Me too, at least on a 1995 Ford Windstar. However, friends of my dad's had a few Chevy Astros in the past and I've ridden in them. Modern mini-vans like the 2000 Ford Windstars and Chevy Ventures, which my former girlfriend's parents still have, are using two sliding doors and of course some modern mini-vans with two sliding doors like that newer one my parents had have buttons to tap so my brother and I wouldn't have to open or close by hand even if our parents were stuck with using the swinging doors the old fashioned way. Sadly, 2005 was the very last model for the Astros/Safaris.
I have to confess that I have always had an "It's Complicated" relationship with the Astro/Safari. I LOVED how roomy & comfortable they were, how smoothly they rode, & how quiet they were.........& that 4.3-liter V6 is a TORQUE MONSTER, but fit & finish left A LOT to be desired. I will NEVER forget that it was an Astro which brought me to see Home Alone for the first time, however. I will NEVER forget cruising to Showcase Cinema in Woburn, MA in a blue 1986 Chevy Astro full of kids, BLASTING C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)".........ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER (Man, I'm old!!!!!)!!!!!!!
My parents had a ‘94 EXT LT, amazing vehicle, two huge road trips out west, could haul 7 friends, awesome. So good that when it finally died of transmission failure and rust, they got a used ‘04 AWD one
We had a gmc safari and the thing was so reliable ...lasted so long eventually transmission was dying as some gears were not shifting into smoothly ...so spacious though and felt so comfortable. Great engine too
Wowzers, this brings back some memories. Our family had two of these when I was growing up. A 1989 Astro CS and a 1995 Astro LT. Lots of family vacation memories in those. Thanks for sharing!
My dad owned a 1990 chevy astro in 2004 has 102,000 miles but unfortunately the radiator blew up and sadly had to sell the van when We fix the radiator
I still have my '91 astro and it's still running strong, drive it when it rains & keep my car in the garage so I rarely have to wash the car. It is reliable as a hammer to this day...still running the original starter. Had to replace the OE radiator a couple years ago because it was too clogged up for good flow and wasn't cooling well enough when the AC was on in 90+ degree weather. The thing is a tank.
It's funny because it basically looks like a baby version of the Chevy Express Van that came out in the mid-90s which they still make to this day with minimal changes. The current design dates back to the 2003 refresh but still retains the upright boxy shape of the original 80s Astro vans. So basically, it's a new van with a 35 year old design! Good job GM!
I always loved the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, even though I was only 12 years old when these came out in 1985. Loved the snub nose look for the earlier vans. Eventually I got a 2005 Chevy Astro, the last year they were made and benefitted from years of refinement and upgrades, though admittedly, it was miles behind other vans in the early 2000s. And fuel economy was horrendous. But I'm glad I had a chance to own one.
It's not just "a brown van" it's a way of life lol. I have a '91 Safari XLT Sidewinder (not a wheelchair thing) conversion and it's awesome. It's going to live forever. Digital dash, alloys, custom side steps, front sports chin with fog lights (they don't work), purple shag carpet, it's own unique scent. We won't talk about fuel economy but I wouldn't swap it for a thing.
Yes, they also like the old full size Dodge vans. I guess like us, they want something that wasn't sold in their home country, just like we lust over JDM cars and trucks in the US and Canada.
My Grandfather had 3 of these sequentially, growing up. An 89 Astro with that sweep speedo he loved. A 96/97 Safari EXT with the tri-fold tailgate, probably his favorite. And a 2003 Safari EXT that he ended up Lemon Lawing because of the rear end, and got a 2004 GMC Yukon instead (best decision ever).
@@crouchb15 they did a slight refresh in 1990 that added a longer model then a significant refresh in 1995 that dropped the short wheel base version. However there were many parts that could be swapped from beginning to end, like mirrors, the double rear doors and taillights assemblies.
Yep! And bullet proof. It only got better in the mid 90’s when it got the Vortec 4.3 and an AWD option. I’m no GM guy but these were good vans. And you could stuff a V-8 in one!
They kept these in production for 20 years, I loved the 4WD version and the conversion van models. We had a 1987 LT Touring with all the outboard seats have separate headrests and recliners. Plus deep tinted side glass and all the power accessories
Owned one for 16 years back in the day. Took out the back seats, put in curtains and oh if walls could talk. Got about 400k miles eventually. From the beaches to the mountains and everywhere in between. From concerts to football games. Blonds, brunettes and red heads. Cheeseburgers to LSD. Man what ride we went on.
My family had a '94 Astro AWD in a two tone blue with the tailgate barnyard doors. Loved that van a lot! It was super roomy for all of us and I have fond memories of my mom driving us to and from while drunk and we did not die. Memories!
I have a 2005 Astro and it's easily one of the most versatile vehicles I've ever owned. For something nearly 15 years old it runs remarkably well. I fully expect it to survive to the 350k miles mark.
They are the perfect band vehicle when you tint the windows. I still love my 1994 Astro van even though I just lost the transmission 2 weeks ago. I paid $1200 for it in 2012 and I will gladly pay to get the transmission fixed. My only issue with them is the spark-plugs. They are nearly impossible to replace.
