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I have asked Chevrolet whether it can be a retro fit on 2000 and back, by removing the ashtray and lighter and inserting the 2001 cupholder.
Will post comments when rcd.
We have had a Venture LT 2000 8 seater in dark sapphire for 11 months with just over 20K miles. We got in through carorder.com at an unbelievable price of $24500 incl taxes.(Carorder packed it in and are now back in CA.)
This van has been absolutley first class with minimal repairs, the major one being an errant low coolant warning light which was fixed by the dealer. A couple of minor issues I fixed myself. I always change the oil/filter myself at 3K and have tires rotated as per schedule.
I took it out in the snow this week and it felt very competent and reassuring with the Traction Control coming on and off as well the anti lock brakes.
For college runs and ice hockey tourneys it is a very comfortable highway cruiser with plenty of pep in the engine and good mpg.
Consumers Reports seem to knock it at every opportunity and appear to be in love with anybody other than GM.
Since I have no immediate plans to run into a fixed barrier, those scores don't worry much!! LOL...
And, since State Farm now gives discounts based on their claims experience with the Pontiac Montana, I guess those tests aren't the best predictors of actual injury/death rates....
"In the Institute's 40 mph offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver side. The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles..."
More information about safety/crash tests can be found here:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/offset.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/def.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_passvans.htm
http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/iihs/iihs.htm
http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/nhtsa/usncap.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96026.htm
Although the Chevy Venture is structurally identical to the Pontiac Montana (and the Olds Silhouette), State Farm doesn't give the same discounts to the Venture or the Silhouette. Hmm....since this is the Venture topic, guess that point is moot.
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Where's the link to the Highway Loss Data Institute's information about actual loss experiences for these vehicles, including the Chevy Venture?
Conveniently left that one out, eh Drew? Nothing like the supposedly impartial host trying to move the discussion in his/her way....
Well, in the interests of fairness, I'll provide the link. I think you'll find that real-world experience suggests that choosing any of the GM triplets does not put you at a substantial risk for death or injury, in fact, they are all in the "substantially better than average" category....
http://www.carsafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ictl/ictl_wagon.htm
Honestly, I do wish that they did better since the GM vans do ride and drive quite well (a friend of mine used to own a '98 Transport Montana, until he saw the IIHS crash tests coverage on Dateline NBC; he kept it for another year and then sold it), not to mention being available with the VersaTrak AWD system soon.
Mr impartial host
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Edmunds, are you listening???
offham...
Here is a link to an article about the reduction, including the Pontiac Montana. The reduction is only on the Medical portion of the auto policy, and it was to apply to 44 states....maybe your state is not one of them?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/statefarm_rates_001128.html
dmatthews3, the reasons why your posts were removed were described in Steve's, my co-host, e-mail to you. I never said the Venture was better/worse than the Montana. In fact, I said that they were structurally identical. Lastly, I do frequently drive a minivan. It's running perfectly fine, thanks.
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
may have just taken out the bulb!
Best of luck...
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
I am only guessing but on most vehicles when you first turn on the ignition before cranking the starter most bulbs can be checked. It should light up.
I put a lot of miles on a car - about 1000 a week. I had 95K on the first one when the engine check light came on. I took it to the local dealer and it told them it was a transmission problem. The spent a lot of time on the car and finally said that the closest diagnosis they could come up with was a problem with one of the 5 sensors in the transmission. They said they would suggest replacing all of them as they could not tell which one it was. Estimated bill $1500.
I still felt that it was a good car and traded for another. To make a long story short, the second one got 72K before it also developed transmission problems.
Needless to say, I am done with Chevy vans
From the parts screen it would appear that the ash tray and cup holders are part of the frame (200/2001) which goes around the center switches etc. The price for this part is $75.00. We will live with the seat mounted ones !!!
Wife has put 18K on the Venture and the in law has put 6K on the Windstar. We have had to bring the Windstar in for one recall and another is still needing to get fixed, and they have had to replace an accelerator pedal housing (someone left bits of plastic in it) and a gear shift interlock (its sort of neat to drive around and be in a forward gear with the dash saying you are in reverse), plus various trim problems. The Venture has been flawless - unless you consider un kid proof upholstery a design problem.(If any manufacturer needs a 3 year old who will kick the heck out of the seat in front for testing purposes give me a call!)
