Replacement for an Astro???

My old Chev Astro isn't going to last forever. I have been cruising Craigslist looking for a better one, but I was wondering what I would get if I can't find another decent one. It's just big enough to tow my trailer with a Miata ,or GTI on it. I get 18 mpg at 75 mph. It travels nicely with up to 6 passengers in reasonable quiet and comfort. Of all the current vehicles available, what's the closest in function and ability to my old van? Opinions, please.

a lower-mileage Astro.

An Astro with a 5.3 swapped in?

I've found both those suggestions on Michigan Craigslist, but "low mileage" means under 150K and they're all 7-10 years old and showing rust. Maybe I need a southern unit, time for a road trip to the Carolinas or Tennessee. No one makes a midivan any more. You either get a fullsize, or a minivan.Minivan would work for most of my needs, but I'd be leary of their towing capacity.

a lower millage astro from the south sounds like what you need...

I miss mine (just not working on it)... something with out the MI rust and working a/c would have been awesome...

Chevy Express/GMC Savana? Or any other fullsize van for that matter.

Factory passenger vans are decent enough but conversions offer a lot of comfort. I dont think the fuel mileage is going to be all that different from what you are getting with the astro, even with a V8. If you want a smaller one, look for chevy or dodge short wheelbase models. a SWB chevy is harder to find with the 350 though.

Of course if you need AWD I dont think many full sizes will fit the bill.

I'll say the same suggestion I always do when a minivan thread comes up. If it's in your budget, check out the '06+ Sedona. Ours has a 3500lb towing capacity. So it couldn't tow anything huge, but a Miata on a trailer would work fine. I've towed a Fiat Spider on a dolly and it was a breeze. Very comfy for 6 people, can do 7 if the back row riders aren't large people. Tons of standard features for the price.

Tahoe?

failboat wrote: Chevy Express/GMC Savana? Or any other fullsize van for that matter. Factory passenger vans are decent enough but conversions offer a lot of comfort. I dont think the fuel mileage is going to be all that different from what you are getting with the astro, even with a V8. If you want a smaller one, look for chevy or dodge short wheelbase models. a SWB chevy is harder to find with the 350 though. Of course if you need AWD I dont think many full sizes will fit the bill.

AWD is available on the 1500-series Express and Savana. I kinda forgot about these vans. i used an AWD 1500 with the 5.3 to dolly the V8 944 to the '08 challenge, and iirc got about 16 mpg round-trip from Detroit to Gainesville, driving like i was in a hurry -- 75+ on the interstate for sure.

I bet you are tired of the Astro. For a change of pace, I recommend a GMC Safari.
They were made new until 2005 so newer ones are out there. As others have noted, maybe a "fly and drive" trip south should be on your list.

AWD wouldn't be a necessity, just a nice added feature for getting out of our subdivision in snowy weather. It's the last road the county plows.
Angry,you got 16 mpg with a tow dolly and car. I only got 17 mpg thelast time I took it to Toronto with 6 people and driving 75,or so. The "short" wheelbase Savanna/Express is still a pretty large vehicle. Other than that it checks all the boxes. Too bad they don't build true shorties, like the old C10 vans. I have looked at Tahoes, and even full size pickups,too, but the Astro is just about perfect for my needs,just getting a little long in the tooth.

In reply to AngryCorvair:

Thank you for that info. I have seen a few listed that way, and I always assumed it was a mistake by the seller. Now I just have to have one.

There is no replacement for an Astro except for another Astro, and good luck finding one under 150,000 miles. You can either go full-sized van and loose some MPG, or go 4-door truck (Honda Ridgeline, Ford SportTrac, etc) and loose some passengers.

full size diesel van?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=296625496&dealer_id=56836779&car_year=2001&model=ASTRO&pager.offset=25&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&search_type=both&distance=100&rdm=1308594434888&marketZipError=false&sownerid=48274627&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=GMC&dma=DETROIT_NW&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=26&default_sort=priceDESC&address=48034&sort_type=priceDESC&model2=SAFARIGMC&make=CHEV&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=65&standard=false

A short drive down to Toledo brings this 2001 AWD with 67k miles. Since the pictures have no leaves on the trees my guess is that he has had it a while. Drive the price down from the $8k''s to something more like $6k and it probably a good deal.

Same in Troy:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=301884302&dealer_id=66384971&car_year=2002&model=ASTRO&pager.offset=25&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&search_type=both&distance=100&rdm=1308594434888&marketZipError=false&sownerid=48274627&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=GMC&dma=DETROIT_NW&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=26&default_sort=priceDESC&address=48034&sort_type=priceDESC&model2=SAFARIGMC&make=CHEV&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=8&standard=false

I work in Troy, I could check it out if you need.

Joey

Why not a midsize SUV in the Exploder/Trailblazer vein? There are a billion of them around, their towing capacity and mileage is pretty similar to an Astro, they can be had with 3 rows of seats, they have to be easier to work on.... What am I missing?

failboat wrote: In reply to AngryCorvair: Thank you for that info. I have seen a few listed that way, and I always assumed it was a mistake by the seller. Now I just have to have one.

on the Express and Savana, I believe the RWD has a G in the vin and the AWD has an H.

Thanks Joel, but no thanks.Since I'm retired so I can spend all kinds of time hunting !!

The wheelbase on the "short" Savanna/Express is 135 ", while an Astro is 111". Two feet of extra length between the wheels alone. I'll bet they tow nice, but I'd pass on anything that large, unless I were to buy a vintage race car and need the towing capacity to go to all those neat tracks I've never been to. But that can be a topic for another thread. Thanks for the input ,Gang.

older 78-95 chevy SWB vans are 110" wheelbase . I dont think you want something that old though, sounds like you want to move to something newer.

The later SWB dodge vans are very similar in wheelbase. those were sold up to 2003.

Overall length though the shorty vans are pretty damn short though, like compact car length.

I guess, when the time comes, I'll just go looking for the best Astro I can find. One day, if I go vintage racing, and travel longer distances I'll probably consider a full size van with a V8, or a lighter trailer to tow with an Astro.

newer lower mile astro is the only answer. i've found no replacement like them, nothing can do what they do. i recently got rid of my 190k mile $300 one for a 150k $800 98.

patgizz wrote: newer lower mile astro is the only answer. i've found no replacement like them, nothing can do what they do. i recently got rid of my 190k mile $300 one for a 150k $800 98.

Seriously, what is it that you guys find so unique about them? Seems to me that any number of midsize body-on-frame SUVs can tow as much if not more, are more modern, easier to find, easier to work on, come with factory V8s in some cases, usually have 4WD, get similar fuel mileage, etc. I'll grant you that the Astro has more interior space, but is it that big of a difference?

I know the Astro is one of the sacred cows of this board, but I just don't get it.

^^I was just thinking the same thing. Why not a Ford Exploder, or a Durango?

If you want something closer to the Astro, the S-10 Blazer was made until '05 as well. Should be very familiar mechanically.