@@kaohsiung99 Funny you ask... it runs great but the driver door stopped opening today. Its not the outside door handle (I am 6 door handles in). It wont open from inside or outside and it isnt locked. Last year the whole opening mechanism was replaced for the SAME reason. Hows yours doing?
@@armelind I bet somehow the handles 'think' the door is locked. (I hope that makes sense!) Keep wiggling the lock or the power lock switch, etc. Maybe you can get it working without taking anything apart. My 1988 Astro is doing fine. It's been too cold here in Tennessee to drive it much lately. My thermostat may be stuck open because it takes the heater a long time to warm up.
@@kaohsiung99 My van is manual everything except for brakes and steering. So the mechanical aspect of the door being STUCK is an issue I am going to need my mechanic to reconcile. I have a tremendously terrible spine and I have done all the grunting and pushing and pulling levers and pushing up on window frame and jiggling and locking and unlocking fast and slowly. I swear, this really gets stuck. Every other day since i got it back from mechanic (for same issue) it has worked flawlessly. I opened and closed my door at least 24 times yesterday. Today no go. And I dont slam the hell out of them either. I take care of my stuff and it is repaying me with this stuff!! HAHA
Yes, and I still see them on the road today. Not as many as there were a few years ago, but people seem willing to maintain these to extend their useful life as much as possible. Today, mostly for commercial use with contractors and also with vandwellers, especially the AWD versions.
I always thought these were weird looking vans, but they do look ahead of their time and a lot more sleek and modern than the older styled full size vans
These vans were excellent right up until the end. People who actually owned them rarely speak poorly of them. The crash test wasn't great for sure, yet somehow these vans statistically enjoyed the lowest fatality rating of any vehicle on the road in spite of their great numbers and miles driven. They were good [RWD] or unstoppable [AWD] in the snow with requisite snow tires like any vehicle should run. Fit and finish aside, they were sturdy and cheap to fix, too. Lower profile tires on wide wheels with stiff shocks really woke up the handling. These vans are a parts bin amalgam of B body, C10 truck and even Cadillac commercial chassis items.
I had a 2000 Astro RWD I wish I didn't sell. The original transmission crapped out art 281k, so I sold it for 1000 bucks at the end of my driveway. I wish I kept it and fixed it... it was clean and I got compliments from other drivers on that thing when I put my corvette rally wheels on it in the summer.
An Astro was my first vehicle! I was an electrical apprentice back in the day and this bad boy used to haul me and my crap from job site to job site for over 2 years before I had to sell it. One of the most reliable V6's ever and that body style had a certain aggression to it that always made it look more Van than Mini Van.
My grandfather had a friend who was a painter who had one, I distinctly remember unloading it and noticing the floor shift and you can't unhear the sound of an iron Duke. I worked at a GM dealer for a few years and never met anyone who had seen or even heard of one existing. Must have been very rare
@@303nitzubishi4 my uncle took in his 1989 Toyota Van to get a new air conditioning compressor installed at a Toyota dealer. Only one old crusty mechanic was even familiar with it, the other guys were young. He told the younger guys that they'll have to bust out the old manuals on that thing.
@@pmvaldez1 You are correct. Actually the 4-speed manual and the Iron Duke were dropped after 1986, and then 1989 was the last year for the 5-speed. I suspect they offered the 4-cylinder/manual option to get a low base sticker price on it, knowing in practice that nearly every buyer would opt for the 4.3L.
They forgot to mention foot room. The driver side had REALLY tight pedal areas so your feet are squeezed (the engine intrudes well into the cabin). It's not a deal breaker - but I found it VERY annoying at times.
still role in my 86 astro with over 500,000 miles. original transmission 700-R4. I use it in the PNW for woods work. never under powered climbing hills. 17-20 mpg. replaced motor year I bought it in 97. easy to get gear out as compared to PU. have 4x4 PU when need to run in snow. only downside is one can not straighten out left leg after hard day of work due to front fender well.
Unfortunately, it does look out of date; the lack of major updates is what led to its death in the mid 2000s. If GM had kept the name yet kept redesigning it instead of renaming, the Astro would probably be alive; a brilliant, cost efficient van in the economic fallout of the late 2000s would print money.
I had a 93 Safari XT with the 4.3L CMFI engine, and digital dash. Great handling van with great speed, but crappy suspension. GM failed the suspension on these vans by using a single fiberglass mono rear leaf spring instead of using multiple leafs like on the trucks. During the last few years of production GM finally got it right with these vans. Despite the crappy suspensions these vans were workhorses which showed the fact that lots of contractors used them. Also another thing GM failed on was with the posi lock rear ends. Not only ones in these vans, but other Gm vehicles as well. Sure some may bash GM, but i would rather deal with GM's problems than some of the other makes problems.
Love mine!!!!!!! Have a 2000 And a 2005 SAFARI. One is a 7 seater and the other is an 8. Very big, Very reliable. Got HID headlights so these vans turn heads😉😁 and leather seats for both!!!!!!!
