GM seems to have all kinds of promotions right now, and it looks like LS trims of those vans are quite inexpensive which makes me think that maybe we can upgrade our second car (an aging sentra).

Any opinions about reliability? I know that there were problems in the early years of Uplanders, but no idea what they are like for 2009 ? Edmunds reviews for 08 (didn't find anything for 09) are not too bad, but there's only 10 reviews there. Earlier years have worse reviews.

For the price they are selling now I wouldn't really expect anything extraordinary, but simply livable and practical.

Btw, there's tons of them on the roads here, most seem pretty new. On my half hour commute I see probably 5-10.

Yury,

I can't say for the new models, but like you said the older ones always rated far below the competition, especially in the saftey factor.

Yury,

I can't say for the new models, but like you said the older ones always rated far below the competition, especially in the saftey factor.

Yury,

I can't say for the new models, but like you .....

oops, sorry ;)

I wouldn't buy a new one. The resale is horrible!

hahaha Yuri

Take a look at a Traverse or something...

Take a look at a Traverse or something...

It's much more expensive. With the discounts on the Uplander LS, more generous GM points allowance, etc. it comes to pretty much half price of my Malibu when it was new.

But, it looks like we decided against replacing our second car in general. Not now anyways.

I think they stopped production of the uplander in '08 but I could be wrong. It sold horribly.

They sell 09s specifically in Canada. Btw, they are quite popular here, Lately I've been seeing those more than any other vans. Surely it has to do with bargain pricing.

Another, possible better, option for a bargain family hauler is Mazda 5. Not as big as others, but big enough. Plus it can be had with a stick shift and other than being underpowered it drives well.

You seem to have already decided not to buy one now anyway, so I don't feel so bad talking about an 'older' van. Ours was the 05 Terraza (think Buicked-up Uplander). For the money, it was a good buy, imo, except for the brakes! That thing ate rotors like Joey Chestnut eats hot dogs..

Which ultimately was why we got rid of it. Other issues were relatively minor for us- things like headlights that flickered (addressed by a newer alternator), minor misfitting interior trim (but great looking materials), etc.

Bigger differences between the GM vehicles and others that folks were concerned about was the lack of flip / fold flat seating, (at the time) no available Nav, etc. Other brands just had far more options available.

And GM seems to have quietly addressed the brake issue for the 06 model year. I noticed that, while the wheels were very similar in design, the 05's (ours) had 5-lug wheels, while the 06+'s had 6-lugs. of course there was nothing published anywhere about the change, and the dealership kept insisting it was our driving at fault, even though we'd bought 4 other vehicles from them that were driven the same routes and way with no issues at all..

Since it was my wife's vehicle, and since the 7 passenger thing rarely got used, she decided to get rid of it for a really great deal on an 07 Trailblazer. I believe that if the brake issues had been handled properly by the service department (or if I'd have been willing to find a good set of aftermarket pads and rotors) she may've been happier with the vehicle. As it is, she LOVES her TB better than any other vehicle she's ever had. Despite it being another vehicle often criticized as 'junk'.

We've had two TB's, counting her current 07', and other than maybe out-of-date styling and such, can't back up ANY of the criticism- they've been great. I guess it just goes to show that any car you buy could be a lemon, or the most reliable thing you've ever had, if you take care of them.

USA1fan, thanks for the writeup. Although we're not getting a van now, it's good to have the info.

They sell 09s specifically in Canada. Btw, they are quite popular here, Lately I've been seeing those more than any other vans. Surely it has to do with bargain pricing.

Another, possible better, option for a bargain family hauler is Mazda 5. Not as big as others, but big enough. Plus it can be had with a stick shift and other than being underpowered it drives well.

Wait really. you can get it in a stick shift....well i think i found my van lol