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Uplander - would you chose it again??

30 messages,  Last post on Jan 06, 2012 at 12:26 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Uplander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Uplander, Van

Messages Page 2 of 4

#3 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [spike99] by 1bigdog

Feb 02, 2008 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: spike99 (Jan 31, 2008 8:03 pm)
Save your money.. I have a 2006 Uplander.. Nothing but problems. I owned alot of cars this van blows.. At 300 miles low oil pressure..Took three months to fix.. Both front wheel hubs replaced. Brakes noise you can't stand..Replaced computer 4 times. Last repair was trans $3500.00 Warranty work..The car spends more time in the shop then our garage. I tried to trade it in but dealers said to sell out right.. I paid cash for this lemon.. I could have went to Shoprite and spent $1.00 instead of $24000.00 If you need a van purchase a Ford of Honda. Chevy willn't buy back. My problem is I paid cash..............If I had a loan would have left in dealer lot. Also the new van market is very soft right now.....

#4 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [spike99] by morewasabi

Feb 02, 2008 (9:40 pm)

Replying to: spike99 (Jan 31, 2008 8:03 pm)
I have the Buick version, 2005 with the smaller engine. It's been a great ride. only has the 3 year 36000 mile warranty. The new ones have the 100,000 mile warranty. For the money these are good vans. The best van is the Toyota, but you pay a premium for them. The Honda's are over priced and have had their share of problems. Nissan's problems too. They all have issues. How can you go wrong with a 100,000 mile warranty?

#5 of 30 2005 Uplander LT LWB by danno

Feb 03, 2008 (7:41 pm)

Other than the bfront rake rotors warping and being replaced under warranty, the van has been very reliable and has great fuel economy - 30 mpg highway is easy.
The 3.9 is a bit worse on fuel but is a peppy engine.
I had a 1997 Venture LWB previously and drove it 200,000 miles until the heads cracked - didn't owe me a thing at that point.

#6 of 30 Re: 2005 Uplander LT LWB [danno] by spike99

Feb 04, 2008 (7:51 am)

Replying to: danno (Feb 03, 2008 7:41 pm)
Thanks for the info about your brake rotors warping. On pre-2007 models, warped brake rotors are a known problem. I read that brakes rotors on the '07/08 Uplander have been improved. Not too sure if this is true (but do hope to check part numbers soon). If true, many of its previous "brakes problems" should be resolved - on the newer year models. Many folks like the stronger 3.9L engine as well. Especially the folks who like to cargo/mass people haul. Or, folks who live in hilly country. For me, I'd go for the stronger engine - for my occasional small utility trailer hauling.
 
If wondering, I did read the '07 Uplander "Consummer reviews" on the Edmunds site. Many of the folks are pleased with the stronger engine, its 4 wheel disc braking power and its sharp cornering. Didn't see any negative patterns about mechanical weakness. All but one person seemed to be pleased with their new vehicle. For details, surf:
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/uplander/2007/consumerreview.1...html
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/uplander/2007/consumerreview.2...html
 
If we did get an Uplander/Montana van, it would be an '07 up. Might even hold off for an '08 model with a 0% factory interest - which GM sometimes offers during the slow summer months.
 
Only time will tell - on which path my wife & I will take.
 
Thanks for all who replied to my inquire.
 
Much appreciated.
 
.

#7 of 30 Re: 2005 Uplander LT LWB [spike99] by spike99

Feb 05, 2008 (7:50 am)

Replying to: spike99 (Feb 04, 2008 7:51 am)
Update:
 
Just to advise that my wife & I decided to "re-invest" into our current 2001 AWD Safari van. Currently, she's in the shop getting 2 x idler arms (Moog brand) and a wheel alignment. At end of Feb, she's booked for E-Test and muffler piping replacement. Last week, she got new rotor, distributor cap and battery installed. Last Dec she got new shocks and last Nov, she got new brake pads (with 2 x new front brake rotors). With this in mind, most of its common items have been replaced. Hopefully, this will the be last of her winter 2007/2008 repairs. Since this is our 2nd vehicle (that is only used for family "long haul" and occassion utility trailer towing trips), we can't justify paying huge monthly payments to replace her. Especially since our current van sits in our driveway 6 of the 7 days a week.
 
