1990 Chevrolet Astro AWD | Retro Review

[@landyachtfan79]

I have to confess that I have always had an "It's Complicated" relationship with the Astro/Safari. I LOVED how roomy & comfortable they were, how smoothly they rode, & how quiet they were.........& that 4.3-liter V6 is a TORQUE MONSTER, but fit & finish left A LOT to be desired. I will NEVER forget that it was an Astro which brought me to see Home Alone for the first time, however. I will NEVER forget cruising to Showcase Cinema in Woburn, MA in a blue 1986 Chevy Astro full of kids, BLASTING C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)".........ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER (Man, I'm old!!!!!)!!!!!!!

[@SantanKGhey1234]

Torque Monster? 😂😂😂😂

[@987plo]

I feel like every one I ever saw was blue

[@samholdsworth420]

​@@SantanKGhey1234they were better than the Ford 4.0 in the aerostar...or the fwd caravan Pretty sure the 4.3 was the most powerful engine in a minivan at the time.

[@samholdsworth420]

​@@987plowe had a brown striped one growing up...

[@rodmunch69]

Also on mix-tape, Marky Mark and Kris Kross.

[@beefing313]

This was the best van I ever owned. It simply would not die!

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

The transmission went out on my 2002 Astro at 88k miles. To be fair, it was my company vehicle and have no idea if my company performed maintenance on them.

[@ceesan5605]

Did u pick up kids in it too?

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

@@ceesan5605 not sure who you are referring to, but no. I picked up and met with clients using my van. I did executive insurance claims and adjustments back then. Sometimes it’d be a family that had a major claim and I’d treat them to dinner or entertainment. Most times it was just myself or one of my subordinates traveling between clients.

[@patrickperry6945]

I still have a ‘99 Safari van. 214,000 + miles. This thing is a tank.

[@andreasausmuc]

In 1992 we've had an Astro as a rental for our three week trip through the American West! We've loved it - unbelievably roominess and smoothness compared to our European family haulers!

[@dannyj9577]

One of the coolest looking vehicles of all time. We need something like this now. Simple, clean lines…love it.

[@jeffoh4793]

"Whats the sexiest car on the road today? To you?"- "One of those Astro vans, powder blue...". - beck 1995

[@alexander1485]

powder blue is very light, barely darker than pastel

[@davidcarroll8735]

There was a two tone green that always caught my eye !

[@manthony225]

That two tone is like comfort food.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We need vehicles like this again. Simple and durable

[@tuomasandersson3889]

I've always liked how these look. Great styling!👍

[@vivluv777]

chevy astro was actually one of the few american cars that sold well in japan, it was fairly small, practical and looked "american" enough for most people who wanted an american cars but worried about getting around the tight japanese roads.

[@surfordie82]

^This! I was surprised to see that there is a car subculture in Japan that's all about modified Astros.

[@bertram46]

I used to be a chevrolet sales manager at Merrick chevrolet in Berea ohio. That was a good seller miss those days

[@jacktorse2145]

Soon to be demolished 😒 as the Serpentini body shop left for their new home not too long ago.

[@bertram46]

@jacktorse2145 hi thanks. Yes. Already happened. I left when it was sold to him . We were the opposite of Serpentini. I left in 97. Merrick was like Mayberry. Good to customers good to employees. I started out as finance manager in 86 then sales Mgr to general sales manager. Williams Ford. Toth Buick etc

[@jacktorse2145]

@@bertram46 so depressing driving on Front now...damn hear a ghost town once you go over the bridge. And now Donte's will be closing. Ugh.

