Hi, All

I am a new member here from Toronto.

I've been researching the Uplander for some time now, but it's not easy getting a good idea of how reliable those vans are. Earlier ones seem to be not so good, but I am not so sure about the latest years. Edmunds reviews are not that bad for 08, but there are not too many to make a conclusion.

The reason I am looking into this vehicle is the price mostly. Short wheel base LS is on sale right now and there also seems to be a pretty generous GM point allowance, there's also a loyalty discount (I am a current GM owner). Altogether, the price is really comes down to a price of an inexpensive compact.

So...is that reasonable to expect a relatively reliable vehicle? For the money I wouldn't be upset with one or two rattles or other small issues. As long as I don't have to go to the shop too often and the van is safe and drivable.

Thanks,
Yury

 

Exceptionally reliable. Its the best you can expect from an ordinary mass-production vehicle.

 

I use mine for work. Got it brand new about 5 months ago. I currently have about 30000km on it. My only problem with them van is that my brake pulsate slightly when I do a lot of stopping. But I contribute that to the fact that I have a lead foot.
Other than that, it have been great to drive.

 

Sounds good, thank you all

 

I have the car for 3 months , I've put on it only 6000KM, no problem so far, except it's a bit "thirsty" but mainly because of crappy driving conditions in Toronto. I drive it daily, and from one tank of gas to another I get about 14-15 L/100KM milege on it (that gives me an average speed of about 25 KM/H between fill-ups).
Driven on highway, at about 1800 rpm (this may be a little less than 100 KMH) may put you in a range of about 8 L/100KM (like the book says).
Driving on highway at hight speeds (110-130 and from time to time at 140KM/H) would give you a mileage of about 11L/100KM).
I'd say for the money you pay for it (if you can afford the cash price ) it's not a bad deal. If you get the GM finance plan , they may try to rip you off a little bit, but it's still a good deal.
In order to get those good mileage figures I mentionned above you need to drive long distances though. I could do it when driving from Toronto to Montreal and back. I might tell you more in about 2 weeks as I will do about 3000 KM driving next week.

 

we have our uplander 2009 Lt short wheelbase for 6 months now with 10000 km and have not experience any problem so far. The van may be a bit outdated versus the competitors but it has its own style that I like very much. The only problem that I would be afraid is rust on the rocker panel on a long run. I have seen many if not all old ventures with major rusted rockers panel, even some collapsed where the jacking points are. As a precaution I have sprayed some anti rust through the draining holes inside the rockers panels and I intend to do it every 6 month. Remenber the body on the uplander is the same than the venture except a different front and a few other changes. The engine is the big difference. I am planning to keep in for a long time with rust free rocker panels

 

Yes, now I have it for one year already - still nothing to complain. I gues rust might become an issue as capucine says but what car is imune to the salty winter roads in Toronto???

 

I have an ex-fleet 2008 extended LT with 110000 Km's that I bought very cheap, the only problem I've had are the gas cap setting off the check engine light and a leaky power steering hose that seems to have sealed itself. Fuel economy in town sucks but it's great on the highway.

 

update to my 2009 uplander. We have now 21000 kilometers and almost one year old. The van is still trouble free with no problem except a rattle from the back when I hit roads cracks with no loads . I have not reported this inconvenience to my dealer because I want to fix it myself. ( looks like it is coming from the tailgate). The brakes are still perfect with no pulsations at all (very unusual for an american product) The van still looks like new from the day I bought it. I have added a hood deflector, mud flaps, side door window deflectors and a nice set of PILOT fog lights. The Goodyear integrity tires are not the best on the market and I plan to switch for toyo or yokohama when they are wornt out. I still think that this is the nicest looking van on the road compared to any other makes even if the seats dont store under the floor. It has a very good ground clearance at the rear and if you fit a trailer hitch you dont have to buy a towing draw bar that has 8 inches rise because the hitches on other vans are set so close to the ground. Have a look by yourself on other vans.