Thinking about buying an Astro AWD, questions?

[Sinfield]

First off, apologies if this is a redundant question, or in the wrong forum, but I'm new here.

Anyway, I'm thinking about buying a 1991 Astro AWD van, and I stumbled across this (awesome) forum while I was looking for information on these vans, and figured that after lurking for a bit, this would be the perfect place to ask a couple of questions.

I recently found a van for sale local to me, and I am probably going to go take a look at it/ test drive it tomorrow, so I was wondering if there were any particular things that I should be wary of, or look for when test driving? Like I said above, it's an AWD, 1991 model, with 118,000 original miles. I plan on taking it to denver with me when I move there from Oregon in the late summer for grad school. It will primarily be a bad weather and mountain car, although I really want to build a bed/ camping setup in the back so that I can take some sweet road trips and overnight ski vacations. Also, I wanted to see if the asking price of 1500 dollars seemed reasonable for this van? Is insurance (likely liability only) pretty reasonable on Astros? Are there any common major repairs that I'd have to make, or will it be a tank with just general maintenance? If you guys have any info or advice for me on this rig, I'd be super grateful. It seems like you have a great community here, and I look forward to being a part of it soon. Thanks in advance!

The van in question (the paint job is an awesome added bonus IMO).

[thevalleyboy]

That thing looks pretty sweet - get it looked at by a mechanic - the front end will probably need work... typical for these vans, I am not that familiar with the older models, but if you are good with a wrench I would not be afraid of these vans. They are easy to work on compared to new cars, and lots of parts are kicking around. This thing would be great for winter driving, shaggin wagon, type vehicle I had an old 78' Chevy until I bought the Astro - loved it, and got lots of loving in it.

[Sinfield]

What kind of front end work are we talking about? Stuff that I can notice when test driving it? How does that price sound? Thanks.

[dunedog]

These vehicles can go through idler arms if they are not maintained.......is this a one owner van ? the fewer hands it's been through the better. Price seems OK, by the overall good looking condition of it.
Don't be afraid of your 'gut' feeling either of the van or the person selling it.If you have any serious doubts walk away.

[Smiliesafari]

With proper maintenance these vans can go well over 200,000 miles. Ask for any repair records the owner might have. If you are mechanically saavy look it over for anything obvious. $1500 is a fair price if it's in good condition.

[afsigma21]

It appears to be a conversion van, so some of the "little things" on the interior might be worn out or broken.

In all my looking for the 3 vans I bought, the conversion van interiors on used vans were always in lesser states of repair than standard factory vans. The seats are not OEM and they are usually more plush types and show more wear.

Not a deal breaker, my 3rd van is a conversion, but something to be aware of, especially if you are thinking of Boneyards for replacement interior parts.

[ihatemybike]

Having broke two front differentials, both due to fluid loss, and looking at the age and mileage. Perform a seal swap on it soon after purchase. The seals are less than $5 each and aren't too hard to replace.

[Sinfield]

What kind of work does that involve?

Update, I took the van for a test drive tonight. It seems totally rad inside, but felt pretty gutless. I'm used to driving an audi A4, so that may be subjective. Otherwise, seemed like it drove pretty nice, and the chick seemed flexible on price.

On another note, what are you guys paying for insurance on these things? I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on the ultimate camping/ van living rig here, and I"m pretty excited.

Edit: also, what is the belt driven accessory on the top right hand side of the engine when looking directly at it? On the van, while it was running, this part (AC compressor?) would be spun by the accessory belts for a few revolutions, then appear to de clutch for a few, then spin up again.

[ihatemybike]

The left and right seals, the half shafts have to be pulled, which includes disconnecting the upper ball joint and the sway bar. It's time consuming but doable.

The rear seal I haven't done yet, so I don't know all the steps.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The left and right seals, the half shafts have to be pulled, which includes disconnecting the upper ball joint and the sway bar. It's time consuming but doable.

Actually, since the van in question is a 1991, the CV half shafts do not have to be removed to replace the axle seals. The CV shafts just unbolt from the axle shaft flange and will drop out of the way. Also no need to remove the ball joint either.

[dilly]

thats the ac compessor. the heater control was probably on defrost so it'll cycle on and off.

[Spike99]

If it were me and knowning what I know today, I would NOT buy another AWD Astro/Safari van again. Yes, their AWD system is awesome - with huge amounts of unbelievable traction in snow, mud, soft beach sand and on ice. But being AWD van, it will be "gutless", it has more expensive steering parts, it has more expensive ABS sensor parts, its has more expensive transfer case / front drive repair problems, its a pig on gas and its tow rating is lower - when compared to RWD van of its same year. If you do NOT need a AWD van, then take same year RWD van for a test drive instead. You'd be amazed on its braking, MPG and repair cost differences...

If I buy another Astor/Safari van, it will only be a RWD version. For my street driving and odd small trailer towing needs, owning the AWD van is NOT financially worth it. Especially in the long run. As a suggestion, to take a simular year RWD Astro/Safari van for a test drive. Do compare their take off, braking, sharp cornering, etc. etc. items. Compare both and based on your "majority of driving conditions", you decide what is best for you - and your vehicle needs.

If wondering, I did own a 2003 AWD Safari. That van was costing my kids their future college / univeristy fund. Replaced with FWD 2009 Montana EWB van and "never looked back". Gas savings in my new van will pay for the vehicle in 5 years - when compared to my previous 2003 AWD Safari van. As suggested, always take "total cost of ownership" into consideration as well. Something I learned the hard way - with my previous AWD Safari van.

Hope this helps as well....

.

[Cobra]

Funny Spike i'm the other way around i will ONLY buy AWD but pre-99 i've driven both rwd and awd and i find anything above 2001 awd (haven't driven the newer rwds) is slow to accelerate and the braking seems weak (might just be becuase they have crappy pads on at dealers). i have a 98 AWD and it's much faster then my old mans 2001. the 95 we have accelerates a little better then mine and for top speed we don't know speedo didn't go high enough and it was still accelerating. I don't see too much difference in gas mileage between my 98 and my old mans 01 and he drives 1200km every other weekend to his home away from the city (mine does a little better but his is ALL stock mine isn't)
The repair cost is a consideration i just spent a pretty penny doing my front end and prop shaft still need to do seals on front axle and a CV axle. what you intend to drive it in is important to think about I do mostly city driving but in the winter I'm laughing at all the cars and so called SUV's that are stuck, or when i go up north and do a some trail driving a couple times i was VERY happy to have awd but our old 95 RWD was very capable too on trails and snow if you had good tires
ok i think i've said enough

Don't be afraid of your 'gut' feeling either of the van or the person selling it.If you have any serious doubts walk away.

[ihatemybike]

I own both AWD and RWD vans. Absolutely love driving the AWD during the winter, especially during snow storms. As long as you take care of things the AWD doesn't cost much more to maintain and they should only get 1 mpg lower mpg.

Don't know what caused spike's AWD to feel gutless, but when I had my 2000 AWD fully loaded with 8 adults, 10 bikes, plus gear I've had passengers ask if I have a V8.

[Cobra]

like i said my old mans 2001 is gutless so much so that it's depressing not sure what changed from 2000 to 2001 but it made a big difference, he's a little dissapointed but he doesn't have a heavy foot only bothers him when attempting to pass on the highway