1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Review
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Standard ABS. Standard side airbags. Optional traction control. Powerful V-6 engine. Montana's SUV-like styling camoflauges Mom-mobile. Power sliding right-side door.
Cons
- Uncomfortable rear seats.
What’s new
Short-wheelbase models get the dual sliding doors and power-sliding door options. Side-impact airbags are standard, and a white two-tone paint job is new. Second-generation airbags are standard for front-seat occupants.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Montana 4dr Minivan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.31 per gallon for regular unleaded in Kentucky.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Kentucky
$216/mo for Trans Sport Montana
Trans Sport Montana
vs
$173/mo
Avg. Compact Minivan
Vehicle overview
The difference is like night and day. Pontiac's current Trans Sport is so much better than the previous version that there is really no comparison. So forget about the bullet-nosed, plastic-bodied, Dustbuster Trans Sport of yesteryear. Pontiac is rewriting Chrysler's book on minivans.
How so? For starters, the Trans Sport features a standard 3.4-liter, 180-horsepower V6 engine. That's identical to what Chrysler offers with its top-of-the-line optional motor. Available, just like on the Chrysler vans, is a driver's-side sliding door. Buyers needing eight-passenger seating can select the Trans Sport, the only minivan on the market offering this configuration. Chrysler vans feature roll-away bench seats, but they're heavy suckers to unload. The Trans Sport can be equipped with modular seats that weigh just 38 pounds each and are relatively easy to remove.
This is one safe van, on paper. Traction control is optional, while dual airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard. For 1998, side airbags are also part of the standard equipment list. Daytime running lights operate the parking lamps rather than the headlights. If GM provided a similar arrangement on all DRL-equipped models, we bet the negative criticism for them wouldn't be nearly as severe or widespread. The new Trans Sport meets current side impact standards, too. Be warned, however, that the Trans Sport fared very poorly in offset crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but performed rather well during federal head-on crash runs. There are no federal standards governing offset crashworthiness.
The sliding door on the right side of the van can be equipped to open automatically with the push of a button. The ventilation system features a replaceable pollen filter, which is good news for allergy sufferers. Optional rear audio controls allow rear passengers to listen to a CD, cassette or stereo via headphones while front passengers listen to their choice of any of the three mediums simultaneously.
Around town, the Trans Sport feels downright spunky, with good throttle response and car-like handling. Braking is excellent for a 4,000-pound vehicle. Visibility is uncompromised, thanks in part to the huge exterior mirrors that effectively eliminate blind spots. Front seats are quite comfortable, and most controls are easy to see and use. If it weren't for the expansive windshield and high driving position, drivers might not realize the Trans Sport was a van.
Pontiac is pushing the Montana package, making Trans Sports thus equipped the focal point of the lineup. Product planners claim that the Montana bridges the gap between sport-utility and minivan. Ummm, we don't think so. It takes more than body-cladding, white-letter tires, alloy wheels, fog lights and traction control to match an SUV when it comes to capability. Heck, the press kit conveniently left out ground clearance in the specification table. Image is another matter, and the Montana does blur the line between minivan and sport-utility in terms of styling, but nobody will mistake this Pontiac for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Sounds good though, for a minivan. There are problems, however. Chief among them are seriously uncomfortable modular seats that provide little in the way of thigh and leg support. When sitting in one of the rear chairs, adult passengers will grow cranky quickly. The automatic sliding door is designed to reverse direction when it determines that an object is blocking its closure path. Be warned: the door doesn't behave like an elevator door. It can almost knock unsuspecting adults over before reversing. Teach children that they are strong enough to push the door back, and not to be afraid of getting squished if the door doesn't stop immediately. Other flaws include difficult-to-reach center console storage, lack of a power lock switch in the cargo area and excessive amounts of cheap-looking plastic inside.
Basically, we like the Trans Sport for its standard and optional features, combined with a pleasantly surprising fun-to-drive demeanor. So long as adult passengers drive or call shotgun, Pontiac's people mover makes perfect sense.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport.
5 star(27%)
4 star(43%)
3 star(24%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(0%)
37 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.25 out of 5 stars
Just Traded Mine
SpartanMan2, 04/09/2002
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport 3dr Minivan
Owned my 98 for 4 years. Traded it in
with 55,000 miles. Engine coolant
leaked and brakes were squealing.
4.13 out of 5 stars
ABS TCM
adamsjjjr69, 06/26/2010
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Montana 4dr Ext Minivan
Has 220,000 miles but recently the ABS TCM lights came on. When I stop to restart the car and clear the lights, the wheels "lock up" and it will not move. Had to have it towed twice. Had to have the ABS TCM module replaced ($1200) and it worked ok until yesterday. Did the same thing and the wheels lock up. Anyone else have this problem, because my mechanics cannot figure out why. They … are replacing components but not sure of the cause.
5 out of 5 stars
Hard to replace
sayin_goodbye, 01/02/2010
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Montana 4dr Ext Minivan
Purchased in 98. While we did experience the lovely Dex-cool challenge & intake manifold gasket problems, I have loved my van. Faced with the challenge of finding a new vehicle 11+ years later, few seem to match the bells and whistles we got on our Montana, nor the mileage for the size of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the engineers responsible for it are now likely unemployed - we didn't … qualify for Cash for Clunkers due to the great mileage. Vehicle aged well, is still sound, durable, and comfortable, but starting to have small maintenance problems, prompting us to get a new vehicle. The perfect vehicle made for my family's use. Got us through the travelling years (soccer,football,camping)
3.25 out of 5 stars
Time for it to go!
Had_enough, 01/22/2009
1998 Pontiac Trans Sport 4dr Ext Minivan
Purchased at 73,000 miles, currently 170,000 miles. Second time intake gasket leaking. Outside temp display works only if I bang on it. Lights on steering wheel controls don't work. Power sliding door won't open/close when van's on a hill. Lots of rattling noise in rear. Load leveler stopped working after hitting a bump in road. Rear brakes lock up when adjusted. headlights are aweful. … Just ready to walk away from this van!
1998 Trans Sport Highlights
Montana
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $216/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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