1999 GMC Safari Review

My 4th Astro/Safari Van

Written by: SB on 07/07/2009

Vehicle

1999 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLT Passenger Van Extended

Review

Excellent overall Van - I have owned 4 of them, and probably 5 full sized fords before that. Bought one new, put 200,000 miles on it without a problem. Bought 3 used with 100,000 miles at about $5,000.00 each and ran them to just over 200,000 miles each, and sold or traded them for about $2,500.00 each In all four combined, I replaced 2 window motors ($26.00) a couple blower fan relays ($6.00), a couple fuel pumps ($200.00), one drive chain ($300.00), and one CV joint ($60.00). Do the math - $12,500.00 vehicle cost: got 500,000 miles, about $600.00 in repairs. No brainer - this is a great little truck (and it IS a truck), hauls a trailer well, fits lotsa people, extremely comfortable,

Favorite Features

Dependable, peppy engine. Handles great (for a van). 2wd astro has Better traction than a long wheel base 4wd pick up. Front seats very comfortable. Hauls many people and much weight. Looks like a van, not a station wagon. Only "minivan" left with a truck frame. Dependable, high mileage truck

Suggested Improvements

doorhandles & hinges are weak. Fuel pump stinks.

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Great Value

Written by: Patrick on 12/12/2008

Vehicle

1999 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE Passenger Van Extended

Review

Very useful vehicle. More power than I need. Good milage-esp with 6 people in it. Reliable. Low maintenace.

Favorite Features

Power, mileage. A true utility vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

Plastic pices on seat riser break easily. Also spacer on seat risers that hold seat tightly to floor are plastic and have broken allowing seat to rock slightly.

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Safari van

Written by: safariowner on 04/24/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE Passenger Van Extended

Review

I have owned Safaris since 1986, have been reliable vehicles. Good gas mileage for the 1999 unit, no problems except for A/C repair at 65,000 mi and brakes and front idler arms every 35,000 mi.

Favorite Features

Good towing vehicle, can carry a lot of things inside if seats removed. Had very good longevity from engine on previous years.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I like it

Written by: Bill on 09/16/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLT Passenger Van Extended

Review

Good strong minivan. It has great towing capacity. The kids aren't cramped like in the smaller mini vans. Very safe and built tough.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Solid Van

Written by: FLEX on 03/20/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLT 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

I bought my '99 with 145k mi and added another 50k.Great for long trips and in-town kid hauling.Only mech prob has been a/c. Engine/Tran are strong at 195k mi. Interior is very resiliant. Looks new. Paint/Body is still good. Nice having big V6 w/ rwd for towing. Also, it can handle a heavy load. built on truck chasis not car so it sits high and good for unimproved roads. dutch doors are great. I think stiffer shocks would help. Front leg room is a bit constrained.

Favorite Features

Lots of room! 4x8 bed for hauling when seats are out. RWD w/ tow package. Built on Truck Chasis. Big V6.

Suggested Improvements

Seats are a real pain to remove (Very heavy). Front Leg Room limited. Stiffer shocks would be good. It is a truck after all.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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