My dad bought a 86 Astro version, then a 97 which to date still has the original engine. I brought a 2003 Chevy Astro with awd. Best years to buy are 96 and up when they put the balance shaft in the valley to smooth it out. 2003-2005 get 6 lugs, upgraded fuel injection spiders that they retrofitted on the 5.7l v8, rear disc brakes.
I have a 93 without the balance shaft, and up until a couple years ago I had a 94 that did have the balance shaft. Easy to see just by lifting the hood and looking at the top of the timing cover. I sold the 94 as I just didn't need two vans.
My family once had a 1992 Astro Van with custom rims. Wasn't long before it was stolen. Thankfully the thief(s) didn't take it too far, just in a long alley in a nearby neighborhood.
These things were everywhere! Our neighbors had one of these that was a conversion. I thought the plastic fake wood was disgusting, even as a little kid. Manual transmission in a van, nice!
Is it just me or is it just really hilarious to watch this van on the track doing the slalom. Hella body roll! LOL Also, why the hell am I watching this??
I remember when the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari vans were on the market. I was too young to drive at the time. But I remember finding these minivans way more attractive than the full-sized vans Chevrolet and GMC Truck were offering at the time.
First vehicle I ever drove with my learner's permit - 1990 Astro in 2002. AKA the box on wheels. That thing needed 3 motor jobs while my parents owned it and the "Van that tows like a truck" didn't even have a trailer hitch lol.
I had two of these vans. They were terrible on gas, but you get a 27 gallon tank. I'd get about 20 combined. So if you do the math that's a 540 mile cruising range. I miss that.
These were way more solid than any "minivan" because they actually had a "truck frame" compared to other minivans in the late 90's early 2000's that were usually built on a car frame.
M-vans were monocoque construction with a subframe in the front for the engine and suspension. In a collision, the passenger cabin folded over itself because it was not strong enough. See IIHS crash test of Chevy Astro.
Actually there are quite a few in fleet service for small businesses still running around in the Midwest, at least the ones that haven't rusted to shit. The AWD models are starting to get a cult following too.
I still see lots of these Astro-Safari vans around the Ohio Valley, mostly 95-05 models, and would you believe that none of them are rusted out? People love these vans, and for good reason.
I drove the Astro and the Ford Aerostar at work back when they were new. The Astro was better by far. It was obvious that the Aerostar was based on the Ranger/Bronco II.
So you'd rather be seen in an ultra generic and cucky bland mini-van than be seen in the mini-van that has a tiny amount of style and personality. God damn, you might be the most boring person on UA-cam.
I would love to see an RCR clip about this van. The references and personification would make me rofl 😁. The NYC department of corrections used these vans in the 90's to cart drug offenders to jail. So that's the vibe I get out of these vehicles.
We had an 86 Astro in this dark brown color, it was identical except it was a full window van and had a single bench and full camel interior in vinyl... I have never seen one in the same color ever
There has always been a minivan around, no one seems to think of the vw bus as a minivan for some reason but it is and they've been around since before world war 2.
I miss seeing this van on the road and also the Ford Aerostar. Especially when they came out with the Extended wheel base for both vans. My parents had a 1994 XLT Ford Aerostar ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE and it did better in the snow and had more cargo room than most SUV's. Maybe one day Chevy and Ford will bring back these 2 vans. I guess once everyone gets away from the whole crossover craze and actually wants a car with leg room and real cargo space.
My dad bought an Astro van brand new in 85 on Memorial weekend he was on a two lane Highway in northern Michigan and was T-boned by someone who ran a stop sign flipped a car on its side slid for a few hundred feet mom and dad walked away without a scratch so he said if an astro can take that kind of hit at that speed he went bought another one
Proof positive that GM just didn’t get the huge mini van craze that was starting. The Caravan was successful because it was basically a car with a box on it. GM just downsized their full sized van. Soccer moms wanted comfort, familiarity, and a car like ride and handling. Not a 7/8ths cargo van
First car was a 1989 Astro. Don't remember the trim, just that it was a v6 and the stock cup holders folded out of the dash and were pretty much useless. Awesome memories with it though. I remember I was parked next to my buddy one night at a stoplight. He was in a firebird showing off and did a burnout. Being RWD, I did one right after. He may have had the cooler car, but I won on style points, since nobody had seen a mini van do a burnout before
Give me a G-Van with a small block any day of the week. I had an 83 G20 van that ran forever. Regularly saw nearly 20 mpg as well. 305 with a Q-Jet, 700r4 and 3.08 gears. Had good passing power too.
@@ohguy1991 your right...who wants a van that gets 300k plus with good maintenance...stopped making them 15 years ago and tons still on the road....what a piece of junk..
My grandmother bought an astro new, and had worked for gm for over 30 years. In the late 1990s my dad helped the astro completely and spent over $12,000 on it just to be stolen outside our home in 2000
Wish that you could get these with double opening side doors like a full size van. That sliding door was heavy and a real PITA to use, you had to slam it to get it to fully latch. Especially if you were transporting kids in the back, little ones didn't have the strength to fully slam the door shut.
