Trucks!

[cobram at juno.com]

Larry C Leung <l.leung at juno.com> writes:

> RELIABLE!?!?!?!?!  My friend's AWD Chebby Astro (S-10 chassis and
> running gear, mini-van body) is a pig. It IS a 2.8, but that's not the
> problem.

Your friend must be really hard on it.  I have used and abused a 1995
Astro Van since new when I shipped it South to Brazil.  In very harsh
conditions (dirt roads), lots of weight (average 650 pounds of luggage on
airport days and to carry cement, feed etc.), usually cruise between
90-110 MPH steady on the highway, and gets plenty of cobblestone time.  I
have nothing but praise for it.  The 4.3L engine is on par with the Audi
I-5 for durability and reliability .

It's a mini-van in name only, intermediate size would describe it better.
 It is much more spacious than any mini van I've been in, and has the
head room of a full size van.  I also wonder why your friends has the
2.8L, as the 4.3 Vortec was the standard engine in '95 on, prior to that
you had a choice of the normal 4.3 or the Vortec High Output.  The only
other engine ever offered was the 2.5L four banger, and that was only for
it's first year on the market, in the mid 80's if I recall correctly.  If
your friend indeed has a 2.8, then it's a resurrected wreck which would
explain his problems with it.

Aside from consumables such as brakes, the factory shocks went about a
year ago, replaced with Bilsteins (about $100 a pop, but worth it).  And
had a contact problem in the horn (easily fixed with some steel wool.)
Thats IT, it's been balls on reliable.  Even the paint and upholstery
have held up incredibly well when you factor in the equatorial sun.
Recent pic: http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/Saltlick1.JPG

I wish I could say the same about any of the Audi's I own or have
knowledge of.  Went to see a 1997 A8Q that was for sale, seller had
$5000.00+ worth of receipts from the last two years,  had an S6 on the
lot too, had just put $1500 into injectors and a new hydraulic pump.
Just a BTDT, no way would I compare the attributes of an Audi with a van,
except for cost of ownership.  If someone is looking for a good grocery
getter that won't give them any unpleasant fiscal surprises, I would not
hesitate to recommend the Astro, an Audi on the other hand....is a "worth
whatever it costs" proposition IMHO.

BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/

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