Chevy & GMC Vans

Hi everyone, im looking at buying a 2003 astro. The van has 114kms and is really clean in/out. Price is negotiable but they are asking $12,500(cdn). 2wd model with from what i can tell has most or all options except leather. I've takin the time to read reviews from here and 97-98 sound to be "solid" but any input on an 03 would be great!!!!!

It would be replacing my 95 safari slx. btw

seems steep to me (i'm stingy LOL) .. unless this thing looks like it just rolled out of the show room .. or is a full out conversion van or something?

here's an 03 for $5300 with only 30 more kms on it (about a year of driving for some)
http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles ... Z192172270

that may not be great, can't say as i haven't seen it... but, shop around...

The prices seem high to me too but it is funny money. You really have to shop around in your area and see what they go for. Around here in central NY, a 2003 AWD would go for between $5k and $8k in really good shape.

As far as issues with the 2003 - 2005 models, there was nothing out of the ordinary. You may see increased rear brake maintenance due to being disc brakes. You get the 6 lug, 16" wheels which are nice and everything else is the same. If you get AWD, the transfer case needs fresh fluid every 20k - 30k miles but that is pretty cheap overall to do.

I'm gonna try to post some pics. The price is steep but its coming from a dealer. personally i would be good with 8-9 but if they arn't willing to budge they can choke on it.

I have an 03 AWD and paid that much for mine 3 years ago with 112 kms on the clock looking like new. $ 6- $ 8k is about what the are worth now in good shape.

In my experience my 03 get worse Fuel economy than the 96, 98, & 99 vans my regular couriers use ( the '96 has 750 thousand kms on the orig drivetrain which has never been opened up and he still gets 16+18 mpg as a city courier vehicle ).

Parts like wheels, tires and brakes are cheaper for the older vans as well. If I were doing it all over again I would have held out for a 2wd model with the 15" wheels

Well as it turns out the 03 astro is the awd model. took it for a drive yesterday and it was.........ok. it was in very good shape in/out. price was negotiated down to 9 from 12.5 but after sleeping on it i think for now instead of putting $$ down on anything i'm gonna save myself a potential headache and spend my $$ on fixing my 95 2wd 197kms. They just last too long for me to jump into a monthly exp. So saturday morn she's going into the spa for some leaf springs struts front and rear, muffler and maybe ball joints or tye rods, dont know which one it has or both but apparently they are done. I'll post how she rides early next week............Thx for the input by all.........Brad

thanks for the update.

cool to hear that you are giving the older tried and trusted van some TLC

Well I got the van back yesterday, really nice smooth ride. Besides the suspension I also got a new muffler and tail pipe. The back rides a little high for now but i'll assume it will settle down. Will be sending her back in soon i think to replace the idler arms and to button up a few loose ends nothing major though. I'm gonna look forward to a camping trip soon, pull the seats out have a solid time. Thx all.

I know you didn't get the 03 van but these are the pros and cons of these vans.

Pos. Plenty of power(4.3X engine). The transfer case is electric and runs in RWD till the rear tires slip then kicks in the fronts. The 4 disc breaks are great. I placed an order for a Aeroforce Interceptor gauge and it reads all kinds of info off the ECM. Smooth ride.



Cons. Change the transfer case fluid every 20-30K (MUST!) Rear breaks, The bracket that the caliper and pads slide in will start rusting and pinch the pads. This will cause the pads and caliper to twist and give major premature wear. I've replaced the bracket and used lithium grease where the sliders go to prevent rusting. Front bearings have started failing at 82,000Miles.


All and all, I'm happy with the van.

e7ats wrote:I've replaced the bracket and used lithium grease where the sliders go to prevent rusting.

I'd strongly suggest using a product more suited to heat effect, lithium is not.

a few specifically for the job
Kleen Flo Eze Slide
http://www.kleenflo.com/en/productpages/331.htm

Raybestos Silicone Brake Lubricant
http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-DBL-2T- ... B0015RCGRM

crash wrote: I'd strongly suggest using a product more suited to heat effect, lithium is not.

a few specifically for the job
Kleen Flo Eze Slide
http://www.kleenflo.com/en/productpages/331.htm

I like the look of this one.

I like Raybestos brakes but I could not find more info on what you posted.

Just to clarify, I did not use the lithium grease on moving parts. I used it behind the slide insert that fastens to the bracket.

e7ats wrote:

crash wrote: I'd strongly suggest using a product more suited to heat effect, lithium is not.

a few specifically for the job
Kleen Flo Eze Slide
http://www.kleenflo.com/en/productpages/331.htm

I like the look of this one.

I like Raybestos brakes but I could not find more info on what you posted.

Just to clarify, I did not use the lithium grease on moving parts. I used it behind the slide insert that fastens to the bracket.

gotcha.. sorry that i implied that.

the raybestos one is criptic and I'm not sure why, we carry it on the shelf (only for one shop that requested it). I'll ask the rep next time he's in. I'd go with the kleen-flo brand. it's about 1/4 of the price of the raybestos and is what most others use