Safari bounced us all over the road while the Pontiac handled the rough smoothly. I still havn't driven the Chrysler's or Ford's and would be interested in other's handling comparisons.
One complaint on the Montana, why the heck do they require dark-tint windows with some options. The whole purpose of a window is to be able to see out, not feel like your inside a panel van!
Venture. The Venture, Oldsmobile Silouhette
and the Pontiac Transport are all made at the
same factory (I believe I am correct on that.
Please let me know if you know different).
Please realize that the 97 Transport and Silouheete are completely difference cars/vans than the year models before this. I don't think it would be wise to compare.
various models which you mention. Not only will you have access to articles about '98s, but you can also look into 97s for a little comparison.
1) Do I have any other 8-seat options in any other TRUE minivans?
2) The Middle row of seats (3 seperate modular "buckets")were VERY uncomfortable when I checked out 1997 model. Has this been addressed for 1998? Has anyone else noticed this problem?
Lousy seats.....they're still the same for '98. Unless you go for the Captain's chairs - but then you limit yourself to 7 seats. I am considering buying either a Venture or Transport, but am extremely bothered by how uncomfortable the back seats are.
It's likely nothing has changed for '98....but I guess reading the '98 reviews might answer that one !
Additionally, I've driven three Montanas and two of the three had MANY squeaks and rattles. ALso, the plastic looks pretty cheap, but then I'm used to Hondas, so my expectations are very high.
By the way, check out www.hwysafety.org for the 40 mph offset Crash Test of the GM Minivans - pretty awlful results! The TransSport folded up in that crash test.
Also, you may want to consider the reliability issue of the GM minivans... According to Consumer Reports, the GM minivans have a very dismal Much Worse than Average repair record.
MY VERDICT: The styling may be nice (especially the Montana), but the POOR (!) Crash Tests and Reliability Record makes me VERY cautious!
Hope these opinions help out...
i posted for you on the Sienna board.
NOTE:: Microsoft is having major problems with the auto-pricer. I've been in constant contact with them and they tell me it should be fixed this week. You will not get an accurate price on AP, trust me I know!
I have never seen "GM buying power". Any refence to "CMI" packages? Look in Kelly Bluebook (www.kbb.com) prices for CMI package Transports. CMI means (i think) "consumer marketing ______"
KBB has two CMI paackages for the 98 Transport. Maybe this is it??
The 3400 you are referring to is in options. Copy and paste this URL and it will get you to what I think you have. Just add up the options you mentioned and see if it adds up to the MSRP:
http://www.kbb.com/cgi-bin/cgi.exe?kbb+zip:53185+nc+ncfrm:01979
We like the Venture over the Montana ONLY because of the front seats. They are a bit too short for us. I wish the went about 2" closer to my knee. See the Sienna board for more comments.
I added the CMI package plus what you listed and came up with MSRP = 26330...darn..I tried.
SOODIEN---sounds high. a local dealer has a loaded 97 Montana 4 door that i should be able to get for 22000, remember, it's already 1-1/2 model yrs old already
just my .02 worth
Jim
p.s.
go to www.kbb.com and start from scratch. the zip code in which you live may have some effect on the pricing..i'm not sure
Jim
In addition to the base price and options you mentioned, the Montana package ($1,010) with the 1SD package ($1,640) plus destination ($570) gets close to the figure your referring to. Edmunds does list these items under the options section. Hope this is of some help.
Thank you for your help in trying to figure out these prices. I believe that the pricing is sufficiently complicated that it is not meant to be simple, clearly understood or made easy to calculate.... (The Chevy, right now is the easiest, the Silhouette more challenging and the Transport/ esp., Transport Montana, impossible). Yesterday, hubby and I searched most of the day for a van. Went to at least 5- 6 different dealerships. ( A van marathon search)... I have narrowed it down from the Sienna to one of the GM products (Chevy or Old's) , based in part, on your and other's great input and my daughter's and hubby feed back and van availability. Now, if I can find the right price and a dealer willing to bargain on the price. At one of the dealerships, I found out a reference to " GM Buying Power". This was at Browning Oldsmobile in Cerritos, Ca.. . In the dealership was this huge (at least 3 and 1/2ft. x4ft. with 2 -2/2 inch lettering ) sign designating its pricing policy. It seems that " GM Buying Power" means that the GM corporation has determined certain automobile and option packages pricing returns, which are suppose to reflect a reasonable (fair) cost, a (fair) return or profit to GM, (fair) return to the dealer and yet also be a ( fair ( ha- ha) price to the consumer .
