Used 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Consumer Reviews
Used Trans Sport for sale
I'm going to miss it, loved it!
Ellen, 06/14/2010
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
It's been an excellent van/truck/taxi/ etc. We have used this van for family every day stuff,and hauling trailers, or loaded with bikes, furniture, landscape products and more! The 4 doors and 4 captain seats a big plus for comfort or temporary removal. Did blow out the motor in 2004. Had a rebuilt one put in, no more major problems. Always started in cold CDN winters. At 10 yrs the A/C and power sliding door not working, we gave up and eventually turned the switch to "off". Now at 13 years, seeing more serious repair. Fuel injector 1yr ago, Rear wheel cylinders, alternator, tranny and rack and pinion showing signs of potential problems in near future. Been a great reliable vehicle.
1997 Pontiac Montana Van
DTackett, 05/04/2007
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought this van new in 1997. We've had several great road trips in this van! Lots of interior room, captain's chairs are comfortable. Engine runs good, and 25gal tank is good for 400 miles between fill-ups. Replaced the transmission at 110k miles. Air conditioner quit working last summer, and the auto-load leveling system doesn't work anymore. Now has 170k miles and still rolling!
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Disappointed Owner, 06/05/2002
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
It is the most comfortable van to take road trips with, powerful, and for a minivan, get's excellent gas mileage. About 26 to 28 on the highway. Since 1997 was the first total re-do of the Trans Sport line, this may be one reason it hasn't faired too well in the long run. I purchased the van used (in 1998) From about 60,000 miles up, the following has been repaired: Power steering pump Power steering rack (twice) A/C Compressor Radiator Water Pump Steering column failure ABS and TCS system Power Accessory Control Module Wiper blade arm (stripped) Front headlights fell apart Air bag (still to be repaired)
Montana - love it
Richardcraniai, 02/04/2004
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Right at 100k miles now. No major mechanical problems - never touched a wrench to motor or transmision, front end, rear end, etc. ROutine brakes, service, replaced water pump, belt, battery, shocks and tires and that's it. Runs great and uses no oil. I will buy another one.
No more American for us!
snowwhite, 12/31/2007
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
This Van was the absolute worst buy we ever made. Repairs and recalls constantly. Figured we'd keep it as we put so much $ in it. Got it paid off and 6 months later, needs a new engine. It's been sitting in my garage for the past 4 years broke. We finally decided to junk it as it's not worth the time or $ to fix and or sell. We plan on sticking to Japan and Korea from now on. Would not recommend this to my worst enemy. Does it really surprise anyone that the American Auto Industry is so inferior to everyone else? Check out their decline for yourself before considering to buy.
Great ride, but very high maintenance
Disgruntled Owner, 01/20/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This vehicle is a maintenance nightmare. Initially, I had brake & rotor problems. At under 40,000 miles, air temperature gage & radio display stopped working. The plastic handle on the rear hatch broke off, the electrical accessory outlet came loose and fell out, and the passenger side sliding door squeeks real bad. Before I even hit 65,000 miles, I had three major oil leaks repaired, an air intake gasket, air conditioning compressor and all six fuel injectors replaced. Currently, at 77,000 miles, water has gotten into one of the pistons. The van is currently in the shop being torn apart, so I'm not sure what damage has been done. I'm sure it's bad.
OKay van
jeff3, 08/11/2004
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very nicely equipped, but you know how it goes the more buttons to press, the more things to break. when bought loud hummmmming noise. $650 later and a new ball bearing and it was back to normal. auto door keeps jamming. door lock function keeps changing or screwing up, leak in air shocks cause them to fill up with a loud rumbling noise every 15 minutes. i'm sick of it!
Why is GM Still Unable to Get it Right!!
NoLongerAGMCust, 02/23/2007
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Vehicle ok for warranty period. One month out of warranty, wing windows died. GM has a new wiring harness to fix problem, but won't cover cost. Lots of squeaks and rattles. I maintain the car per the manual. At 60,000 miles had to repair transmission at approx $1800. Have gone through 3 A/C compressors. Display of radio failed about 6 months out of warranty, along with one of the steering wheel radio control buttons. Contacts for sliding power door don't work well, causing door to not close. Dealer wanted $160 for a replacement cup holder!
Dependible and looks great!
Capt. Bob, 03/13/2019
updated 03/16/2022
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Been in the family since 97, few maint. Problems. Great inside and storage space . Kids and grandkids love it! Has held up wonderfully considering 23 years old- no rust good finish considering it is parked outside .
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The 3.4 Engines are crap!
Screwed Canadian, 04/30/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought the van used, hoping to have it for a while. At first, it seemed great. Lots of room, good power, pulled my sled and camping was easy. Then cam the issues.... at 65 KM's we had to redo the entire brake system. 80K Km's we had the intake gasket blow and the water pump replaced, new fluids, oil changes religiously. 86K Kms our head gasket/head failed adn antifreeze is in the engine. We are afraid to fix it as the low end may go soon and we will need another engine anyway. GM dealer doesn;t seem to care at all for a van that has extremely low KM's on a 97. I am very hesitaqnt to buy another GM. If I had the money, Honda would get it!
The Family Hauler
ads13131, 11/18/2008
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Trans Sport is a great van to take on long trips. Actually that's what we use this van for. Add a DVD player for the kids, a CD player for you, and you are all set! This van is great on fuel considering it has a bigger engine than our '93 and '94 Mercury Villagers, but I guess the Villager is heaver than this van and this van is way newer and has less kilometres on it. And it has lots of cupholders, I think I counted 11!
