Engine power and economy are suprising considering the size of this van(extended). Styling, built-in child seat, power doors, easy to navigate interior.

Handling could be better -- seems to pull to the side during hard accel. Breaking distances could be shorter.

Version bought was extended with power door and childseat with CD/steering controls/overhead console/dual AC/ etc. Cost was around $25,000 after haggling and rebate -- not too bad when comparing other brands with similar options. Have encountered a few minor quality concerns, but they are minimal and have yet to drive me back to the dealership to be satisfied. Have driven long trips and around town. Was able to get about 27 miles to the gallon on a 9 hour road trip in the summer loaded with family and bagage. Gas mileage goes down quickly in speeds in excess of 80mph though. Anyone with family and a budget should consider this van.

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None.

Excellent handling, nice seats, good power and fuel economy. Nice convenience features. Very quiet at highway speeds.

Windshield wiper blades are easily frozen and will not re-nest when any snow has accumulated.

This is my first Mini-van and I am so far extremely impressed. I ski and have always owned SUVs, therefore I was reluctant to try a mini-van for more room rather than go to a monster SUV. But, glad I did. Purchased a loaded 2000 Montana Vision with leather, CD, Dual Electric Seats, Power Door and T.V. VCR for $37,000 CDN (approx. $25,530 US)Traction Control handles snow and Ice well. Fit, finish and power of a Japanese mini van without those crappy seats.

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Ford Aerostar, Ford Windstar (Older)

Appearance

Winsheild wiper arms and blades get frozen into the cowl,(engineering design problem). Heating/AC system weak, does not heat or cool the cabin properly. Headlamps have moisture buildup inside. Overall, poorly designed vehicle.

Vicinity of price paid, $25,800. My summary to the 1998 Pontiac Transport which is basicly the same van as the 1998 Pontiac Montana: General Motors wanted to create a new product and the results to be competitive with the mini-van market forced consumers to end up with a product that was not designed well in many areas. 1-800 Pontiac Cares ? I do not think so. I have e-mailed them last year and heard not a peep from them. The manufacturer is aware of the problems with this vehicle and does not want to stand up to their mistakes. Lesser quality, definately an issue here.

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Previous to owning the 1998 Pontiac Transport I owned a 1995 Mercury Villager LS. The 1995 Villager was much more of a vehicle than the 1998 Transport will ever have a chance to be.

Styling. 2nd door. Large cup holders almost everywhere.

Rattles like it is 20 years old. Salt spray, from road, coming up through the center console. Dealers are awful. Ride is harsh (with the Sport package). Not as quiet as it should be.

Right from the dealer the vehicle was mis-aligned. Took it back 3 times to no avail. Finally took it to another Pontiac dealer who got it right! The van is loud, rattles, and rides poorly. My 1996 F-150 is a much better vehicle. I'll be sticking with Ford from now on.

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Dodge Caravan Sport. The Dodge was nicer, but I don't trust Chrysler to build anything to last.

looks great, very roomy inside

had tons of electrical problems and the dealer had no reason why exept to say your van was made on friday ( which made me feel alot better not)
1. radio would work then wouldn't then would just replaced the whole unit
2. rear windows wouldn't close replaced both drive motors
3. coolant light on,off,on,off finally just replaced the whole sensor
4. air bag loght on,off,on,off replaced the sensors under seat
5. change oil light on,off,on,off replaced sensor

just wish the dealers would aknowledge that there seems to be some design problems with these vans. Also they should just replace the sensors not have you come in and not replace it then have you back only to replace it gets on your nerves. After reading about all the other problems I think I'll dump this van when it gets close to the end of my warrenty might not be able to afford to the thing on the road. Buy a different one

good luck to all

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none

Versatility with seats, looks of sporty truck and not minivan, great gas mileage, space, and of course - air compressor!

Cheap trim and seats wear and break quickly. Molding on sliding doors came off infinite amount of time. Seat belts retract with effort. All plastic gadgets and moving parts (ie cup holders, seat belt adjusters, tailgate handle) break easily. Electronic issues with Radio/cassette/cd player.

Overall, Good impression. At first, it was great, but as miles and wear were added, trim and detailing on inside went quickly. The vehicle drove and still drives great. Overall good motor. Brakes went quickly as well. However, with all descrepancies, you can't beat versatility, mileage, and soccer mom friendliness. The air compressor in storage area sold me! Oh, get extended warranty to cover interior moving parts that break!

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We look at all minivans and this seemed to have best gas mileage, versatility, and space. Durability - not sure about!

Nice looking, base model comes fully loaded, powerful.

Details are flimsy; also I'm suspicious of reliability.

Decent transportation for the price. Handling a bit heavy, but OK for a mommy-van. Plenty of power, comes with ABS and sice airbags. I bought in spite of offset crash data, which looks grim; but as others have pointed out, the Insurance crash data based on lots of real world incidents is excellent.

(http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ictl/ictl_wagon.htm)

I figure I'll need to spend another $1,200 on an extended warranty plan when the factory warranty expires, but that I'm still several thousand ahea of a comparable Toyota or Honda. Still; I never would have bought a GM product except for a family member needing help to burn up a GM credit.

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Toyota Sienna; seemed like a better product, though $5,000 more expensive.