1996 Chevrolet Astro Review
Fuel Economy
15 - 16 mpg
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Clear free of this lemon!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 2 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended
Review
This van has been nothing but a money pit from the day we bought it used. We have had to replace the water pump, full transmission, repair AC, CV joints on front end, muffler fell off, battery, alternator and starter (all in the last three years). The driver side door hinge is falling off and the windows does not work. Horribly noisy on the inside. Save your money for a Toyota!
Favorite Features
Feels like a big truck!
Suggested Improvements
Everything. Chevy needs to stop making vehicles with substandard parts.
11 year old Astro van w/ 135k miles
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended
Review
My friend gave this van to me 12 months ago, it had to be towed 3 times and it took about $900+ of repairs to keep it running. Ignition coil burned out = $280 repair. Spark plug wire shorted out = $190 repair. Fuel pump failed = $420 repair. Any repairs under the hood will be high labor due to the design that makes it difficult to access (via panel between passenger and driver leg area. The passenger exterior door handle broke off. When it runs, the 4.0L engine is moderately powerful. At 11 years old and 135k miles, repairs should be expected. I am selling the van, ASAP. I am much more satisfied with my Ford Excursion with 7.3L turbo diesel, which can also seat 8.
Favorite Features
The seats are comfortable. Vehicle handles well for a mini-van.
Suggested Improvements
What can I say, it is GM quality. I prefer Ford quality, especially with SUV and trucks on Super Duty platform.
Worst Vehicle we have ever owned!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 1 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS 4WD Passenger Van Extended
Review
We paid $10,000 for this in 2002 and it had 50,000 miles on it. For the price and mileage you would expect a decent vehicle. However this van broke down constantly. It has cost us thousands extra in repairs, including a new transmission. Broke down out of state leaving us stranded hundreds of miles from home. Twice. Don't buy this van! A bad, bad, bad vehicle. Horrible experience to own. The torsion bar broke on it, twice. Same thing happened to my friend. The torsion bar broke while I was driving on a crowded interstate at 70mph, on a bridge, with no place to pull over. All my children were in the van. We are lucky that I did not panic and that we didn't wreck. Horrible!
Favorite Features
None
Suggested Improvements
Get rid of it.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Lots of room.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LT 4WD Passenger Van Extended
Review
We purchased an Astro AWD because we needed a 4WD and a van. The van drives well in slippery conditions. We have had it in the garage several times for fuel, tranny and brake problems. Our Astro has several engine oil leaks.
Favorite Features
We love the AWD. The interior is spacious and comfortable.
Suggested Improvements
GM should work on reliability with this van.
Good for a larger family
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended
Review
Although we had read pretty bad reviews about the Astro in Consumer Reports, we have had great luck with ours. We didn't have many options in choosing a minivan since we needed something that could tow our boat, and the Astro is the only one other than GMC Safari that can handle it. We have a number of repairs, two of them pricey, but the extended warranty we bought at Carmax covered everything. Overall, this has been a great van for our family of 4 kids with room to spare for friends to come along. We found ours to be worth the price. If anything, the low CR rating makes a used Astro very affordable.
Favorite Features
8 passenger seating is a huge bonus -- not many minivans can seat more than 7. Also, the towing capacity is great since it allows us to tow our boat or borrow our friend's camper.
Suggested Improvements
Rear (3rd) seat legroom is a little tight. This wasn't a problem when our kids were smaller, but as they are hitting the teen years, it's a little cramped (but extremely spacious compared to any SUV with a 3rd seat!)
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