Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Montana

1487 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2013 at 6:26 PM

You are in the Pontiac Montana Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Trans Sport, Pontiac Montana, Van

Messages Page 47 of 149

#459 of 1487 Pricing Question by dfair

Jun 06, 2001 (9:42 am)

We are looking at purchasing a 2001 Montana with the 1SG package (sporting package w/o Montanavision). On Pontiac's website, at Edmund's, at Kelly Blue Book, at the display at the dealer, etc: - it says that after Jan. 01, the driver's side power sliding door is STANDARD with the 1SG package. Fine. Yet, when you actually go out and look at the sticker on these vehicles, you find two types of Montana's with the 1SG package:
 
1) No power driver's side door at all (does this mean that this vehicle has been sitting here since before 01/01?)
 
2) It has a power driver's side door, but it isn't listed as standard w/ the 1SG package, it's listed as a $350 option.
 
I don't understand the discrepancy between Pontiac's own information and the actual window stickers. Is it likely I could argue my way out of the additional $350 for an alleged "standard" feature?
 
Finally (sorry 'bout the long length): a second question. I'm having a little trouble finding a local dealer with exactly what I want - I found one that has exactly what I want, except it also has the $165 towing package. What exactly is in this towing package and is it a big deal to get a Montana w/it and never use it?

#460 of 1487 dfair: Pricing Question by dlubin

Jun 06, 2001 (10:43 am)

We're picking up our 1SJ tomorrow, and in our search have only seen 1 or 2 vans with dual power doors. Dual power doors was supposed to be (like the 3rd row folding bench) a midyear production change.
 
The specifications (according to the brochure and website I see) list a sliding drivers door, but not power. Power drivers door is even optional on the silhouette premier - so I'd expect it to be on the Montana as well (even 1sG/J)
 
Regarding the tow package - I wish I had it, but keep in mind that production has stopped on Montanas - availability is limited to whats in the field. The package provides the wiring harness, and (why I wanted it) heavy-duty oil and transmission coolers - no trailer hitch. I think it may help with reliability if you intend to keep the vehicle a while (which I do).
 
Hope this helps,
 
-Dan

#461 of 1487 Thanks dlubin! by dfair

Jun 06, 2001 (12:30 pm)

That helps a lot! Another weird thing is the one dealer seems to only have "older" 2001's as compared to this other dealer (maybe after the production change). For the exact same vans, they have a different "Standard Vehicle Price" on the window sticker: $29,800 for the 1SG vs. $29,580 for the EXACT same thing - this is before any other options or the destination charge is added. They also have a $10 difference on the destination charge.

#462 of 1487 DFAIR by montanafan

Jun 06, 2001 (2:02 pm)

The driver's side power sliding door was going to be ready for January production and included in the 1SG and 1SJ packages. When it was not ready until April production, Pontiac dropped it from the 1SG/1SJ packages and became a option on any package except 1SC for $350.
     The difference in window sticker prices is because of price increases throughout the year. 10/20/00 $10 Destination. 1/26/01 $115 base price. 3/2/01 $105 base price.

#464 of 1487 Engine tapping noise by stukesmd

Jun 06, 2001 (7:57 pm)

My'99 with 54,000 miles developed a tapping noise in the engine after a cold start. It disappears after about two minutes. I took it to the dealer and was given two technical service bulletins on this condition (57-71-06A and 57-61-24A). GI's explanation is that "under normal design tolerances, when the piston pin bore is produced at the maximum tolerance and the piston pin is produced at the minimum tolerance (min-max tolerance) trace noise levels can occur. This level of noise does not affect the reliability or durability of the product." The dealer told me there was no guarantee that if these parts were replaced that the noise would disappear and also that since my van was out of warranty the fix would be at my expense. I am learning to live with it.

#465 of 1487 First Time Buyer - 2002 by edinmd

Jun 13, 2001 (11:12 am)

I'm considering buying a 2002 Montana and have never owned a minivan before. Does anyone know how the safety ratings are on the 2002 model or if they will be improved over the 2001 model?

#466 of 1487 edinmd by drew_

Jun 14, 2001 (10:04 am)

So far it looks like the only major change to the '02 GM minivans is the availability of (optional) AWD. Structurally they will remain the same and as such, the NHTSA and IIHS offset crash test results should still apply. FYI, the GM minivans used to be sold in Europe as the Opel Sintra:
  Here are a few links for you to look at:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96026.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_passvans.htm
http://www.fia.com/tourisme/Ncap6/OPEL_Sintra/OPEL_SINTRA.html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/1566.html
  Curious as to how the NHTSA full width test differs from the IIHS offset crash test? Have a look at these links:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/offset.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/def.htm
http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/nhtsa/usncap.htm
 
"Full-width and offset tests complement each other. Crashing the full width of a vehicle into a rigid barrier maximizes energy absorption so that the integrity of the occupant compartment, or safety cage, can be maintained well in all but very high-speed crashes. Full-width rigid-barrier tests produce high occupant compartment decelerations, so they're especially demanding of restraint systems. In offset tests, only one side of a vehicle's front end, not the full width, hits the barrier so that a smaller area of the structure must manage the crash energy. This means the front end on the struck side crushes more than in a full-width test, and intrusion into the occupant compartment is more likely. The bottom line is that full-width tests are especially demanding of restraints but less demanding of structure, while the reverse is true in offsets".
 
Hope this helps!

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

#467 of 1487 Water sloshing somewhere by bprice4

Jun 27, 2001 (4:04 am)

When driving my 2000 Montana I can hear water sloshing around somewhere in the back and it is not the gas tank. Dont know if its in the sliding doors or somewhere else. Have not taken it to the dealer yet. Anyone else have this problem?

#468 of 1487 Re #460 Water sloshing around by offham

Jun 27, 2001 (5:18 am)

Re your post. Across the three GM van sites, it has been reported that water can get into the rear wells, especially where the jack is located.
 
This water enters through the plastic boots on top of the rear edge when you lift the hatch. It requires to put clear silicone sealant around the rubber boot.
 
However, it is unlikely that you would hear it, and suspect it is gas in the tank, especially when it is full and gradually subsides as the gas volume goes down.
 
Try testing at different levels, and especially if you have to brake hard with a full tank you can hear it. Have a Venture 2000 and noted similar circumstances.

Messages Page 47 of 149

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement