Astro or Safari Van Owners

[Camper Ron]

Hi All, I'm in the market for a new TV this spring and it seems to me the perfect vechicle for the job is either an Astro or Safari.  I know that 2005 is the last year for this vehicle.  Can any of you owners give me some pros/cons...rwd vs awd...MPG...likes/dislikes...what you'd replace it with....etc.  Also, what is GM replacing the Astro with?  Is there any other van out there (other than full size) that can do what an Astro can do?  Please give me your suggestions.  Also, if I posted this in the wrong place, please forgive me.

[AustinBoston]

Hi All, I'm in the market for a new TV this spring and it seems to me the perfect vechicle for the job is either an Astro or Safari.  I know that 2005 is the last year for this vehicle.  Can any of you owners give me some pros/cons...rwd vs awd...MPG...likes/dislikes...what you'd replace it with....etc.  Also, what is GM replacing the Astro with?  Is there any other van out there (other than full size) that can do what an Astro can do?  Please give me your suggestions.  Also, if I posted this in the wrong place, please forgive me.

Nothing wrong with posting this here.

If you live in an area with a lot of snow or ice, think hard about AWD.  The RWD version has a hard time in slippery conditions.

Getting the AWD significantly reduces the tow rating.

Have a transmission cooler added.  The existing cooler is heavy duty, but should have a little help when towing.

We typically get 21 MPG highway when not towing.  With the Bayside connected, that varies from 18 all the way down to 14 depending on terrain.

We had to have the engine replaced at 1500 miles.  The block had a minor defect in the casting and it was burning excess oil.  Since then, it has towed our Bayside more than 25,000 miles and a total of about 190,000 miles with no more than what I would call "expected" problems.

Don't run out of gas with it.  It uses the last gallon or two of gas to keep the fuel pump cool.  We've replaced ours twice, both times within two weeks of running out of gas.

The Vortec engines can produce a little more hosrepower with premium gas.  (Not all engines can do this.)  It's not worth doing all the time, but if you know you are going to tow in the mountains, get the highest octane you can put in it.

As far as replacements are concerned, I think the best choice available in the minivan category is the Honda Oddesy.  I don't really like foreign cars (even those made in the US), but no other minivan has the same capacity.

Austin

[Kelly]

As far as replacements are concerned, I think the best choice available in the minivan category is the Honda Oddesy.  I don't really like foreign cars (even those made in the US), but no other minivan has the same capacity.

Austin

I beg to differ, AB.  The Astro (Safari) is NOT a minivan.  It is a mid-size van.  Makes a huge difference if you're trying to avoid being a minivan driver.  

It's a love/hate thing.  You either love the box on wheels or you hate it.  I love mine.  Would not trade it for anything right now ~ that may change as my kids' legs get longer!

What AB said on the RWD/AWD thing.  I love having the AWD.  I was pleasantly surprised by the way it handles in the winter.  I'm not sure what tires they are putting on the new models, but the older ones had Tiger Paws on them.  Soft sidewalls make for the famous Astro/Safari hula.  I replaced the Tiger Paws with Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires earlier this year and it made a world of difference in handling and towing.  (And it towed great before!)

My trailer is nowhere near as heavy as Austin's ~ fully loaded it weighs about 2200 pounds and the Astro handles it just fine.  She won't win any speed records in the mountains, but I haven't had any problems with the hills in the bluff country around here.  My mileage is also about the same ~ a little lower as I do a lot more city driving than highway.  (I only have about 60,000 miles on mine, but I am planning on driving it into the ground ~ maybe I'll catch up to AB!)

Pros
~ It has lots of cargo space.  I can actually pack for a 12-day road trip and still not block the back window.  Keep in mind I travel with 4 kids ~ they bring a lot of stuff!
~ It sits up up higher.  It's on a truck platform, so you have a height advantage over minivans.
~It's tall.  I can actually get from the driver's seat to the cargo area without going outside!  I can also help number 4 kid get her seatbelt on easily.
~It has better-than-average towing capacity.  I could probably tow my trailer just fine with a minivan, but I really like having the cushion.

