Chevy /GMC - Astro Day Van

[toby tucker]

Hi Folks,
I was planning to take some time over the the winter to get myself a really nice VW camper van - either a pre 67 Splitty or a post '67 Bay window for away days/weekend aways starting next spring. In my search, and by accident I've come across the Chevy Astro Day van, which at around ~£5K for a nice one is approx 50% the price of an equivalent condition VW - The VW is agricultural in comparison and the Astro has all the comfort , luxury and toys missing on the VW - tarts bodiour comes to mind !!

However I've some concerns wrt Astro's reliablity - I'm fairly handy with spanner if I need to be - can anyone on here give me a heads up on what the major things that go wrong with the Astro? How difficult are they to work on and what's the situation for parts over this side of the pond?

Thx

[LuS1fer]

Go to www.amvo.org and join their forum. They have quite a few Astro van afficionados over there. Different breed to Pistonheaders I would think but seen lots of posts about them.

[evolutionvalet]

If you are near to Southampton, I would recommend getting down to here.

http://www.motorwaycarauctions.com/

There are quite a few Astro vans coming in from Japan and are very well priced. Seen them going for £2500 - £4000.

[K50 DEL]

evolutionvalet said:

If you are near to Southampton, I would recommend getting down to here.

http://www.motorwaycarauctions.com/

There are quite a few Astro vans coming in from Japan and are very well priced. Seen them going for £2500 - £4000.

Their website says that they are trade only - is this the case?

[evolutionvalet]

I know a couple of people who have registered then gone down there. I will check and see how strict they are on 'traders' only.

[K50 DEL]

evolutionvalet said:

I know a couple of people who have registered then gone down there. I will check and see how strict they are on 'traders' only.

I'd be greatful, I've been toying with buying a Impreza for track work, and it would seem sensible to cut out the middleman and buy direct from the import auction.

[philoldsmobile]

i had a 88 chevy astro passenger van, with 211,000 on the clock, nothing went wrong with it at all, no rattles leaks or smoke (aside from a puff on startup if lest a couple of weeks)

the van was absolutely brilliant to drive, so smooth and quiet, plus it had leccy windows, air con cruise etc, and it all worked..

highly recommended..

oh yeah, fuel guages often fail!

my ol bus

Edited by philoldsmobile on Tuesday 13th November 22:21

[toby tucker]

Ta much for all your collective feedback im definately smitten

I rather like this one on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Camper-Van-Chevrolet-Astro-V... nos 170170928848

[K50 DEL]

evolutionvalet said:

I know a couple of people who have registered then gone down there. I will check and see how strict they are on 'traders' only.

Any news on this??

[toby tucker]

I've been down to the southhampton auction and if you want to participate in the bidding, then you pay £50 to register yourself as 'trade'

[evolutionvalet]

Ah...thats what I was going to mention. The guys I know say they didnt show ID just registered for £50. Iw as trying to confirm the 'no ID' part of it.

Good luck hunting and beware there are some great US cars coming in from Japan.

As most if not all the dealers down there are looking for Scoobies, Bongos etc etc the US stuff doesnt make much money so you can grab a good bargain.

Kev

[toby tucker]

Thx Fes ...and heh , I see we're both 911 owners !! - no accounting for taste