[@bertram46]

@jacktorse2145 used to take my salesman there after work. Good pizza and used to have free popcorn. I was in to clocks. Suburban clock. Knew Rudy the owner well. Now his son runs the sales end. Not like it used to be. Whitey s has closed. Never knew the son but knew Whitey from boating at Cedar Point in the 60s . Interesting how he died. Knew Peter kleist who donated another to BW And my favorite lunch hang out Buccis'

[@yalantyr25]

Oh man Merrick, I think my dad bought a car that from there when he worked at Bass Chevrolet in the Early 90s, he was one of their top mechanics back then, Of course Bass Chevrolet is no longer there either

[@danmccarthy4700]

1990: "Winning in the marketplace often means providing choices!" 2024: "You're SOL unless you want an SUV or pickup"

[@audvidgeek]

and most of the SUV's sold these days aren't true SUV's but crossovers. Only a few are built on trucks

[@danmccarthy4700]

@@audvidgeek I hate crossovers so, so much...

[@Bloomamba94]

I’ll be 30 this year, and I remember in the late 90’s both my grandparents on my mom side and dad side having blue Astro Vans 😂😂😂😂😂.

[@themaritimegirl]

Funny, I am 30, and both sets of my grandparents had blue Chrysler Intrepids!

[@Bloomamba94]

@@themaritimegirl 😂😂😂, don’t you miss the 90’s early 2000’s?

[@TS-ef2gv]

We bought a new, nicely equipped GMC Safari in 1994. It was the 2WD version but had lots of goodies such as a 4.3L V6, the XT option (extended body), power windows, locks, tilt, cruise, roof rack, privacy glass, the upgraded interior with four captains chairs and rear bench, nice wheels, and the nifty Dutch door option. We did lots of road trips with our sons and camped in it several times. I thought it was the perfect size, neither too big nor too small. We owned it for three years with only typical maintenance and had zero problems. It did all that was asked of it and never let us down. Two thumbs up, would own again. 👍 👍

[@wingsley]

One of the best vehicles that GM ever made.

[@waterloo123100]

The 2wd version is great but the 4wd is a pile of junk

[@vincentbarrett5282]

Definitely the 4.3 lt 6cyl best ever

[@stevemcdowell1674]

I've currently got a 98 awd and I love it! Had it for about 20 yrs and the damn thing is bulletproof! No problems in sand or snow either.

[@pabo8080]

We all need 10 inches more Astro in our lives

[@toronado455]

😂

[@adrianr.6909]

10k towing capacity with a v6?! 😮 Did not expect that!

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Tow ratings have decreased among passenger vehicles since then. If this van were new today, I suspect it’d have a 5k lb rating.

[@joshc606]

Same! I’d love to see someone try though.

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

I can’t imagine that pulling 10k lbs with that so little power under the hood. lol

[@TheIncredibleJumpman]

Yeah, pretty sure that was inaccurate. I own a 2002 Astro, and all of the forum/internet reading I've done points to 5k lbs towing capacity, or 1500 payload. Still best in class

[@chrisbullard5901]

Oh yeah, my parents had an ‘86 with the 4300 Vortec, and we used it for family road trips and hauling the speedboat to the lake.

[@orchids3332]

In 1998 I sold my 1979 Firebird Formula and 1989 Jeep Wrangler Laredo for a 1994 Astro Conversion van in the same color. $8,500 for a 4 year old van. The values of the vehicles I sold are ironically Astronomical.

[@renypayne11]

I can sort of relate, I sold my 97 Sc300 for 2000 in 2019. They are now going for over 10k where I live.

[@rodmunch69]

Wow, that's a terrible deal. Now you can get one of these vans for $200, while the Firebird and Jeep will get you at least $25k each.

[@johnmattiazzo3900]

I am from Ontario Canada there’s still lots of these still on the road. They stood to salt an winter very well

[@kowalski5599]

We had an Astro as a rental back in the late 90s. I liked it but my parents were afraid of it because it was rear wheel drive and a snowy Canadian winter. The late 90s versions were definitely more refined and had nicer composite headlights, but these vans lasted forever.

[@rosslarkin6742]

I am fairly certain the transfer case in the AWD astro used a planetary center differential and the viscous coupling to control slip. Under normal driving, the center differential is geared to provide a 35/65 front-to-rear torque split, so AWD is always engaged. This AWD system is the same one used later in the souped up super truck Cyclone and Typhoons. Very good system in my opinion.

