Chevrolet Venture Minivans | Wagons
Chevrolet Venture Minivans | Wagons
|
[Sep 09, 2002]
catmart
Strength:
Nice ride, lots of space, peppy engine, fun to drive.
Weakness:
Head gasket defective, engine light tends to come on when nothing's wrong, cup holders badly positioned I bought this van used just over a year ago and found it to be well recommended compared to other vans. At first, I was very happy with the space, comfort, ride and condition of the vehicle. I thought I had a great buy, considering I didn't know the vehicle's history. However, in the last 8 months, I've had 3 major repairs done. First, the head gasket needed fixing - I see that is a common problem. Second, the rear wiper motor went dead, and just recently, the ABS motor died ($1000 repair). The dealer said that repair is rare. Funny thing is, I just had the front rotors replaced before the ABS went! Luckily, I purchased the extended warranty at the time I bought the van, and I'd say it's paid itself twice over. If anything else major goes wrong, I'll swear off GM products forever. Similar Products Used: Never had a van before. Always had Hondas |
|
[Sep 01, 2002]
RedNckCh1c
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Venture Van
Strength:
NOTHING
Weakness:
LEAKING IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE - you know, with it coming through the lights, (wires ... amps).. I'm going to end up owning the Corporation.. and I PROMISE to get this van off the line! When we first purchaced a Chevy Venture van it was 1999 at FOX CHEVROLET in Laurel, Maryland. Due to the fact my husband is Military. When we purchased the van, it was leaking from the overhead console. The sells rep told us it was "condensation from the air conditioner". Well that "Condensation" landed us back into FOX CHEVROLET 9 more times within a year time frame. We finally got out of the van with a fight from the Better Business Bureau and Fox Chevrolet. (14 months - SOME CONSUMER PROTECTION THERE.... YEAH RIGHT). Well after a year or so later..we decided to make another rediculous decision by purchasing another Chevy Venture van because we enjoyed the room in it when we traveled. THAT IS THE ONLY THING GOOD ABOUT IT. We bought the van from REED LALLIER CHEVROLET in Fayetteville, North Carolina when we were back on leave in October 2001. Well when we went back home on leave (May 2002 - 7 months into it and only 8207 miles) WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. Well.. not only did this dealer not want to help us, we had to take it to another dealer for service (Power Swain - Thanks for the WONDERFUL Service :) . The van had to be left down in Fayetteville for trasmission replacement. Well that is where our NIGHTMARE started. When we got the van back.. June 7, 2002 (@ 8700 miles), the van started leaking ONCE AGAIN in the same exact place as the first van did. (THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE). Now as of today, September 1,2002, we have had to once again call the Chevy Corporation due to the fact that once again our god forsaken Chevy Venture Van has a leak in the Overhead Console AGAIN. How reliable is the van? Well, that is not a good question to ask me. Do I regret buying this vehicle? YES YES YES.... MANY TIMES YES !!! We are heading to England in less than an year and I have to take this god forsaken vehicle with me because I KNOW that the BBB is going to drag this one out as well. OHH GOD HELP ME OVER HERE IN MARYLAND !!! NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER BUY ANOTHER VENTURE AGAIN... is what I keep saying. Similar Products Used: NONE.... and NEVER WILL AGAIN.. .I'm thinking a DURANGO is looking really good right about now! :( |
|
[Aug 30, 2002]
Hermann Kahagalle
Strength:
Smooth driving, good road handling.
Weakness:
Transmission is slugish on higway particularly when slow down and pickup. Body trims better chech before taking over the vehicle. After the exeprience of owning a Dodge Caravan 1991, with 5 Transmissions replaced I took a keen look at GM vehicles and bought a Chevy Venture. When I took it home first day itself I found my passenger side sliding door not closing properly. Took it for adjustments a couple of times, but GM seems to be not having triming technicians and still I have to shut the sliding door hard to close it. Two days ago I did a long trip and on return I got some burning smell. A couple of times the transmission hessitated to revup after slowing down to traffic. Called at the Dealership who found a call up on this transmission and would be changing the fluids and other parts at the lower end of housing. As I am only 8,000 km on this vehicle I am wondering what am I in for. Similar Products Used: Dodge Caravan with disapointing results. |
|
[Aug 18, 2002]
wrxsticanada
Model Reviewed:
Venture LS (RWB)
Strength:
Adaquate Power, Smooth Ride, Auto-Load Levelling option is excellent feature. It is not only good for carrying passengers or load (500lb paving stones) in the back, but offers balance braking (minimal nose-dive during emergency braking).
