2000 GMC Savana Cargo Review
2000 GMC Savana Cargo Review

Used Savana Cargo for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Modern architecture, powerful V8 engine choices, cavernous interior.
Cons
- Cheap interior materials, mushy brake pedal, numb steering.
What’s new
GMC's full-size cargo van gets improved powertrains, increased trailer ratings, and an optional rear-window defogger.
Edmunds says
How do you choose between a Chevrolet or GMC full-size van? Which dealer is closest to your house? They're basically the same vehicle. And these GM vans stack up well against the formidable Ford Econoline and ancient has-been Dodge Ram Van. As long as the Savana provides what you need in this kind of vehicle, it's tough to go wrong here.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 GMC Savana Cargo G2500 3dr Van 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 $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$302/mo for Savana Cargo G2500
Savana Cargo G2500
vs
$323/mo
Avg. Midsize Van
Vehicle overview
When the then-new Savana arrived in small numbers for 1996, it had been 25 years since GM redesigned its full-size van. The GMC Rally Van and Vandura were introduced way back in 1971 (when vans were groovy), and sold steadily until they were discontinued. Competition and safety regulations had forced GM to redo the big vans for '96, but by then Ford had already re-engineered the Club Wagon and Econoline twice! To help distinguish the all-new design, GMC rebadged its new van Savana.
Savana features flush glass and door handles, hidden door hinges, standard four-wheel antilock brakes and dual airbags. Front foot- and legroom is adequate, and front seats offer a wide range of travel. Front air conditioning and rear heat ducts are standard, but for better warming (and cooling), an optional rear heating and air-conditioning unit is available. The center console contains two cupholders, an auxiliary power outlet and storage for items like CDs and cassettes. Savana is available in 135- and 155-inch wheelbases and three weight series (1500, 2500 or 3500). There is a choice of side-entry doors as well: a sliding door or a pair of 60/40 hinged doors.
Inside the short-wheelbase Savana, you'll find 267 cubic feet of cargo area, while the extended version provides a whopping 317 cubic feet of volume. Rear hinged doors open a full 180 degrees for easy loading and do not conceal high-mounted taillights when opened. Gross vehicle weight ratings of up to 9,500 pounds are available on either wheelbase.
The base engine is a 200-horsepower Vortec 4300 V6 that is quieter and more durable this year, thanks to a new roller timing chain and rocker arms. Optional motors include the GM family of V8s, from the popular Vortec 5000, to the venerable 5700, to the monster Vortec 7400. Also available is a robust 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 good for 195 horsepower and 430 stump-pulling pound-feet of torque. A new exhaust system with specially designed catalytic converters help all but the biggest engines meet California low-emission vehicle (LEV) standards. GM's heavy-duty 4L80-E transmission handles all the shifting chores, featuring a more efficient torque converter.
Savana's styling is rounded and bulbous, with a front end that mimics GM's truck family and a high-arched rear with D-pillar mounted taillights. Easily as odd-looking as the old Lumina minivan's high-mounted rear lamps, the round-topped rear and sheer size of this van make it seem as if you were looking at the rear of a commuter train car. Like it or not, this design is different enough to wear well into the next century.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 GMC Savana Cargo.
5 star(20%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(60%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(20%)
5 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
2.88 out of 5 stars
5.7 engine fails after warranty
David Shirk, 12/29/2002
2000 GMC Savana Cargo G3500 3dr Ext Van
With an oil change documented every 3-
5 thousand miles, my trusty GMC
Savanna extended 1-ton cargo van came
to a grinding halt at 60,600 miles
(less than 2 years old). I had the
old 5.7 engine replaced with a new one
by a GMC dealer. Out of pocket was a
total of $6,400. GMC said it was not
their problem. I am stuck. I am now
persuing samll claims court. How long …
should an engine last? I usually can
have upwards of 200,000 miles without
incident. After owning 14 GM vehicles,
I found the loyalty stops with me.
1.25 out of 5 stars
Junk
Mr. Jimmy, 04/26/2003
2000 GMC Savana Cargo G2500 3dr Van
I purchased my Savana 2500HD Van and
Serviced it at regular intervals
myself, (oil changes, lube). The brakes
on these trucks wear out after about
18000 miles and thats mostly highway.
At 52k miles the trans started giving
me problems to which I was informed
that the Torque Converter was
defective. As always "GM could not do
anything as far as any warranty
coverage". … Also you may want to note
that the Truck was less than 1 1/2
years old when this happened. Also the
front end had some kind of "looseness"
that the dealer could never find or fix.
I'm very disatisfied with this truck
and would not buy another even with the
so called "0" percent financing.
3 out of 5 stars
MY 2000 SAVANA
realgearhead, 05/26/2004
2000 GMC Savana Cargo G2500 3dr Van
PURCHASED NEW 9-2000 TRANSMISSION
FAILED AT 18000 MILES DEALER CLAIMED
THAT THEY NO LONGER REBUILD
TRANSMISSIONS IN HOUSE ,HAD LOCAL
TRANS. SHOP REBUILD UNIT UNDER
WARRENTY , NOW HAVE 35000 MILES SO FAR
NO PROBLEM . GAS MILEAGE IS POOR 10-11
LOCAL 15-16 HIGHWAY . ALSO HAD
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS .STARTER REPLACED
2XS. THIS IS MY 4TH CHEVY /GMC VAN IT
RIDES AND HANDLES … LIKE A CAR, BUT
SEEMS TO HAVE MORE MECANICAL PROBLEMS
THAN ALL OTHERS PUT TOGETHER
2.88 out of 5 stars
GMC Savana
Unsatisfied, 01/14/2003
1996 GMC Savana Cargo G1500 3dr Van
I was very excited to purchase this
vehicle but my excitement didn't last
long. After 5000 miles I began to have
doubts about fit and finish quality
(many rattles,wind noise,bad knobs).
The fuel pump failed after 30000
miles. Rotors were poor quality and
had to be replaced after 50000 miles.
I've never had problems like these
with any vehicle before. Transmission …
went after 80000 miles. Most of all I
didn't get the impression that anyone
at GMC was concerned as long as they
had their money. I was fooled into
buying from this company once but it
won't happen again.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 GMC Savana Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana Cargo since its last redesign.
2000 Savana Cargo Highlights
G1500
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $302/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
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 – Original0
- 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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