2003 Chevrolet Venture 7 Passenger Van

Mommy2Marcus

New member

• Nov 4, 2009

• #1

So...I was wondering if anyone owns this van. If so how do you like it? Does it drive well? How do seats install? How many sets of LATCH & TA's are there & where are they?

This is the van I am interested in that the car lot I have been approved at has. The van looks to be in really good condition, only has 78K miles on it & is within our price range. I have also researched it & it seems to have really good crash test ratings on it. Here is a link to the lot I am looking at & the van is on the 1st page & is the 1st listing.
http://www.fultondaleautosales.com/inventory.htm

Here is the link to the crash test ratings. Do these look good? It got mostly 4 stars for the frontal & side impact.
http://www.automotive.com/2003/12/chevrolet/venture/crash-tests/index.html

I also like that it would leave me plenty of room to keep Marcus RF as well as plenty of room for our next child & then have room to have friends with us as Marcus & the next child get older. I am just really interested to hear how others like it. If we buy this we will have it for quite awhile to come. I am also really liking the milage on it. It is lower than most of the others I am interested in. So....tell me the good, the bad & the ugly of this vehicle.

 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

• Nov 4, 2009

• #2

I have a 2001 Venture and it's a death trap. It's great for installing seats in though (I have modular seating, with 5 TAs).

 

Mommy2Marcus

New member

• Nov 4, 2009

• #3

An Aurora said:

I have a 2001 Venture and it's a death trap. It's great for installing seats in though (I have modular seating, with 5 TAs).

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How is it a death trap?? Explain this to me a little more please. Is it just not a good make, have alot of problems?? The crash ratings look good. Are they wrong?? Just looking for more information.

 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus

Staff member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #4

I thought we had linked you to the IIHS crash ratings for the Venture in your earlier thread but I could be confusing you with other car shoppers who were considering a Venture or essentially similar GM minivan models. ETA: Nope, we did link you in your other thread at http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=103047 The Venture and its GM corporate sibling models have IIHS frontal offset crash ratings of "Poor" which is the lowest possible rating and frankly scary enough that we try to alert potential buyers of the whole picture, and not just look at NHTSA's scores. Here's the IIHS crash test details for the Venture and its other GM sibling minivan models: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=67 It's important to look at NHTSA and IIHS scores because their crash tests are complementary and paint a more complete picture of a vehicle in terms of safety.

 

Last edited: Nov 5, 2009

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• Nov 5, 2009

• #5

www.informedforlife.org puts the 2003 Venture in the "worst 10 percent" category -- I would not consider it.

For $5000 you could be looking at a Kia Sedona, which has significantly better ratings.

 

Mommy2Marcus

New member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #6

Thanks Jeanum & Chickabiddy. I am sorry as I did not realize that the Pontiac & the Chevy were in the same class. When I was told before that the Pontiac was bad, I decided against it. I just somehow missed that the Venture was in the same class as that one. I will not go for it.

As for what else there is, I am trying to stay with this lot that I have been approved at. They have a few other vehicles I am considering, so I will look more into those now. So...this is why I am asking what I am asking.

 

I

IndyColtsChick8977

New member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #7

For the record I just want to say I love my 2003 Pontiac Montana which is the sister to the Venture. I love the Captains Chairs which are perfect for the kids and the cargo room and the flip down 3rd row seats. Its great for long trips as well. I would recommend my van to anyone looking for a good family vehicle. It gets 22 mpg local and 25 mpg hiway and is the safest van I have driven (used to own a 1996 and 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE)

 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus

Staff member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #8

It's good to know you're happy with your van's features. Anecdotal owner testimonials aside, though, since this forum is the Car Safety forum, the GM minivans' IIHS crash test results are a big red flag of concern for the original poster as she researches a vehicle purchase. There are alternative models that are more worthy contenders safety-wise and within her budget.

 

R&J'sMom

New member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #9

Mommy2Marcus said:

As for what else there is, I am trying to stay with this lot that I have been approved at. They have a few other vehicles I am considering, so I will look more into those now. So...this is why I am asking what I am asking.

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How about getting a loan from your bank or credit union? That way you won't be limited to choosing from a small inventory from one car dealership.

 

April

Well-known member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #10

The youtube videos of the frontal offset crash tests on the Venture/Montana are absolutely terrifying.

ETA: This is a 1997 model [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k01OWycYTig"]YouTube- GM U-Body Crash Test (with music)[/ame]

This is a 2001: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKRAQTrcfjU&feature=related"]YouTube- 2001 Chevy Venture Offset Crash[/ame]

 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #11

April said:

The youtube videos of the frontal offset crash tests on the Venture/Montana are absolutely terrifying.

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Yes. Yes they are. I'm happy I cut my driving down from 400 miles/week to under 50, but still it freaks me out . I'm counting the months (7!) until we get that Pilot...

 

Mommy2Marcus

New member

• Nov 5, 2009

• #12

R&J'sMom said:

How about getting a loan from your bank or credit union? That way you won't be limited to choosing from a small inventory from one car dealership.

Click to expand...

It's not possible. I do not qualify. As it is with this lot, I am having to have a co-signer. I did find another lot that may work for us, but DH will not be happy to have our credit pulled yet again. KWIM? B/C everytime you have your credit pulled, the score goes down. So......I really am trying to stay with this lot. They have a few new vehicles that have come in & he said he would work with us.