As the years rolled by, the Astro's 4.3 V6 gained fuel injection (it originally came with a 4bbl carb), and more power. There is a lot of torque down low too. A late 1990's Astro would more than likely accelerate 0-60 a second or two quicker than the old one featured in this video. The weak link in these vehicles are the transmissions.
Mine just blew the transmission 2 weeks ago. However, I found that an OEM rebuild is fairly reasonable. I ran it on Lucas transmission fix for over a year... then I messed with it and it stopped working all together.
This is probably the only van I'd ever want to own. It's damn sharp looking.
It just looks fast even sitting still.
The sound when he slid that door open just too me back to my entire childhood
Me too, at least on a 1995 Ford Windstar. However, friends of my dad's had a few Chevy Astros in the past and I've ridden in them. Modern mini-vans like the 2000 Ford Windstars and Chevy Ventures, which my former girlfriend's parents still have, are using two sliding doors and of course some modern mini-vans with two sliding doors like that newer one my parents had have buttons to tap so my brother and I wouldn't have to open or close by hand even if our parents were stuck with using the swinging doors the old fashioned way. Sadly, 2005 was the very last model for the Astros/Safaris.
Como reparar transición d Chevrolet astro
@@tomasreyes4645 I'm sorry, I don't speak your language.
My dad had a Astro from 90-95. I felt this comment
I have to confess that I have always had an "It's Complicated" relationship with the Astro/Safari. I LOVED how roomy & comfortable they were, how smoothly they rode, & how quiet they were.........& that 4.3-liter V6 is a TORQUE MONSTER, but fit & finish left A LOT to be desired. I will NEVER forget that it was an Astro which brought me to see Home Alone for the first time, however. I will NEVER forget cruising to Showcase Cinema in Woburn, MA in a blue 1986 Chevy Astro full of kids, BLASTING C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)".........ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER (Man, I'm old!!!!!)!!!!!!!
Haha I've got similar memories in my aunt and uncle's early 90s Astro EXT in classic 90s aquamarine paint
Those Delco vertical knob stereos always sounded great! Got one in my '93 Cadillac Fleetwood. 28 years old and still sounds awesome!
What hp and torque of 4.3 V6 of Chevy Astro and GMC Safari? I love these vans. My favorite
@@fernandorocha901 195 HP
Chrysler would not have V-6 power for their Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager until mid-1987.
My parents had a ‘94 EXT LT, amazing vehicle, two huge road trips out west, could haul 7 friends, awesome. So good that when it finally died of transmission failure and rust, they got a used ‘04 AWD one
Chevy Astro and GMC Safari is best and nice minivans
We had a gmc safari and the thing was so reliable ...lasted so long eventually transmission was dying as some gears were not shifting into smoothly ...so spacious though and felt so comfortable. Great engine too
Wowzers, this brings back some memories. Our family had two of these when I was growing up. A 1989 Astro CS and a 1995 Astro LT. Lots of family vacation memories in those. Thanks for sharing!
Me too! ‘94 LT EXT (longer and could carry a 8x4 sheet of drywall with doors closed)
My dad owned a 1990 chevy astro in 2004 has 102,000 miles but unfortunately the radiator blew up and sadly had to sell the van when We fix the radiator
Oh yeah give me that retro juice daddy motorweek
My fixing
😂😂😂😂😂
Oh Toasted Pastry, you can never seem to get it all in your mouth 😏
Sicko
Why did you have to ruin something so sacred?
Kids love the Chevy Astro van especially when there’s free candy inside 😂
I didn't hear about that because I never grew up with Astros/Safaris.
Yes, but ideally it would be a white cargo van version, lol!
I still have my '91 astro and it's still running strong, drive it when it rains & keep my car in the garage so I rarely have to wash the car. It is reliable as a hammer to this day...still running the original starter. Had to replace the OE radiator a couple years ago because it was too clogged up for good flow and wasn't cooling well enough when the AC was on in 90+ degree weather. The thing is a tank.
It's funny because it basically looks like a baby version of the Chevy Express Van that came out in the mid-90s which they still make to this day with minimal changes. The current design dates back to the 2003 refresh but still retains the upright boxy shape of the original 80s Astro vans. So basically, it's a new van with a 35 year old design! Good job GM!
Baby shark do do do do doo
Had an 89 LT short wheel base, fantastic vehicle, really miss it.
I love Chevy Astro and GMC Safari 1985-1988, my favorites
I always loved the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, even though I was only 12 years old when these came out in 1985. Loved the snub nose look for the earlier vans. Eventually I got a 2005 Chevy Astro, the last year they were made and benefitted from years of refinement and upgrades, though admittedly, it was miles behind other vans in the early 2000s. And fuel economy was horrendous. But I'm glad I had a chance to own one.
It's not just "a brown van" it's a way of life lol. I have a '91 Safari XLT Sidewinder (not a wheelchair thing) conversion and it's awesome. It's going to live forever. Digital dash, alloys, custom side steps, front sports chin with fog lights (they don't work), purple shag carpet, it's own unique scent. We won't talk about fuel economy but I wouldn't swap it for a thing.
