Used 1999 GMC Safari Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 Safari, so we've included reviews for other years of the Safari since its last redesign.
It's a Work Horse
GM Owner, 07/21/2008
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
We love our van. Bought new has 110k miles. This van has pulled concrete carts, hauled 8 passengers, been filled with cement blocks, carried surf boards, moved us accross country and took us camping for two weeks this summer thru deserts (115f) and over mountains at 8,000ft. We take out the seats, place a bed inside and just cruise by those expensive motels. It will get over 24mpg if you set cruise under 60mph. Its a work horse!
My 4th Astro/Safari Van
SB, 07/07/2009
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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,
1999 GMC Safari for sale near you
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- BaseMSRP: $3,995285 mi away
great truck
elisabethsdaddy, 12/01/2002
1998 GMC Safari SLX 3dr Minivan
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I drive courier in this van,300 hard miles a day. replace idler arms every 100000 and other normal wear items never let me down.with proper maintenance will go forever. change tranny fluid every 15000. recomend this vehicle for any one wanting a tough vehicle that will hold the entire family
Lots of life left
Jeff, 10/26/2006
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan AWD
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
2nd owner of this AWD and I now have 120,000 miles on it. Took it to Colorado Springs (from Pa.) this summer and had no problems. Van got between 18 and 20 MPG going 70-80 MPH but would get 24.5 going 55. In cColorado Springs it got 16.5 MPG. Only problems I ever had with van was a water pump at 115,000. It has been a good Van. Outstanding AWD in the snow. Better than my 4X4 truck. 4.3 cyl. probably the best 6 cyl. on market but could get better MPG.
All around good vehicle
westone, 09/05/2003
1998 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Our experience with this van has been excellent. It hauls 7 people plus ample luggage, averages 21 mpg (RWD), and we tow up to 6,000 lbs with it (rated for 5,000). No other vehicle we are aware of offers this kind of utility AND gets this kind of gas mileage. After 5 years and 100k miles, it has never left us stranded. We take care of it, and plan to drive it as far as it will go. We love it.
Safari Vans vs. the minivan market
rufrider, 01/06/2003
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have had few problems with this van, and it is our second of this style. We have also owned a Toyota minivan, a Chevy Regency,and SUV's. The interior room is it's greatest advantage. In comparison with the other minivans on the market, it has more leg and head room. The large area behind the rear seat holds suitcases and ice chests enough for a family for a 2 week vacation (keeping these things out of the seating area). We had this advantage with a full size van but had to deal with difficulty parking in small spaces, and gas mileage.For the most efficiency for the greatest amount of space, we'll choose Safari again.
Solid Van
FLEX, 03/20/2006
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan AWD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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.
Expensive to own/maintain
MadMom, 11/17/2003
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan AWD
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purch 1/99; 4/99 transfer case prob; 7/99 8k mi trans replace solenoid-2 visits; 3/00 17k mi transfer case; 5/00 21k mi overhaul trans asmbly; 7/00 24k recondit'd valve body/trans; expensive brake, trans + transfer case maint for life; 1/02 53k idler arms $600; 1/03 74k intake gskt $500; 5/03 76k AC comprsr, door lock actuators $1,300; 7/03 82k NEW ENGINE $7k (spun bearing, threw rod)on family trip from NC to NY; 8/03 83k AC control head $350; 11/03 85k ignition coil/rotor $400. Expensive to own; has been a $10,000 year.Sadly, this Safari has never "wanted" for anything + the maintenance schedule has been followed +/or exceeded.
Safari van
safariowner, 04/24/2007
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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.
Give and take
Rowe, 05/22/2002
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Major Safety concern - no door ajar light/ alarm for doors other than driver side door and even then, door has to be completely open. We have driven with door ajar several times. Have had many water leakage problems with all doors. Not much room for taller drivers. Rattle at slow speed but service department can not fix.
LOVE MY VAN BUT ......
ahamm1, 10/23/2012
1997 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I got this van in the summer of 2007 with 69000 miles on it, RAN GREAT was my daily ride. I drive over 100 miles a day and in 2010 the fuel pump problem happened with my van as well. We replaced it and it still is not running right, so it has been parked for over a year now for the day I have the money to take it in because I really do not want to give up the van. Also there is a clunking sound when you take off. Still love the van..
MY WONDERFUL "GREEN PASTURE"......
Big Al, 07/02/2019
1998 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Well I nick-named my 1998 GMC Safari van my green pasture because the kids were grown and I made it into a wonderful camper van. It was incredibly comfortable to drive and it has served me well. Of course as a 22 year old van is it needs stuff replaced due to wear and tear. I did the entire front brake system, the cooling system, the head gasket and the alternator. I was told by NJ mechanics that it needed lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods and an anti-sway bar. I was laid off and decided to move back to Texas. Well I took it to a local place in Granbury TX called Donathan's Automotive, they were awesome. They do a Trip Check service for only $100 which tells you what needs to be done and the priority it should be done in. I had them do the service and by the end of the day I called and they said they needed to see me and show me. Well my baby after 22 years of NJ salt and snow ans sea air had finally come to rest with frame rot. While I could find a frame and do a rebuild the amount of money would cost a ton. So it is time to retire it. The engine and transmission are still running great and it purrs like a kitten. If you can find one of these in good condition, snatch it up after having a mechanic look at it. They run like tanks. I so far have 183k + miles on it and will drive on small short trips around town but that is it. I know someone who has over 300k miles on his.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
300 +
Carm, 06/14/2020
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1998 all-wheel drive safari with 85000 mil. And I now have 306000 on it. I still have the same engine but I have my 3rd trainee. Only because I am hard on it with towing and hauling. Best rig I have ever had.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
GMC Safari
Lyman Miller, 12/29/2002
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
$800.00 to replace fuel pump at 65,000 mi. $1800 to rebuild transmission at 70,000 mi.$100.00, 3 times to clear throttle sticking condition off idle. This is my first GM product after 20+ years of Ford and Dodge. I wont buy another GM. Never had expensive problems with the other brands.
