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Chevy Venture

2501 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 11:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Venture, Van

Messages Page 62 of 251

#606 of 2501 2000 Venture (WB Edition) Impressions by cspeter

Dec 21, 2000 (12:39 pm)

My wife and I bought a 2000 WB Edition Chevy Venture about 3 months ago. Overall, we are very happy with the van (about 3000 miles so far). It's does a great job of transporting our 3 kids around town and so far we've had no mechanical problems with the vehicle. Since I'm convinced that GM employees and designers often "lurk" in these pages, I'm going to use this opportunity to note a few items that we don't like about the vehicle. Prospective buyers shouldn't take these items the wrong way. I'm simply airing a few gripes. I'd buy the vehicle again tomorrow. However, there's nothing like a little customer feedback to improve a product.
 
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

#607 of 2501 Likes/Dislikes by offham

Dec 22, 2000 (1:51 pm)

The front cup holders have been taken from the side of the passenger seat and put on front console knocking out the ash tray/lighter. For the smokers, you must my a kit from the dealer of an ash tray that fits in the cupholder. Believe you also get a lighter to use in the spare outlet.
 
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.

#608 of 2501 Venture 2000 LT - Stall at low speed occasionally by j_chinohills

Dec 22, 2000 (2:30 pm)

We bought the van about 1 year ago and this serious problem starts about 1-2 months. The van will die at lower speed, for example, in a parking lot. It happened about 2-3 times and it really concern me and my wife who drives it. A dealer checked it out but they didn't find anything.
 
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.

#609 of 2501 '97 Venture Vibration at high wind speed by mbwhitley

Dec 24, 2000 (9:12 am)

My '97 Venture has a vibration problem when the wind speed over the van gets to 80-85 mph. That can be 65 driving into a 15 to 20 mph head wind, any combination that reaches that speed.
 
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.

#610 of 2501 mbwhitley by drew_

Dec 24, 2000 (2:39 pm)

Have you tried removing the crossbars from the roof rack? Not only will that reduce aerodynamic drag and safe you some fuel, but it may eliminate your wind buffering problem. If you need the crossbars, try moving them to different positions.
 
Good luck!
Drew
Edmunds.com Townhall co-host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories conferences

#611 of 2501 Re: #608 by big__daddy

Dec 26, 2000 (9:24 am)

We have the long wheelbase Venture without the roof rack and have not experienced any vibrations/noise at high speed. I have a bug deflector that DOES become rather noisy when driving in a strong headwind.

#612 of 2501 Daytime Running lights...What a Pain.... by xcusme2

Dec 27, 2000 (4:15 pm)

I have the 1998 Venture van that 'had' daytime running lights and I found them to be a real pain. I found it strange that the headlight switch shows "Off,Park Lights, and Full On , but I had no control, they are controlled from the dash mounted photo resistor. I'm not the kind of person that needs everything done for me, and I don't drive around without headlights when they are needed. I solved the 'automatic headlights" problem the day I got my van, it's a simple wiring fix, within easy reach, that anyone could do in about 5 minutes. The wiring change will not void any warrantee, is quickly reversible if desired and the light switch works the way I think it should. Chevy should stop treating consumers like idiots and calling their designs "improvements" more like what they really are...inconveniences.
 
Xcusme

#613 of 2501 Slow to heatup by gzoomer

Dec 28, 2000 (12:36 pm)

My 98 venture is slow to heat up and provide passenger heating. Anyone else experiencing similar?

#614 of 2501 96 Venture Electrical Problems -help? by leslieldf

Dec 28, 2000 (8:06 pm)

Any owners experience electrical problem? My sister's Venture (4 yrs old) system is on the blink - ran through 2 batteries, traction control not working, then even the lights wouldn't come on, car wouldn't start - and has been in the shop for diagnostics with nothing known yet. Anyone else have this experience? Know what to look for? Appreciate any info!

#615 of 2501 RE: Slow to Heatup by xcusme2

Dec 29, 2000 (12:09 am)

Gzoomer,
 
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.

Messages Page 62 of 251

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