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Chevy Express/GMC Savana

618 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Cargo, Chevrolet Sportvan, Chevrolet Chevy Van, Chevrolet Chevy Van Classic, Van

#31 of 618 Re: Savana 1500 ride versus 2500 by midasgold Jan 24, 2000 (7:34 pm)
We have a 2500 12-seater. I think the ride is very nice up front, however it definitely feels more bouncy to the rearmost passengers (I guess because it has old-fashioned leaf springs in the rear) - but they're usually kids so they can take it right? Theoretically, the more heavily-loaded the vehicle, the better the ride. (I've been keeping a couple of cases of bottled water in the cargo area for added weight over the drive wheels for winter driving.) I've never driven or ridden in a 1500, but last summer we did meet some fellow "Edmunds" Savana owners (Hi, Ariel, if you're reading this!) on our cross-country trip. Theirs was a 1500 8-seater with 60/40 swing-out side doors; our 2500 has a sliding side door. The first thing we noticed when we parked our vans side-by-side was how much taller our 2500 is - that's because of the heavier-duty suspension and larger wheels. Another point that may interest you was that the step-in height in our van was further increased by having the sliding door: the inside tread is raised because the sliding-door track goes below it. So if you want a 2500 but wish to minimize the climbing-in height for the kiddies, you might prefer to get 60/40 doors (we preferred the slider because there are no visible hinges and we wanted easy enter/exit when parked close to other vehicles). Alternatively, you might consider adding a running board. Anyway, I'm very pleased with the ride in our 2500, at least up front!
#32 of 618 Re: Savana 1500 ride versus 2500 by vandalybay1 Jan 26, 2000 (6:43 am)
Sixisenough, I concur with Midasgold that the ride up front is rather pleasant for these vans. I have the longer wheelbase and that seems to help smooth out the ride. The ride/handling out back is different from the front. I know you aren't shopping for the 3500 but to give you a reference point: The rear of my beast doesn't seem to budge when I step my 180 lbs onto it. When I carry 12 people, the ride/handling is super and I have better confidence in the drive trains of the 2500 and 3500's. I suppose it all comes down to how you plan to use the van and your priorities. You will need to weigh the priorities of a softer ride against the versatility of the 2500. PS. I was amused by Midasgold's post about the water--because I too carry a case of bottled water in the back! When I don't tow or haul a load and to get a better car "feel", I believe I really need about 800lbs of water!
#33 of 618 vandalybay1 by midasgold Jan 27, 2000 (7:03 pm)
A 3500 Extend-O, huh? Wish I could see the smirk on your face when you pull up to a traffic light next to a Ford Excur$ion....
#34 of 618 MidasGold by vandalybay1 Jan 29, 2000 (4:27 am)
You have good intuition. Try as we might not to, when we pull up alongside a 'burb or an Excursion the kids, wife, and I do get a bit smug! After all we could have bought another new car with the money we saved and we are still noticeably BIGGER. I believe I found the greatest accessory for these vans. I am in the midst of installing this incredibly simple ultrasonic distance detector (Poron). After I saw it demonstrated, I thought this beats those unsightly frensel lenses. Now when backing up, I can tell within 1" how far away the wall is behind me! The device has passed the masking tape temporary install test so I'll spend a bit more time routing the wires this weekend. I'll be able to give a better opinion after I have more than 1 afternoon trying it. P.S. I prefer your spelling of Excur$ion.
#35 of 618 searching for most reliable work van by bob328 Feb 06, 2000 (3:49 am)
Having trouble finding any comparative data about reliabilty of Ford 250HD versus the Chevy Express 2500 ( with the 8600 lb gross vehicle weight) and the Comparative Dodge van, I guess the Do9dge Ram 250 Heavy Duty? I need a payload over 3000pounds. I just totaled a 97 Ford Econoline 250 Heavy Duty van which had spent about close to 10 days back at the dealers for repairs in its first 2 years so I would like to know if Chevy or Dodge makes a more relible van.
#36 of 618 bob328 by midasgold Feb 07, 2000 (12:31 am)
I dunno, Bob - all I know is our independent mechanic practically *begged* us not to get a Ford (can't imagine why - he could've made lots of money fixing it after the warranty expired), and loves to ooh and aah over our GM van whenever I drive it onto his lot to check on work he's doing on our old car. The Dodge is a much older design than either GM's or Ford's - but may be tried and true. If your Ford van was troublesome it would make sense to try something else this time around.
#37 of 618 Master cylinder by mrh3108 Feb 07, 2000 (2:56 am)
The master cylinder on my 99 Express started leaking and was replaced under warranty at 22K. So far I've had two warranty repairs, the alternator at around 17K and the master cylinder. My brakes were checked at 24K and appear to be wearing fine, with plenty of pad left.
#38 of 618 Transmission Replaced by srehme Feb 09, 2000 (10:45 pm)
I own a 1996 Chevy 1500 Express Full Conversion Van. I purchased this new in April 1997 and have had many problems with it, including electrical (which the Chevrolet Dealer never fixed), loss of engine power, side doors not shutting tight and rattling, sensors, brakes, rear air conditioning, window frames cracking, and just before Christmas had to replace the transmission, all not covered under warranty due to the mileage. I have less than 65,000 miles on this Van, have never towed anything with this Van. I have never had to replace a transmission, especially with less than 65,000 miles! I am very disgusted with the poor quality of my Van, the unreliability of it, the poor Chevrolet Dealership Service provided to me, and the poor Chevrolet Customer Service Complaint System. They will be happy to take your complaint, but will they stand behind their product? I would never recommend anyone to purchase a similar Van, much less a Chevrolet.
#39 of 618 SRehme by vandalybay1 Feb 10, 2000 (7:57 pm)
Susan, Sorry about your troubles. Makes me want to go out and get an extended warranty right away. I am curious about some of the details of your problems. In particular: Electrical: what is wrong? Loss of power was temporary or chronic? Sensors: which ones went bad? Rear air conditioning: What went wrong? Brakes: What kind of problem? Thanks.
#40 of 618 My 1996 Chevy Van Sucks! by faninbigd Feb 12, 2000 (12:20 am)
I too purchased a 1996 Chevrolet 1500 Express Full conversion conversion van in early 1997 and folks let me tell ya it SUCKS! I have had more problems with this vehicle than any I have owned in my whole lifetime and I am 40. Electrical problems - battery cable, battery plus other problems. Noisy fuel pump - Which Chevy won't replace Fuel Injector problems Dead cylinder Rear passenger door hinge (recall) Must change front brake pads every year Leaks oil and something else. Door panels coming alose Rattles and sqeeks My 35 gallon gas tank (sticker) only seems to hold 29 gallons (wonder were the other 7 gals are at?). Starting to idle poorly now (here we go again) Now this vehicle gets routine maintance and oil changes. Never has towed anything, has 66,000 miles and is used as a daily transporter of the family with a bi-annual trip to one coast or another. The Chevy dealer never seems to fix the problems correctly the first time so we must often return it several times to get the problems resolved. If it were not for the warranty and extended warranty I would have spent well over $5,000.00 in repair work. Even with the extended warranty I was often stuck with bills exceeding $500.00. The Chevy dealer will listen to your problems but getting them to properly fix them is another story. This lifelong GM consumer is currently searching for a new van and trust me it won't be a GM product.

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