Looking to purchase a van soon and I came across this. The price is listed below KBB value so I’m not sure what to expect. Any advice?
Planning to check out this 2003 Chevy Astro. What do y’all think of the $3,000 price? Too much? Too little?
IMHO, if that was a typical west coast van (not much rust issues out here) that would most likely be a good deal, assuming no significant issues found.
For a rust belt area van, it could be a money pit, due to rust and corrosion often seen on the pages of this site.
Check for significant RUST. Not light surface rust, but big flakey rust and possible holes underneath.
Try really hard to see the areas where the radiator core support mounts to the front frame rails. That seems to be the fist place that fails due to rust.
If it runs good and drives reasonably well, and you are still interested, it would be worth your time and money to have a professional body shop give it a look over, for signs of rust, or poor body work.
That may provide some bargaining points.
Steering and suspension parts are often worn, easy to get, not to difficult to replace, and the repair most often results in a much nicer driving experience.
Good luck
Rod J
Issaquah, WA
92' ASTRO EXT AERO LEISURE TOURING model 4.3 L V6 RWD Barn Doors @ 402,500 + miles org motor/tran
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SOLID ADVICE Rod 👌 GREAT information!
Question since U live out my way too ?( Renton, WA)
DO U know of a GOOD body shop in our neck of the woods? The old one I had looked at before no longer is there & the shop who does my ASTROS work when my long time mobile mechanic & friend isn't available do NOT know of one.
I have seen U mention before about " radiator core support" evaluations for RUST .
My 92' ASTRO came from West Virginia way back in 98' but I've never had issues underneath that I was aware ...just surface rust for bad GM primer in that particular years vehicles. Shes got over 402,500 miles on her now so as U can expect ....I LEARN & GATHER what U fellas write about on this INCREDIBLE site. I may not post often but I READ often !
Would appreciate any info U may have?
THANKS 😊
BTW ShanPOW .. . GOOD LUCK & if I posted incorrectly on your thread 😲 please 4 give as I guess I gotta learn all over again? 😆
Question since U live out my way too ?( Renton, WA)
DO U know of a GOOD body shop in our neck of the woods? The old one I had looked at before no longer is there & the shop who does my ASTROS work when my long time mobile mechanic & friend isn't available do NOT know of one.
I have seen U mention before about " radiator core support" evaluations for RUST .
My 92' ASTRO came from West Virginia way back in 98' but I've never had issues underneath that I was aware ...just surface rust for bad GM primer in that particular years vehicles. Shes got over 402,500 miles on her now so as U can expect ....I LEARN & GATHER what U fellas write about on this INCREDIBLE site. I may not post often but I READ often !
Would appreciate any info U may have?
THANKS 😊
BTW ShanPOW .. . GOOD LUCK & if I posted incorrectly on your thread 😲 please 4 give as I guess I gotta learn all over again? 😆
Do not know of any body shops to recommend.
pamfox43: PM'd you
Perform the basics. Look for rust, severe rust. Check fluid levels and condition. If dark fluids or burnt, use caution. Look for leaks, oil, transmission, rear. Test drive it. Look for signs of overheating or coolant leaks. Listen for humming in the rear, have seen too many with about a cup of brown water they call gear oil for differential fluid causing bearing hum and failure. Make certain the transmission shifts cleanly with no slippage. Look at belt and air filter condition to see if someone actually took care of it or not. Looks clean and for $3000 even if you have to put some regular maintenance into it - well worth it. So you have to repaint the ground effects - at least you can make them the color you want. I'd take it for that price. Have seen these vans with over half a million miles on them, if you take care of them.
92' ASTRO EXT AERO LEISURE TOURING model 4.3 L V6 RWD Barn Doors @ 402,500 + miles org motor/tran
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THANK U ROD 👍
Appreciated U getting back 2 me
92' ASTRO EXT AERO LEISURE TOURING model 4.3 L V6 RWD Barn Doors @ 402,500 + miles org motor/tran
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64 Posts
YES!!! GOOD ADVICE Kenk 👍
My PRECIOUS 92' ASTRO has over 402,500 miles on her original motor & trany cus I HAVE taken GOOD CARE of her all these years since buying her from my brother in law back in 98' ❤ when she only had 140,000 so she's been my FAITHFUL SWEET RIDE all these years !!
I may not have been able to do the work on her "myself " like ALL U GUYS have done but I've made SURE she's had what she's needed including LOTS of TLC .
I have learned SO MUCH reading what so many of U EDUCATE all us ASTRO/SAFARI owners about both the good & the bad .
I find it AMAZING how U guys HELP us navigate the what ifs & the should nots 😲
Only wish I would have found this site in the beginning but better late then never!
THANKS 😊 4 takin the time 👍
92' ASTRO EXT AERO LEISURE TOURING model 4.3 L V6 RWD Barn Doors @ 402,500 + miles org motor/tran
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64 Posts
Dear Ehbrown1,
That comment was meant to go under your post so PLEASE READ IT under " Kenk!"
Hekka!!! ALL U FELLAS R AWESOME 👌 😎
I'm in Upstate SC and the market in GA is generally similar. Wages and cost of living tend to be a bit below average here and that's also reflected in used car prices. Around here KBB prices aren't attained and the selling/market price is usually one category lower than the actual condition. I know Astro's are scarce these days in that nice of shape so market research will be hard, but best to try to find LOCAL comparables in the last year or so or you may end up paying too much. If that's a dead-end go around and ask used car dealers, offering to but them a cuppa for their thoughts. Just don't show them the source so they can't snag it out from under you.
No problem. We try. Don't always have every answer, but it's nice to be able to call on many peoples experience and knowledge when you are stuck.
x2
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@kenk and @AstroWill, thank you both.
Is there a way you could please post both ShamPOW's original side by side with another pic from a similar angle to show what the front end actually should look like? Or post a link if someone's already done that.
Is there a way you could please post both ShamPOW's original side by side with another pic from a similar angle to show what the front end actually should look like? Or post a link if someone's already done that.
'93 Astro LT Ext w/ FE3 (RWD), 7 Passenger, Dutch Doors, Med Teal, 4.3 V6
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254 Posts
This van is still available:
www.astrosafari.com
I'm pretty sure he would take that $ amount.
B'ham's not far from you.
He told me last week that it has a couple of clogged injectors from sitting for the last few months. Not a big deal.
2003 RWD LT
A friend has a 2003 LT RWD (limied slip) 7-seater in very good condition for sale at $5000 negotiable in Alabama. He had most of the drive train and suspension overhauled within the last two years. The van has about 190,000 miles but the engine only has less than 120,000. (The mechanic dropped...
www.astrosafari.com
B'ham's not far from you.
He told me last week that it has a couple of clogged injectors from sitting for the last few months. Not a big deal.
If the bumper cover is starting to push against the grille, you need to look closely, had one so bad that it actually cracked the grille on the way home.
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