1992 Chevrolet Astro Van Safari Explorer XLT Conversion: Regular Car Reviews

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
  • In this episode of Regular Car Reviews, we drive one of the most popular vehicles of the late 80s and early 90s: the 1992 Chevrolet Astro Van. How does this compare to other minivans of its era? Why were minivans so popular in the first place? We'll deep dive into what went right with the Chevy Astro Van, and go over everything that went wrong. How bad could it be? It's just a 1992 Chevrolet Astro Van review. (Right.)
    Submit your car to be reviewed, sign up for exclusive content and enjoy more RCR brilliance here:
    regularcarrevi...
    New 2nd channel "Regular and Roman"
    / @regularandroman
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ความคิดเห็น • 887

  • @lazarpeuraca9618
    @lazarpeuraca9618 ปีที่แล้ว +1380

    It's getting progressively harder to watch these videos in a non-empty house without the headphones.

    • @jfruser
      @jfruser ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Indeed. Degeneracy as a spice, mmm-kay. Degeneracy as one of the main courses, a bit too much. OTOH, most the POMO writers RCR channels were degenerate kiddie fiddlers.

    • @gilbertosantos2806
      @gilbertosantos2806 ปีที่แล้ว +95

      As it should be

    • @likes2spooge
      @likes2spooge ปีที่แล้ว

      I also get harder everytime I watch an rcr video.

    • @likethehotels
      @likethehotels ปีที่แล้ว +92

      Feature, not a bug.

    • @michaelhughes3302
      @michaelhughes3302 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@likethehotels Best served up when you feel the need to "Clear a room!"

  • @LuGer212
    @LuGer212 ปีที่แล้ว +284

    I truely believe Mr RCR went full method acting for the intro, and I honor his work ethic for this

    • @cwtrain
      @cwtrain ปีที่แล้ว +34

      Yeah. That was maybe a little too convincing. I was there- voluntarily or not- in that Astro van.

    • @flavortown3781
      @flavortown3781 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Acting, nah fam that was part of his biography

    • @fp5495
      @fp5495 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      It was talk for years that Marlon Brando actually screwed his costar on film in Last Tango in Paris, but alas, it was only a myth. That's how good his acting was. But I'm certain Mr. Regular just unloaded for us in this vid because I'm not certain about his acting abilities.

    • @roddydykes7053
      @roddydykes7053 ปีที่แล้ว

      Picture him in his little marching band outfit whacking off

    • @raymondmartinez2686
      @raymondmartinez2686 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@cwtrain😂😂😂😂

  • @TehDrewsus
    @TehDrewsus ปีที่แล้ว +317

    "I'll buy you a surge"
    That takes me back. Marching band in the late 90s... Pop machine in the cafeteria had surge in it. Thanks for that memory.

    • @zlinedavid
      @zlinedavid ปีที่แล้ว +13

      And back then, we didn’t find the antifreeze green color unsettling at all! 😂

    • @yam83
      @yam83 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh, while I never was in band, I must have at some point owned cum-covered Airwalks.

    • @RobbyJHope
      @RobbyJHope ปีที่แล้ว +1

      All that nostalgia of yours provoked out of you through this video but not one fond enough memory of needing to crank one out for you to care to mention?

    • @devianb
      @devianb ปีที่แล้ว

      Do you remember when Surge had a contest to win a Surge painted Checker Cab?

    • @TehDrewsus
      @TehDrewsus ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RobbyJHope sorry man, I was really not trying to bring up memories with your mom.

  • @JamesPSmith1980
    @JamesPSmith1980 ปีที่แล้ว +874

    The digital gauge cluster is greatly offset by the universal GM steering wheel.

    • @Mister_Typo
      @Mister_Typo ปีที่แล้ว +102

      The duality of Van

    • @martindrew3513
      @martindrew3513 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      If your gauge cluster offends you gauge it out.

    • @zlinedavid
      @zlinedavid ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@Mister_Typo Highly underrated comment

    • @khrashingphantom9632
      @khrashingphantom9632 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Digital Gauges?! There's just one word.....
      C-O-M-P-U-T-E-R-S
      😉

    • @DUMBERTHANYOUTHINK
      @DUMBERTHANYOUTHINK ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Before the digital cluster the Safari had a regular cluster over a graph paper looking background. Because .... FUTURE

  • @ThatFreakingDude
    @ThatFreakingDude ปีที่แล้ว +247

    I've been waiting for the longest time for RCR to bring in an Astro/Safari van to the show. These cars are everywhere in the background.

