Looking to buy a Venture immediately. Would you buy one again? What problems are common with the Ventures? Any buying advice?

I don't personally have a venture, I have a Montana, but I would definately buy one again. I have customers with Ventures, Montanas and Silhouettes and they all love them. I've worked on them all and have driven and worked on the minivan offerings from the other manufacturers. There isn't another van that is as comfortable, handles better or is as good on gas. The Fords tend to get real rattley, the Dodges are "clunky" and the Toyotas are harsh and noisy. My biggest complaint: The GM offerings aren't as easy to access some of the maintenance items as the other vans. Under the hood is pretty well packed and can be difficult to get to certain parts.

Are there any particular mechanical problems that seem to come up again and again on these Ventures?

Well, there is that small lower intake manifold gasket leak that can turn into a head gasket and warped heads if you let it get too far. That was supposed to be cleared up by the factory in 2003. If the van you are looking at has more than 100k miles on it they have probably already been replaced. There are some hit or miss issues that some people have with the solenoids in the transmission sticking causing driveability issues but a regular maintenance plan of transmission fluid/filter changes seems to save you from that headache. There are always small issues with every vehicle out there and these are no different, but I believe the good far outways the bad.

If you need a highway car you cannot bet the Venture. The Venture provides smooth riding, plenty of space and great gas mileage.

I don't know if I would buy another because they have many small issues that can create a big headache. The good thing is that all those "issues" are well documented and by reading these posts you know what to expect and can find solutions.

I would buy one again and again, yes there are things that have to be done to them, but, you know, the devil you know..... :-)

I'd by one again, they should have never killed it off. 2 years ago we replaced our 99 that had over 200k with a 04 Venture.

Well, if they had continued making them you can assume that they would have gradually improved them and fixed all the little issues before they left the factory. That aside, I still miss my 99 Venture and would not hesitate to buy another new one -- even though I thought the front end was ugly as sin. It was a wonderful vehicle for long trips. I replaced it with an Uplander and would buy another one of those as well.

same here, I have a 99 and will buy another (with 8 pass seating) I think I'm going to get a 3 or 4 year venture.

I will consider buying another Venture if they could remove the service engine soon light. I swear those things were developed by auto repair shops to come on regularly so you have to take them in to be repaired for large sums of money. :iceslolan

I will consider buying another Venture if they could remove the service engine soon light. I swear those things were developed by auto repair shops to come on regularly so you have to take them in to be repaired for large sums of money. :iceslolan

Yes... indeed.
I previously own a '91 TransSport, '95 Suburban, '99 Suburban, '00 Montana, '02 Suburban and a '03 Venture Premium right now.
Even if I got many problem on the '00 one (IMG and all the grimlins haunted), it provides more space cabin space than the Sub, smooth riding, and great, great gas mileage (computer 26 mpg on the last trip speed average 75 m/h !!!)

Even if I got many problem on the '00 one (IMG and all the grimlins haunted), it provides more space cabin space than the Sub, smooth riding, and great, great gas mileage (computer 26 mpg on the last trip speed average 75 m/h !!!)

Yes the Venture is one of the best vehicles we ever owned. Not necessarily from a dependability standpoint though. It's roomy, powerful, gets great gas mileage and rides nice on the highway. But it has come with a price. We've replaced head gaskets and intake on separate occasions. $600. worth of transmission work once. $300.+ on abs system. And on and on. If it wasn't such a nice ride I would have dumped it long ago. Oh and don't get me started on the service engine light.:p

I would buy another one, if they were still making them. I am on my second (2003) Venture and find them one of the most comfortable cruising vehicles on the road. Plenty of power & room with a good platform that gives you handling up to 90mph on the highway.

oh yeah.....have 200k on mine and use it for my "beach" vehicle (love to surf and sailboard) bought a 2006 uplander for non "beach" use

I've been meaning to repond to this for months but couldn't remember my pass word and Blah,blah, blah doesn't matter now.

I have a 1999 Venture with 116,640 miles on it. Not only would I buy another if it was offered but I would not sell the one I have for anything. Yeah there's odds and ends that need replacement but you get that in EVERY name brand/model.