2006 GMC Savana Cargo 3500 3 Dr Extended Van - Foreseeable problems?

[CarCampire]

I like this van - but <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I would like a second opinion and I have a few questions:</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...eContext=usedPaidSearchNoZip#listing=34216154</span><br /><br /><em>After searching several threads here and there; I came to the conclusion a GMC/Chevy Extended van is the van for me.</em><br /><br /><strong>My GMC reasoning:</strong><br />1. I personally like the 'larger interior' / more square -look.<br /><br />2. V8 Diesel - <strong>I hear diesel van's last longer</strong> and have higher MPG. <strong>Can someone confirm this?</strong><br /><br />3. Perhaps it's just my assumption but I think the <strong>back wheel placement being closer to the back</strong> <em>unlike the ford vans</em> <strong>means it's going to be more efficient when it comes to carrying uneven weights - am I wrong?</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>What should I look for with GMC when thinking of buying?</strong></span><br /><br />I know ford has something like 'spark plugs between this and that year explode and are expensive to fix' but what about GMC? <strong>Any years in particular where the wiring and such is a little problematic?</strong> I had been looking at 2000 to 2007. Any warnings?<br /><br />On this particular van - it has 75K miles - so <strong>is this like a regular car where the timing belt will need to be replaced</strong> soon (<strong>around 100k miles</strong>)<strong>?</strong><br /><br />I've heard a lot about <em><strong>'wheel axle's'</strong></em> being important on trucks and vans <strong>- can someone elaborate on that?</strong> What should I look for / check? Ill crawl under the vehicle if I have to! <br /><br />On this particular model there are<strong> locks on the doors and a metal wire bolted to the back windows</strong> -<strong> does this 'egg thieves on' or just take away from stealth?</strong> I aslo wonder how difficult it will be to get the window off to tint it - can I take it out from the inside?<br /><br />Im basically going into this armed with what little knowledge I have collected from the Ethernet and some house framing know-how. Any info would be helpful! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" /><br /><br /><br />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Seems like a pretty good value, they bluebook very high.&nbsp; The extra security features make it look less like a camper van, and more like a government or business vehicle so might actually help stealth in some ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I've never seen one with little round windows before <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[akrvbob]

The listing is gone now so I didn't see this van, so these are general answers:<br /><br />I have a 2001 Extended 1 ton Express van and think it is an incredibly good choice to live in. The extra room is amazing. The extended wheel base does make keeping the load balanced easier, but it also drastically increases the turning radius. I make a lot more back-and-forth cuts because of it. it's a good thing i think.<br /><br />Lots you can say pro and con for the diesel engines. But here is my basic conclusion: the cost of repairs on a diesel are so tremendously higher than a gas engine, that it more than offsets the slightly better mpg. Don't buy one. I have become a big fan of the Chevy 5.3 liter V8 in their newer Express vans. Its a great engine with amazing mpg. I think it is by far your best choice. it doesn't need a timing chain changed at 100,000, that applies to overhead cam engines. The Ford 5.4 is also a very good engine and I wouldn't hesitate to own it either. Exploding spark plugs won't be a problem. <br /><br />I think you might be over-thinking some of the issues with buying used vans. Here is the most important thing: <strong>GET TI CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!</strong> If you can get a late model Chevy Express van with a 5.3 liter V8 with less than 100,000 you should get many, many trouble-free miles out of it if you get it checked out by a mechanic first.&nbsp; The extended cargo van is a very, very good choice. <br />Bob<br /><br /><br />

 

[akrvbob]

I probably should clarify that I'm no expert on Chevy vans, but generally Chevrolet full-size vans are called Express and GMC vans are called Savanah, but they are the same van. They may have some other names I'm not familiar with. <br /><br />I own a 2001 Chevrolet Extended 3500 cargo van called an Express. Bob

 

[Van Tripper]

I like this van - but <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I would like a second opinion and I have a few questions:</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #ff0000;">http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...eContext=usedPaidSearchNoZip#listing=34216154</span><br /><br /><em>After searching several threads here and there; I came to the conclusion a GMC/Chevy Extended van is the van for me.</em><br /><br /><strong>My GMC reasoning:</strong><br />1. I personally like the 'larger interior' / more square -look.<br /><br />2. V8 Diesel - <strong>I hear diesel van's last longer</strong> and have higher MPG.<br /><br />Im basically going into this armed with what little knowledge I have collected from the Ethernet and some house framing know-how. Any info would be helpful! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" /><br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />I live in a 2000 Chevy Express 3500. &nbsp;My main complaint is hard ride. &nbsp;Tires will be expensive if you go back with heavy rated ones, I will replace mine with lighter rating as I won't load it that heavy. when shocks are replaced will go with adjustables, maybe air-bags. &nbsp;Diesel engines will last longer than gas, MPG depends(as always) on how heavy your foot is, diesel is supposed to be better but if you look at prices, diesel is higher. &nbsp; Diesels last longer,than gas, when pulling heavy loads, lower RPMs, but performance(get-up and go) suffers in around town driving. &nbsp;I drove big trucks for years, long drives with heavy loads, diesel, mostly around town, lightly loaded, gas. &nbsp;These are just my opinions, I'm sure others are different.<br /><br />Good Luck<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[MrNoodly]

There are trade-offs with diesel.<br /><br />http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-pros-and-cons-of-diesel-engines.navId-323640.html<br /><br />If I were doing a lot of mountain driving with a heavy load and/or hauling something, or if I were driving eight hours a day, every day, I'd get nothing less than a diesel. <br /><br />Otherwise the economic math of higher purchase price + higher fuel prices + more diligent maintenance vs better fuel economy + more torque + longer engine life becomes sort of dubious. I think there are only a few circumstances where <em>I</em> could justify the math.<br /><br />As for the extended cab, the wheelbase is 2 inches shorter than a Silverado extended cab, long bed pickup. It's 15 inches shorter than a long wheelbase Sprinter van. No, it's not as nimble as Ford and Dodge extended vans that just hang extra length off the end of the box, but it's not <em>that</em> un-nimble.<br /><br />Unless you're heavily loaded, the suspension on a 3500 will almost feel like no suspension at all, rattling your brain and doing no favors for your other internal organs. And it will mean more abuse to the contents of the van. On the other hand, the van will be less tippy in turns.