Excellent Vehicle rating
very satisfied owner, 06/14/2002
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought this van new, the first model year. I was anxious about having the first model year and so we purchased the extended warranty, we have not had a single problem with the van and it now has 90,000 miles on it. It was reliable on all our cross country trips and has gotten better gas mileage than most cars. Our friends have trouble with their Caravans, Aerosports and Honda Vans, our Transport has been the most reliable.
Still a good van after 5 years
jgt, 06/20/2002
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've been very happy with this purchase. We have 4 children and the rear air and 8 passenger options were a perfect choice for our gang and their friends. It's been paid for for over a year now and we have 95,000 on it. I don't have any plans to sell it. It still looks and runs great.
Great Van--For Small to Medium Families
amanore, 09/17/2002
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great van. Has a few interior rattles (what American made van doesn't) but handles and rides well. To be honest--I was a bit afraid of mini-vans (I guess I was looking for a sports car)--but I sense I get a degree of that in the van.
bad then good now ????
jimm66, 07/15/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought this with 5000 miles. Lots of problems first year then good for next 2 years.Wipers fixed 3 times for not parking. powere rear windows will stop working. radio display out. 2 new fuel injectors. and driver power window. 2 years more, no problems. then intake manifold leak $700.00. good van but wish GM would pay for intake leak since it is a problem with all their v6 engines!! ask any shop!!
97 Trans sport
ricknpam, 07/12/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have 108K miles on our 97. The transmission started shifting hard at 90K. $100 for a fluid change and to replace the accumulater pistons and the shift improved. I should have taken it in sooner. Great for traveling, just found the lunbar knob on the upper side of the front seats, great option. Much better vehicle that the Lincoln Town Car we traded in.
1997 montana
julb, 10/11/2005
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
had two transmission rebuilds in 5 years each costing $2,000 other than that just routine things that you expect like brakes tires etc.now have 112,000 miles on it. windows have good days and bad stick often radio display has died and the door locks don't work often.love the seats very comfortable and love the quad seating. But would not buy another pontiac
My Montana
Alexhm3, 03/03/2004
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 97 Montana was purchased with 30000kms (approx 20000mi) This has been an excellent vehicle. Have not seen many 97 "Montanas". Great highway cruiser, good mileage. Had to replace all brakes at 75000kms,fuel pump, lower control arm bushings, one wheel bearing at 180,000kms. Intake manifold popped two bolts and blew a gasket at 191,000. These are normal wear/tear for 190000kms.Engine problems can be minimized by use of Duralube, regular oil changes, rad and tranny flushes. I have had one serpentine belt. Still on original plugs, exhaust, battery. No tranny, electricl, power window or door problems. No complaints.
A very good family vehicle
nleefamlee, 08/15/2004
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We've had our Trans Sport for 7 years now, and we love it. Overall it's been a reliable vehicle, with very few problems. With room for 7 people, or lots of cargo, it's been a workhorse for us, as well. And it manages pretty decent gas mileage; we usually get 19 or 20 mpg around town and 25 or 26 mpg on long freeway trips. NOTE: despite edmunds.com's limited style choices for this van, it is actually a FOUR-door extended wheel base SE model.
97 Pontiac Ext. 4 Door Montana
chembassteacher, 08/21/2005
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We just sold our Montana that we purchased new in Oct. of '97. Although we reached 114,000 miles --I would never buy another Montana!! Mechanical problems included 2 transmission repairs(one very recently --so we could sell the vehicle),wheel cylinders,power sliding door(we finally just disconnected it),rear wiper motor, radio display, AC problems, and fuel injector replacements. I just pray that the vehicle will hold up for the party that bought it!! At least we priced the car fairly to allow for future repair costs. Pontiac needs to get their act together and start building reliable vehicles- --I wrote the GM management to let them know how we feel. Our new car is a Toyota Sienna!!!
Bad Brakes
deb9978, 06/20/2007
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love driving the van, controls are great. Rear air, radio come in handy. Mirrors are somewhat deceiving. Brakes and rotors replaced annually. Door, wiper, heating/air, window motors have had problems early on but good recently. Auto rear door is a blessing but has a mind of its own some times. My husband hates this van because of mechanical problems and repairs. Heater is really bad in PA winters and the wipers are buried under snow and hidden below the hood. Hard to defrost windshield but rear window defroster is great! Just can't drive it right away. Seats are easy to remove and love the hauling space. We won't buy another because of the repairs. It's been well taken care of.
TOnyp56
tonyp56, 05/14/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Three months after I bought it motor had to be rebuilt, thank god I bought a extended warranty. Now @ 79,500 miles my transmission has went by by, it will cost $2000.00 or more to fix. Trade in value is 4000, I owe 8000.
So much fun
RodgerW, 06/14/2003
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Ext Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought this van since we have a large family and do travel. This van had high mileage when we purchased it but it was so well maintained. We have had nothing but great times with this van the comfort and sporty style makes it fun and cool to drive. We have the extended van which makes it nice in that we can pack extra stuff without putting it on top of the van.
What's Up with this Van?
Terry, 08/24/2005
1997 Pontiac Trans Sport SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
After 100,000 miles, replaced the transmission, breaks, and steering column (recall). ABS system is causing problems, electric windows will get stuck and some electrical windows will stop working. Display lights will go out. Had to replace major parts on this van. Not reliable.