Besides the above, I'm still not too sure of the 4+ years reliability track record of the '07 Uplander/Montana. Better brakes and larger 3.9L engine sound great. But... Still not too sure how reliable this upgraded vehicle is.
 
Many Thanks to all who replied to my above vehicle replacement inquire. We'll try to breath 2-3 more years into our current 2001 Safari van. Hopefully, we've had the last of our immediate repairs....
 
.

#8 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [spike99] by rtrip

Feb 05, 2008 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: spike99 (Jan 31, 2008 8:03 pm)
I have a 2006 extended uplander and this van has been great. I was not a fan of minvans but needed one for work so i decided on the uplander. I put a lot of miles on my cars in a short time so it's really important to buy a car that will hold up and give me 250,000 plus with litttle repairs. It had 26,000 on it when i got it in Sept of 2006 it now has 139,900 and I have had no problems. I have put brakes in it the front then the front and back but that's expected. This van does hard driving going up and down steep hills in up state NY and it still drives like it's new.
 
 I took out the back seats and throw my skis and bike back there it has lot's of room. I've used it for tailgating at football games,apre ski and bringing stuff to the dump, everything but hauling small children...but i am sure it would be good for that to, just leave the seats in.
 
I have come to love my minivan and this uplander has proven to be a solid problem free van. If I had to complain about something then it would be the CD player but on the scale of things...i can handle that!
 
I have never owned a chevy before and I thought maybe I should buy a Honda, I was worried about the realibilty of the Chevy. I went with the uplander, glad I did, I have had other great cars 250,000 + with little problems but no car that hit 139,900 with out putting something in it.
 
I just hope I wasn't lucky because my next van will be an uplander.

#9 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [spike99] by rbhoel

May 13, 2008 (5:40 am)

Replying to: spike99 (Jan 31, 2008 8:03 pm)
My wife bought a new 2007 Uplander LT last summer for a trip we made with her parents going from Tampa to Scranton PA. It was a very pleasant trip, especially because of our new Uplander. It came with tons of accessories we were not used to having in a vehicle and for a very reasonable price for the van. The comfort level of the ride surprised us and it is also very quiet. The engine (the larger one) has great power and will climb any grade with ease. I believe this is the largest vehicle in the USA with front wheel drive. The only problems we have had were with the DVD player not playing and a gas guage sensor; both repaired promptly under warranty by a very friendly dealer, Gordon Chevrolet. We bought our van from a dealer out of town. My wife drives it to work every day and still likes her Uplander very much and has no complaints and she is very forward to complain if there is a problem.
 
Ron in Tampa

#10 of 30 Uplander by tlneel

Jul 15, 2008 (9:45 pm)

We bought an 05 Uplander LS and have loved . We traded it a week ago on an 08 Uplander LT. The 05 had 79K miles on it, with no problems.

#11 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [jpf] by aubryj

Aug 23, 2008 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Feb 02, 2008 12:57 pm)
No. I would not choose it again. Mine has been in the shop numerous times. I am now at 50k miles and the fuel sending unit has gone bad.
Previous: A/C, wiring harness for blinker (twice), child belt ajustment broken 18k miles and 47k, part in steering column (needs to be replaced again), tie rods, pistons on lift gate and now the fuel sending unit.

#12 of 30 Re: Uplander - would you chose it again?? [aubryj] by uplanderguy

Aug 24, 2008 (7:04 am)

Replying to: aubryj (Aug 23, 2008 5:55 pm)
We have an '05 (built 6/05) and I'd consider an '08, what with the deals available and apparently the brake rotor and probably the wheel bearing issues fixed, as well as the peeling side-molding issue. I've been disappointed in our '05 but luckily our dealership's Service Manager has stepped up to the plate and made good on a few things, even beyond the warranty period. I do like the looks of the van. I think the tire noise is too much though. But yes, I'd consider an '08.
 
Bill

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