I LOVE my Safari!
Happy Safari Owner on 08/27/2010
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I have nothing but good things to say about this van. Maybe I just got lucky with my particular vehicle, but I have had to put nothing but tires on this thing! I bought this 2001 SLE in April of 2009 and it had 120K miles already, so I brought it by my mechanic's shop and it passed with flying colors. It's now over a year and 25K miles later, and I had to put tires on it. Runs strong with 145K miles, no smoke, plenty of power, handles wonderfully, very comfortable for my bad back with 4 herniated discs, and I use it almost every weekend to haul a large amount of musical gear to the stage. I really don't understand why they are disc'd, but a 2011 or 2012 return would be VERY SMART!
WHY! Did They Stop Making Them???
GMC all the way on 02/03/2009
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Just love this Van! This is my second I purchased the first on brand new in 1990 with a high top, swivel seats, TV, VCR... after 156,000 miles I bought a 2001 in 2002 and still have it today. It has 163,000 miles and still going. I'm 6'-8" tall and 360 lbs. The van is a work horse. I fit like a glove It has gone to Florida and all parts northeast. I used it to move my tools and merchandise in both of my businesses. Why oh Why did they stop making this creature of love!!! I will miss you and will with all my heart try to keep what I have for as long as it will run. I have replaced many components, but that OK I want to keep it for a long time. Long Live the Astro and Safari Vans...
Has been good to us
Finzphan on 07/07/2007
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 3
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
This van is set up to haul the family and its cargo. Has been good both in town and on the highway. Not the best looking vehicle on the road, but it does what is asked of it. Regular maintenance keeps it in shape.
Nothing But Headaches
Steve on 01/23/2007
Performance: 2
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 2
Exterior Design: 2
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 2
Reliability Rating: 1
Should I start with the defective fuel pump that left me stranded in the Interstate or the power window motors that died after 6 months. Dealer took forever to repair. I also had a bad drive shaft that clunked. No wonder they discontinued it
Lemon in Disguise
Vince on 08/27/2006
Performance: 3
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 3
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 1
On the outside, the Safari/Astro appear to be nice vehicles. I had the following problems despite having the vehicle serviced regularly at my dealer: Rear heater broke. Replaced Dutch Door weatherstripping & carpet because of leaks/mold. Replaced power lock actuators. Faulty AC vacuum diaphram. Replaced rear AC, rear heater & rear wiper switches because they were no longer backlit. Mass air flow sensor. Transmission died at 60K in the middle of a US highway. Serpentine belt. GM did the right thing by discontinuing the Astro/Safari because they were lemons in disguise.
Versatile, But Unreliable
Joe V. on 08/23/2005
Performance: 3
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 2
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 1
The Safari is arguably the most versatile vehicle on the market. No other vehicle can carry cargo, 8 passengers and occasionally tow a trailer. I did all of the above with my Safari and it was great. Unfortunately, the Safari was not as reliable as I expected. During the 4 years I owned it, I had to replace the transmission, power lock actuators, vacuum diaphram, rear heat control, dashboard switches, mass air flow sensor, exhaust system and give it a complete tune-up. I also had the interior carpet replaced along with the weatherstripping because water leaked in from the dutch doors. I was so disappointed in the quality of the Safari that i traded it in and bought a 2005 Ford E-150
Bad choice
W.alter on 12/29/2003
Performance: 1
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 1
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 1
I had problems with the brakes from
the start and the steel belts on the
tires.The catalytic converter and
muffler needed replacing after one
year and at separate times.I had to
take it back shortly after buying it
after I noticed grease under the
floormats.Had to be dealer or factory
shabbyness.Poor quality control at
both places.No wonder Haskins went out
of business and GM is losing repeat
customers.
2001 General Mistake Concieved
Burnt on 12/29/2003
Performance: 1
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 2
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 1
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 1
This vehicle spent more time in the
garage being fixed than on the
road.Seventeen times in just over two
years.Brakes warping,bad tires,water
leaks around the seals,broken receiver
on seatbelt (driver's),paint peeling
on the plastic bumper in circular
patterns,electric lock actuator burned
out(passenger side),unbalanced tires
from the factory one that was replaced
due to excessive radial sidewall
runout,doors misaligned from the
factory,sidepanel on seat broke twice
because of plastic rivet mounts,and
this is some of the problems I
experienced in a two year time frame.
This dealer gave me a loaner car once
in seventeen trips!!!Find your own way
to work.
CHEAP TO KEEP
bam bam on 11/13/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 5
This vehicle will last you a lifetime
and spend very little time in the
repair shop.maintenance costs are super
low if you stay away from the awd. i
purchased an extended warranty but i
know I'll rarely use it. as long as you
understand its a dinosaur to drive
around town pot holes. also note that
it is a durable "truck" that can get to
be a handful when the fuel tank gets
close to one quarter full when the
pavement is wet. adding weight during
the winter with the correct truck type
tires will keep you unstuck. the engine
power could be stronger, but the smooth
power band and not too stiff suspension
makes it pretty effortless to drive.
Two time owner. . .
Vikki on 09/24/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
We had a 1991 Safari as our first van
and loved it, but only had the SLE. We
now have and love the SLT seating and
comfort. All the things we wished for
in our first Safari van we got in our
second Safari van. Now if they would
have power door openers for the side
and back doors, we would be even more
thrilled! We have compared to lots of
the SUVs and we like what we have
better so far. The milage could be
better (and it could be worse too!)
wuz up with the low resale value
jess barger on 04/28/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 1
Fun To Drive: 2
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
a nice van for people to ride a short
distance but on a long trip it is very
small in the front seats and the gas
mileage is very low 12 in the city
and 15 on the highway when the sticker
show 16 to 20 it is a little bit
deceiving.
a good family van
jenj1971 on 04/05/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
this is a very reliable van for large
families. my kids love the rear
radio.
not up to par
hrsepor31 on 11/05/2002
Performance: 4
Comfort: 2
Fuel Economy: 1
Fun To Drive: 1
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 3
Comfort Rating: 2
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 3
this is a slopply put together van
rattles not repairable in side door
fuel mileage very poor 17 highway 13 city
the cloth interior is not very durable shows stains easily
brakes wear out quickly third set already at 30000
rotors warpped from factory
throttle service is expensive and unaffordable
Great Van if you need the space
dave on 07/02/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This Van is excellent for space i
really need it beCause i have 5 kids.
love the features i love this van.