Overview & Reviews

Venture is the first minivan to get side-impact airbags. Other changes include the availability of a cargo van edition, a wider variety of dual door models, and an optional power sliding door on regular wheelbase vans. Power rear window vents are also added for 1998. Front airbags deploy with less force thanks to second-generation technology.

• Standard ABS. Standard side airbags. Optional traction control. Optional child safety seats. Optional power sliding right side door. Powerful V6 engine.

• Rear seats are uncomfortably close to the floor. Toothy chrome grille.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 41.00

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  Poor old beast kicked the can on NYE! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By ventureman5 - January 4 - 8:28 pm

  My 98 Venture died driving home from Hampton Roads VA this past New Years Eve. The dreaded gasket failure problem with the heads. At 176K miles though I supposed I should count my blessings. Especially considering this is the 1st time it has needed any serious work. It still runs. I drove it today to trade it in for a used Windstar and it was still full of powr and running smooth and quiet as ever but I knew with each mile the crankcase was filling with coolant. It made its last drive without failure despite the serious problems. I will miss this vehicle very much even though it was just a baseline grocery getter. It earned my admiration after all these years of flawless performance.

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  Excellent Vehicle!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Lori - June 1 - 7:05 am

  Absolutely Excellent vehicle! Bought it with about 50,000 miles on and it now has 198,000 and drives just well as it did when I first bought it. I have beat the crud out of this van with three kids in hockey and multiple other activities. My job requires heavy loads to be transported here and there. Kids, now teenagers, have given it a beating, and it just keeps on going and going! Basic maintenance, other than the window motors going out on a couple of occasions. It runs out so smooth, cant even hear or feel when its on. Were pushing for another 100k??!!!

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  A Die Had Van!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By judgeman6691 - March 7 - 9:42 am

  I love my venture! After 11 years and 125,000 miles she is still going strong. The only thing I ever had to replace is the water pump which I did February 2009 and my right window motor. This truly is a good vehicle. It offers a quiet, smooth and comfortable ride, perfect for family outings. The ext wheel base version is larger than most vans and even today fits my mother, my grandbaby, my 17 year old, my 21 year old and my 23 year old all comfortably on our many trips across the vast state of Texas. I love my venture! Chevrolet is truly "like a rock"

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  Sweet Van - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By drivetilldie - November 19 - 11:37 pm

  Not the coolest car for a guy in his early 20s but, I would buy another one. First off, the extended version is huge, able to fit a piece of plywood flat with the seats out. Second, I have put no money into this thing except a new tranny at 170K. I drive around with all the rear seats out and it get 20/26 almost as good as my Saturn. Ive got 200K on her now and looking forward to rolling over 300. Because of this vehicle, I would buy another Chevy despite many problems friends have had.

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  Nine Years and Still Going - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By jjsouth - March 9 - 3:05 pm

  I bought this car new and feel like its part of the family. There have been small things that go wrong. I had the intake gasket repair ($800) that all GM cars have. My headlight covers have fallen off ($150) and the power sliding door has gone through a few repairs ($400) and is now completely broken. However, given that over the 9 years, Ive only paid about $3500-$4000 for non-maintanence repairs. My mechanic says he would buy this van from me if I ever decide to sell it. I love it. At 119,000, its still going strong. I hope to have it for many more years.

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  One of the best vehicles I owned - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By candymoreno - December 23 - 9:28 pm

  I really liked the smooth rider and it is really quiet going down the road. I have never been strained by the van. I have had regular maintence to keep up on the worth of the van. Nothing out of the norm. I really like the design of it and I dont have the power doors. I like that I control the door opening and shutting.

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  Purchased New - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By cashe32 - December 7 - 9:30 pm

  This van has taken the kids to school and made many trips to the grocery store as well as the yearly vacation. It serves its purpose. It has never had anything major go wrong, HOWEVER it has been filled with small annoying little problems since it was a year old. The brakes squeal, the power door locks has failed, the headlight lens have fallen out, the battery has leaked, the rear power windows failed, the weatherstriping on the sliding door fell off, it has been recalled at least 5 times and the power slide door failed after 6 years (it was $2000 to repair, we opted to pull it shut). Ill go with Honda or Toyota next time, better build quality.

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  I like it! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By T Bear - November 18 - 9:36 pm

  My Venture is a very good van. Except for the power side door I have NO complaints. I have 85,000 miles and it just passed smog with flying colors. It has never broken down. The power sliding door does not work anymore even thou about $2500 of work has gone into it. I have replaced the belt, brakes and battery and 1 relay to the driver door. And one hose to the AC. But most of it was under warranty. I even was hit by a school bus to the front of the van. And nothing happened! I bought a new Mazda MPV 04 and it performs better but lacks alot of features the Chevy has.

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  Mixed Bag - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By theseahawk - July 7 - 5:33 pm

  Good gas mileage, lots of acceleration and power, reliable drive, repair prone, convenient with dual sliding doors but pretty much an average van in the field of choices. I would not buy another one -- I would buy a different make.

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  I love my Venture - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By pandama - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Original owner who will cry when it drives away with new owner. Touring suspension added and well worth the extra $. Good gas mileage for a minivan. Very reliable engine, power train. Minor complaints for electrical components, but I would definitely buy again if in the market for minivan (like when I have grandkids maybe?). Selling only because of long commute and high gas prices in Calif. Bought a Toyota Corolla and hope I love it as much as I love my Venture!