Used 2004 GMC Safari Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2004 Safari, so we've included reviews for other years of the Safari since its last redesign.
truly the best vehicle we ever had
mesh7, 04/30/2013
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
our 2003 gmc safari is the best vehicle i could ever hope for . weve put over 200.000 miles on it and almost no maintence. it never breaks down and all weve had to replace is fuel pump and alternator. This van is perfect and i ABSOLUTELY recommend it . GMC did a great job with this one . VERY RELIABLE
Excellent for the long haul
Jackjrp, 11/01/2003
2004 GMC Safari Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
No it's not sexy or sporty but this is a great vehicle for anyone that plans to put a lot of miles on it. The ride on rough roads is a little truck-like - not punishing, mind you, but not as good as car based minivans. Highway ride is very good though. My wife shows dogs and a standard mini-van was too small and she didn't want a full size van. She has found the Safari to be just right. Have over 150,000 miles on our first one with virtually no problems - most reliable vehicle we've ever had (yes, we had a Toyota and a Nissan...not bad vehicles but not Nirvana either). One additional note, the Safari gets surprisingly good mileage.
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GWD, 03/19/2004
2004 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
low upkeep costs. parts are cheep, alot of cargo room, good head and body room. Can fit two adults and car seat in same row and still have moving around room, no other mid-sized van has that. 8 passenger spaces with luggage for 8 people inside the van. Can fit 8' 2x4 on floor and 10' on top of dash with all doors closed. 4'x8' plywood fits inside with doors closed.
2003 GMC Safari
Brian Schneider, 03/04/2005
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
This is the second Safari we have owned. While dated in style and design- the AWD, spaciousness, towing capacity and fuctionality make it a good good value for the price. Very functional for hauling kids, towing the boat and packing full of gear for hunting/fishing trips. Both of our vehicle have been reliable w/ minimal need for service other than routine maintenance.
Great Vehicle
Bob, 02/17/2007
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought the GMC Safari new in 2002 because I needed a vehicle that would haul our stuff to our cabin in Northern Michigan which also had All Wheel Drive for the mud and snow we frequeny encounter. The truck based Safari was the perfect answer and it has proven to be just that. After 108,000 miles, the only repair it has needed was a an alternator during the first year covered by warranty. Too bad there isn't a comparable vehicle available today. Guess I'll keep it. It's still strong and I expect at least 250,000 miles out of it.
My sweet Ride
Judith, 06/11/2019
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I am a woman who is 64 years old. I have had my Safari Van a few years now and I have had no trouble with it. It is quiet, smooth riding, seats are GREAT but could use better leg room in the front Captain seats. Also My legs are shorter so I would like the gas pedal up higher. some times I use my tippy toes to reach the gas pedal. but in order to have leg room, I have to have my driver seat back as far as it goes. Same thing happens on the passenger side in front.. not enough leg room. I love my Van and every vehicle has something to complain about but my only complaint is the front seat leg room..
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Great Van, Awesome work vehicle
marc, 03/16/2021
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought our 2002 GMC safari used with around 70k on it in 2017. Not a typo...guy bought it to tow a boat and apparently nothing else. Guy mistreated it and lived by the ocean so we have had a hell of a time with rust/corrosion, However, once we dealt with all of that crap, it's a good little Van... or not so little. Holds Full sheets of drywall comfortably (with the seats out of course) and has plenty of power with that Vortec motor. The 195 HP feels like more. If you blindfolded me I would swear its a medium v8. This is my 3rd work minivan and it has been the best of the lot (nissan and dodge) If you can get one in decent shape, grab it... no one really makes a BIG interior work van like this anymore in this price range. I am buying a new truck but still keeping the safari for purely practical reasons.
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Third Astro or Safari/love them all
lobo55, 10/30/2005
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Since I realize that they are built on a truck body, I have no disappointments with the ride. They are quality built and can tow my large Coleman pop-up camper anywhere in the country, including the Rocky mountains. My other two had well over 200,000 miles with very little maintenance and I am confident that this one will be just as satisfying
Glad I bought it new in 2003
George, 01/18/2017
2003 GMC Safari Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Very reliable vehicle. Bulletproof engine. Brakes last forever. Transmission flawless. Very large cargo capacity for its size with seats removed. I had a 1989 model with 295000 miles and no engine repairs other than minor, like water pump, spark plugs, etc, trans overhaul at 150000, still running great when traded for another vehicle.
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Great van
john, 03/05/2008
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The van been great, had an issue with the abs for a while but the dealer fixed it when I suggested that I wasn't coming back for a GMC. We have used the van on 4000k road trips good on gas 1700km per tank at 80kph, went up fire accesss roads and crossed streams when Honda and other failed. We had to pick them up and bring them to the camp site. You can drive it anywhere and carry 6 adults and luggage and shopping back from the road trips. Just finished trip down to have upgraded brakes to cross drilled vented front vented rear. Really stops now. Looking for new tires next. Only 65k on the van so will be around for awhile.
