Chevy Venture?

When I look at most of the post topics on here, they all seem to be about something going wrong with the vehicle.

Can you all tell me how you like your ventures? Are they peices of junk, would you buy another one?

I've been thinking about picking up a used one for the right price, but it sounds like they have a lot of problems.

You are reading questions pertaining to problems here which is probably the main purpose of this forum. If you need it there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here. What you don't see are the thousands of Venture vans that run like a clock everyday with no need to check in here. Personally I have always owned and driven Chrysler minivans and this is my first Venture. I am really impressed with it so far; it's more comfortable and drives far better than my previous Dodge. Also, I am told, for whatever reason GM cars seem to get a little better fuel economy than the competition and I like what I see with this one.

Regards, Greg

What Greg said above. Some of the forums here get a lot traffic because they like tinkering with their cars. They like to squeeze an extra few HP out of the engine, maybe add some body styling or modify the interior. Things like that. You just don't do that type of thing with minivans. Minivans are made to get groceries or drop the kids off at school.

Overall, I've been happy with my Venture. I've put over 90,000 miles in almost 4 years on mine. It has about 165k miles on it now. I've had to do a variety of routine maintenance on it and only in the last year has several major components started to go. The first 3 years other then oil changes I had really no major repairs, so it averages out I guess.

My 3 toddlers have by far done more damage to the interior then just normal wear and tear have done and it still has held up remarkably well.

I prefer the way the U-body vans handle as compared to the Chrysler vans. Both my mother and mother-in-law both own newer Chrysler vans and both have said that my older Montana handles better. My Montana seats also fits my larger frame better.

If I were to buy another van, I wouldn't hesitate to get a newer Montana or Venture, for the right price. I would also consider the Toyota or Nissan vans as well.

I have had several common problems with my venture (it's a 98) we just rolled over 100k miles. New intake gaskets, fuel pressure regulator, and a few other odds and ends. All in all, I like it, and so does my wife. It handles more like a car than any other minivan I have ever driven. If I were to go out and buy a brand spankin new van though I think I would go for the Uplander.....I like the styling of it. Although i could not afford it, but yes I would buy a Venture/Montana/Sillouette again.

I would have to concure with all of the above.

I like it. :smokin:

I have had my 2001 since May of last year.

If you want to see all the "fun stuff" I have done to it, click here (http://www.my-chevy-venture.com/).

Take Care,

:iagree: also. I've had mine since June 1998. Bought it with 16,000 miles on it, now it has a little over 105,000. All in all it has given me great service. The major repair was the intake gaskets, and I've only done 2 brake jobs,(both front)on it, and the obligatory tie rod replacement. It has it's minor, (mostly nuisance) electrical quirks, but installing a remote car starter 5 years ago didn't help matters either. This vehicle is excellent in our snowy region, fitted with good snow tires.Each vehicle has it's own idiosyncrasies, and you can discover a lot of them by sifting through these forums. Once you know them, you can better prepare yourself to handle them, if they should crop up. I would definitely buy one again,and perhaps the new Uplander ( used of course) in a few years when the prices for used come down a bit, and they are more affordable to me and my family.

I got my Venture WB New in 2001. I love it. I have almost 74000 miles on it and this is the first time I've had any trouble. Its comfy and the kids like it too. I drove it from California to South Carolina over a two week period and my back never ached and the video was perfect for my little ones. I'd do it again....

yo cdru, you explained it all for me. I usually post stuff for my honda civics and most of the posts in there are about tuning etc. like you said, makes sense now.

:disappoin I wouldn't buy another. Transmission had to be replaced at 37,000 miles, lower intake gasket at 40,000 miles... If I use any type of bargain gas, the thing spits and sputters, so I have to use Chevron. I've spent over $3,600.00 this year alone in repairs.

I have another car (from a different maker) that's 18 years old, and all I've have had to do on it is routine maintenance (except I had to change the clutch after the 13th year).

Just a bit jaded with GM... I've owned four GM vehicles, and have had problems with each one of them.

However, on a positive note... These fourms are great, and I'm thankful to have you folks here. It's always good to know there are others out there to offer help when you run into problems with your car.

cdru - noticed you seem to have alot of experience dealing with some of the overheating problems with Ventures. I have a '02 Venture WB (assembled 5/02). Around 4 months ago I started noticing pools of liquid on the floor in the garage. Liquid was clear, but had an oily feel to it. I took to local mechanic and had coolant system pressure checked. Could not find any leaks and water pump OK. After being pressure tested, for around 2 days, the temp gauge bounced all over the place, including pegging on hot and fans kicking on. After about 2 days, this problem subsided, but occassionally the gage will jump around, but not all the way to hot. Also the mechanic filled the resevoir, which was empty, but it has since emptied. Radiator is still full. Car surely smells likes its overheating, but gauge does not show it - - has a antifreeze smell when sutting off the car. Also noticed any occassional drip of oil on the ground, but not all the time. Checked oil and no antifreeze in it, and none from the exhaust. I'm baffled. Don't see any drips in the engine, but the front passenger side of the engine is oily or greasy. The last time I checked the radiator level when cold, and took the cap off, coolant started running up and out the radiator. Any ideas ??

cdru - noticed you seem to have alot of experience dealing with some of the overheating problems with Ventures. I have a '02 Venture WB (assembled 5/02). Around 4 months ago I started noticing pools of liquid on the floor in the garage. Liquid was clear, but had an oily feel to it. I took to local mechanic and had coolant system pressure checked. Could not find any leaks and water pump OK. After being pressure tested, for around 2 days, the temp gauge bounced all over the place, including pegging on hot and fans kicking on. After about 2 days, this problem subsided, but occassionally the gage will jump around, but not all the way to hot. Also the mechanic filled the resevoir, which was empty, but it has since emptied. Radiator is still full. Car surely smells likes its overheating, but gauge does not show it - - has a antifreeze smell when sutting off the car. Also noticed any occassional drip of oil on the ground, but not all the time. Checked oil and no antifreeze in it, and none from the exhaust. I'm baffled. Don't see any drips in the engine, but the front passenger side of the engine is oily or greasy. The last time I checked the radiator level when cold, and took the cap off, coolant started running up and out the radiator. Any ideas ??This probably should go in a topic on it's own, but it could be a few different things. The coolant system is a more or less closed system. Any significant drop in coolant levels (and by significant more then a quart in a couple of months) means that there is a leak of some sorts.

The fact that you say you can smell coolant burning off is a sign that there is an external leak. You might get some tracer dye which will indicate a leak when exposed to UV light. I'd check around hose clamps, under the throttle body with those two hoses, on each end of the engine around cylinder heads and manifold surfaces.

You may also consider getting your oil looked at by lab. They can tell you if you have an internal leak into your oil.

I bought my 99 Venture in 2004 with 48K on it. Now I have 67K and its been pretty good. I would definitely buy another used one. New, I'd get a Toyota Sienna. But, used, can't beat this for value.

I like my 8 passengers seating, fuel economy (20 in stop/go local; 25+ all highway) tranny is smooth. Starts right up every time. Hauls loads of stuff.
I also have a 2002 Town/Country (and previously 97 Dodge Gr Caravan). I have to disagree w/ the handling comments. I like the Chrysler handling better. They're sportier than my venture.
The only problem I have with my Venture is a vibration that can't be diagnosed...I still like the car because I have traced the vibration to wheel/tire belts problem. After replacing 2 of 4 wheel/tire combo, vibration has diminished. Waiting for enough money to replace another two wheel/tire, and hopefully it'll be as good as new.