My fathers experience with Pontiac put me off GM for the last 3 decades! But the Venture has actually been very nice. Only major complaint is the crummy headlights.
Maybe I'm just lucky but GM gets my vote for now. I suspect my opinion will change in about 30000 miles. The 8 seat option is fantastic. The main reason we got a GM van. Why don't the other mini van makers do that? Even Toyota in European Previas had 8 seats!
Any idea? Thanks, BernieK
Experienced it on the old Chevy Lumina van and to a mild degree on my Venture 2000. My be worth checking the securing bolts of the tank to see if the need tightening. In checking www.alldata.com there was not a recall on this issue.
But, they would offer us a Owner loyalty discount of $500-3000 on the next NEW vehicle we would purchase from GM.....great! Thanks for the gesture, but $500 off a $30,000 doesn't even cover the state sales tax.....GM is showing how they like their customers.....We always have had a GM product with little problems, but I would be very cautious about buying another minivan with this engine or buying this model used!!!! Good luck to all.
I would really get a second opinion as the front alignment can also be affected by the rear wheels. The shops with the computerized equipment are the best bet. Worth the $80.
*interior lights flicking off and on
*dash lights coming on and gages going to zero
*stalling at low speeds (the last time I was almost rear ended by a truck who was driving about 60-70 and I had all three kids in my van)
*power side door opening while drivng at about 40 mph with my 2 year old in the seat next to the door (nice huh)
* side power door warning beep going off and on and at 1 pt beeping for 11/2 hours straight on a trip
This is the first chevy we have owned. I am very frustrated. We have contacted an attorney and are just about to go forward with the lemon law.
We paid $28,265. out the door for this van and the attorney said we would only get $23K back on the lemon law because we did not have trouble with it for the first 16K miles. I am sick as I certainly can't buy another car with this size and features for $23K. We paid cash for this van.
I don't know what direction to turn at this point yet feel that the van is becoming unsafe, very frustrated that the only answer we are getting is "can't duplicate the problem"
Someone told me we may get better results from the GMC buy back program. Does anyone have info about this? A friend had Astro van trouble and they gave her full price back on trade in as long as she bought another chevy. Do I want another Chevy? I have read of several complaints on here many of which I have. So my thoughts right now are that these cars have problems. I am considering an expedition or if we have to get another chevy a tahoe not another van. BUT again can't buy these on the $23K attorney says we will get.
Can someone give me some words of wisdom or advice?
Thanks
lemon lady
Turn to Owner Assistance, and if a senior person at the dealer cannot assist in a satisfactory manner, then call Chevrolet customer Assistance as spelled out. Based on your info it is still under warranty, but getting close to the 36K.
Stongly suggest you go to Chevrolet and let them have details of the problems. I would think that they would want to resolve in a psoitive manner.
So many times we read on thihs site that the "dealer unable to duplicate".
I found the secret is to let the main oil drain for some time after a good run, so it is nice and hot and flows easily. Be sure to wear old (gardening) gloves and do not worry if the plug goes in the bowl, it can be retrieved when saving for recycling.I use old windshield washer bottles.
In regard to filter, before removing, I push and old cloth up behind it to absorb any spillage. There will always be some oil in the filter, but sense there may be a siphoning action to take some of it out if you let the oil drain a little longer. When unscrewing be sure to try and keep it upright as possible
Quite frankly, I prefer to do it myself, knowing I am using the correct filter and filled to correct level, which a lot of these quick change jobs do not always do. Furthermore, they tighten the plug and filter way over what is required.
When filling with oil (I use Exxon Superflo 5-30 which you can get for $11-$12 per case)after the initial 3/4 quarts, run to let oil circulate and then top off to dipstick level. I have found it is better initially to be just short of the line and then re check, as on occasions I have had to drain some out.
Hope this helps.