I wanted one of these so bad when I was a kid. But a conversion van with the high roof, TV and all the rope lights and wood inside.
OnTheReelFishing my boss has one! A 2017 if I’m not mistaken, along with his lambo huracán and Nissan Armada... lol
I used to have one
These are classics. There’s a whole subculture of m-van enthusiasts in japan who collect them and modify them. Really cool vehicles
People in Japan also buy used panties from vending machines, they're weirdos.
Weird comment. But ok.
they're often used as lowriders/minitrucks, pretty nice lil van
And since it's 2021, will there be any Astros/Safaris at old car shows? Because I would love to see those in person again.
Yes, they also like the old full size Dodge vans. I guess like us, they want something that wasn't sold in their home country, just like we lust over JDM cars and trucks in the US and Canada.
Love my 2002 all wheel drive GMC Safari.
one of my favorite cars to use in GTA
I love me some minivans!! So much room in those things to toss everything you want in them and still have tons of room to stretch out in:)
My Grandfather had 3 of these sequentially, growing up. An 89 Astro with that sweep speedo he loved. A 96/97 Safari EXT with the tri-fold tailgate, probably his favorite. And a 2003 Safari EXT that he ended up Lemon Lawing because of the rear end, and got a 2004 GMC Yukon instead (best decision ever).
Didn't these have an almost 20 year production run with minimal changes?
Pretty much.
One redesign in like 95 or something
@@crouchb15 they did a slight refresh in 1990 that added a longer model then a significant refresh in 1995 that dropped the short wheel base version. However there were many parts that could be swapped from beginning to end, like mirrors, the double rear doors and taillights assemblies.
Boss has a 94 or 95.. pretty much the same overall
Yep! And bullet proof. It only got better in the mid 90’s when it got the Vortec 4.3 and an AWD option. I’m no GM guy but these were good vans. And you could stuff a V-8 in one!
They kept these in production for 20 years, I loved the 4WD version and the conversion van models. We had a 1987 LT Touring with all the outboard seats have separate headrests and recliners. Plus deep tinted side glass and all the power accessories
Actually, it was 21 years, from the start of 1985 to the end of 2005, and that was it, no more, and I wish they'd keep coming, bit they won't.
Yeah, Donald Thompson
I still love my '88. It's the fourth Astro/Safari I've owned.
Owned one for 16 years back in the day. Took out the back seats, put in curtains and oh if walls could talk. Got about 400k miles eventually. From the beaches to the mountains and everywhere in between. From concerts to football games. Blonds, brunettes and red heads. Cheeseburgers to LSD. Man what ride we went on.
My family had a '94 Astro AWD in a two tone blue with the tailgate barnyard doors. Loved that van a lot! It was super roomy for all of us and I have fond memories of my mom driving us to and from while drunk and we did not die. Memories!
The conversion vans were sooooo sweet. I remember being in love with those as a kid. Like a mini limo
This is the best generation of the Astro/Safari vans. The best grille style.
The newer cargo Astro vans from 2000-2004 still sell like hot cakes.
Your not kidding. Im trying to find a decent one. They go quick
I have a 2005 Astro and it's easily one of the most versatile vehicles I've ever owned. For something nearly 15 years old it runs remarkably well. I fully expect it to survive to the 350k miles mark.
of course theres nothin like that today :-/
Those who like them, love them. I think they've gained cult car status now. The ones that are still left are highly sought after.
I love these. I laughed at the MPG’s 18 city 24 highway but we averaged 15. Lol good old 80’s and 90’s mpg’s.
Thats the 2.5 liter mpg
I know, it's an old minivan but, It's perfect for the weekend trips with my family. It's old, but it has something I like: "RWD"
Not all, but some were also ALL WHEEL DRIVE.
@@ericwood2062 1990 started the optional All Wheel Drive and after some year (not sure) after 1996 AWD was the only option.
@@JRobert111111 That's interesting.
The van of my childhood, my parents owned a few astros back in the day there was 5 of us kids and they seemed to suit our family well!
They are the perfect band vehicle when you tint the windows. I still love my 1994 Astro van even though I just lost the transmission 2 weeks ago. I paid $1200 for it in 2012 and I will gladly pay to get the transmission fixed. My only issue with them is the spark-plugs. They are nearly impossible to replace.
Transmission is rebuilt and spark plugs changed. Van is running smooth.
@@armelind Hope your Astro van is still running good!
@@kaohsiung99 Funny you ask... it runs great but the driver door stopped opening today. Its not the outside door handle (I am 6 door handles in). It wont open from inside or outside and it isnt locked. Last year the whole opening mechanism was replaced for the SAME reason. Hows yours doing?
@@armelind I bet somehow the handles 'think' the door is locked. (I hope that makes sense!) Keep wiggling the lock or the power lock switch, etc. Maybe you can get it working without taking anything apart. My 1988 Astro is doing fine. It's been too cold here in Tennessee to drive it much lately. My thermostat may be stuck open because it takes the heater a long time to warm up.