[@kimchi1977]

It's funny how these old astro vans are still popular in Japan.

[@rodmunch69]

Why? Tied to some sort of TV show or movie?

[@MPMeterman]

@@rodmunch69- Japan loves American vans. Racing them is popular.

[@dannyj9577]

I think they styled the Scion Xb to mimic the Astro.

[@rodmunch69]

@@MPMeterman might as well race in a refrigerator box.

[@tall_dude1233]

What an interesting option package. Power drivers seat with manual windows and door locks. Although the seats look very nice and comfortable compared to modern minivans.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

It was a weird time back then. These vans were configurable with literally thousands of different ways. Interior color was so much better then. A beautiful blue or maroon was quite common. A far cry from the horrific black interior of today.

[@daneblack2593]

I always wanted one of these going to start looking for one today

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

well, that 10,000 pound beast of a van was a fantastic one back in the 90s. it's a shame they don't make stuff like that no more 😢

[@ytj22]

10,000lbs?? You mean the price? Or the towing capacity? The curb weight of this thing would have been maybe 5000lbs at the very most.

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

@@ytj22 i meant the towing capacity

[@stonesbouldersbones]

​@@ytj22 Mine weighs in at 5400lbs~ completely unloaded cargo model, on a well calibrated scrap metal scale.

[@stonesbouldersbones]

​@@LandonMillertotheMaxx to tow that kind of weight, you'd need an Auxiliary transmission cooler & trailer brake controller

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

@@stonesbouldersbones that's true.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

My mom drove a 92 Astrovan throughout the 90s. I learned to drive in that thing and tons of memories of my mom taking my friends and siblings to the local community pool or to the park. Lots of great memories with this van.

[@michaelsimko7694]

The Astro and Safari lived to be more of a working van than a family van

[@DrCharlesMontague]

@4:07 “the extended version give you ten inches more Astro” (as the rear end is shown). Edgy, John! 😂

[@27sport86]

Denim Dan basically disappeared when he sat in the blue interior at 3:28

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I always thought those looked wayyy better than the Chrysler mini vans! My wife’s father bought one of those new back in 1990, fully loaded all wheel drive. Man! He drove that van to the ground! He was an iron worker and used it more as a workhorse than a family truckster! But it lasted him for a long time!

[@MrRitchiecraig]

The Astro. I had two of them..... One was the original short one that was tan in color. We called it the bread box. It had the 4.3. It still exists somewhere in our family. Then I had a newer extended version. We didn't keep it long enough to verify it's long term durability. But the old short one was amazing. I cannot say it ever drove good as the engineering was old Chevy truck. But it was tough.

[@richardnottelmann58]

My uncle had a 94 astro EXT. That van was awesome.

[@rodmunch69]

You have no idea what went on inside that van...

[@douglasdixon524]

The 4.3 liter V6 was awesome. My dad had a 1987 S10 Blazer with a 2.8 liter V6. It got the job done but kind of slow. He had a 1993 S10 pickup with the 4.3 liter V6 and it sounded like a V8 and was strong.

[@edwardpate6128]

These were great vehicles! Built at the long gone GM Baltimore Assembly plant.

[@theKevronHarris]

My godmother had a 1992 Astro EXT in the medium quasar blue with the sport package on sporty wheels. I remember having fond memories riding in it.

[@DisneyMusicVideos]

My parents had two Astro's, a 1994 then a 2000. Both were great & reliable & were fun to take on long road trips. I drove the 2000 after I got my drivers permit. My only flaw with it as said in this video, lack of front seat leg room especially since I'm over 6ft. It was fine for my mom though as it was mainly her car, she's 5'8".

[@takforce06]

Astro reminds me of my dad.

[@buckfiden2988]

Astro/Safari are the best 'mini' vans made thus far.

