| The dual zone heat system
really worked well especially if staying hot was the objective.
Unlike some vehicles I've seen, the Chevy Venture kept all
temperature controls up front with the driver and instead
placed vents in the rear passenger areas. Since there was
only one temperature control I was constantly having to make
adjustments so that those in the front compartment and the
rear compartment could be comfortable. |
 |
I could imagine on a long trip
that instead of hearing "are we there yet" I'd be inundated with
"It's too hot" and "Now it's too cold." Maybe Chevrolet could
save me from this fate by installing dual temperature controls
so that rear passengers are given control over their own destiny.
After the ceremony, we drove over
to the Ritz Carlton for snacks and drinks. I noticed how easy
it was to unload 6 adults when we handed our keys to the valet.
(Perhaps since I was driving it just seemed that way.) As luck
would have it, after working our way through tarts, pastries,
and a host of hors d'oeurves we left only to find that the valet
had misplaced our van. They offered no explanation, but nearly
20 minutes later finally they brought the Venture around. After
tipping appropriately we took off.
A minivan isn't really the type
of vehicle that you would associate with canyon runs or snaking
around a cloverleaf. But as occasion would have it, we did get
a chance to try a high speed run. You see, my date had a hair
appointment and the search for the van had made us perilously
late. Her words, not mine.
So we took off. Rapidly. The entrance
to the freeway was only 2 blocks from the hotel and in no time
we had settled in at about 85. Unlike a sedan however minivans
aren't really intended for high speed lane changes. No matter
how hard I tried, I couldn't do my trade mark weave in and out
of traffic without creating a lot of drama for passengers inside.
It never got to the point that you thought the van would tilt
over or anything, it simply seemed impossible to avoid the sensation
of rapid acceleration and deceleration because the van really
rocked back and forth depending on whether you were accelerating
or braking.
 |
And speaking of,
the ABS works. We had to make a rapid stop (only once) when
construction stopped traffic and I didn't realize that the
bulb in the 3rd light of the car ahead was out. I slammed
on the brake hoping to slow the vehicle down without interfering
with the ongoing conversation. But I couldn't. The two ton
plus vehicle plowed forward until I slammed the brake. We
stopped alright, less than a foot shy of the car ahead. But
it also stopped the conversation too. |
My brother commented that his wife
never allowed him to drive this way. Even though I drive this
way all the time, I explained that I was just trying to get Stephanie
to the mall on time. And we made it.
After dropping Stephanie off I
used the relax pace on the way home to get to know the vehicle
better. The ride is very even and comfortable. Better than a lot
of American sedans I've rented. Exterior noise was surprisingly
minimal. The armrests were also comfortable and well placed and
easy to use. I also realized that although you could hear the
engine it was quite muted and only really made itself heard under
very heavy acceleration, something most minivan driver's will
hardly ever do.
The steering was overboosted but
again less than many american luxo-barges. In fact, this minivan
gave you quite a bit of feedback, perhaps as an early warning
that you shouldn't try any performance manuevers. The seats were
quite comfortable and other than the drama of rapid lane changes,
I imagine they'd be fine for long distance highway travel (particularly
since they have adult headrests.)
Possessing a trademark GM transmission,
the 4 speed automatic shifter worked smoothly and adroitly. Since
I didn't have a chance to drive the vehicle alone I didn't get
a chance to try manually shifting. But the reality is that most
minivan owners will only want to adjust the transmission in towing
situations or with very loads.
We never loaded the van up with
passengers and luggage. But with 6 passengers on board, there
seemed to be no difference in performance. The engine pulled away
with determination and was more than able to handle its own even
while using regular unleaded gasoline. The cruise control engaged
easily and maintained speed even on freeway entrance and exit
ramps.
The stereo system was quite neat.
It combined a CD player and a built in system which allows you
to select music by genre; talk, jazz, rock, etc so that you can
listen to your favorite songs no matter what part of the country
you visit. Shy of satellite radio, this is definitely a must for
the road traveller.
My impression was that this was
a solid vehicle, as one might imagine 4000+ lb automobile would
be. But even the interior finish came across that way. The Ventured
stickered for $22K but didn't seem cheap at all. The carpet looked
like it would be around for the long haul. The gear shifter seemed
stiff and substantial. Additionally, the plastic switchgear looked
substantive. You'd never mistake the interior for a Lexus, but
you also wouldn't mistake it for a Kia either. And nary a rattle
could be heard in 3 days of driving over the potholed infested
DC roads.
| After picking
Stephanie up from the mall, we all dressed up and got back
in the van to head to the DC Convention Center for the Texas-Wyoming
Ball. The Venture was perfect for this task. Imagine trying
to get three women with ball gowns into a sedan. And more
maneuverable than a limo I discovered as I delicated threaded
the needle of traffic, pedestrians, and law enforcement surrounding
the DC Convention center. Although it doesn't have the turning
the radius of a Miata, the Venture proved itself quite manuevarable
as we searched for a backway into the drop off point for the
ball. |
 |
After picking Stephanie up from
the mall, we all dressed up and got back in the van to head to
the DC Convention Center for the Texas-Wyoming Ball. The Venture
was perfect for this task. Imagine trying to get three women with
ball gowns into a sedan. And more maneuverable than a limo I discovered
as I delicated threaded the needle of traffic, pedestrians, and
law enforcement surrounding the DC Convention center. Although
it doesn't have the turning the radius of a Miata, the Venture
proved itself quite manuevarable as we searched for a backway
into the drop off point for the ball.
Perfect? Maybe for a minivan. Clever,
definitely. A dream come true, only after a few years of marriage.
The wedge shaped minivan by GM's entry level autoline Chevrolet
has quite a few assets if multipassenger travel is what you're
looking for. GM set its sights on the minivan industry leader
Chrysler and scored a direct hit. It's solid, reliable, efficient
and almost luxurious.
If a minivan suits your needs,
you can't go wrong with the Venture.
^
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