Chevy & GMC Vans

OK here's the deal. I have a chance to pick up a 97 Safari 2wd, 115K miles, rear AC, factory CD. Pretty green ext. Grey cloth int. with quad buckets.

But there's a catch. It has a SES light on, won't go above 40mph and the dealer quoted $3K to replace the trans.

I think I can pick it up for $1K or less. I'm pretty handy and know I could swap the trans myself if needed. Or I could have someone do it for me, I am sure for less than the $3K quoted.

Whatca think?

I've seen low mileage trans go for less than $300 on the local Craigslist and they are fairly easy to swap on the 2WD vans. Find out what codes it's setting to is if there is anything else that needs attention. Give the rest of the van a clomplete go over and if it looks good, go for it.

the ses light probably has something to do with the transmission but test drive it up to autozone and have them scan it they do that for free

I paid 1000 bucks to get my transmission rebuilt

it really depends on if it is worth that

IMHO that's a $300-$500 van. Definitely not worth $1k. Let's face it, who's gonna buy it (other than another Astro/Safari lover)???
Also, $3K is a hell of a lot for a tranny replacement. As an example, I had the tranny replaced on my wife's Caravan for $1200. I got a deal on the job-my work referred lots of work to him, and we did a cash deal-but regular price was $1800.
If that van is a RWD the job is easily within the realm of a do-it-yourself task. If it's FWD it may still not be too awful-but it sure ain't worth payin' $3k to have it done.
Just my opinion.
Good luck.

I would find out what the codes are first. Could end up being an easier fix than a trans rebuild. A plugged catylatic convertor can make it not shift correctly or at all. Could be an electrical issue as the trans is electronically controlled. Is it grinding? How is the fluid? I bought my 97 for $1360 and put an engine in it. Depending on the condition of everything else sounds like a good buy.

If one came up here at that price of 1k or less,Id be all over it.
Most trans shops here will charge 2000-2800 for a rebuilt trans.
I would also recommend seeing what code is registering first.

2000 to 2800$ for a rebuild on a tranny ???? Damn you west coast guys are getting the shaft !! & no vaseline either !!!
a rebuild here starts at 1250 & might get as high as 1800 $ depending on what HP goodies you want put in it . you can even get them on line from florida for half what you guys are paying !!

A 97 in nice shape , even if it did need a tranny , i'd grab it !!!!!

CD, like the others have said already, I'd pull the codes and take it from there, but I tend to agree with Scooter on the price considering that the van is 11 years old and hosed.

'Course, the real issue here is that you don't have enough vehicles in your stable yet!

SafariRob wrote:CD, like the others have said already, I'd pull the codes and take it from there, but I tend to agree with Scooter on the price considering that the van is 11 years old and hosed.

'Course, the real issue here is that you don't have enough vehicles in your stable yet!

Dito with Rob said.I think it is heavy on the price.Go with what you know for sure that the tranny is bad.Work a better price and maybe,just maybe you'll get lucky it's not a bad tranny.

Yeah,I got to thin the Astro herd here too after the V8 swap.

man, you guys are cheap! my boss bought my 2000 astro for $2500cdn with 220,000kms on it and we both thought that was an absolute value. and his 97 awd safari was the same price but had 270,000kms on it

Yep, Dilly, cheap=me!
At least when I am considering buying a vehicle, that is.

Thanks Guys! I've decided to pass on this van. Too many unknowns, too far away (250 miles).

Plus the wife has made the comment that she is getting tired of driving the van to work and fighting the cross winds where we live now. We moved last fall and now live in Central NE. So another two wheel drive van is just not what we need. A decent AWD van to haul all of the family and a small AWD car for the wife to drive is probably what I will start looking for...

If any one is in south central KS, near Wichita, I can offer contact info for the owner of the van.