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Here are my "Dis-Likes"
1. The "leather" seats in the WB Edition van are not predominately leather. There is a tremendous amount of cloth on the seat which completely negates all the advantages of buying a "leather" seat.
2. The WB Edition comes with 5 captain's seats. The 3 in the middle row string together to form a "bench" seat. The 2 seats in the rear row can be positioned in either the second row or in the rear row. However, the two outboard seats in the middle row will not go in the rear row (It states this on a sticker right under the seat). WHY!!!??? The reason this is so frustrating is that the outboard seats in the middle row also both contain the integrated child seats. The GM design prevents me from using the integrated child seats in the rear row. It's completely perplexing why it was designed this way.
3. The cupholders for the front passengers (driver and 1st passenger) are a joke. This is a minivan, not a sports car. We need more/better cupholders. In fact, with a full van (all seats occupied) there are a total of 3 cupholders (for 7 people) in the entire van!! This is just downright silly. My SUV that holds 7people, has 9 cupholders.
4. I hate daytime running lamps. If I want my lights on, I'll turn them on myself.
5. Please give me a drivers seat with 2 real armrests (like the Astro van). The door is not a comfortable rest for my left arm.
6. When you fill up with gas and reset the overhead trip computer, you have to reset each and every parameter. What a pain. Make every parameter reset with one switch (like the early models did).
7. I need a driver's side power sliding door. (Addressed on 2001 model).
8. Both rear seat (3rd row) audio controls are only accessible to passenger seated on R side of van. Designer obviously didn't have teenage kids.
9. Handle on rear hatch is flimsy. It's been replaced twice (under warranty). Now I just don't use it since I know it will just tear again.
10. I don't like driving vehicles without full size spare tires, especially with the entire family onboard. A full size spare needs to be an option.
11. Where's the tachometer?
12. I sure would prefer cruise control buttons on the steering wheel (instead of the over-populated blinker stem). While I'm on the subject, a cruise "cancel" switch would be nice.
Here are a few of my Likes:
1. The entertainment system is great.
2. Fuel economy vs my SUV is great.
3. Dual climate controls is great. 3 zone (ala Chrysler) is overkill.
4. Thank you for putting a compressor switch on the climate controls.
5. I sure like the rear compressor / inflator system. Why isn't there a compartment to store my inflator hose?
6. Engine power/torque is acceptable. Good acceleration for merging etc...
7. Suspension seems fine. Nice ride
I would add to the list (believe does not apply to WB) the loosey goosey CD drawer which slides out, but must be engaged in a slot on the lid. The segments for holding the CD are quite tight and if the CD case is not shut tight it will not fit.
The other funny thing is erratic movement of the temp. gauage up to 3/4 of the dial but the dealer confirms this is normal behavier as the fan will kick in at higher temp to save gas.
It sounds like it comes from the luggage rack, but there is nothing loose that we can tighten. I suppose it could be a resonance frequency in the roof itself (how would you fix THAT). We asked the dealer about it after we had it a year, but they knew nothing about any complaints to GM. It is LOUD, and about the same timbre as a jackhammer.
I don't know if anyone else has posted about this. I read back about a hundred posts, but can't read all 600. Any help would be appreciated.
Good luck!
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences
Xcusme
There is a TSB regarding the lack of heat in 98 Ventures, I know I have the same problem. The dealer replaced the thermostat and made a modification to the heater hose at the inlet of the heater core. Seems GM had a bright idea, put a flow restrictor in the inlet hose to the front heater core to build static pressure in the line so that more hot coolant went to the rear heater core (rear Ax heater). It must have looked good on the computer but leaves much to be desired in real life. By the way, I think they should have addressed the issue of insulation on the hot water lines to the rear heater core, the lines go all the way to the back and then all the way back to the engine, exposed to below freezing temps with wind chill effects, without any insulation at all, now tell me that doesn't have anything to do with heat loss.
If you're interested in crash test reports, check out the IIHS's 40mph crash tests (click on a vehicle name for a detailed report and pictures) and http://www.crashtest.com
Good luck!