Unfulfilled dream
Ed Garrity, 07/23/2005
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I paid $16K for a 2 year old van with 37K miles. In 7/05 it has 108K, current value About $5.3K. I've enjoyed the van and the ride. It's comfortable for driver. Not enough foot room for passengers. I liked the way it handled and drove. Repair costs have been about $1K a year in addition to regular maintenance. Costs of repair have been expensive. Have had excellent service from Cooper extra wide, tires. I have replaced the electric window motors on both sides of the van. AC is a problem, 2 computers replaced. Body and upholstery show almost no wear.
Grandpa's Van
Pauppo, 02/19/2003
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
A very reliable and useful vehicle. Lots of power and interior room with affordable fuel economy. Both hardware and paint seem to be holding up well.
electrical hell
Rick Earl, 09/11/2002
1997 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has been expensive to operate. It had electrical problems from the start. It continues to eat fuses like candy. The lighter, fuel gauge, and power windows have not worked in 2 years. Its on its 4th battery and 3rd set of front brakes. The front end wears tires quickly, even with it properly aligned. In short buyer beware. There is very little head or leg room in the front seats.
Another Love/Hate realationship
Ozzmier, 01/23/2009
1997 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan AWD
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
When I bought my Safari it had 45,000 miles on it. Around 130,000 my brakes finally wore down and I got new ones. Around 140,000 miles my power steering pump blew and I bought a new one. Around 145,000 miles my a/c and heat stopped working with the exception of a warm defrost. The 2nd heat censor blew. Then, around 160,000 my fuel pump died on me. Now it is sitting in my driveway waiting for a new coil because that blew about 3 days ago ( 173,000 miles). It has been a workhorse, a family vehicle and more. I love the Safari, and until 130,000 miles it never failed me. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested. As long as you keep it maintained as you would expect from any verhicle.
Great Value
Patrick, 12/12/2008
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Very useful vehicle. More power than I need. Good milage-esp with 6 people in it. Reliable. Low maintenace.
My safari
mamoke, 04/28/2002
1997 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Love everything about it but it has become difficult for me to get in and out of it because of my short legs and arthrities.
Love/ Hate
Ed Slaney, 10/14/2002
1997 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have a love /hate relationship with this vehicle. It is great to drive,easy for shopping etc. Comfortable on long trips. We have replaced 3 window motors,1 seat motor,an alternator,a very expensive fuel pump,a wiper circuit board and other various items some under warrenty some not. Before the fuel pump went I complained to GMC and they offered me an 8 hundre $ cert. towards a new GMC product good for 1 yr. The pump went shortley after and the fix wiped out the cert. Yesterday the blower moter switch would only work on high.
Good family car
Dave, 08/10/2005
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought this van used a few years ago, and have done nothing but drive it hard all the time. My wife uses it daily with 3 kids. We have taken many very long trips and it is very roomy and comfortable. Only problem has been an alternator(easy to replace myself). Also the front brakes wear faster than some other cars, but not too bad. Over all we really love this van(kinda square looking though!) I can't think of anything new I could buy that can do all this does so well!
I like it
Bill, 09/16/2006
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Good strong minivan. It has great towing capacity. The kids aren't cramped like in the smaller mini vans. Very safe and built tough.
LemonMobile
bmxpro789, 05/04/2002
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
If you are considering buying a Safari van my advice to you is DO NOT BUY THESE VEHICLES. GMC bought back my vehicle under the Lemon Law. It stalled in reverse, it would stall going forward while driving leaving you with no brakes. At 12,000 I had to replace the altenator after it got me stuck in an intersection. The a/c compressor started making noises. at 56,000 the fuel pump, fuel sender and fuel neck went bad. It would have cost me $950 without warranty. Always buy a warranty. The batery went bad at 18000 miles to.These cars are evil and all the dealer can tell you is "We can't find the problem" This is wha you get after paying $29,000 for these things.
Never Again!
Shawn ONeal, 11/11/2003
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Our average repair bill for this crap car has been over $3200 per year! Since we have purchased this van, we have spent almost $10K in repairs; thinking that each time what else could go wrong. The design and weight of the vehicle is too much for the suspension and we have gone through four sets of tires. The AC has gone out twice, the alternator failed twice, breaks have had to be replaced each year, the fuel pump failed, the transmission failed under warranty, the water pump failed, and much more. I will NEVER buy American made again! As far as I am concerned US auto workers are paid five times their worth with the crap they build!
poor quality parts supplier
Bob Blackwood, 03/08/2002
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan AWD
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
Nice vehicle very expensive rugged for towing boat etc. very dissappointed in brakes & front end .had to replace front brakes & rotors @ 20000 miles , rotors to far gone to turn. should have been warr, dealer said no. general tires were gone @ 30000 miles & had to put new Idler arms on @ 36000, still not warr. 4yr old. I'm ret vehicle only used only for pleasure. & tow boat less than 20 miles a year.
The Van of Vans
Jonhnny, 07/17/2002
1997 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a trailer and its the only thing that can carry 8 people + a 5,000 pound trailer without a sweat
GMC Safari SLE
Clifford53, 11/30/2002
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
as listed in the review section Not bad for an American car
gmc safari
apm/ld, 09/12/2003
1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Practical, economical, and durable vehicle that is good at towing and comfortable for carrying lots of people. Ride improved alot with new shocks. Design is somewhat dated, but very utilitarian. I like it.