2001 GMC Savana Cargo Review
2001 GMC Savana Cargo Review
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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
- Odd styling, cheap interior materials, numb steering.
What’s new
GMC's full-size van gets a bigger, more powerful Big Block V8 engine, the Vortec 8100. There are also more advanced powertrain control modules for the other gas engines in the Savana line, and an improved torque converter for the 4L80-E four-speed automatic transmission. Other changes for 2001 include more robust door and ignition locks, upgraded audio systems, quieter alternators and longer-lasting brake pads.
Edmunds says
How to you choose between a Chevrolet or GMC full-size van? Which dealer is closest to your house? They're basically the same vehicle. They both stack up well against the formidable Ford Econoline and ancient Dodge Ram Van, so if the Savana provides what you need in this kind of vehicle, buy it.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 GMC Savana Cargo 1500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 4A) 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 $3.28 per gallon for regular unleaded in Iowa.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
$277/mo for Savana Cargo 1500
Savana Cargo 1500
vs
$291/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 still groovy), and sold steadily until they were finally discontinued. Competition and safety regulations had forced GM to redo the big vans for '96, but by then Ford had already re-engineered its Econoline and Club Wagon twice! To help distinguish GM's all-new, rounded-off design, GMC rebadged its new van Savana.
Savana is available in 135- and 155-inch wheelbases, three weight series (1500, 2500 or 3500) and as either a passenger van for retail customers or as a cargo van for commercial use. Cargo vans come with stripped-down interiors, ready for upfitting with tool racks or parts bins. Passenger vans are available with seating for eight, 12 or 15 people, depending on wheelbase, and in two different trim levels (base SL and luxury SLE). There's even a choice of side-entry doors: a slider or a set of 60/40 hinged doors. GM's full-size vans feature 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. The center console contains two cupholders, an auxiliary power outlet and storage for items like CDs and cassettes. 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 with the rear seats removed. Rear hinged doors open a full 180 degrees for easy loading and do not conceal high-mounted taillights when opened. For hauling, 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. Optional motors include a 220-horse Vortec 5000 V8, the venerable 255-horse Vortec 5700 V8, and GM's new Vortec 8100 Big Block V8 that makes 340 ponies and a whopping 455 foot-pounds of torque. Also available is a robust 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 good for 195 horsepower and 430 foot-pounds of torque. GM's heavy-duty 4L80-E transmission handles all the shifting chores.
Savana's styling is rounded and bulbous, with a broad front end that mimics GM's truck family and a high-arched rear with tall, thin taillights mounted up along the D-pillars. Easily as odd-looking as the old Lumina minivan's high-mounted rear lamps, the round-topped rear end and sheer size of this van make it seem as if you are looking at the back end of some sort of commuter train car. But since most retail buyers have moved to minivans and much of the full-size van business has centered on converters and fleet use, Savana's styling takes a back seat to its modern mechanicals and long service life.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 GMC Savana Cargo.
5 star(14%)
4 star(29%)
3 star(43%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(14%)
7 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
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.
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.
4.25 out of 5 stars
2001 makes additional quality improves
Proshooter, 01/11/2003
2001 GMC Savana Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
The 2001 2500 was the first vehicle I
factory ordered as soon as it was
available. Although it took nearly 10
weeks to deliver I found that the
quality is even higher than my 1997.
The Savana 2500 gives me a smooth ride
and power to spare. While the mileage
could be better, at 16 MPG it's way
better than the 10+MPG I was getting
my the used mid '80s vans. The only …
problem I've experienced is that the
seat belt does not always retract and
sometimes gets caught in the door. I
ordered the power heated mirrors which
are helpful having no rear windows.
For the money I will definitely be
looking at the GMC again next time
around.
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
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2001 GMC Savana Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana Cargo since its last redesign.
2001 Savana Cargo Highlights
1500
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,144 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $277/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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