07/08 Chev Uplander

[panski master]

My wife and I are looking to purchase a 07/08 uplander. We are thinking the LT model with the bells and whistles as opposed to the LS model. Anyone own one. Any thoughts or comments about this vehicle and its 3.9l engine. Any big differences between the two models other than dual front heating and DVD?

Thanks!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Do not buy one!

These engines are notorious for puking head gaskets at around 60k after the tstat sticks closed!!!!!

[panski master]

so if i put in a t stat at 50,000 would that benefit and what does it cost to replace one? Is there any particular reason for them going out? Maybe i should buy a dodge. We like the style and the price is a little less than a dodge.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Going from one bankrupted manufacturer to another?

Chevy and Dodge had quality on the back burner as they where nose diving before the bail out. I wouldn't recommend either when looking for used vehicles from that time frame. Your just setting yourself up for an empty bank account.

I know the Uplander is cute and the numbers are attractive but this vehicle will literally fall apart as you drive it down the road. The head gaskets are just the major issue. I suppose you could change the stat and hope you don't have to deal with it.

If you plan on servicing the vehicle yourself take a look at where the oil filter is. Yeah, we scratched our heads for a while the first time we saw on too!

[panski master]

So where is the oil filter because I would change the oil myself? Were on a little bit on a budget so what would be a good inexpensive vehicle for a family of four? We would like a minivan due to the room with two little kids and want something with decent mpg. It seems like any vehicle a person buys there is always someone saying "don't buy that". Airjer I see you are a mechanic so I don't doubt your knowledge at all cuz anyone that works on vehicles would know WAY MORE about them. I too worked at a small mechanic shop through high school and college and got to know vehicles rather well. I guess buying any used vehicle is a shot in the dark. Another question i have is the uplander has a 100,000 mile warranty. So if I were to buy one wouldn't it be covered under warranty if the head was to blow? What is the going rate for a head gasket job? Keith

[panski master]

Airler, Did the older 3.5 liter engines have the same problem as the 3.9?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Now that I think about it the uplander has the remote oil adapter and the filter isn't to bad to do. I was thinking the Acadia with the same motor and that's a real treat.

head gasket would run you around $3,000.

Airjer I see you are a mechanic

I am an auto tech. In my eyes there is a big difference between a tech and a mechanic!

Don't have a lot of experience with the 3.5

[panski master]

Thanks for the info airjer. As for tech/mechanic I see it as the same but if I was a little more knowledgable in that field I guess I would understand the two terms better. Thanks for the advice! I will due some more research but unfortunately we will probaly buy a uplander or caraven due to the cost compared to foreign models and take my chance. I have read a lot of reviews on line and it seems its 50/50 on good or bad for both vans. Keith

[thopkins]

i've been working as a tech for gm for years and as far as the uplander goes it is not a bad vehicle. every car out there is gonna have things that go wrong. the 3.9 is not a bad engine. the crossover pipe gaskets that allow coolant to flow between the heads are common for leaking coolant and alot of the time are mistaken for a head gasket leak as the coolant runs down to the rr corner of the rear head. both the 3.5 and 3.9 do have the occasional head gasket failure but it is usually due to overheating from being ran low on coolant from the crossover gaskets slowly leaking over time. if you do get the uplander i suggest getting an 08 or newer as they have a 5 year 100k powertrain warranty and coolant leaks or any engine leak or failure are covered..

[panski master]

Thanks for the advice thopkins. We are actually planning on buying a 07 with 51,000 miles. It has every bell and whistle minus heated seats and a driver to take me places. I Been price checking on line and have been finding 07 or 08 with that many miles from 14900 to 16900. All of them I looked at didn't seem to have every bell and whistle that this one has. It might have only one power slider instead of two like the one i plan on buying for example. This one also has a remote starter and a receiver hitch, brand new tires and 4 wireless head sets for the dvd. Tomorrow I'm telling him 14,000 and we will buy it. With uncle sams sales tax and licesne stuff it should cost about 15000. Do you think that would be a good deal?