@@kaohsiung99 My van is manual everything except for brakes and steering. So the mechanical aspect of the door being STUCK is an issue I am going to need my mechanic to reconcile. I have a tremendously terrible spine and I have done all the grunting and pushing and pulling levers and pushing up on window frame and jiggling and locking and unlocking fast and slowly. I swear, this really gets stuck. Every other day since i got it back from mechanic (for same issue) it has worked flawlessly. I opened and closed my door at least 24 times yesterday. Today no go. And I dont slam the hell out of them either. I take care of my stuff and it is repaying me with this stuff!! HAHA
These little beasts were assembled in Baltimore from the very first to the very last one.
Thank you for another GM video. Those vans had a long run. They sold a lot of them too.
Yes, and I still see them on the road today. Not as many as there were a few years ago, but people seem willing to maintain these to extend their useful life as much as possible. Today, mostly for commercial use with contractors and also with vandwellers, especially the AWD versions.
just bought a 2001 - Love it!
I always thought these were weird looking vans, but they do look ahead of their time and a lot more sleek and modern than the older styled full size vans
I can't even begin to think of how slow one of these would have been with an Iron Duke in the engine bay
These vans were excellent right up until the end. People who actually owned them rarely speak poorly of them. The crash test wasn't great for sure, yet somehow these vans statistically enjoyed the lowest fatality rating of any vehicle on the road in spite of their great numbers and miles driven. They were good [RWD] or unstoppable [AWD] in the snow with requisite snow tires like any vehicle should run. Fit and finish aside, they were sturdy and cheap to fix, too. Lower profile tires on wide wheels with stiff shocks really woke up the handling. These vans are a parts bin amalgam of B body, C10 truck and even Cadillac commercial chassis items.
I had a 2000 Astro RWD I wish I didn't sell. The original transmission crapped out art 281k, so I sold it for 1000 bucks at the end of my driveway. I wish I kept it and fixed it... it was clean and I got compliments from other drivers on that thing when I put my corvette rally wheels on it in the summer.
These were one of the best vehicles ever made
oh how i CHERISH these retro reviews ever so much🤗
An Astro was my first vehicle! I was an electrical apprentice back in the day and this bad boy used to haul me and my crap from job site to job site for over 2 years before I had to sell it. One of the most reliable V6's ever and that body style had a certain aggression to it that always made it look more Van than Mini Van.
I've never seen a 4 cylinder Astro/Safari van..... didn't even know they existed. Learn something new everyday :-)
Im more surprised that the were two manual options
As I recall the manual options didn't survive the 1990 refresh, nor did the four banger.
My grandfather had a friend who was a painter who had one, I distinctly remember unloading it and noticing the floor shift and you can't unhear the sound of an iron Duke. I worked at a GM dealer for a few years and never met anyone who had seen or even heard of one existing. Must have been very rare
@@303nitzubishi4 my uncle took in his 1989 Toyota Van to get a new air conditioning compressor installed at a Toyota dealer. Only one old crusty mechanic was even familiar with it, the other guys were young. He told the younger guys that they'll have to bust out the old manuals on that thing.
@@pmvaldez1 You are correct. Actually the 4-speed manual and the Iron Duke were dropped after 1986, and then 1989 was the last year for the 5-speed. I suspect they offered the 4-cylinder/manual option to get a low base sticker price on it, knowing in practice that nearly every buyer would opt for the 4.3L.
I expect to see the Ford Aerostar on the next retro review.
VW Eurovan
Aerostar is already up
@DaLegendaryFox just watch the 85 minivan comparo
They forgot to mention foot room. The driver side had REALLY tight pedal areas so your feet are squeezed (the engine intrudes well into the cabin). It's not a deal breaker - but I found it VERY annoying at times.
These actually aged pretty well.. Clean design.
Yeah I agree, it's a beautiful van. I love the amber turn signals at the corners and slanted nose of the '85 vans. The '95 facelift was beautiful too.
0:42 "Built in Baltimore" Must have had plenty of these sell at Big Bill Hell's Cars!
FUCK YOU BALTIMORE
Shove it up your ugly ass!
Relax guys, it's just MotorWeek's homage to their hometown. Most of these videos are filmed in a Baltimore suburb.
That's right, challenge pissing!
@@RoadCone411 google big bill hells on youtube, then you'll get it!
still role in my 86 astro with over 500,000 miles. original transmission 700-R4. I use it in the PNW for woods work. never under powered climbing hills. 17-20 mpg. replaced motor year I bought it in 97. easy to get gear out as compared to PU. have 4x4 PU when need to run in snow. only downside is one can not straighten out left leg after hard day of work due to front fender well.
This van is still beautiful, it doesnt look out of date at all.
Thing looks like a house brick tf are you talking about 🤔
lol
@@Gerarghini Maybe you were born im the 2000s and cant drive manual. I think the older generation will understand.
Someone needs to put the pipe down
Unfortunately, it does look out of date; the lack of major updates is what led to its death in the mid 2000s.
If GM had kept the name yet kept redesigning it instead of renaming, the Astro would probably be alive; a brilliant, cost efficient van in the economic fallout of the late 2000s would print money.
