Considering purchasing a 97 Trans Sport SE..... thoughts?
 

I've gotten into negotiations with the owner of a what looks to be a nice 97 Pontiac Trans Sport SE minivan with a 3400, two-tone Hunter Green/Gold paint with tan cloth interior. Vehicle has 120k on it, and from what he's told me the tranny was replaced 6 months ago along with a major brake job within the last 2 months(pads and rotors).

Anybody have anything to share on the Trans Sport? This was the first year after a major redesign and the van's look better than the older, space ship looking TS's. :shock:

I'm guessing I can get it for 2500...... maybe cheaper.

Thanks for any replies in advance.

Re: Considering purchasing a 97 Trans Sport SE..... thoughts
 

My sister had one, trans did go out and wasnt worth messing with at 160k. Her failures included LIM gasket, belt tensioner and alternator. Alternator is located in a REALLY tight area, so it doesnt pay to skimp on the quality there, as you will not want to change it often.

Other than that, nice people mover, Okay MPG (24ish) and not hard to drive.

My mom has a '98 Venture and within the last couple months sometimes it started pouring out coolant, I mean like a steady stream. Most of the time it wont leak, once awhile it just starts pouring out. I also hate how long it takes before the darn thing will warm up and blow heat.

BTW my mom has 92,000 on hers.

Also, my dad works for GM, and he found a chart that had the expected engine lifetimes on it a few years ago, and I believe for this motor it was 125,000. Do NOT count on what I just said, its just from my poor memory. I will ask him tomorrow if he still has it.

Anyone want to change the spark plugs on my mother's? :lol:

you'd think they could have put a panel or doghouse inside to work with... ala Astro/fullsize style.

I found this by me incase you were interested:

http://rochester.craigslist.org/car/253336756.html

1999 transport, 125K $2400

Even with the doghouse, you can't see an Astro's engine... :roll:

The Trans Sports ain't too bad looking, but that's all I know about them. I did have blueprints for changing one of the older ones into a StarFleet shuttle craft at one time, tho

:roflmao:

They are bigger than they look too, you can stack a lotta junk in them.

The 3400 isn't a horrible motor, although the intake gaskets will fail. Not a possibility, it's a definate. They will fail.

Re: Considering purchasing a 97 Trans Sport SE..... thoughts
 

Thanks for the info..... yeah, the pic I was sent of the engine compartment.... that was the first thing I noticed. It looks ike that sucka is UNDER the dash! :? I pray that I'd not ever have to change it. The way my luck goes.....that would be the first thing to go.

I wonder if the coolent issue that 92BonneSE mentions is related to LIM gaskets? Sounds like this needs to be the first thing done to it if/when I get it along with ditching the DexCool battery acid if it's still got it. I'm guessing from the miles that it doesnt, but if it does that would be a bad sign. Heh heh....

Man, I swear the older ones, especially the white ones, looked like something out of Battlestar Gallactica. :eek2: