1998 Chevrolet Astro Consumer Reviews

Long Term Test Drive of 9 yrs, 102k mi

Written by: dave8697 on 04/09/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

I got lucky compared to some on here. I haven't yet spent $600 on repairs in 9 yrs. Bought new and has been less reliable than my previous Astro in some ways. Transmission needed a $170 repair and rear A/C line is not properly supported, wore a leak and needed $350 repair. Water pump going at 80k not impressive. Battery was defective and died from terminal rot out disease that was designed into it to save a few cents. The trans trouble was from an alum part in place of cast iron that was tried and failed. Interior and paint have held up great. No rattles, fade, or things getting loose. Engine like new. Van was well built and gets 23 mpg on trips. Road handling is a weak spot.

Favorite Features

Quietness through the years. Rock solid engine gets 23 mpg on trips without premium gas or expensive tires. No little things constantly going bad like on older model. CD and cassette. Reclining captains chairs. Roominess on a vacation. Dutch doors. Sliding rear bench. Lack of deterioration thru yrs.

Suggested Improvements

They don't make them anymore. Don't cut corners on the transmission metal, the battery terminals, and design the rear a/c line supports properly. Don't stock the lots with roof rack (wind noise) equipped vans. I've only used it once in 9 years. Easier to remove middle seats. More Passenger leg room.

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Costly Van

Written by: james on 01/30/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

We have owned an Astro since 1999, bought at 2K miles. We have paid for repair after repair since then. Some of the repairs have been for the same thing over and over. If I were to put together all of the repair reciepts, I think the total might even shock us. Watch out for idler arm problems! Again and again- it's just poorly designed. Also, we've had multiple problems with the electrical system, little motors and switches, etc. In contrast, we also own Toyota products, which haven't needed nearly the amount of expensive and redundant repair. Beware!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Mom's Car

Written by: Zip on 08/17/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

Reliable. AWD better than 4WD. Never a problem on ice, snow, or in rain. Regularly maintained by dealer. On second set of tires. Only major work was windshield wiper motor at 95k. Sorry to see them go.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Could be better

Written by: Bertha on 06/30/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

Our '98 Astro seems to always need something fixed. Many of the up-keep has been expensive due to the area of parts on the van. At 115,000 miles, we were told its transmision is on its way out. Great. Would I buy this vehicle again? No way.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great for travel

Written by: asproule on 02/02/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

I have owned this same vehicle for the past 6.5 years. I have taken it on many long distance trips and found it quite exceptional. It is very comfortable and roomy for kids moving about, and for extra storing.

Favorite Features

Rear AC is wonderful!

Suggested Improvements

Only one improvement I would make is to make the rear seating easier to remove. It is very heavy and bulky for a small woman like myself to remove alone. But is still managable.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A lot of brakes

Written by: moms car on 04/07/2005

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

Not a great track record 4 sets of brakes, idle arm replacements, 4 sets of tires, the water pump and now the catalytic converter plus there is no A/C in the back and the kids roast in the summer. Bad gas mileage and an expensive car to maintain. Door handles have broken and the passenger side no longer locks. No more Astros for this mom.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

A/C front and back. Better brakes, better mileage, better reliability

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maryland

Written by: glen brown on 08/11/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

braking system is no good

Favorite Features

interior

Suggested Improvements

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astro left behind

Written by: r2 on 04/06/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

A very reliable people/thing hauler. Great power from the 4.3. The old solid rear leaf spring made the older van a better ride than the current set-up. This van has a lot more rattles than my previous astro. My major concern is that the value loss is so high. You can buy one cheap but, plan to keep it.

Favorite Features

Power/torque of the 4.3, and it has the size to handle a load.

Suggested Improvements

It's a dying breed, but better fit and trim, and a little better styling.

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1998 Chevy Astro Mark III van.

Written by: eandrew on 02/07/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LT Passenger Van Extended

Review

45000 miles only problem has been battery and wiper blades replaced once, steering alignment once. Still with original Uniroyal tires. 20 mpg highway, good, but would like it better. Two factory recalls for very minor prolems. Have not had typical chevvy things breaking, e.g. window cranks, door knobs, etc, that I have had with chevvies in past years, everything works like it is supposed to.

Favorite Features

roomy, but small minivan outside dimensions, good trailer pulling power not found in other mini-vans.

Suggested Improvements

improved trip fuel mileage with light loads.

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What a Farse

Written by: Astrotrash on 08/13/2003

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

This van has been lousy since the get go. At 16,000 miles, it died on the freeway. The catalytic converter, oxygen sensor and fuel pump needed replacing. It has broken down numerous times. The fuel pump has been replaced twice, rear AC twice and on and on and on. The cabin had an unlocated water leak which caused the carpet and padding to saturate and produce mold. GM Customer relations had to be brought in to mediate. After paying for new padding and having it happen again, we finally just removed it and put it back in place when we traded the ridiculous thing in. It rides like a mattress suspended on beach balls. First and LAST GM experience.

Favorite Features

Dutch doors...when the hatch struts don't fail because they're under sized.

Suggested Improvements

GM has had...what, 19 years to "work the bugs out"? Forget it. Junk, junk, junk.

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