Do I risk it?

[dj1111]

We love our 1998 Venture but it has had more than its share of problems. We've been looking at new (but used) vans and really don't want to spend much more than $10,000. We kinda swore off another Venture even though we really enjoyed our current one. I just came across a 2005 Venture that is in cherry condition. Body is excellent, interior is excellent. It is an exact match to our 1998 option for option. The color is even very close. The only hitch is it has 110,000 miles on it. I can probably get it for around $6000. They're asking $6900. So the question is, do I risk it?

We were starting to look at vans of other brands in the $12,000 range. I figure if I spend half that on a beautiful van I'll have a lot left in the bank to save for repairs, if they even happen.

Thoughts?

[sbagdon]

Since your question is about risk, not sure how to answer this.

What are the high-risks for this particular vehicle? Have they happened yet, and have been addressed? Are they horrifically expensive, if the risks manifest themselves? Engine, transmission, gaskets, belts, rust, electrical, etc?

'05 means 5-6 years of operating history, which should be plenty for the obvious manufacturing shortcomings to come to light, and hit the online resources.

It sounds that you have the skills to maintain vehicles, and I'm all about value, so it's not a question of if the risk-items will occured (paid for by you), it's if the risk-items have occured (paid for by someone else).

[lesterl]

IIRC GM at least addressed the IMGasket issue by then.....

[dj1111]

Drove the 2005 tonight. While it is in great condition it turns out it has less options than our current 98. And it looks like there may be some roof leaking going on. Also you can tell the previous owner was a smoker and the interior is cheaper looking. Our 98 has beautiful upholstered panels all over the interior, this one has very plain looking solid color vinyl all over. Tomorrow evening I'm going to look at a 2003. This one is loaded including leather seats, heated front seats and second row captains chairs. Also 15,000 less miles than the 2005 and for even less money. Did GM resolve many of the issues my 98 has by the time the 2003 models came out?

[merc81]

I'm pretty sure they fixed the transmission problem by 03. Don't know when (if) the intake issue was resolved.

[lesterl]

IIRC the IMGasket issue was a mid 2003 change over. New Gaskets would be CHEAP insurance tho... IMHO ($80 now for the good rubber/steel gaskets vs. a new motor + install......)

[sbagdon]

Originally Posted by dj1111

Drove the 2005 tonight. While it is in great condition it turns out it has less options than our current 98. And it looks like there may be some roof leaking going on. Also you can tell the previous owner was a smoker and the interior is cheaper looking. Our 98 has beautiful upholstered panels all over the interior, this one has very plain looking solid color vinyl all over. Tomorrow evening I'm going to look at a 2003. This one is loaded including leather seats, heated front seats and second row captains chairs. Also 15,000 less miles than the 2005 and for even less money. Did GM resolve many of the issues my 98 has by the time the 2003 models came out?

Showing the model years were '97-'05, and can't speak on any specific issue, yet my logic is that product life-cycle falls into three sub-ages of models... early-age is getting the kinks out, middle years is the sweet spot, then late-years is when they decontent to save money. So I'm always leery of first-year (still working out the bugs), and last-year (decontented to death). I'd be onboard with an '03 lower-milage more-options then an '05 higher milage fewer-options. And with accelerated depreciation of all vehicles, that two-year difference should save some money?

Yet, this entire logic might be obviated by my '00 Silhouette ('97-'04). End of the early-years, or start of the middle-years?