Drew
Host of Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Any in-sight on this vehicle would be appreciated...will these vans go the distance or are they "throw aways"?
Thanks for your advise.
Big D01
Good luck!
Both radiator and plastic tank are full to the correct levels.
Has anyone else had this problem.
If nothing else goes wrong I will be satisfied with the purchase but it seems like I keep saying that and every month it's something else. Here are the stats so far. Use them as you see fit.
4/20/00 - Picked up new van
8/8/00 - 2,177 miles - Keyless remote quit working. Took it back and they replaced the receiver in the van and still didn't work. I had to take it back two more times because they claimed they were going to trace the wiring to look for a fault. It turns out that the new receiver they put in didn't work so they finally got another receiver and that one worked. That took three trips to the dealer.
9/27/00 - 3,795 miles - Front plastic on dash warped they replaced it.
- The face of the radio started peeling. They changed the radio but the dealer wasn't bright enough to realize that my radio had a CD player in it and put in a radio without CD in it. They said they would order the right radio.
10/9/00 - 4,400 miles - They put in a different radio with a CD player in it.
12/1/00 - 4,501 miles - The radio wasn't working right. The sound would fade in and out. The dealer wouldn't order another radio before I brought in the van. I called the GM Customer Assistance Center and complained. They told the dealer to order the radio prior to me coming in and it was replaced.
12/29/00 - 5,591 miles - On a trip across the state the Anit lock Brake (ABS) light kept coming on. A line under the van came loose and was rubbing against something. They repaired the wiring and rerouted the harness.
THE BAD: My wife discovered at 24K miles that she was unable to turn to the left without a serious effort. Luckily this occured close to home. We took it to the dealer who discovered that we needed a new "steering rack" and the work was done under warranty. THE UGLY: Only 2K miles after the steering rack problem my wife reported a high pitched whine at speed on the highway. I drove the Van this weekend and thought that it might be the transmission. While diving at about 65 MPH I downshifted the autotrans from "D"rive to 3rd gear. Th whine stopped immediately. Surprisingly, I was not able to detect the engine revving any higher once I wnet to third. I suspect that the Van is never getting to 4th Gear and the whine we hear is the result of the engine transmission trying to shift into 4th but never making it. I'll be taking it back to the dealer again later this week. I drive a 2000 Acura TL and I am thinking about trading the Venture for an Acura MDX. I know I will get killed on the trade, but I am concerned that the Chevy is going to continue to cause me problems (just as my Chevy Lumina sedan did before I bought the TL). Any thoughts, common experiences or advice appreciated.
Closing in on 20K and apart from this item we are delighted with this van.
By the way, our Transport has 86,000 and is doing great.
Thanks, Greg
Make more sense?
Greg
Good luck!
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
And let's not forget that the Insurance Loss Data Institute's figures show the GM vans as having some of the lowest accident claim costs of any vehicles on the road today....
Why not point people to all the information, not just that which you feel is important? Isn't that the job of host on Edmunds? It would seem that your bias is getting in the way of your job performance....
I would seriously consider another dealer and if not happy call Chevrolet direct.
Good luck and keep us posted.
This should reset the warning message. However, the warning system is not based on mileage, but on engine revolutions and conclude that the oil may be too thick at the start and as it warms up thins out and the light goes off. Only an idea ?
If it still lights then suggest oil change 5-30W (have found Exxon Superflo is good)and filter. If still stays on after reset maybe the sensor.
We love our new Venture WB edition. The pros outweigh any cons. The ride is great, the kids love it, the dog loves it! As for the leather/cloth seats...the reason they put the cloth in the center is so your bum does not get cold. I think they could have made the seats all leather and put heaters in them however this could be costly with 7 bucket seats, 5 that are removable!
Many of our friends that were turned off by the safety reviews have been won over after driving or riding in our Venture. It is a great Van! If you are on the fence just stop someone in a parking lot and ask them how they like it. I did that when I before I bought my last car. You will be surprised how willing people are to talk honestly about there vehicle! Good Luck!
They also make a bulb for about $10.00 with 20% more power than the old ones, but I have found the extra $5.00 worth it.