[@SataniaMcDowel]

There is tons of em here still in my Country!

[@jamesstuart3346]

Best styled minivan ever 😊

[@eddieescobar4722]

The famiy and i took this van through hell and back I wish thay made vans like work hourse

[@roddydykes7053]

Many birthday parties were accommodated in this beauty as a kid. Usually with us loose in the back with the seats removed bouncing around on the drive

[@doctorzaius4084]

I learned to drive on a '93 RWD short wheelbase Astro stripper, loved that thing. It was the same blue metallic color that was popular on the Camaro at the time and it would absolutely decimate a single rear tire. Good storage space, good power, very reliable. Only bad things were the driver's footwell was very cramped, not good on long trips... And it had the weird ABS on rear axle only system that GM trucks used back then. Worked well normally but was awful in the snow, back end would dance all iver the place if you weren't careful.

[@celuiquipeut6527]

Wish i could buy one today. They were great cars//truck

[@QUINONES2012]

10klbs towing… this thing was a beast!!

[@johnnyray8468]

My dad had one back in the early 90s. So many fishing and road trips.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for another GM review. It is appreciated.

[@2504499]

Loved those vans and miss them. They were quite the statement with all wheel drive and the LT package.

[@davidaubin3902]

3:18 John: INSTRUMENTS STILL HAVE THAT HOCKEY STICK DESIGN! LOL

[@justme307]

I remember the van craze very well. They were the vehicle to have for a while. A day two modification was rims and tires.

[@Socsom]

My uncle used to own a 1990 Chevy Astro. They had it for 26 years and their mileage odometer relapse more than 5 times.

[@Geforcepat]

Yeah, I have memories of the safari too, Good times. Good stuff GM.

[@mattcox3373]

Back in 2011 and 2012 I had one of these as a roadside assistance service van. That thing didn’t catch a break and I drove it hard everywhere I went. It finally spun and a rod bearing one night just going down the highway at 55 lol

[@neilvetter662]

dirty oil

[@erkisdead]

My parents had a 1994 Astro. The thing was bulletproof. They gave it to my sister, who almost immediately wrecked it.

[@kingkat8080]

Ah Childhood... My Dad had a 1987 GMC Safari van. I remember going on vacations to northern Michigan a few times in it. The gages were funky but I always kind of liked that, not the smoothest riding vehicle, along with a good share of squeaks & rattles but reliable as hell. Good memories.

[@georgimihalkov4781]

Now that's a cool minivan! And also the first car I've ever seen with electric seats and manual windows.

[@ddellwo]

Coolest looking van EVER…….!!!!!

[@imKazahkstan]

This mini van was anything but mini. My grandma drove one of these beasts throughout the 90s.

[@andi4life]

It was quite more mini than todays vans. A Chevrolet Astro with the extended wheelbase is 187 inches long, a current Chrysler Pacifica is 204 inches.

[@Dungzoo]

We had a few of these. I think my favorite was a dark green extended version with tinted windows. I don’t even like green but it looked cool.

[@oscarchavez2240]

I had two of them they were the best I wish they were still around

[@rodmunch69]

$23k in 1990 and it doesn't even have power windows? Wow.

[@basshead.]

The F40($400k in 1990) doesn't have them either.

[@rodmunch69]

@@basshead. neither does a BMW bike from the era.

[@basshead.]

@@rodmunch69 They were cheaper than the F40.

[@astrovanboss]

I love these vans so much. Best vehicle ever❤.

[@stonesbouldersbones]

I still drive an 04, I took it from Hollywood FL to Key West Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. What a great Chevy. I'll probably take mine to the grave with me 😂

[@adamn7516]

Crazy how that the Astro/Safari lasted 2 decades from its 1985 launch essentially getting nothing more than cosmetic changes and suspension and powertrain tweaks. Kind of like the Jeep Cherokee XJ. Basically also lasted nearly 2 decades from its original launch in 1983 and living on until 2001 with little more than interior and minor exterior cosmetic changes and some suspension tweaks

[@TrailBlazerSS502]

Being a mid-size van, Chevy once proclaimed the Astro van in 1994 as “the only truck tough enough to handle childhood”. Compared to the Ford Aerostar, it still is.