I had a 93 Safari XT with the 4.3L CMFI engine, and digital dash. Great handling van with great speed, but crappy suspension. GM failed the suspension on these vans by using a single fiberglass mono rear leaf spring instead of using multiple leafs like on the trucks. During the last few years of production GM finally got it right with these vans. Despite the crappy suspensions these vans were workhorses which showed the fact that lots of contractors used them. Also another thing GM failed on was with the posi lock rear ends. Not only ones in these vans, but other Gm vehicles as well. Sure some may bash GM, but i would rather deal with GM's problems than some of the other makes problems.
Love all of these. Keep em coming guys! Miss old school reviews
Sadly, there won't be any more Astros/Safaris, they're discontinued permanently.
Love mine!!!!!!! Have a 2000 And a 2005 SAFARI. One is a 7 seater and the other is an 8. Very big, Very reliable. Got HID headlights so these vans turn heads😉😁 and leather seats for both!!!!!!!
My dad bought a 86 Astro version, then a 97 which to date still has the original engine. I brought a 2003 Chevy Astro with awd. Best years to buy are 96 and up when they put the balance shaft in the valley to smooth it out. 2003-2005 get 6 lugs, upgraded fuel injection spiders that they retrofitted on the 5.7l v8, rear disc brakes.
Tommy Nunez I do love my disc brakes on my 05 SAFARI
I have a 93 without the balance shaft, and up until a couple years ago I had a 94 that did have the balance shaft. Easy to see just by lifting the hood and looking at the top of the timing cover. I sold the 94 as I just didn't need two vans.
It is amazing that the M-Vans were built for 20 model years!
My family once had a 1992 Astro Van with custom rims. Wasn't long before it was stolen. Thankfully the thief(s) didn't take it too far, just in a long alley in a nearby neighborhood.
I Love The Chevy Astro Van!!! We Had One.
One of the toughest vans I ever worked with, but still liked the Aerostar better, much more refined.
These things were everywhere! Our neighbors had one of these that was a conversion. I thought the plastic fake wood was disgusting, even as a little kid. Manual transmission in a van, nice!
Is it just me or is it just really hilarious to watch this van on the track doing the slalom. Hella body roll! LOL Also, why the hell am I watching this??
I remember when the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari vans were on the market. I was too young to drive at the time. But I remember finding these minivans way more attractive than the full-sized vans Chevrolet and GMC Truck were offering at the time.
my family had a 94 awd gmc safari when i was a kid. I liked it alot
My parents had one of these. It was pretty sweet. I.miss it. My mom hated trading it in for a small car when it's engine blew.
First vehicle I ever drove with my learner's permit - 1990 Astro in 2002. AKA the box on wheels. That thing needed 3 motor jobs while my parents owned it and the "Van that tows like a truck" didn't even have a trailer hitch lol.
Great video! Can you please do a Chevy celebrity? or first generation cavalier?
The best V6 engine ever made!! The 4.3 is the 350 SBC V8 minus 2 Cylinders. Yeah baby!! Plenty of mods available for it now. Love that engine
Man, we had a 90s Chevy Astro in Ocean Blue... Some fun times.
I had two of these vans. They were terrible on gas, but you get a 27 gallon tank. I'd get about 20 combined. So if you do the math that's a 540 mile cruising range. I miss that.
These were way more solid than any "minivan" because they actually had a "truck frame" compared to other minivans in the late 90's early 2000's that were usually built on a car frame.
Yeah but they were pieces of shit. interior quality was horrible
@@ohguy1991 never met anyone who cares about the interior of these lol these are work vans
@@thefuzzypickle8277 Did they work well though?
M-vans were monocoque construction with a subframe in the front for the engine and suspension. In a collision, the passenger cabin folded over itself because it was not strong enough. See IIHS crash test of Chevy Astro.
You don't know what you're talking about..
I know a guy who has an 85 with the iron duke and a manual transmission. He daily drives it with over 350K miles.
I don't think I'd ever want to own one but I think those are pretty nice looking vans. Pretty much nails the small van shape.
I miss the astro/safari twins I wish gm would bring it back from the dead
me too
Me too also.
Why would they, they were garbage
No they weren't they were really good, my dad had one and he liked it and some of my friend's dad's owned one and they liked them
That would be nice, but I don't think that'll ever happen.
Ahh, the van with empty promises of free beers and rock CDs
I love this GMC Safari and Chevy Astro 1985, is my year favorite and 86, 87, 88 and 92. The best M van is 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1992
best van chevy ever made...bring it back
I always wanted a custom Astro Van
Actually there are quite a few in fleet service for small businesses still running around in the Midwest, at least the ones that haven't rusted to shit. The AWD models are starting to get a cult following too.
a decent AWD that is not rusted go for around 3-5k here in new england..and thats with 100k plus miles...ive been looking for one.
I still see lots of these Astro-Safari vans around the Ohio Valley, mostly 95-05 models, and would you believe that none of them are rusted out? People love these vans, and for good reason.
