Picked up a beater...
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Picked up a beater...
Took this bad-boy in on trade:
2000 Chevy Astro LS Passenger Van - 130,000 miles
Bought it for $500. Figured it's cheap enough for me to keep and use when I need to tow something (I tow a car once in a while, it has a 6000lb towing capacity), and when I need to move stuff around. for a 6 owner car, it was registered in TX, CA, MO, AZ, KY and NY, and it's original paint.
Has power windows/locks and they upgraded the radio to a KILLER alpine headunit with tinny speakers...No bass, but it's clear as sh!t!
Seats are missing, and the car was used by a construction company, so it's quite messy inside, but I see it as a challenge to get it look as good as possible.
Engine runs smooth, with the exception of a noisy pulley that will have to be replaced eventually (but does not affect the drive at all) I did change front brakes and rotors, rear shoes, and put 4 new tires on it. Changed the oil, it needs a front right lower ball joint and 2 idler arms before I can align it, as the steering wheel is a little off center to drive straight, and fixing those should cure the problem. Car is missing the rear seats but I don't care to replace 'em.
Some pics:
I got a little anxious this morning about cleaning her up a little, I started with a steel wool pad and some water to clean the wheels...They were dark brown when I started, probably haven't been washed in YEARS. Results:
I'll probably fix the front bumper (pop it out and re-align) and either repair the grille that's cracked on the driver's side, or just replace the whole thing (aftermarket $80 for the entire grille)
So for a little over $1k, a decent runaround van to tow and haul crap when I need it. I'll register/insure it to my dealer policy, which covers all my personal cars so it won't cost me any extra to keep it registered other than the registration fees.
Not bad, eh?
2000 Chevy Astro LS Passenger Van - 130,000 miles
Bought it for $500. Figured it's cheap enough for me to keep and use when I need to tow something (I tow a car once in a while, it has a 6000lb towing capacity), and when I need to move stuff around. for a 6 owner car, it was registered in TX, CA, MO, AZ, KY and NY, and it's original paint.
Has power windows/locks and they upgraded the radio to a KILLER alpine headunit with tinny speakers...No bass, but it's clear as sh!t!
Seats are missing, and the car was used by a construction company, so it's quite messy inside, but I see it as a challenge to get it look as good as possible.
Engine runs smooth, with the exception of a noisy pulley that will have to be replaced eventually (but does not affect the drive at all) I did change front brakes and rotors, rear shoes, and put 4 new tires on it. Changed the oil, it needs a front right lower ball joint and 2 idler arms before I can align it, as the steering wheel is a little off center to drive straight, and fixing those should cure the problem. Car is missing the rear seats but I don't care to replace 'em.
Some pics:
I got a little anxious this morning about cleaning her up a little, I started with a steel wool pad and some water to clean the wheels...They were dark brown when I started, probably haven't been washed in YEARS. Results:
I'll probably fix the front bumper (pop it out and re-align) and either repair the grille that's cracked on the driver's side, or just replace the whole thing (aftermarket $80 for the entire grille)
So for a little over $1k, a decent runaround van to tow and haul crap when I need it. I'll register/insure it to my dealer policy, which covers all my personal cars so it won't cost me any extra to keep it registered other than the registration fees.
Not bad, eh?
Last edited by Shoofin; Oct 4, 2009 at 09:58 PM.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
My dad had a GM Safari (Astro twin) for 13 years. Thing was bullet proof for the most part until he had engines problems at 200K + and got rid of it. Carried 8...good times in that thing. And RWD FTW!
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Interior
I haven't done anything to the interior yet other than wipe the dash down, clean the area under the radio where the cup holders are, clean the inside windows and 2 front door panels. Everyone in my office told me to give it to the detail shop I work with and let them do it, but I see this as my personal challenge and want to do it myself. Maybe I'll do the interior myself and give it to them to do the exterior..There was a lotta crap in the cargo area that I already threw away, I left some cardboard and the rubber mats it came with use them when I want to work in there...They also left some chains, duct tape and rope which I figured I can use when I need to tow/haul stuffI'm looking forward to vacuuming it so badly...
I haven't done anything to the interior yet other than wipe the dash down, clean the area under the radio where the cup holders are, clean the inside windows and 2 front door panels. Everyone in my office told me to give it to the detail shop I work with and let them do it, but I see this as my personal challenge and want to do it myself. Maybe I'll do the interior myself and give it to them to do the exterior..There was a lotta crap in the cargo area that I already threw away, I left some cardboard and the rubber mats it came with use them when I want to work in there...They also left some chains, duct tape and rope which I figured I can use when I need to tow/haul stuffI'm looking forward to vacuuming it so badly...
Trending Topics
I was going to say the same thing.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 638
From: Chicago Burbs
Is that clear coat damage or just really oxidized? Might come out decent after a good professional detail.
In its current state, i wouldnt be caught dead driving it.
Then again i just cant drive anything thats dirty. Wash it!
In its current state, i wouldnt be caught dead driving it.
Then again i just cant drive anything thats dirty. Wash it!
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,492
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8NIjjfRjJXU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8NIjjfRjJXU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
my friends all make fun of me for being 
with my goatee and Chevy.
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Finally registered it...It's been sitting in the back of my yard for 2 months. I pull the car out and put it in front of my office to put the plates on it, not 10 minutes goes by and some dude offers to buy it on the spot....
I did a little bit of work to it this past weekend... Changed the idler arms, lower ball joints, front shocks, alignment, battery, the oil line to the cooler was leaking so I replaced that too. Also washed it and vacuumed the interior and wiped down the dash area again (with Tuff Stuff - Good shit). It still needs a bit more cleaning up (I didn't clean the area where you step in the van, there's caked up concrete there that I gotta get off), i'll detail it once I'm done. I ordered some repro parts for it, front bumper cover, grille, etc...Get that stuff on it, painted and i'm good to go. It rides great now!
Some pics:
I did a little bit of work to it this past weekend... Changed the idler arms, lower ball joints, front shocks, alignment, battery, the oil line to the cooler was leaking so I replaced that too. Also washed it and vacuumed the interior and wiped down the dash area again (with Tuff Stuff - Good shit). It still needs a bit more cleaning up (I didn't clean the area where you step in the van, there's caked up concrete there that I gotta get off), i'll detail it once I'm done. I ordered some repro parts for it, front bumper cover, grille, etc...Get that stuff on it, painted and i'm good to go. It rides great now!
Some pics:
Thread Starter
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
when i was little, our family used to have '94 astro awd lt. bought it brand new and it clocked almost 300,000 miles without much maintenance other than routine oil change. it should be a great beater