GM Recalls Savana/Express

[jarsworldcom]

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

The article says 2003-2006. So even brand new ones aren't good from the factory....

Counting today Wentzille has 3 working days left for the year. There is a slight chance reworked parts could be in by January 2nd.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by doh

UMMM power is not at the top of most of these shoppers list, economy is #1, closely followed by ergonomics. If the Sprinter were a little less expensive intially, it would capture 50% of the tradesmen's business

Anyone know the mileage ratings of the medium wheelbase Sprinter vs. the diesel Express?

They're priced about the same. The Express has a lot more power, but I'm looking for something that will last a long time, have tons of space, and get good mileage. Tons of power would be nice, but if I'm going to cart my family around in it for 150,000 miles then the difference between 15 and 20 mpg adds up to about $6,000 for today's price of diesel. It gets to be more (obviously) if diesel prices go up.

[91 s-10baja]

WardsAuto.com, Dec 21 2005

The recall is due to improperly latching seatbelts in ’03-’06 Chevrolet and GMC fullsize vans.

General Motors Corp. reportedly is calling back some 425,593 ’03-’06 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana fullsize passenger and cargo vans due to seatbelts that will not latch or unlatch properly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. says.

The auto maker says there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the defect.

GM dealers reportedly have been instructed to inspect and replace the seatbelt’s upper buckle cover or replace the entire buckle assembly if the unit is not working properly.
http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_gm_reca...vans/index.htm

[SSrevolution]

I would be so mad if I buckled up and couldn't get out...

[FourOnTheFloor]

no big deal.

[Phillip]

Better to have the belt stuck than not to function...

[Maas Oyama]

say it ain't so rick!

[asim]

Well at least most consumers don't have these vans...more commercial use.

[J..D]

Typical GM recall not a big problem but needs to be fixed and I know most where probably OK but better to replace all.

[DeliveryDave]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Anyone know the mileage ratings of the medium wheelbase Sprinter vs. the diesel Express?

They're priced about the same. The Express has a lot more power, but I'm looking for something that will last a long time, have tons of space, and get good mileage. Tons of power would be nice, but if I'm going to cart my family around in it for 150,000 miles then the difference between 15 and 20 mpg adds up to about $6,000 for today's price of diesel. It gets to be more (obviously) if diesel prices go up.

I was looking into buying one from the local airport shuttle service, the 03 Sprinters were averaging 22 mpg in shuttle service according to the service owner. He said wait for the 07 upgrade they are quite problematic.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...index=.ef0699d
http://www.autospectator.com/modules...p?storyid=2751

I have been told the GM diesels are closer to 18 but cannot confirm.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by DeliveryDave

I was looking into buying one from the local airport shuttle service, the 03 Sprinters were averaging 22 mpg in shuttle service according to the service owner. He said wait for the 07 upgrade they are quite problematic.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...index=.ef0699d
http://www.autospectator.com/modules...p?storyid=2751

I have been told the GM diesels are closer to 18 but cannot confirm.

DeliveryDave,

Thanks very much for the information and the links. I will definitely rule out the current generation Sprinter.

18 for the Express diesel and 22 for the Sprinter is lower than I had hoped. On the other hand, I will be using the van to cart around myself and my wife, two kids, their gear, and a dog. That's much less weight than the typical diesel van hauls around in commercial use.

[jarsworldcom]

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

The article says 2003-2006. So even brand new ones aren't good from the factory....

According to the Wentzville's production manager this is a supplier/engineering issue not a production issue. He also said that sometime in November we started using redesigned parts.