    • @leadfoot8593
      @leadfoot8593 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      is the aerostar next week, or next year? in bust we trust.

    • @captainamericaamerica8090
      @captainamericaamerica8090 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@leadfoot8593 had bad transmissions😣😤😥😥

    • @CaptainBlackBread
      @CaptainBlackBread ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I was literally about to post mine. Same year, same digital cluster only mine had a pop top camper and outlets. I'm so sour about this.

    • @ThatFreakingDude
      @ThatFreakingDude ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@leadfoot8593 Speaking of busting, maybe one of these dustbuster vans will be on the show? Like Chevy Lumina APV, Pontiac Trans Sport, Olds Silhouette - one of those things.

    • @trashrabbit69
      @trashrabbit69 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Well, the second gen/refresh ones anyways. Every one of the original Astro's I used to see have long turned into brown dust in my neck of the woods.

  • @LouisSubearth
    @LouisSubearth ปีที่แล้ว +502

    The taillights are JDM, the reverse light was relocated to the bumpers in JDM models, along with a rear foglight to meet Japanese safety standards. And then the Astro in Japan went to inspire the Toyota bB, which we got as the Scion xB.

    • @jdubskiwright2380
      @jdubskiwright2380 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      The xB was inspired from the Astro van?? Over how many years 10 to 15 before the xB even went into production??? How the fuck is that?? Especially considering how they look nothing alike..

    • @Boss_Scaggz
      @Boss_Scaggz ปีที่แล้ว +53

      @@jdubskiwright2380 He probably just tells that to people that have to ride in his Astro van.

    • @Grimm-Gaming
      @Grimm-Gaming ปีที่แล้ว +8

      My xB was the best car i ever owned amazing interior space great mpg handled great cause it was a featherweight. But fuck it was slow on interstates

    • @PigglyWigglyDeluxe
      @PigglyWigglyDeluxe ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Grimm-Gaming the 1.5 liter is legendary. I’ve got the same engine in my Yaris.

    • @Grimm-Gaming
      @Grimm-Gaming ปีที่แล้ว

      @@PigglyWigglyDeluxe it may be slow but it does like its revs.

  • @toxicity4818
    @toxicity4818 ปีที่แล้ว +109

    That monologue at the end was peak RCR and I absolutely love it

    • @kensebben1
      @kensebben1 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      " ... And I will use the computOoOr to BUUUSS!"

  • @falsehero2001
    @falsehero2001 ปีที่แล้ว +114

    I heard that every time Mr. Regular gets in a Chevy Astrovan…He busts.

    • @MySparkle888
      @MySparkle888 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I heard whenever he see a digital gauge he busts!

    • @quadruple_negative
      @quadruple_negative ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yeah well, I heard that whenever he sees a GMC steering wheel he busts!

    • @scotchbingeington6761
      @scotchbingeington6761 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Every time Tommy Fenstemacher busts....
      He B U S T S
      In a never ending cycle of bustaclysmic bustitude, on and on, back and forth, forever.

  • @macktheinterloper
    @macktheinterloper ปีที่แล้ว +46

    I miss your wistful, nostalgic monologues. This one was a gem. Almost had me weeping. Bless you for that tonal shift at the end, had me laughing my arse off. Oh the joy and pain of being in your 40s.

  • @dj_laundry_list
    @dj_laundry_list ปีที่แล้ว +266

    The weird thing about the 4300 is how much they improved it over time. My family owned 3 of them. While it was horrible in the Blazer, mated to a 5-speed manual in the C/K it got good mileage (around 23mpg mountain driving), and could drift up to third gear. Still going strong, if not a bit lopsided at 220k miles

    • @TorquilMcLeod
      @TorquilMcLeod ปีที่แล้ว +10

      We owned 3 as well, a 1991, 1994, and a 1997 Safari. The 91 and the 94 both made a lot more induction noise, with a noticable air sucking sound from the outside when cold, and distinct induction noise inside at higher RPMs, which I'm guessing was due to the round air cleaner on top of the TBI. The 94 had more power and could cruise faster on the highway. The 97 had a redesigned induction system with an airbox, it made significantly less induction noise, the transmission shifted more precisely and didn't hunt around for gears as much (it may have been electronically controlled), and the suspension was improved with less wallow.
      I test drove a 1991 or so Sonoma 4.3L 5 speed in the fall of 1996 and it was pretty fun with the light weight.

    • @tomjoad8272
      @tomjoad8272 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yep. Had a 4.3 in my first 1997 gmc. It was an automatic but a great engine all-around

    • @d4rbo
      @d4rbo ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yup, I have an ‘01 Silverado with the 4300 and it has no problems. A very small coolant leak few years ago was my only problem. The automatic transmission might have problems but at 200k miles it still runs perfect

    • @Elgauno
      @Elgauno ปีที่แล้ว +4

      My 4300 was at 280000 miles before I screwed up an oil cooler line and locked up due to the oil vacating itself. Not exactly a powerhouse engine but good lord that thing lasted me.

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@TorquilMcLeod As I wrote above the 4.3 was a bit outgunned in a full size truck platform, but in the S series it was a great truck engine. If I could find a S series Blazer with the 4.3 and 5-speed that wasn't rusted back to the Earth I would buy it in a heartbeat.

  • @JM-bb8xi
    @JM-bb8xi ปีที่แล้ว +12

    The official car of “Rolling Probable Cause”

  • @StevieDamnit
    @StevieDamnit ปีที่แล้ว +144

    This is ideal for someone like Matt Foley to live in.

    • @jimmynickelz
      @jimmynickelz ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Riverfront real estate

    • @dopey473
      @dopey473 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      BY THE RIVER

    • @pravkdey
      @pravkdey ปีที่แล้ว

      This thing was made to soak up FAT SWEAT

    • @unclebob7937
      @unclebob7937 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      No coffee tables are safe!

    • @zlinedavid
      @zlinedavid ปีที่แล้ว +12

      From what I hear, you haven’t been using your paper for writing but for ROLLIN’ DOOBIES!

  • @TannCo2
    @TannCo2 ปีที่แล้ว +194

    I can smell this van through the internet.
    Or maybe that is Mr. Regular.
    Not sure.

    • @JimmyDoresHairDye
      @JimmyDoresHairDye ปีที่แล้ว +25

      On todays episode we play: “guess that smell - bust or 90s GM interior glue”

    • @kasparsr
      @kasparsr ปีที่แล้ว

      Aren't we all Regular?

    • @gayasparagus
      @gayasparagus ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Smells like musk...
      I may be hard now...

    • @coreygolpheneee
      @coreygolpheneee ปีที่แล้ว

      It's like human flavored bleach

  • @Novur
    @Novur ปีที่แล้ว +9

    With the prevalence of "nut" in this day and age, "bust" has become an underappreciated gem

    • @theothertonydutch
      @theothertonydutch ปีที่แล้ว +1

      "Or bust" really starts to take on a different meaning, doesn't it?

    • @MCTogs
      @MCTogs ปีที่แล้ว

      One mustn't forget the all ambivalent cum

  • @RayoAtra
    @RayoAtra ปีที่แล้ว +88

    First vehicle i ever accidentally got on two wheels in a curve and also recovered. My parents freaking safari.. That color and those wheels exactly. Shit 25 years later i still relive seeing the street get closer to the driver window for the half second. Good shit.

    • @probablyhiding
      @probablyhiding ปีที่แล้ว +8

      First time I got stuck in someone's front yard because I unsuccessfully chucked my S10 around a corner on the way to school, we spent an hour with my buddies AWD Astro trying to yank me out. Fun times

    • @gayasparagus
      @gayasparagus ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same interior?

  • @ileutur6863
    @ileutur6863 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    There really is no feeling quite like being horny in middle/high school. You bust, but in a matter of hours, you're right back to feeling like you've abstained for weeks

    • @97I30T
      @97I30T ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I remember those days. I definitely excused myself from class to go rub one out in the bathroom more than a few times during those years of my life. Lol.