[@Lonelysoulloves]

I tell you what the two-wheel drive version would burn the back wheel off of it, the one wheel peel-a-meal 🤣🤣🤣

[@stevebot]

Hands down, an Astro AWD with studless snows kicks the crap out of pretty much everything else in winter driving. Not sure why, perhaps track, wheel base and weight distribution. The later Vortec, 4L60E and the 03-06 with upgraded brakes are all nice improvements.

[@shizzy_Snorlax]

We had a Astro AWD EXT of this van in the early 90s with the triple doors. Robust and swallowed the family with ease. We ended up getting a Plymouth Voyager for whatever reason.

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

1:49 I always heard of people putting windshield washer fluid in their coolant reservoir and visa versa. I wondered HOW? Looking at this engine, there’s my answer.

[@carsjt1076]

This unit featured here is a bit of an oddball offering. LT package with AWD and power seat however no power windows or locks. Also no rear side glass. I know they offered the rear side glass delete and kind of a louvred piece after the middle side glass. Really liked the LT trim for the seats and wheels. Also the GMC safari touring edition

[@micknightmare3]

My favorite manvan

[@workingshlub8861]

if they brought these back today they would sell good especially with the AWD.....i love my 2001

[@jonathankleinow2073]

Wear a windbreaker indoors? Why not? It's 1990!

[@tmo2798]

I still do.

[@arieljones4595]

"With a hauling capacity of up to 10,000 lbs" Does he mean Gross Combined Weight Rating or Tow rating? If he means towing, then that's seriously impressive!

[@neilvetter662]

GCWR

[@starkparker16]

Who doesn't like a two tone?

[@Butchcub75]

10" more Astro just made me laugh

[@toronado455]

I like the windowless rear quarters.

[@thethomasj1795]

Amazing van. Probably the best ever in its class. Put the digital dash in it and you are set.

[@WSNO]

i'm looking for one of the longer ones with awd and in-tact interior in an interesting color velour to hook a car trailer up to and start bringing home projects for the car channel. the gold/mocha admittedly looks quite good on there, but i'm thinking something a bit more heartbeat of America meets neon retrofuture city.

[@smartiboi]

230 lb/ft is a crazy amount of torque compared to the other minivans of the day

[@j_mars_cars]

Got my drivers license in the 2000 gmc safari Inherited a 1995 Astro with digital dash. Hated both but they were reliable

[@derrickwillie4449]

Oh man I miss these for work vans. The GMC Safari

[@JalidPassan]

I currently acquired one from original owner a 2002 gmc safari with original 70k miles the lovely lady who sold it to us only wanted 2k for it . The body interior immaculate only thing i have to replace is the power steering pump and both front struts.

[@Snake-ms7sj]

The Chrysler minivans had the advantage of better MPG, a lower height and lower step in. The Astro had the advantage of being built on a frame with more towing capacity.

[@briancopeland4990]

Chrysler may not have had AWD back in 90, but they did have extended length bodies since 87!

[@troynov1965]

I had a friend that had a Astro. The power window on drivers side shorted out and burned the whole van to a crisp. Luckily it was parked in his driveway and no one was inside it.

[@elcheapo5302]

I had a friend that had an Astro. It was so rusty, a shock fell off. He kept that shock on the passenger side floor because you needed it to beat the ECM in order for it to start.

[@troynov1965]

@@elcheapo5302 LOL I knew a guy back in the 80s had a 68 Impala that was a real rust bucket too. He had a piece of rope tied from passenger side window crank to the steering column so I would not fly open when he hit a bump or a railroad crossing. I was gonna help another friend one time who had Honda Civic ( it was about 75-77 model ). It would not pass inspection because the floor boards were gone. Well we was gonna pop rivet some metal he got from some old STOP signs and spray some undercoat on them. Of course I asked" where did you get old STOP Signs? He said " Dont ask" OK Anyways when we jacked up the front end with his uncles floor jack and it literally snapped in two at the firewall. I said "I dont think we can fix that with STOP signs and undercoat."