Cons
~It ain't the purdiest thing on the road!  Looks like a box on wheels.
~Leg room is a little tight in the last row.  The kids are small now, but the darn things grow!
~Sag.  They tend to sag in the rear.  My does okay with just the trailer, but if I want to take bikes in the future I'm going to have to beef up the rear suspension some.

If I had to replace it today I would opt for a larger van.  Probably a Savana or an Express.  But I sure would miss the Astro!    As far as I know GM is not replacing it with anything.  The market for it has gotten smaller and smaller as they haven't made many changes to them since they were first produced!   IMHO, GM is missing out.  There are no minivans out there (that I know of) that can tow more than 3500 lbs.  (My tow rating is 4700 lbs)

There is a website  devoted to all things Astro/Safari.  I learn a lot every time I lurk there!

Good luck!

[jakelaw]

Hi All, I'm in the market for a new TV this spring and it seems to me the perfect vechicle for the job is either an Astro or Safari. I know that 2005 is the last year for this vehicle. Can any of you owners give me some pros/cons...rwd vs awd...MPG...likes/dislikes...what you'd replace it with....etc. Also, what is GM replacing the Astro with? Is there any other van out there (other than full size) that can do what an Astro can do? Please give me your suggestions. Also, if I posted this in the wrong place, please forgive me.

I'll chime in on this as well since we are big Astro fans as well.  We specifically bought our Astro because it was the only van with decent tow capacity.  We don't get the mileage that Austin gets, but not much less.  What is nice for us is we only lose about 1-1.5 mpg while towing.  GM is not replacing it with anything.  If you contact them they will try to sell you an Uplander which is just a cool minivan with normal minivan capacity.  If we were in the market now, I would get a gently used '05 Astro with the LS and tow package.  The main difference I understand on the tow package is the rear end has one extra leaf in the springs, and something is done to the front  shocks as well.  We live in the Salt Lake area and have the rear RWD model and have had no problems in the winter.  Of course I still have 200lbs of tube sand from when I had a pickup that I put in the back.  Hit the astrosafari site Kelly said, there is a mass of info there, and some people doing absolutely crazy things with their rigs.  I also agree saying the Astro is a minivan is like saying a Dodge Dakota is a compact pick up.  The 8 passenger Astro is basically the same size (length/heighth) as a Tahoe.  It is based on their 1/4 ton truck platform IIRC.  You will find a LOT of Astro fans towing PU's.  I think is the best PU TV available.  Those that think you need a V15 4,000,000 horsepower dualie pick up with a 50 ton capacity :eyecrazy: to tow will argue that extra power will not hurt, which is true, but as we say in my line of work, just 'cause you CAN shoot someone, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

[ForestCreature]

in handling and towing.  (And it towed great before!)
 If I had to replace it today I would opt for a larger van.
 
 Good luck!

 Ummm Kelly...... I thought you diddn't want no stinkin' van :p

[Kelly]

Ummm Kelly...... I thought you diddn't want no stinkin' van :p

I don't.  I said IF I had to replace it.  

More than likely I'll drive this one a while, then get a used '05.  By the time I'm done with that one the kids will be gone and I can get a Wrangler.  So there!   :p

[ForestCreature]

By the time I'm done with that one the kids will be gone and I can get a Wrangler.  So there!   :p

Who you kidding, by the time the kids are gone you'll be traveling around the country in a converted bus. :yikes:  

[Kelly]

Who you kidding, by the time the kids are gone you'll be traveling around the country in a converted bus. :yikes:  

D*#$ thing will need a toad ...  


