Chevy Venture Van = Good dog van? - Page 1

Ok, I've come to realize that hauling my 110 lbs and lean Zidane son back and forth 2 hours to Schutzhund and when I take him and my female anywhere they have to sandwich in the backseat of my Mustang is just not working.  I am NOT willing to give up my beloved Mustang that I am still making payments on, I feel it keeps me young....so anyway, I started looking at used vans.  Found a 99 Chevy Venture in excellent condition, affordable, everything on it works, it looks pretty awesome for a minivan and has lots of cool buttons to press so I could see myself in it.  Whatever it takes to keep my two babies happy....plus we are hoping to add a female out of Zidane within the next year so I have to get something more oriented toward my dogs and less oriented toward my fear of aging.

So anyone have experience with a Venture or know someone who has?  Are they pretty reliable?  Any major, common problems?  Anyone know how many crates I can fit in it? 

It does have rear heat and air so I could blast the air in the back and keep them cool and not have to freeze myself (both dogs like it colder than I do) and keep them warm in the winter (my dogs are inside full time so I don't like letting them get too hot or too cold).

I know nothing about minivans...never even driven one.  What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Nichole

I have relatives at Chevy and need to keep them employed. But you may want to look at a Scion. I think they are ugly, but you can hold your dogs plus and take a hose to the inside (so they say). For a Dog Mobile, I understand this is a pretty neat auto.

I have a Pontiac Montana which is exactly the same as a chevy venture.....I LOVE MINE!  There are 2 versions, the short one and the extended lenght.  I have the extended length and I know if I take all the seats out (2 captain seats and a 3rd row split bench) I can get 4 crates in it! 

I love mine and it has been an absolute life saver!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

I have a 99 Venture van, bought it new, helps when your BIL is service manager for a chevy dealer:))) Anyhow, altho I am not really a 'van' person, it has served me very well, the best part, tho it has a large gas tank, it is GREAT on gas,,probably one of the best vehicles I've ever had gas mileage wise.

I've had very few minor problems with the van mechanical wise.  I popped out the rear seat, can get two 36" crates in the back, and what I really like is, the back seat is a split one, I can take out the double one very easily, and leave one seat, or take out the one seat and leave the double..The seats fold flat, altho not flat to the floor..If I remove ALL the seats, I can haul my 2 gsd's and my 2 aussies in 4 crates.  I like that is lower to the ground makes it easier for my 11 yr old gsd to get in and out.  I like the rear heat and rear AC in it as well.

So, I have a thumbs up for this van for doggie hauling.  I drive a 06 Blazer LTZ, which I can easily haul my GSD in the back (it's a longer version) behind the back seat in a good sized crate, That also has fold up back seats if I want more flat space.But its definately not as good on gas as the Venture, costs alot more, and my 11 yr old cannot get in it without being lifted, but it's a good rig for my young gsd and aussies.

diane

Thanks ya'll.  It sounds like I might actually like it.  Good gas mileage is a major plus with the Schutzhund club being nearly 200 miles round trip.  If I do get it, I am putting Schutzhund decals on the side and calling it a Sport Van (LOL).  Anyone know where to find cool GSD and Schutzhund stickers besides eBay?  Would love to hear from more owners of Ventures/Montanas.

-Nichole