"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/08/2014 at 18:43 • Filed to: None
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"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/08/2014 at 18:43 • Filed to: None | 6
| 16 |
Back in 1985, General Motors wanted to one-up the recently released Chrysler and Dodge mini-vans.
They went to work and ended up with the slightly larger, more powerful GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro "mini" vans. These van's largely went on unchanged for 20 years, until they were put out of production in 2005. Mostly due to how hilariously outdated they were by then.
The example I'll be reviewing is a custom 1994 Safari XT.
( Full Disclosure: GMC wanted me to drive the Safari so bad, they churned this one out in November of '93, had a couple old people buy it and drive it for a few years, then sell it to my parents in the spring of '98. It was then daily driven by my mom for 10 years until she was upgraded to a Saturn Vue. It then became mine this April after I received my drivers license.)
Exterior: 6/10
It's hard to be offended by a box on wheels. The Safari is no exception. It's not polarizing, it's not rudely offensive. It blends in with the rest of suburbia, just as the beige gods intended.
Mine's slightly different though.
Featuring gold pinstripes running down each side of the car, you get a hint of 70s custom van. Yes, my parents bought a van with gold pinstripes. You also get brown steel wheels that feature chrome beauty rims on only the left side, because the right side ones have rattled off over the years. Running boards, white strip tires, hail damage, missing paint, and rust round off the looks to this 20 year old hoopty.
Interior: 9/10
I will bet you large sums of cash you will never find an interior as comfortable and customize-able as this one. It features 2 rows of adjustable captains chairs, and a third row bench that lays down flat into a bed.
(Equivalent of a full-sized mattress)
Each row is on tracks, meaning each row slide fore and aft, giving you optimal leg room for everyone. Even third row passengers can have over 12 inches of leg room with the third row slid all the way back and second row all the way forward. Each seat is overstuffed and comfortable. Unless you're the driver because it's collapsed on one side.
The materials used on the dash and doors is undeniably 90s GM. Hard plastics, flimsy buttons, and lousy craftsmanship. The aftermarket customizer did some things to class up the joint a bit though. They added real wood on the roof, cupholders, and on the light boxes that run down each side of the van.
Acceleration: 3/10
This thing is slow, like really slow. I'm pretty sure a Mitsubishi Mirage could out-drag this thing. Zero to sixty is probably about 9.5 seconds, if not slower. That's what happens when 190 horsepower is moving around almost 2.5 tons.
Braking: 2/10
Discs in the front, drums out back, worst pedal feel in the world in the middle.
They'll stop the car, just prepared to be thrown 3 feet in the air if you touch the brakes at 70 MPH. It's dangerous how bad these brakes are. But they work.
Ride: 5/10
It's comfort oriented, the aftermarket company did this. It's so comfort oriented though, that it's actually more uncomfortable than a stock one. Bumps feel like mountains, potholes like canyons. It's horrible.
On a smooth road though, it's nothing but smooth comfortable sailing, or maybe not. I don't know, my butt's numb from the collapsed driver's seat.
Specifications:
- Engine: 4.3L V6 - Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
- Horsepower 190 @ 4400RPM - Curb Weight: 4700lbs (est.)
- Torques: 235 @ 3500RPM - MPG: 12/18 (est.)
- Transmission: 4-speed auto - Price to buy one: $2500
Handling: 4/10
Steering's vague. Tires are bad. Body roll levels are hilarious. It's heavy.
That all being said, you'd be happily surprised how fast you can take corners before understeer starts coming into play. It's not as bad as you'd think a van like this would be.
Gearbox: 7/10
The good old GM 4-speed that was used in the trucks in the 90s. It's a bad transmission. 1-2 upshifts are bad, 3-4 are geared out too long. It's the worst.
Why did I give it a 7 then? It'll take a beating, seriously.
Neutral drops, accidentally shifting into reverse when I mean to go into neutral, trying to manually shift it and messing up. It's taken all of that and still works fine. It was built tough. 20 years and we're still on the original one, that itself is worthy of a 7.
Audio: 5/10
"That's an upscale Delco unit for your listening pleasure" This was probably said by a couple salesmen that tried to sell these van.
Don't listen to them, it's the worst sound system in the world. 4 speakers, 1 of which only intermittently works. If you turn it up past half way, everything starts to crackle and sound like it's coming from an 1800 gramophone. The only perk is a tape deck I can plug my phone into, something I can't do in my dad's Silverado.
The engine and exhaust are the only redeeming audio qualities. There's actually mechanical clicking and whirring noises up front from the engine, it actually sounds like there's an engine up front. Out back, one you get on it, there's a deep, and very loud, exhaust note.
Toys: 4/10
See those 3 switches?
Those, a radio, electric mirrors, and a heater are all you're getting. I'd add air conditioning to that list, but it doesn't work.
Value: 10/10
You can pick one of these bad boys up in perfect condition for about $2500 . For that, you're getting practicality, versatility, and comfort all for about the price of a decent Caribbean vacation.
These will last longer than a vacation too, there's still plenty of life left in my used and abused example. The 4300 V6 will outlive you if you take proper care of it.
You're also getting SUV levels of room, without the SUV levels of gas consumption.
This thing is just all around a good value.
Total: 55/100
My Total: 100/100
Buy one, you'll understand why I gave it a 100 after you experience it.
M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 18:51 |
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jkm7680
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 18:54 |
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Dat Shaggin seat.
TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 18:58 |
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I'm so jealous of the bed you got in the back of that van. And those stripes on the side are killer.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
06/08/2014 at 19:00 |
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The bed was a blessing during the long drive down to Florida. It was like being in a bouncy hotel bed!
The stripes are holding up better than the paint. I'm not even mad about it.
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 19:15 |
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Great review! Also, you made me remember that I forgot to do a "Full disclosure" on mine!
Out of random curiosity, can you power brake that thing?
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/08/2014 at 19:17 |
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Yes you can, I learned that last night.
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sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 19:18 |
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We need video.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/08/2014 at 19:19 |
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I don't have enough gas to get the a secluded area to do so. Or enough tread left over to risk wasting any. I should've taken video last night.
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sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 19:23 |
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Oh well. Some other time, perhaps right before you go get new tires.
Jayhawk Jake
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 19:25 |
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How easily do the seats get out of the way/come out for cargo hauling duties?
How well does it handle shit weather like snow, ice, rain, etc?
How reliable has it been?
I've seen vans like this list for super cheap on craigslist, I've thought about picking one up for plane hauling duties.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2014 at 19:28 |
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Seats unbolt from the floor, we've never taken them out but I've seen it done. Laying down the back seat might give you enough room.
RWD models are a bit iffy in the snow and ice, some proper winter tires might help with that though. Parents have only ever bought all-season tires. I'd get an AWD model just to be on the safe side though. Not problems in rain though.
The only thing we've had to do we normal maintenance. It's the most reliable car my parents have owned.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 19:34 |
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Does the second row fold?
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2014 at 19:35 |
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I... don't know actually. I think the captains chairs do. I'm not sure about the bench in the standard models.
BrownMiataDieselWagon
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 20:06 |
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0-60 in 9.5 seconds?! That's surprisingly good and respectable. Would rate higher than 3/10
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> BrownMiataDieselWagon
06/08/2014 at 20:07 |
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Im probably being more than generous there. Id guess more like 10.5, or 11
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BrownMiataDieselWagon
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/08/2014 at 20:13 |
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That would make more sense, but still a very respectable number. (You would win in a drag race against my uncle's old Wrangler any day)