I love my van ~ I'd buy another in a heartbeat.  (Gotta make some attempt to keep this thread on track!  lol)[/color]

[Camper Ron]

Thanks Ausin, Kelly and Jake for taking the time to write.  And thanks for the link to the Astro/Safari website.  I think I'll spend some time over there asking a few questions but I'm pretty convinced this is the right vehicle for the job.  Thanks again.  Ron

[6Quigs]

Hi Ron.
We also bought a 2002 Safari to tow our 2001 Coleman Niagara. Most other minivans have a tow rating of around 3,500 lbs, but the 5,400 lb tow rating was what we needed to tow our 3,500 lb trailer and cary a family of 6. We did look at SUV's, but most of them with room for a family of 6 had a very small third row seat, and very little storage room behind the third seat. We paid $25K for a loaded Safari SLT with leather seats, and could not find a SUV for anything less than $30K that could seat 6, tow 5,000lbs and could also fit a double stroller behing the back seat.
Three years later, we still love ours, but disagree with Kelly on the space in the third row. It has more room than any SUV third row seat. I've ridden in ours for long trips, and had plenty of legroom for my 5'10" body. Being able to move the seats probably helped, as well as having the recliling seats.

One other thing. It has been said here twice that it is built on a truck frame, but that is wrong. It is built on a unibody frame, just like most cars and minivans. I have crawled under mine, and there is no truck frame to be seen.

[Kelly]

Three years later, we still love ours, but disagree with Kelly on the space in the third row. It has more room than any SUV third row seat. I've ridden in ours for long trips, and had plenty of legroom for my 5'10" body. Being able to move the seats probably helped, as well as having the recliling seats.

You're giving me hope here, Kevin!  Maybe I can drive an Astro til the last kid moves out!  Thanks  
(Funny thing is ~ I forget that the seats can recline until I have to vacuum the thing!  I'm not sure I want the kids to know how to do that!  ~ recline seats, not vaccum!  :p )

One other thing. It has been said here twice that it is built on a truck frame, but that is wrong. It is built on a unibody frame, just like most cars and minivans. I have crawled under mine, and there is no truck frame to be seen.

I stand corrected.  One of those rumors that just won't die, eh?

[OC Campers]

We had a 1998 Astro.  I loved the van until it hit 100,000 miles.   This vehicle had plenty of power to pull our 3,500 lb Westlake and haul 3 kids, a dog and all the camping stuff associated with it.  I had an accident with the van and it was out of commission for 9 weeks.  I rented every other van out there and couldn't wait to get my van back.  

My only complaint was the amount of money we had to keep putting into the vehicle to keep it running.  It started at about 50,000 miles.  I guess if you can, a 100,000 mile warranty would be a great purchase.  By the time it hit 100,000 miles we had put more money into it than it was worth.  Now I have to say the engine never failed us.  In fact that part was still going strong when we traded it in.  It was all the other stuff that could break that did.
 
Jacqui

[kathybrj]

We own a '97 Safari RWD and we're in the Adirondacks. A good set of snows on the rears is all we need to run it in the winter.

As with the other posters, we could not find anything else out there that would tow the Utah and fit all of us in relative comfort.

Our van has been very reliable, with the exception of some steering components that made the steering feel a bit loose. Once the components were replaced with Moog brand, the problem was gone.

At 121,000 miles it is still running wonderfully.

Good luck with your choice!

[AustinBoston]

One other thing. It has been said here twice that it is built on a truck frame, but that is wrong. It is built on a unibody frame, just like most cars and minivans. I have crawled under mine, and there is no truck frame to be seen.

That's funny.  I had no problem finding said frame under mine.  What may be confusing you is that it is techinically a unibody because the body is welded to the frame (making it one piece i.e. uni), not bolted on.  There is a section of frame in the front that is bolted on where the engine and front suspension are.

Austin

[Jeffrey]

Just wanted to give you one more opinion........

I owned 2 a '95 Astro AWD and '99 Safari Rwd
Drove the '95 til 138K and the '99 til 112k. We loved what they could haul, and room inside etc. But didn't find them very reliable. Really used our extended warranties on them.  The best mileage was 19 and only got it once. Usually 15-17mpg range.

RWD could be done in snow, but it was no fun. DW would never drive the RWD in winter. It drives in snow just like a RWD Pickup.