  • @TBustah
    @TBustah ปีที่แล้ว +82

    My connection to these is *just a bit* more innocent.
    When we were about nine, my buddy and I used to draw superheroes and little comics during the church service that our families put on for the local correctional high school. It was the late ‘90s, so of course we were both into Captain Underpants, and decided that we needed a name for our little outfit like Harold and George’s Treehouse Comix from the books. We somehow eventually settled on Safari Comics, after the minivan his family came in every week. I still use it on and off when I’m drawing something, like for a comics class I took as an elective in college. My mom’s brother had an Astro for a while too, he was in construction and it was basically his work truck.

    • @Corkoth55
      @Corkoth55 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      His family came in the van every week? That connection isn't even a bit more innocent. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

    • @TBustah
      @TBustah ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@Corkoth55 Dammit, walked right into that one… 🤦‍♂️

  • @MobCat_
    @MobCat_ ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I 100% believe that Mr Reguar was really cranking it and busted in the intro of this video..

  • @jimmynickelz
    @jimmynickelz ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Kunkleman sold these with a $400 gift certificate to Sterns.

    • @theothertonydutch
      @theothertonydutch ปีที่แล้ว

      Sterns? More like Sperms, amirite?

    • @FranciscoFJM
      @FranciscoFJM ปีที่แล้ว

      The dried cum adds to the value

  • @ChoppaDave
    @ChoppaDave ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Parents had one of these beautiful beasts. Captains chair option for the second row was godly, they swiveled 180 degrees to face the rear bench seats!

    • @momitch62
      @momitch62 ปีที่แล้ว

      every astro got the cuck chair

  • @judgebigmansion3492
    @judgebigmansion3492 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    I hope "Thanks Frankie Mindcavage" becomes a the next "busting."
    Any time Mr. Regular needs a quick grab for something seedy, there's Frankie willing to lend him "X thing" for 5 minutes and a Surge.

  • @novemberwolf6884
    @novemberwolf6884 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I really like how at the end you associated this car with a romanticized bohemian lifestyle, on par, or even more than the westfalia video, that and “adults make it up as they go” are themes that really knocks out of the park

  • @Obenzinger
    @Obenzinger ปีที่แล้ว +33

    The last 60 seconds and hearing Mr. Regular cracking up made me crack up more than I have in a few weeks. Thank you Mr. Regular!

  • @paulyearley1084
    @paulyearley1084 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    The 4.3 is a relatively decent engine. My dad at one point had an S10 with one (and a five speed!) that would rip sick burnouts in first without half trying, then shift to second, and continue the burnout.
    He never saw me do that to his truck, and he died a happier man not knowing that.

    • @jamesprice2163
      @jamesprice2163 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      My 2.2 with 4.10 rear gears would do the same and chirp third if I was really harsh on it lol but I wished I had a 4.3

  • @shingoose6197
    @shingoose6197 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This intro felt the most like a confession

  • @bunnysparklzbunnytime5117
    @bunnysparklzbunnytime5117 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    My mother had a GMC safari back in the day. Put an inverter in it with a 27inch zenith TV and a VCR. Forgot to bring all the movies on a road trip except a boot leg copy of Spaceballs. Driving from upstate NY to Florida watching that movie the whole time has ingrained that movie in my mind. I can still recite that movie by heart along with the Winslow noises haha. Fond memories of that thing

    • @victorkreig6089
      @victorkreig6089 ปีที่แล้ว

      Friend of mine did that after he and his wife finished their military contract out in alaska
      As it was i THINK 09 smart phones weren't huge so their only option was to play movies in their FUCKHUGE DENALI
      Except Mike forgot to bring the huge stack of dvd's he had prepped for it at home.....
      The only thing they had to watch from Alaska to Florida was what was already in it the last time it was used....Monthy Python and The Holy Grail.
      Man can still quote the entire movie verbatim to this day

    • @bunnysparklzbunnytime5117
      @bunnysparklzbunnytime5117 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@kevinjokipii4260 WE AINT FOUND SHIT!!!

  • @postpostpunk
    @postpostpunk ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is the best car channel on TH-cam, and it’s not even close.

