Looking at a Chevy Venture
09-18-2009, 08:34 PM
#1
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Join Date: 01-24-2008
Location: USA
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Looking at a Chevy Venture
I'm looking at a Chevy Venture - a 2002 with 94,000 miles, owned by a service manager at a GM dealer. Seems to have been kept up well. Have any of you had any experience with the Venture and specifically the engine - think it's the 3400. I recall somewhere reading about some problems with the engine. Comments?
09-18-2009, 09:10 PM
#2
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Join Date: 09-10-2009
Location: Durham
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We have a 2004 Chevy Venture with 73K miles on it now, we bought it with 8K miles. At about 68kmiles we had some kind of leak that was allowing gas to drip onto the actual engine, but other than that we haven't had any issues with it. Had to have some rack and pinon work done as well. Total for that trip was $2500, but we had an extended warranty so we only paid $100 out of pocket.
It does come with a 3.4L V6 which has no problems hauling around 8 people including strollers, and stuff in the back. Other complaints about our year was the lack of available 4 wheel disc brakes to help with towing and such, but ours didn't come with any towing hook-ups so we have never used it for that.
I recommend a warranty regardless, though. You can get them on just about any car.
My wife still claims to this day it was one of our best purchases. Its not as pimped out like some other vans the same year...but it was much cheaper for us, plus it was the only one that came with 8 passenger seating.
Of course the 2002 could be much different, but I am just giving you our experience. A lot of times there aren't many changes between the years.
It does come with a 3.4L V6 which has no problems hauling around 8 people including strollers, and stuff in the back. Other complaints about our year was the lack of available 4 wheel disc brakes to help with towing and such, but ours didn't come with any towing hook-ups so we have never used it for that.
I recommend a warranty regardless, though. You can get them on just about any car.
My wife still claims to this day it was one of our best purchases. Its not as pimped out like some other vans the same year...but it was much cheaper for us, plus it was the only one that came with 8 passenger seating.
Of course the 2002 could be much different, but I am just giving you our experience. A lot of times there aren't many changes between the years.
09-19-2009, 11:34 AM
#6
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Join Date: 04-17-2009
Location: PA
Posts: 251
We have a 2003 Olds Silhouette (same mechanincally) with 107,000+ miles.
Had the leaking intake gasket replaced under warranty (at 30,000), but other than that it has been a great running van.
Only things that we've had to replace: wear items-tires, front brakes, 1 front bearing assembly, rotors, rear (air) shocks. In fact we still have the original rear drums and shoes...
I know some people have had issues, but we've been very lucky/satisfied with ours.
Had the leaking intake gasket replaced under warranty (at 30,000), but other than that it has been a great running van.
Only things that we've had to replace: wear items-tires, front brakes, 1 front bearing assembly, rotors, rear (air) shocks. In fact we still have the original rear drums and shoes...
I know some people have had issues, but we've been very lucky/satisfied with ours.
09-19-2009, 03:07 PM
#9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSHJDlske6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k01OWycYTig&feature=fvw
The second clip is older, but still.... The first one might be more relevant to your year. But I thought they were bad anyways for safety...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k01OWycYTig&feature=fvw
The second clip is older, but still.... The first one might be more relevant to your year. But I thought they were bad anyways for safety...
09-19-2009, 03:50 PM
#10
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Join Date: 01-24-2008
Location: USA
Posts: 725