[@HR-wd6cw]

up to 10,000 lbs towing is actually quite impressive considering even your Silverado 1500's are generally limited to less, even today (more like 7k-9k pounds). Although I wonder if 10,000 is a mistake and it's morel ike 6,000 lbs. Most SUVs at least of the time could only do about 4k to 6k, but if the Astro was built on a truck frame, then it would make sense but even so 10k towing capacity is quite impression for a van. I mean if you could find one of these in semi-decent shape with AWD that still works (or even one without) it might make a good cheap camper van for a single person. I mean people do buy up mini vans and turn them into cheap camper vans for not a lot of money (versus buying a purpose built van or even a full size conversion van).

[@4yules]

the astros run forever

[@CRITICAL_HATE]

Miss ya mom, sorry i dented the Astro when i was 8.

[@landonbenford8369]

😅😊

[@rodmunch69]

Believe me, she wished over and over again she let you dad talk her into an abortion - and on that day she almost had a very late term one.

[@JacobPaul-ix7oc]

@@rodmunch69 Proverbs 18:6-7 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

[@rodmunch69]

@@JacobPaul-ix7oc Austin 3:16 says you're a nerd.

[@MM-qv5lf]

I had a white Safari😅

[@bmstylee]

It's good to see it has a vague approximation of aux gauges.

[@andrewcomments5812]

I got so many chicks in that van. I'm now serving life without parole.

[@alexander1485]

those wheels are awesome

[@chrisbullard5901]

This is the same AWD system that was used in the Oldsmobile Bravada and, with some more refinement, the Saturn Vue. This is what GM should’ve done instead of the crossover route: keep the Astro/Safari and S10 Blazer/Sonoma/Bravada, evolving them slowly with improved refinements, but keeping them firmly as working/family vehicles that could pull dual duty. You can’t take a crossover easily into the woods on snow and ice, hauling a ton of adults, along with a utility trailer full of chopped down trees to the lumber mill, and you certainly can’t pull a stuck family sedan out of a ditch on an icy hairpin turn. Those are the two user stories no product manager at GM has bothered to define for any of their products that weren’t trucks for decades, compared to what station wagons and mid-size A bodies from the 70s were expected to do.

[@davidbaron6647]

I always liked them, thought it was underrated, I personally knew someone that put a 3 inch lift and 32 inch tires.

[@NotBen101]

If the van is rocking...

[@anthonychihuahua]

🚐🚪✊️✊️

[@tall_dude1233]

10,000 towing capacity is impressive from a 150hp V6.

[@Motorweek]

230 lb/ft

[@elcheapo5302]

Video could have been worded better. That 10,000 number was the max GCWR, vehicle plus trailer weight combined, only available with the 3.73 gears,. These vans were rated to tow either 5200(AWD) or 5400(rwd) with the 3.73s or 4700(awd) or 4900(rwd) with the 3.42s.

[@stonesbouldersbones]

​@@elcheapo5302not to mention needing trailer brake controller and aux trans cooler

[@kyrobory]

I have one in my backyard. The transmission grenaded after the cooler lines exploded.

[@M67v]

Power seats but no power windows is crazy

[@jasonsmith373]

"...gives you ten inches more Astro..."😄

[@Trance88]

Their test vehicle is very strangely optioned. Power seats with CRANK windows! Any generation of Astro van is getting pretty hard to find in my neck of the woods. They've all been taken by rust and hard wear. The closest vehicle GM makes to the Astro now is the Express van, and I actually like how those vans drive, so I assume the Astro drove similar.

[@wp8022]

I love the Astro. But better not check the Crash Test results...