  • @nickb1892
    @nickb1892 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    That was a beautiful finale of an ending, starting from the digital dashboard.
    Thanks for another Masterpiece Regular Car Review, Regular Cars Team. Thanks to all followers who support this wonderful channel.

  • @dinosaurdundeeog1462
    @dinosaurdundeeog1462 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    RCR actively trying to trigger the algorithm at this point. *AND I LIKE IT*

    • @digheanurag
      @digheanurag ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think it’s working lol

    • @kasparsr
      @kasparsr ปีที่แล้ว

      Don't ask what the Algorithm can do to you. Ask what you can do to the Algorithm.

  • @seththomas9105
    @seththomas9105 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Don't throw shade at the 4.3 Mr. Regular. I had a 84 S-15 Jimmy 4X4 with the 2.8. Gave new definition to "Worthless" . Thank God I at least had a 5-speed behind it; in 1990 I would have thrown a old man down a flight of stairs to have a 4.3 instead of the 2,8.
    Cheers.

    • @Efeff1988
      @Efeff1988 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Th 4.3 was practically gods gift to man compared to the 2.8. What an absolutely useless engine.

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Efeff1988 100%. I would love to find a 1st Gen S series and put a built 4.3 in it... Se what it could do.

  • @maweitao
    @maweitao ปีที่แล้ว +17

    It's interesting that the Astro evolved into the generic white van in the second gen. The first gen was an oddball and it was rare to see them used like an actual minivan. For as long as I can remember, I've only ever seem them driven by low-wage contractors, always overloaded with ladders.
    As an aside, I've always loved those rectangular sealed beam headlights. They make cars look serious and determined.

    • @MechanicWolf85
      @MechanicWolf85 ปีที่แล้ว

      Determine Expecially when you hit it, cause this things are pure steel made

  • @12yearssober
    @12yearssober ปีที่แล้ว +53

    The 1992 ASTRO is awesome with a 350 swap. Relatively easy to do and they are a great sleeper.

    • @j.v.0.t855
      @j.v.0.t855 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Cool info Mr. Epstein!

    • @emmanuelwil-jeff
      @emmanuelwil-jeff ปีที่แล้ว

      @@j.v.0.t855 remember who your talking to memes aside but if epstien knew abt swaps well alrighty then

    • @D725U
      @D725U ปีที่แล้ว

      Davidsfarm had a Safari van with a Camaro 350 engine. It became the new Redneck Rollercoaster after the Aerostar van was scrapped

    • @iluvcakes19
      @iluvcakes19 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don't wanna hear bout no swaps!!

    • @12yearssober
      @12yearssober ปีที่แล้ว

      @@D725U
      I miss his channel. He was an early victim of the cancel culture.

  • @kennethstark1117
    @kennethstark1117 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Parents had an 88 Astro, that engine killed 3 transmission and still ticked away when we drove that thing in 1st all the way to the scrap yard. Miss that thing

    • @xeronicus
      @xeronicus ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I had an 89 that somehow survived all thee way to 460K miles until it decided to drop a rod bearing...Trans was still going strong.

  • @landyachtfan79
    @landyachtfan79 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I have to confess that I have always had an "It's Complicated" relationship with the Astro/Safari. I LOVED how roomy & comfortable they were, how smoothly they rode, & how quiet they were.........& that 4.3-liter V6 is a TORQUE MONSTER, but fit & finish left A LOT to be desired. I will NEVER forget that it was an Astro which brought me to see Home Alone for the first time, however. I will NEVER forget cruising to Showcase Cinema in Woburn, MA in a blue 1986 Chevy Astro full of kids, BLASTING C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)".........ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER (Man, I'm old!!!!!)!!!!!!!

    • @coreygolpheneee
      @coreygolpheneee ปีที่แล้ว +2

      But to me this represents a more honest Chevy, you are buying the ladder frame underneath. The rest is just a bonus

  • @AustinHerrig
    @AustinHerrig ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Once had a 92 Blazer with a .60 over 4.3 mated to a 700r4 with a B&M shift kit. It was surprisingly quick and the shift kit made it feel super agressive. Ill always love the 4.3

    • @e23561
      @e23561 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'll agree. My dad has a 2006 work truck with 4.3 and the shift kit absolutely changed that thing. 340k miles still going. Only ate thru 3 distributors gears.

