2003 GMC SAFARI

Good but not Great

Performance : 5 Comfort : 4 Fuel Economy : 3 Fun To Drive : 4 Interior Design : 3 Exterior Design : 4 Build Quality : 3 Reliability : 3 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

Towed a pop-up camper across country several times, and camping every summer, w 5-6 people. But u gotta tow in 3rd gear because of trans calibration. Full size trailer several trips. All the electrical problems others mentioned, ww and window motors (one side twice), alt, fuel pump, blower mtr, radiator, a/c compressor $1200, water pump, 4 idler arms, tire life not good, rear dutch door handle completely rusted off, needs injectors cleaned, otherwise engine and trans run good

Great Van

Performance : 5 Comfort : 5 Fuel Economy : 3 Fun To Drive : 4 Interior Design : 5 Exterior Design : 5 Build Quality : 5 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This van has been great I have 0ver 250000 miles and other than upkeep maintenance I’ve had no issues. Yes I’ve had to replace tires, breaks, hoses, belts, and so on but never any thing major. The electric windows work fine. I would highly recommend this van to anyone with kids it is a great traveling van.

piece o' crap

Performance : 3 Comfort : 3 Fuel Economy : 2 Fun To Drive : 3 Interior Design : 3 Exterior Design : 3 Build Quality : 3 Reliability : 2 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 2

i paid 3000 dollars for mine in 2006, since then ive put almost 3000 into keeping it running. 1 cooling fan, 2 alternators, 1 fuel pump, 1 fuel filter, 1 fuel line, 4 new tires, brakes(all of them), two window motors, 1 windshield wiper motor, 2 starters, and 1 right front ball axle joint. the cigarette lighter is broken, a/c has major leak(doesnt work), locks freeze easy in the winter(ohio), rear defrost and heat dont work, rear door handle broke and doesnt latch shut. no way would i ever tell anyone to consider buying this van, in fact if you see one on the road look away, chances are something might go wrong on Your car!

1996 Safari Van

Performance : 4 Comfort : 4 Fuel Economy : 2 Fun To Drive : 4 Interior Design : 4 Exterior Design : 4 Build Quality : 3 Reliability : 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

These vans have several problems. Power window motors fail often, switches in Safaris also have several failures. Besides the little annoying items, that most people avoid repairing because of such a high cost. The vehicle has been reliable.

safari

Performance : 4 Comfort : 4 Fuel Economy : 4 Fun To Drive : 5 Interior Design : 4 Exterior Design : 5 Build Quality : 4 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

low upkeep costs. parts are cheep, alot of cargo room, good head and body room. Can fit two adults and car seat in same row and still have moving around room, no other mid-sized van has that. 8 passenger spaces with luggage for 8 people inside the van. Can fit 8' 2x4 on floor and 10' on top of dash with all doors closed. 4'x8' plywood fits inside with doors closed.

safari

Performance : 5 Comfort : 5 Fuel Economy : 5 Fun To Drive : 5 Interior Design : 5 Exterior Design : 5 Build Quality : 5 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

it is the coolest van

2nd one I've owned

Performance : 4 Comfort : 4 Fuel Economy : 4 Fun To Drive : 4 Interior Design : 4 Exterior Design : 4 Build Quality : 5 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my 2nd Safari. My husband is driving the other one now. It's a 1996 and I liked it so much I bought another one. It's all wheel drive and available cargo space gives it more bang for the buck compared to other mini vans or suv's when price does matter.

Excellent for the long haul

Performance : 5 Comfort : 5 Fuel Economy : 4 Fun To Drive : 3 Interior Design : 4 Exterior Design : 4 Build Quality : 5 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

No it's not sexy or sporty but this is a great vehicle for anyone that plans to put a lot of miles on it. The ride on rough roads is a little truck-like - not punishing, mind you, but not as good as car based minivans. Highway ride is very good though. My wife shows dogs and a standard mini-van was too small and she didn't want a full size van. She has found the Safari to be just right. Have over 150,000 miles on our first one with virtually no problems - most reliable vehicle we've ever had (yes, we had a Toyota and a Nissan...not bad vehicles but not Nirvana either). One additional note, the Safari gets surprisingly good mileage.

Not Worth the Money

Performance : 2 Comfort : 3 Fuel Economy : 2 Fun To Drive : 2 Interior Design : 2 Exterior Design : 1 Build Quality : 3 Reliability : 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 3

The GMC Safari is no bargain for your money. Its "old - school" exterior design has people guessing whether your driving a brand new van. In fact they have made very little exterior changes to the Safari/Astro van since 1996. Its clunky and boxy style adds to increased "top heavyness" when driving in windy conditions. The interior of the Safari is almost as bland as the exterior. With the bare minimum avaliable in features, again, makes you feel like your driving a 1996 Safari van rather than a 2003-04. One of the only high points that I have found this van to have is above average interior- space.

I'll be sad to see it go

Performance : 5 Comfort : 4 Fuel Economy : 4 Fun To Drive : 3 Interior Design : 4 Exterior Design : 4 Build Quality : 4 Reliability : 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

And here I promised myself I wouldn't get attached to this vehicle! We bought it less than 4 years ago when we were expecting our 5th child, knowing we would likely outgrow it in a few years. But I LOVE this van. The battery & alternator have been replaced since we bought it. Otherwise, nothing but regular maintenance. After our 1998 F-150, some of the peripherals like door handles, locks, seatbelt guides feel a bit "cheap" (lighter weight plastic, a few rattles), but it's still holding up fine at 150k. We are now expecting our 7th child so will be moving on to a 15 passenger.