1996 Chevrolet Astro Consumer Reviews

transmission

Written by: poohbear12 on 11/01/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LT Passenger Van Extended

Review

So far the astro van has been pretty good for our family. It has helped us move 2 times. The interior is very roomy. The only bad part has been the transmission. It has gone out on me once already and seems like it is getting ready to do it again. Luckily I do have a warranty on the repairs done. Also I have replaced the 02 sensors twice.

Favorite Features

Interior is spacious.

Suggested Improvements

More legroom in front seat and adjust climate control (drivers side can get too hot or cold)

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Good for the long haul

Written by: Sherry B. on 10/11/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD 4WD Passenger Van Extended

Review

Excellent for the duration...my 2nd Astro, and better than the 1st '87 model. Gas mileage is about 18/gal city, but is a great family vehicle. Has lasted well.

Favorite Features

Roomy interior, long lasting upholstery wears well, handles awesome in the snow. Very dependable, never failed to start in 6 years. Low maintenance.

Suggested Improvements

More leg room for front passenger. Armrest vinyl cracks, rear seat fold down mechanism breaks. Slider door gets jammed. Rear doors catch wind and fly all the way open hitting brake lights, denting doors-need some sort of strap to limit opening distance.

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terrible van

Written by: deathgrip72 on 09/04/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

This is an awful vehicle. Everything breaks and need replacing within the first few years. Every conceivable notor and drive mechanism wears out prematurely. It drives like a tank, does not haus particularly well, and gets lousy mileage. I would steer anyone I talk to to away from this vehicle. In fact, I have never heard of anyone who actually likes this van or would replace an old one with a new one.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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dependable van

Written by: Coop2 on 04/28/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

I bought this used with 85000 and i dont drive it alot but it has flawless. The vehicle that has never let me down unlike the voyager SE. Still has the original gm battery. Milage could be better but not in a big van. Avg about 22 on trips only about 3 less that the voyager. LOts O Room I use it to haul music equipment. Dont play on every doing any repairs myself as the engene is very unaccessble as the dog house would have to me removed

Favorite Features

Lots o room. Good power. dependable

Suggested Improvements

gets dings very easy. Motor is buried in under dash so unaccessable.

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'96 Astro Extened 8 pass. 1/12/2003

Written by: Indian on 01/12/2003

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

139,000 mi on this van,stil runs excellent all maintenance performed by owner,great family hauler/traveler,17/22 MPG replaced engine seals,timing chain,oil cooler lines and all brake componets exc.brake lines at approx.120,000 mi.,water pump tensioner pulley at 90,000 mi.,major tune-up at 100,000 mi.including o2 sensors,two previous minor brake jobs at 45,000 and 70,000 mi. window motors replaced 100,000 mi.,fuel pump replaced, 75,000 mi.,other than too many brake jobs this has been a very reliable van,no rust yet and is operated in northwest Ohio.

Favorite Features

Reliable,comfortable seats for long distance trips,just the right size for every day use,lots of room.

Suggested Improvements

Better/larger brakes

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Way too many problems

Written by: Hemst on 08/20/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

Bought new in 1996, first major problems began after 40K (after weak warranty) and put well over $2k in it by 54k miles. Over the years, it faired OK but broke down at the worst times, and cost plenty each time. Thank God for AAA. From 100k -111K miles, I just put over $6,300 bucks into it, you name it, engine work galore, trans, etc. Too bad for the poor quality in the mechanical aspect, it has great functionality.

Favorite Features

Perfect size, mid-size van, better than typical small minivans, not obscenely large like full-size vans. I have a conversion Astro, which was loaded with good stuff, too.

Suggested Improvements

Should have been free of such expensive problems since it has been around since 1985. They should consider dual sliders, but I still would never buy an Astro van again.

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Always driveable, seldom reliable

Written by: sendaibob on 08/14/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

The engine and transmission have been great. After 100,000 miles, the engine runs smoothly, and doesn't burn any oil. The motors for the power windows go out regularly, The sensors for the ABS system are also not reliable. The body has been solid. After 100,000 miles, still very few rattles.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER MINI VAN!

Written by: MIMI66 on 07/30/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

FOR THE MONEY I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER MINI VAN! I HAVE ALL THAT SPACE THAT OTHERS DONT AND ITS NOT TO BIG OR TO SMALL! I DRIVE MY VAN EVERYDAY TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND BALLGAMES AND ERRANDS IT DOES FINE!!!

Favorite Features

INTERIOR SPACE! ALL OF THE COMPARTMENTS TO ORAGANIZE OUR JUNK!

Suggested Improvements

BETTER GAS MILEAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS! LOL!AND I DO WISH I HAD THE DUTCH DOORS INSTEAD OF THE DOUBLE BACK DOORS! MY HUSBAND HATES THE BAR DOWN THE MIDDLE WHEN HE IS TRYING TO DRIVE!

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Busch96Astrovan

Written by: Kustov on 07/02/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr LS Passenger Van Extended

Review

Since 1996, we used van for 8 trips of ~3200 miles from Edmonton Alberta to Las Vegas. W/ two exceptions we took the van off the road in the U.S., using it for normal city driving only in Canada. Nearly 50% of the mileage comes from eight return trips on expressways. The van's maintenance record is available: Tires ~8900 miles; brakes replaced ~3 years ago, air-conditioning, rear hydraulic lift, front end alignment and other completed 2001. The windshield has a crack, and there are several scratches and dimples on its "autumn brown" rust-free exterior.

Favorite Features

V6, comfortable ride, effective air- conditioning, stereo CD, cargo capacity

Suggested Improvements

Windshield replacement-discount applicable.

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Nickel and Dimed

Written by: kshea on 06/05/2002

Vehicle

1996 Chevrolet Astro 2 Dr STD Passenger Van Extended

Review

Every year new irritating problems with this vehicle. I got sick of fixing them and now they've really piled up. Broken power windows, broken wiper motor, growling transmission, broken A/C (for three years), high speed on heater fan, tailgate handle/latch,...it goes on. Too bad for all of the problems' cause it has great potential. It's bigger than the mini's and smaller than the full sized vans. can fit a full sized piece of plywood and close all ofthe doors. I wish it was more reliable,....I would've bought another. BUT NO!

Favorite Features

Size and power.

Suggested Improvements

all of the little things that Honda and Toyata owners take for granted

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