Weakness:
Front Brakes - 1st brake pads replaced at 25000km; 2nd set (w new rotors) replaced at 52000km; 3rd set replaced at 68000km. Bought extended warranty - covered coolant gasket - observed minor leak during repair of front struct bearing (all covered with $50 deductible) Overall Good transportation; only dis-satisfaction is the Front Brake Pads, which need replacement every 20000km (12000 Miles) for city driving. Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Aug 06, 2002]
pmsdurkin
Model Reviewed:
/Venture LS
Strength:
Big, lots of room inside, comfortable seats.
Weakness:
Lots of little things breaking. The rear hatch strap, the driver and passenger seat back pockets (which hold the side airbag it), the straps to pull the third row seats down with, just to name a few. And of course now the security system that locks you out of the starting your own car. At first I loved this van. Big and roomy. Extended wheelbase and captains chairs in the second row. Then after having it for two years the Security system went. The ignition wouldn't start if the car was sitting in the sun. It would start in the morning when it was cool but by the heat of the day it wouldn't start. After it being in the shop for three days, during which time I had to pay for a rental, the dealer replaced the whole security system saying that my cell phone holder (which I put in right after I bought the van) shorted out the electrical panel some how. I believe they just didn't know what happened. I then looked up the car on the highway saftey web site and was appaled to see the results of the crash tests. I know wonder every time I get into the car if it will start or not. |
|
[Jul 24, 2002]
grantl
Model Reviewed:
Venture
Strength:
good handling and power, ok for towing light trailer, roomy, no real blind spots
Weakness:
poor engineering servicing is a nightmare. electronics too sensitive warning lights come on and off, half of the non replaceable bulbs on dash are out. cup holders break easily if I had to pay for these repairs instead of warranty this vehicle would have been an insurance writeoff i would have burned it. Overall has been a good vehicle but have had many repairs since purchased new. Windshield wipers hit A pillar intermitantly, power steering leaked, replaced gutter seals, power steering pump/rack now faulty, shochs and struts replaced Similar Products Used: chev astro-ride like truck. full size chev and dodge vans |
|
[Jul 13, 2002]
celtprincess
Strength:
it use to work!
Weakness:
It is always in need of repair! I was happy for the first year or so until the van started falling apart! Whether it cosmetic problem or defect, or internal engine problems, the coolant system, or the automatic windows breaking exactly when we passed the 36,000 mile warranty. After the warranty expired the van went to h*ll in a hand basket and fast! As it stands now, it sits broken down in my driveway at 53,000 miles! If this is how GM plans to do business, I will NEVER buy a Chevy again! (or any other GM auto!) |
|
[Jul 03, 2002]
john macdonald
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Venture Extended
Strength:
Room Power Tranny Handling Reliability
Weakness:
none to report We love our Venture...roomy, powerful and dependable....way better then the Caravan we owned before Similar Products Used: Caravan |
|
[Jul 02, 2002]
Tom
Strength:
Roomy, Good Pick-up.
Weakness:
Everything else!! This Vehicle was a huge dissapointment for us. We had many problems, from The air-bag light to the ABS light, to the intake manifold Gasket, to the replacement of the short Block. If GM is going to carry on buisness this way, their market will surely disapear. we will not buy another GM product again. Similar Products Used: 1988 Chev Pick-up. |
|
[Jun 14, 2002]
dan smith
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Venture LS Extended
Strength:
Dependable mechanics Performance Ride/Handling Room Fuel Economy for a minivan Style for a Minivan
Weakness:
Plasic inside is a bit chaep This is by far the best North American Minivan out there. We use to own a Caravan and the transmission always broke on it. Our friend had a Windstar and there engine blew on them. The Venture has been trouble free though and dependable. The engine is solid and so is the transmission. The Venture has lots of room and has been very dependable. We got our LS model without the Power doors and it's been a great minivan to us....no problems, and loaded with all other options. We highly recommend the Venture as the best minivan to buy from a North American manufacture...The Honda is overpriced! Similar Products Used: Dodge Caravan |