Good, Comfy, Van
Kyle Brautigan, 04/17/2004
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have owned these vans since they came out in 1985. The are roomier, more powerful, and capable than most other minivans on market. These vans have always been reliable besides for a few minor problems. We had to replace brakes at 15,000 miles and GMC wouldn't cover it under warranty which made me angry and made me wonder what the warranty was for.I like the truck- like sensation and this is no woss minivan. The ride is harsh over rough surfaces and it doesn't handle as well as car-based minivans. The interior is cheap plastic and poorly made. Even in the uplevel SLT it is lacking luxury features.
Very Good Mini-Van... Great Value!
HeatherB, 06/11/2004
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great family vehicle. Reliable and comfortable.
GMC Safari
Tim Brautigan, 08/15/2003
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Good: It certainly provides more interior and cargo space than most minivans. The engine is more powerful than other minivans with a 4.3 litre v6. More towing power than other minivans. Bad: Interior quality, fuel economy, rattling, reliability, stiff ride, no driver side sliding door. GMC/Chevy should offer a optional v8 power on these vans and give more luxury options available. I own the SLT AWD model and there is no available premium sound systems, onstar, or heated seats, or dvd player to name a few.
When A Minivan Just Won't Do ...
Roadapple, 06/10/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is AWD Safari #2 for us (the '97 got a bit tired at 137k), and its a great family vehicle for long trips, especially in bad weather. No other AWD van has this much room, and especially cargo room, even when traveling with a full load of 8 people. We put 35k+ miles a year on this vehicle, and its tough enough to take it -- wouldn't buy anything else, especially for the money. Only flaw is front end offset crash test results -- could do much better.
A Do-it-All Vehicle
NJGuy07719, 08/04/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I looked at almost every full-size SUV and they were all to expensive and had limited cargo room. Suddenly, I saw the GMC Safari. The Safari does it all and does it well. It has more cargo room than a Ford Expedition and a Chevy Surburban and it was $12,000+ cheaper than either of the two. The only options I did NOT get were AWD, leather, and the homelink. I use my Safari to transport DJ equipment, tow a 27 foot boat, and take Sunday drives with family & friends. I average 16 MPG city and 21-22 hwy, thanks to a K&N filter and a Dynomax muffler. My only complaint is front legroom. Since I am 5'7", its not too bad.
gas and go these van s are the best
vito picone, 01/06/2021
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
hi miles are the best thing for these vans
2nd one I've owned
msterk, 12/10/2003
2004 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Safari. My husband is driving the other one now. It's a 1996 and I liked it so much I bought another one. It's all wheel drive and available cargo space gives it more bang for the buck compared to other mini vans or suv's when price does matter.
Love it - on my second one
akgirl, 06/03/2008
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
During the Alaskan winters the side door is great. We all pile in shut the door keep warm and then buckle up. Three kids and friends always fit very comfortable. Lots of room for everyone and their stuff and I can still get groceries.
Safari: The Un-Minivan
Tahoe086, 05/12/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Safari is a Mid-Van so I wont have to say its a Mini-Van any way...the V-6 offers great power for a minivan and the towing compacity is great and needed...I am also pleased to note that it is Rear wheel drive which is AWESOME!!
Average Car
tbuchler, 02/03/2004
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've had problems with my Safari. The sliding psgr door and rear hatch either stick or won't open. Took it to the dealer to get resolved still have same problem. Recently had problems with transmission and oil cooling lines leaking only at 42000 miles. Not impressed with fuel economy or front leg room. I am 6'2 and wife is 5'7". It does pull are 3300 lb popup camper great which is our main reason for buying it.
good
greene, 03/23/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
nice van
Not Worth the Money
Michael Deveroux, 09/27/2003
2004 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 9 people found this review helpful
The GMC Safari is no bargain for your money. Its "old - school" exterior design has people guessing whether your driving a brand new van. In fact they have made very little exterior changes to the Safari/Astro van since 1996. Its clunky and boxy style adds to increased "top heavyness" when driving in windy conditions. The interior of the Safari is almost as bland as the exterior. With the bare minimum avaliable in features, again, makes you feel like your driving a 1996 Safari van rather than a 2003-04. One of the only high points that I have found this van to have is above average interior- space.
Consumer
Tuong Huynh, 08/17/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
You get more for your money.
good ride
emald, 12/14/2002
2002 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
2002 gmc safari has been a fine vehicle for my family. We have had zero problems with it. Here in Alaska the AWD and Anti lock brakes have been just the thing. With studed tires on it just won't be stopped.
GMC power!
Charlton Salandanan, 02/06/2003
2003 GMC Safari Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Nice to drive, Very roomy, good torque and Ideal for family use!
safari
sstmfadwn, 01/19/2004
2004 GMC Safari Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
it is the coolest van