Help with an Astro van?? Opinions??? Might buy today

[SHELK]

HI 

So I found an older 1999 Chevy Astro passenger in excellent shape for $3000

Has all the things I want 
-keyless entry
-power locks doors windows
-no rust
-great body and interior, cool dark silver gray color
- new brakes & tires
-new radiator
-paper work with good maintenance records 
-tow package
-no leaks 
-starts and runs great
-no immediate needs
-prior owner was certified mechanic 

Only thing NOT on my list was low miles 

It has 160k miles. 

I just can't decide if that is a deal breaker. 

Any opinions?

I have $5000 saved. So this would mean money to save for future issues and money to convert it to a weekend camper van. 

Anyone have an older Astro want to tell me things to look for when I drive it today?

Is 160k just too many miles?

Thank you!!!!!!!!

 

[djkeev]

160,000 miles PLUS the tow package?

Unless one of those receipts is a new transmission, I'd be wary.

Pull the dipstick and wipe with a white towel, pink or reddish brown?
Smell the towel, kinda like burned brakes which sends a chill down your spine or a light oily smell?

If the transmission is a bright pink oil with no burned smell, I'd feel confident of it being ok. Anything less and I may second think this for sure.

Dave

 

[Ballenxj]

160,000 miles PLUS the tow package?

Unless one of those receipts is a new transmission, I'd be wary.

Good thoughts here. I would like to add, ask about the injectors. A friend had to replace his at around that same mileage on his 4.3.
Ask if he's had any work done on them.

 

[SHELK]

160,000 miles PLUS the tow package?

Unless one of those receipts is a new transmission, I'd be wary.

Pull the dipstick and wipe with a white towel, pink or reddish brown?
Smell the towel, kinda like burned brakes which sends a chill down your spine or a light oily smell?

If the transmission is a bright pink oil with no burned smell, I'd feel confident of it being ok. Anything less and I may second think this for sure.

Dave

Thanks Dave, yes that is a great call... I will check that,  I am bringing a buddy who is a self taught mechanic, does a lot of engine work.

 

[SHELK]

Good thoughts here. I would like to add, ask about the injectors. A friend had to replace his at around that same mileage on his 4.3.
Ask if he's had any work done on them.

Great to know thanks!!!!

 

[Gadget728]

Test drive it and listen for noisy rear end.

BTW- the tow package means there is a button in the end of the shift arm that tells the tranny your going to be towing or hauling something heavy. there may or may not be a hitch already installed. 2 of my Astro's had the tow/haul button, but I had to install a hitch.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you've got your heart set on an Astro Van, you should probably spend some time here:

http://www.astrosafari.com/

 

[SHELK]

Hey guys. I passed on this one.

It was clean, dry, well documented papers the works,
That being said it had a sputter at high speeds that felt very uncomfortable to me.
Not sure if that is the injectors talked about earlier but either that or it needed a tune up.

Either way it was close but didn't feel like MY van. (Whatever that means)

I will Keep searching.

 

[Mickel1992]

Sounds interesting

 

[DuneElliot]

160K seems like pretty low mileage for a a 17 year old vehicle. I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a vehicle that old with fewer miles; that's less than 10K miles a year! Either way, you passed on it for the reasons stated above.