The Chevy Astro van's motor is known to last forever. You don't need to worry about replacing a timing belt, because it uses a timing chain. The one I have has been beat up pretty good, but is still running well. It seems not too hard to work on the van yourself - especially underneath the vehicle.

I bought the Astro with 130,000 miles three years ago. Replaced a Jeep Cherokee with it and so happy with our choice. More cargo and smoother ride. Mine is not a soccer mom mobile. It's the toy box, and I have a long playlist. Take one seat out and you can still seat five comfortably. I can put five bikes in the back. Or skis or snowboards... climbing gear... windsurf/kitesurf rigs... or a mixture of them all. In the winter, I move the seat to the back row and you have a nice space to put ski boots on or have lunch between snow kite sessions or sleep in. Rear heat works great. No need for a rocket box, but it has factory racks so easy to do if needed. Hook up a trailer and pull four dirt bikes or two snowmobiles no worries. Right now it's winter and this van loves it. So stable on ice and snow. Good tires of course do help a lot. We ski little cottonwood country and chase wind for snow kiting, so we are often driving in blizzards. It's weight and well proportioned to its size.

The 2001 Chevy Astro would be a workhorse of a vehicle if it weren't for the constant maintenance needed to keep it running after five years. It seats seven comfortably, rides nice and high off the ground, and is one of the easiest vehicles ever to actually drive. Unfortunately, the engine will need a massive overhaul every few years. That wouldn't be terrible except you have to tear out the middle console (where the radio and glovebox are located) to even get to the engine itself. That said, for those who don't mind the trips to mechanic and below average gas mileage, this actually is a great little vehicle. If you don't have far to go and can store it in a nice environment, this van will do nicely. However, if you're looking for a family vehicle that will last for years on out, this might not be the best choices as you'll end up paying for it in the long run.