These are great vechicles.i grew up in these damn vans. Im currently looking for a awd utility model
our family had a 1989 Chevy Astro . Before that we had a Ford Crown Victoria station wagon with wood panelling!
I drove the Astro and the Ford Aerostar at work back when they were new.
The Astro was better by far. It was obvious that the Aerostar was based on the Ranger/Bronco II.
Wowww does that take me back. Did you hear that?! “Built in Baltimore”
I'd rather be seen in one of these then the later Lumina vans. Those looked like futuristic props from an 80's scifi movie
They used those in the opening scene of Predator 2 (1990), the 1997 "future" scene.
So you'd rather be seen in an ultra generic and cucky bland mini-van than be seen in the mini-van that has a tiny amount of style and personality. God damn, you might be the most boring person on UA-cam.
@@rodmunch69 Yes, munch on that
@@TurboMan942 Even your attempts at insults are boring.
@@rodmunch69 Great comeback
I would love to see an RCR clip about this van. The references and personification would make me rofl 😁.
The NYC department of corrections used these vans in the 90's to cart drug offenders to jail. So that's the vibe I get out of these vehicles.
I remember my neighbors had a Chevy Astro when I was a kid. Can't forget that red color with the alloy wheels.
We had an 86 Astro in this dark brown color, it was identical except it was a full window van and had a single bench and full camel interior in vinyl... I have never seen one in the same color ever
There has always been a minivan around, no one seems to think of the vw bus as a minivan for some reason but it is and they've been around since before world war 2.
I miss seeing this van on the road and also the Ford Aerostar. Especially when they came out with the Extended wheel base for both vans. My parents had a 1994 XLT Ford Aerostar ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE and it did better in the snow and had more cargo room than most SUV's. Maybe one day Chevy and Ford will bring back these 2 vans. I guess once everyone gets away from the whole crossover craze and actually wants a car with leg room and real cargo space.
The boxiness is almost charming nowadays.
My dad bought an Astro van brand new in 85 on Memorial weekend he was on a two lane Highway in northern Michigan and was T-boned by someone who ran a stop sign flipped a car on its side slid for a few hundred feet mom and dad walked away without a scratch so he said if an astro can take that kind of hit at that speed he went bought another one
Proof positive that GM just didn’t get the huge mini van craze that was starting. The Caravan was successful because it was basically a car with a box on it. GM just downsized their full sized van. Soccer moms wanted comfort, familiarity, and a car like ride and handling. Not a 7/8ths cargo van
First car was a 1989 Astro. Don't remember the trim, just that it was a v6 and the stock cup holders folded out of the dash and were pretty much useless. Awesome memories with it though. I remember I was parked next to my buddy one night at a stoplight. He was in a firebird showing off and did a burnout. Being RWD, I did one right after. He may have had the cooler car, but I won on style points, since nobody had seen a mini van do a burnout before
Pwn Ranger Hell yea, I used the hoon the shit out of ours
I never have seen a manual trans astro?? Thatd be badass to have one
I remember our family renting one of these vans when I was a little kid. We rented it for a trip up to Monterey (from SoCal)
GM should enter the minivan market again and bring back the Astro and even the Venture both minivans were very good vans.
best van GM ever made...should have kept them.
Your'e joking right?
Give me a G-Van with a small block any day of the week. I had an 83 G20 van that ran forever. Regularly saw nearly 20 mpg as well. 305 with a Q-Jet, 700r4 and 3.08 gears. Had good passing power too.
@@ohguy1991 your right...who wants a van that gets 300k plus with good maintenance...stopped making them 15 years ago and tons still on the road....what a piece of junk..
That tire-pat at 3:23
The crash test ratings of Astro vans are terrifying!
How bad?
- M.D.C - watch them on UA-cam
@@pc248m wow... It made the head a sandwich between the airbag and seat.
My grandmother bought an astro new, and had worked for gm for over 30 years. In the late 1990s my dad helped the astro completely and spent over $12,000 on it just to be stolen outside our home in 2000
Wish that you could get these with double opening side doors like a full size van. That sliding door was heavy and a real PITA to use, you had to slam it to get it to fully latch. Especially if you were transporting kids in the back, little ones didn't have the strength to fully slam the door shut.
When my ex and I were still married, we had an 89 Astro. Loved that thing!
I love the astro
As the years rolled by, the Astro's 4.3 V6 gained fuel injection (it originally came with a 4bbl carb), and more power. There is a lot of torque down low too. A late 1990's Astro would more than likely accelerate 0-60 a second or two quicker than the old one featured in this video. The weak link in these vehicles are the transmissions.
The later ones had transmission issues due to I think the 4L60E, as where the older ones had the 700R4 or the TH350 transmission
The 4l60e is a 700R4 but controlled electronically. The one in my 2000 lasted from new until 281k miles
Mine just blew the transmission 2 weeks ago. However, I found that an OEM rebuild is fairly reasonable. I ran it on Lucas transmission fix for over a year... then I messed with it and it stopped working all together.
Aaron Meloccaro that Lucas stuff got my van from about 255k when it began to slip up to the 281k mark too. I was surprised it went that long!
Boy, I miss white wall tires.