Used 1998 GMC Savana Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Savana, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana since its last redesign.
For family and travel with space
A Redensek, 01/20/2007
1996 GMC Savana G2500 3dr Ext Van
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Have liked the vehicle very much, lots of space for large family to travel, comfortable, nice ride, good performance, reliable, low maintenance, nice Santa Fe conversion package. Only problem in 10 years, fuel pump went out close to 100,000 miles. Had one transmission pandrop and normal oil changes, on first muffler and no exhaust work. Have to replace brakes more often than ought (not heavy duty enough for the large vehicle) lots to power and drain battery, what is expected w/ TV/VCP, radio/CD/cassette players, lots interior lights? Most wear and tear due to large family, years/high miles-oops mom scraped the running boards-can't see low in rear, careful in reverse, so use side mirrors!
Lots of Repairs
NelsonVSM, 01/16/2004
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have a Glavel (AutoForm) conversion with 75,000 miles. Very nice for kids for travel and camper. Lots of problems including: new transmission (3,000 miles), new dash board cluster, broken CD, broke power attenna, new power window motors, dash replaced twice, failed water pump, failed AC, 3 batteries, brakes every 14,000 miles, etc.
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See all 0 listingsGreat Conversion Van
ruspol, 01/09/2003
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased a used 98 Savana conversion van last week and I can't stop driving it. THe leather seats are very comfortable and leg room is excellent. I made my first road trip to San Diego and cruised at 85mph and got 15 miles per gallon.
A Great Cross Country Trooper
Martin, 12/12/2008
1996 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
We have owned this vehicle for three years now and it has been great transportation. We had purchased it to make regular back and forth trips from Texas To California but wound up moving to Pennsylvania. It was a great ride in the cross country expeditions. We have used to haul machines, lumber, water purifiers and just plain traveling. We like the capacity as we carry people to church on Sunday and have had as many as 15 on the run. We would buy it again. The only real problem we have had was with a engine sensor that only happened while traveling in the California Desert and that was only once. Haven't had any other issues. Would recommend this baby to anyone who wanted a roomy ride.
Great Van - built solid
stockmds, 12/22/2002
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my secound GMC. I bought this one new and paid almost $35,000. The price was a little step, but it is very dependable. I have only need a few minor repare and they were covered under warranty. This is a great van and I am very satisfied.
Epitomy of Planned Obsolescence
TabulaRasa, 06/24/2004
1996 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This is a typical GM product. It looks alright on paper, but in real world use, it falls flat on it's face. This vehicle has been beset by problems from day one. The built-in TV/VCP will short out the rest of the interior lights. It is on it's 3rd transmission. The rear differential is going out (clack clack clack!). The intake manifold has cracked. The fuel pump has died. The brakes are garbage. Even the oil dipstick is rusty. That's sad.
A great family vehicle
M Pagel, 08/04/2005
1996 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought ours in the summer of 1997 with only 40 miles on it. It was customized by Autoform and sometimes it is tricky to get parts. The only major problems we have had in 9 years is the fuel pump and air conditioning hoses needed to be replaced all within the last 2 years. We now have 105K miles on it and it still runs like brand new. It is great for hauling people and things. We have been on some awesome trips to the Rockies and it has worked wonderfully. I particularly like the fact I can get a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back so for me it works better than a full size pickup. The reclining seat levers are made out of plastic which tend to strip but are easy to replace.
The kids love it
Liz, 06/27/2007
1996 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I seem to have similar experiences to those reviews already written. Brakes need replacing a lot, driver's side window works 75% of the time, scraped up running boards while learning my boundaries and they don't do well in airport parking garages! But, my 6 kids Love this van! So much so that with 158,000 miles, we just purchased a new one! We are excited about spending 10+ more years with this one.
Great Van
Allan Bremer, 01/04/2022
1998 GMC Savana G2500 3dr Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1998 GMC 2500 Savana with the 5.7 motor in November of 2021. The seller said a company was taking care of it and that it's motor was rebuilt and only has 90,000 on it. Who knows what 'rebuilt' means - maybe they just put a new starter on it, I don' know, I wasn't given any information about what was done to the motor. You have to move around the shift lever in order to make the key contact and start it. It ran great going down the highway, has power, sounded awesome, and is very comfortable. It was used as a cargo van / food truck to deliver stuff. No major dents in it but the sliding side door handle and lock was missing and would get stuck and the back drivers side door has been smacked and it needs to be lifted up a touch to totally latch. It starts up every time and goes down the highway great. No 'Service Engine Soon' light, gas gauge works, but I notice the steering seems to have a little play when going down the highway. I can let go of the steering wheel and it stays straight really well and it's not pulling from side to side or nothing like that. Right now the biggest problem is that it has developed a tick every revolution of the engine and its hard to tell if it's low in the motor or high. The ticking sound is not quite a knock but it is kind of loud. At the moment I've been doing all kinds of stuff to try to find the culprit. Let me say this. I've driven the van around 1,300 miles with the ticking/knocking sound and it hasn't gotten better or worse. I've checked the flywheel for cracks and the tightness of the flywheel bolts, changed the oil and put a really good filter in it. I also removed the left valve cover just to see how the rockers looked. It's a massive job just to get that left/drivers side valve cover off. I even made YouTube videos to show the process: see this: https://youtu.be/GUGiHv2Fk3U The rockers on that left side looked really clean and there was no gunk around the cover and on the bottom. I'm going to adjust my rocker bolts first, and then change the oil again to look for metal shavings. While the oil pan is off, I'm going to use a small ball peen and tap the bottom of each rod to hear a clunk or weird sound, that'll tell me if a bearing has a problem. Worse case scenario is to pull the engine and check everything - or just replace the engine. Ya know, sometimes they say if it ain't broke don't fix it...If read where some owners have a tick/knock and just keep driving it...what ever. I hope my review is helpful. All in all I love the way the van drives and goes down the road and it's worth it to me to repair it. The body and suspension seems to still be in great shape, brakes too. If you have a 1998 gmc with a 5.7 ticking noise let me know your situation. Take care!
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Bonnie's van
Bonnie, 02/12/2007
1996 GMC Savana G2500 3dr Van
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
An excellent conversion van-- Trailmaster conversion. After 10 years and 160,000 miles it is still reliable and comfortable. This van has spoiled me for driving distances in anything else.
GMC Savana
SHANE GRIMES, 01/12/2005
1998 GMC Savana G2500 SLE 3dr Van
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
When my diesel van was new, from 1 to 3 yrs it had engine problems, transmission, alternator, sliding door, and few other problems, but they eventually got fixed. It is now pretty reliable except for the alternator belt has flown off 3 times. Despite the problems I've had, I love my van! It tows great! I have no problems passing any other truck type vehicles on any mountain passes. My husband agrees it out performs his 1997 4x4 dually Chevy diesel truck, except there is no 4wheel drive. I can honestly say this vehicle has enhanced my life, because of its towing abilities and the inside room it provides. I've learned to live with the cheap interior. I will buy this vehicle again, with 4wheel drive.
Spacious with issues
Rick russell, 03/11/2024
1997 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great for hauling kids and camping ,easy hauling perfect for 4x8 sheets ply. Rear behind bench has much room for my stuff. Pulling camper trailer. But as time wears on there have been odd brake issues and all rusty brake lines, huge expense. Also I've had a few electrical issues and corroded grounds that are hard to trace.
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Windy!
tfw3, 07/15/2002
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I paid close to 35K for an Exployer conversion. Great looking interior. However the ride is only fair and @ highway speed there is so much wind noise it is hard to hold a conversation