Thank you for your help in trying to figure out these prices. I believe that the pricing is sufficiently complicated that it is not meant to be simple, clearly understood or made easy to calculate.... (The Chevy, right now is the easiest, the Silhouette more challenging and the Transport/ esp., Transport Montana, impossible). Yesterday, hubby and I searched most of the day for a van. Went to at least 5- 6 different dealerships. I have narrowed it down from the Sienna to one of the GM products (Chevy or Old's) , based in part, on your and other's great input and my daughter's and hubby feed back and van availability. Now, if I can find the right price and a dealer willing to bargain. At Browning Oldsmobile in Cerritos, Ca., I found out a reference to " GM Buying Power". In the dealership was this huge (at least 3 and 1/2ft. x 4ft. with 2 -2/2 inch lettering ) sign designating its pricing policy. It seems that " GM Buying Power" means that the GM corporation has determined certain automobile and option packages ( MSRP) pricing and returns, which are suppose to reflect a reasonable (fair) cost, a (fair) return or profit to GM, (fair) return to the dealer and yet also be a ( fair ( ha- ha) price to the consumer . The "ultimate" gist of the message was "the prices are what they are and are non- negotiable" euphemistically referred to as a no- hassle pricing. ( I wonder if all of GM is moving in this direction; first with Saturn and at least with this Old's dealer or if this is just one (non-Saturn) GM dealer trying to do the Saturn thing. Also, I'll bet you anything that if you add up invoice cost of the items you'll find a 12 %- 15% profit margin,including dealer hold backs.) I would want to and suggest to anyone to double check figures for accuracy and to verify the "buying power" or package option/offering by any automobile dealer. The figures for base invoice price and options for the Chevy were more simple, straight forward and came out about right. However, the Old's Silhouette had more complicated package option offerings. I used dealer costs indicated on the internet for each of the option items designated in two different packages offered in the GM buying power or preset packages. If the figures I found/used were correct, there was a difference of $250 in one and almost $500.00 in another from what the total would be if you took the invoice cost of the van and added in the cost of each additional option, one by one. The Pontiac's Transport and Montana packages are so generally (vaguely) described and package offerings, so complicated, that it is impossible to relate it to an index and be certain that each item was the same or be able to ascertain that the prices charged actually reflected the goods obtained. Also, I could not find a complete or thorough base index of options and their costs to use. (I wonder if this is also why you nor I can get the figures for the Montana to jive; but had the ($500 + differences). .... I like the grocery receipt ticket, thank you, where each item is itemized and the price is clearly shown. I hope that there is some alternative to this GM Buying Power thing, the package options offering and to the non-negotiable pricing, as I don't see how they are really going to be good for us, the consumer... Also, I really don't understand how dealers can refuse to negotiate a lower price for the automobile.
engine. We did, however, have many reliability
problems with it. At around 20K miles it
started consuming oil at an alarming rate
(fixed under warranty). I would say that
on average it was in the shop for warranty
work once a month.
The power sliding door is a great feature,
and I am suprised that Toyota is the only
other make to offer this feature.
I have looked at both the Silloutte and the Montana. Clearly aimed at different demographics. The Montana is more sporty, but not as "finished" looking inside. The leather seats also seem nicer in the Olds. My wife likes the exterior looks of the Montana better, though.
March. I love the van, never had any problems with it. It is solid and powerful. But I have over $5k
on my GM card and a dilemma.
Looking for moral support (or warning) in buying the above vans! Please HELP!
Thank you.
If you have the 2nd row captains chair option, will they safely hold a baby seat?
On the models without the optional rear A/C, are there heater outlets in the rear?
Is the CD/Cassette option worth it?
Thanks for your message. Frankly, it is this type of thing that has me most concerned. I have had a Volvo myself before (wagon with over 140k miles, sold it to a FRIEND!, who kept it for another 75k miles). I now have a mazda mpv with 130k on it, and still runs well. I hate to spend money on something that will not last me a good 8-10 years. I like most of what I see in the GM products, but the reliability still has me scared.
Thanks,
you're very welcome. Have had no problems in the last week... I really do like the way the transport looks and drives, but I am pretty sure I wouldn't buy it again. Just don't have that feeling of reliability I did with the volvo. Now if Volvo could only design a car that would have enough leg room for my two almost 6 foot kids and my 6'6" husband!!! Good luck.
Had lots of power & handled great. Since it only had 1200 miles, It was in great shape & we did not experience any reliability problems.
We have now decided to lease 1 of the 3 GM mini's.
mec- If you are stuck on getting one of the GM vans I would try the Oldsmobile Silhouette. I belive it offers a power passender seat. If you're willing to look at other, go look at the Chrysler Town and Country which nots only has power but heated front seats also!
