Overview & Reviews

Complete redesign of Chevy's minivan results in a new name, a left-side sliding door, optional traction control, a powerful standard engine and a fun-to-drive demeanor.

• Fun to drive, optional power sliding door, optional traction control, standard ABS, powerful standard engine

• Toothy chrome grille, uncomfortable modular seating

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 30.00

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  Great cheap minivan - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By bigdog - March 30 - 5:55 pm

  We bought this minivan used in 05 for $5000 with 77,000 miles on it. Excellent paint job- little to no rust for a 11 yr old New England van! Weve put on 35,000 miles in 2.5 yrs of owning it and spent $5000 in repairs including an engine rebuild and power steering work. That was largely the result of purchasing from an unscrupulous dealer. After the initial expenses, the minivan has done amazingly even in VT winters and I have used it extensively. It came with a roof rack, keyless entry, power windows and cruise control. Assuming if I can keep its annual repair costs under $ 1000, I will keep this car until the rust takes it down!

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  Ok despite a few flaws - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By the captain - August 31 - 4:21 am

  The 97 Venture is OK except for a few flaws. The major one is the transmission. Ive had to replace mine shortly after the purchase. Now it seems to be functioning great. I dislike the location of the cupholders next to the seat...easy to spill stuff. I also dislike the fact that the wiper system breaks. I do wish the driver side door was standard but that doesnt come until 2000. However, I do love the look of the minivan interior and exterior. I just wish it didnt rust and chip easy. It has great acceleration and has great gas mileage (better than my friends Caravan Sport). It handles pretty great. Need to haul stuff...take out the seats and you have yourself a cargo van.

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  Solid Family Choice--Excellent Economy - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Bob - January 17 - 8:32 am

  Very reliable. Only minor maintenance. Excellent mileage for the size. 19 City, 26 Hwy. Tows 2000# well.

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  7 yrs of good exper. w/ 97 Chev Vent Ext - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevowner - November 27 - 10:00 pm

  We bought our 97 Chev Venture Ext LS minivan (2 sliding doors) new and have had an overall very good experience. The 2 problems so far are a check engine light at 75K miles that the dealer reset for $80 (has not come back on yet), and the drivers window switch went out recently & cost $65 to replace. We have 88K miles. It was the quietest and best driving vehicle I have owned so far.

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  great mini van - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By schawnie - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this mini van in the year 2000. Have had no mechanical problems. Had to replace front brakes once, other then that has been a terrific van. Doesnt feel like your driving a van. No plastic this or that like you can find in other vans like the aerostar.

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  Nice little mini-bus - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daddylope - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Much quieter ride than my Chrysler Mini- Van. I drove it from coast to coast and experienced no problems great fuel economy. Definitely like the load leveling suspension when loaded down.

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  watch the engine - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By daddy d - July 14 - 2:00 am

  After owning the car for five months and it being at 70000 miles the engine blew a head gasket. I was told it was caused by the dexcool system not being properly taking care of before I bought.

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  never a venture again - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By neverventureagain - April 28 - 2:00 am

  bought in Jan 2001 with 67k miles. have grown to hate it quickly. the power sliding door had 2 recalls and still doesnt work right. Now have a recall for steering. Dexcool turns to mud, and the dealer will flush it out for nearly 400.00. now, with 97,000 miles on it,we have a new transmission. Dexcool turned to mud again. Jiffy Lube flushed it 5 times to and would not put dexcool in. They insisted on standard green anti-freeze. it works. had to replace both headlamps. seems the covers are known to fall off after so many years. had to replace both rear signal units. condensation got in and shorted them out. This thing is a money draining nightmare.

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  suckerbeware - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By notgood - January 30 - 2:00 am

  This was first minivan for me. I was very excited and it had everything I was looking for. Except the day after I bought it it was in the shop for extensive repairs. Had it less than a year and am ready to get rid of it! I think the dealer did nothing before he allowed this van to be resold. Also, service sent me home with the water pump and belt bad, fortunately there is a reputable Chrysler service company who were happy to fix it for me. Will not buy from that dealer again. Did not offer at any time to give me the vehicle I paid for.

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  Ventured Trany - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By GWERBI - November 25 - 2:00 am

  My Transmission is going, going, gone. GM once made one of the best transmissions going. But now thats a thing of the past.