Jon
It was barely number one, only one point seperated the 4 vans. Having participated in that review you are talking about, some of the other editors at C&D and I, felt it should not have won because of it's poor crash test performance. It is after all not a sports car and a family hauler.
Jon
"The Roaming Host"
Maybe some of you have some experience with dealers on the new 98 Transport Montana's.
I have done all my research and have come down to buying time. Have gotten one quote from autovantage at $250 over invoice but have not had a chance yet to see the dealer and find out if the price is quoted after deducting out the 3% dealer hold back and the "advertising fee". All the "experts" seem to say that you can by from a dealer with out paying for those charges.
A local dealer has agreed to sell at 250 over invoice but will not budge on taking out the 3% holdback and advertising. This adds up to almost $1100-1200.
Has anybody had any luck in getting the vans or any other cars with out paying for hold back and and advertising.
Thanks
Check out:
http://www.hwysafety.org/crash/vans/crashvan.htm
download and watch the offset headon crash test movie......
Glen
Your are mixing up two independent crash tests. The GM minivans showed a pretty good picture in frontal crash tests, but they performed extremely poorly in offset crash tests. So its up to you what you think the odds are that you get hit offset in a frontal crash ...!
captain's chairs, tow pkg, pwr.driver/pass seats.
now have 12,500 miles. not any serious problems but several minor problems such as turn signal indicator light not activating from time to time; the plastic front bumper/shrowd loose and rattling, windows rattling, sliding drivers side door out of whack leading to "door ajar" light to stay lit and power lock not to work; wiper arms replaced due to snow/ice buildup causing wiper arms to not function, entire gauges had to be replaced due to sending unit problem. goes to prove that one should not buy a new model in it's first year.
already. Test drove all vans with four doors.
If you need seating options, and want sporty
SUV looks, Trans Sport is it. Power door is very handy. If you want best reliability buy the Oasis.
about 2 years before deciding on the Trans Sport
with the Montana package. As you've read before,
"There is no ONE best mini-van for everyone." I
selected the Pontiac because it had plenty of
giddy-up-and-go (180 hp), decent mileage (I'm
getting between 17-18 mpg in mostly city and
congested freeway driving - So Cal), stereo
controls on the steering wheel (VERY HANDY and
COOL), an electronic opening passenger side rear
door (VERY HANDY and COOL), and great looks (for a
mini-van).
The Chrysler T&C was very nice too but the
ergonomics weren't as good as the Pontiac. I
picked the Pontiac over its Oldsmobile sibling
primarily because of looks but also because the
seats are more comfortable. The Honda was very
nice but not near enough power and is a little two
small. I didn't check the Toyota out because it
too didn't have as much power and didn't have
steering wheel controls.
So far, with only 780 miles on it, I like it more
every time I drive it and everybody at the office
thinks its VERY COOL. My three year old son likes
the electric door too.
For the money (I paid just over invoice of 28,160)
it is LOADED with features. Check them out.
I’ve read two long terms on the 97 GM van’s (Old’s in Car & Driver, and Pontiac in one of the others) and both articles (with the exception of a few first model year glitches) liked the vehicles. It appears that, Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth and Pontiac/Olds/Chevy will swap top billing for awhile which is not saying that the Toyota is a bad vehicle and it, too, may have some first year problems.
I leased a 4-door Montana with 1SD package, 8 passenger seating, rear HVAC, and top stereo with CD (includes stereo controls on the steering wheel which is a MUST I also own an ’89 Bonneville SSE with steering wheel controls too). I will be ordering running boards as soon as they are available from an after-market manufacturer. Its really only missing leather (which I don’t want with my 3 year old kid) and the power passenger seat. The electric passenger rear door is great too, especially for the kid (it has child safety locks). The seats on the ‘98 Trans Sport were far more supportive and comfortable than the ’97 Olds; I didn’t check out the ’98 Old’s. I think the Pontiac looks much better too. I paid about a grand over invoice but cut them some slack on my trade in.
I’ll probably post a 7000-1000 mile update.
Happy hunting. I’m glad my 2 year hunt is over.
BTW: Apply for credit with GM express credit (http://www.gm.com/vehicles/us/finance/express.html) before you go in. I received a coupon for $500.00 good towards the purchase of any extended length Trans Sport and was pre-approved. Also, you can get another $500.00 if you trade in a GM vehicle.
You don't have to even trade in your old GM to get the $500. As long as you purchased it new (in some wide timerange), and still own it you will get a minimum of $500. Call 1-800 information and ask for the number fro 'GM Loyalty'.