    • @williamparker7823
      @williamparker7823 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I had one in an isuzu amigo. Not the 3.1 gm v6 found in other isuzus, a 4.3 out of a blazer. Someone fabbed an adapter plate to mate to the isuzu gearbox. It was like driving in low range all the time, torque for days because it replaced a 120 hp 4 banger. Parts were a nightmare since it was pieced together to fit in there.

  • @jliscorpio
    @jliscorpio ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Your intro is so raunchy. I am watching this with my windows open from Saudi Arabia. I can't tell you how much more wrong this sounds here. All I can say is, Keep up the good work!

  • @n0sfreak
    @n0sfreak ปีที่แล้ว +138

    The first 2 and a half minutes justifies this video's existence...and is also the reason I LOVE this channel. Have been since that Caprice video so long ago til now.
    I haven't laughed so hard in an incredibly long time....long like my di-

  • @moose8goose
    @moose8goose ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Definitely one of those episodes to have your earbuds in.

  • @cardoor9600
    @cardoor9600 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The epilogue was truly amazing

  • @xan_carman4216
    @xan_carman4216 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ah something to watch while I poo before going to my dead end job

  • @Where2bub
    @Where2bub ปีที่แล้ว +4

    all this creative energy in this narrative suggests a border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, heading into Kevin Smith's world of Quick Stop Convenience.

  • @Meekmillan
    @Meekmillan ปีที่แล้ว +2

    When I was a freshman in HS I was over at my friends house, playing “man hunt” (hide and go seek for teens) in the neighborhood at night.
    I see this van parked at the church and get the bright idea to hide inside (they usually left it unlocked, very small town).
    To my surprise and horror I saw two LARGE bodies just slapping and smashing together like I was back at wrestling practice.
    I ran far far away from there but I can’t run away from the memories

  • @_NoodlesMedia_
    @_NoodlesMedia_ ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's funny because my 2004 Blazer 2-Door (2WD) would always kinda kick down and buck like that when I tried to give her the beans. I personally certified on multiple occasions that the old, rusty, minutes from death suspension, no weather seal, slippy transmission, dodgy wheel spinning, wheel hopping, caliper sticking, crappy alignment, oil leaking, EVAP leaking, BEAST; was electronically limited to 95 mph and I loved that old truck anyway. It had a charm about it and I still regret getting rid of it because as bad as that particular example was, it reminded me of the nice one I took many a road trip in when I was a kid, and that's what owning older cars is all about it my opinion. Recapturing a moment in time where this vehicle brought joy, excitement, and sparked a love the things you care about. I hope to get another someday but maybe a 4x4 this time so it can hold up to adverse conditions a bit better and won't be one bump in the road away from violently falling to pieces.

  • @VectraQS
    @VectraQS ปีที่แล้ว +4

    They drove those screws _everywhere_ in these conversion vans. Including into all kinds of wiring. Sometimes you could get one where you turned the lights on and the heater would come on too.

  • @RyanRoadReaper
    @RyanRoadReaper ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Oh boy, the Chevy Astro. Those things can take more loads than teenage twinks!

  • @bradleychong7722
    @bradleychong7722 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a longtime viewer and fan, I have to say you’ve hit a new low. And it’s fantastic.

  • @tamegaming1768
    @tamegaming1768 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love the Astro. Vans are good at doing almost everything a Pickup can do but with an enclosed space for people or things, in a more maneuverable package. The Astro in particular had amazing visibility, outstanding comfort and great if bouncy ride. It's the opposite of everything sporty and European but it's what GM was good at making. So comfortable. Your butt sinks a solid 3" into the seat with inches to spare. The seat legit assisted the suspension at improving the ride.

  • @bigdapramirez6157
    @bigdapramirez6157 16 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I like how he'll talk about the car itself for 10% of the video and then dips into a deep monologue for the rest of it

  • @amonwirthiem5762
    @amonwirthiem5762 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You can still see tons of Astros on the road today - All in all a reliable and durable vehicle

  • @iTrinityPlays
    @iTrinityPlays ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The fingertip less gloves, are a perfect aesthetic to driving this van around.

  • @schippa2
    @schippa2 ปีที่แล้ว

    "And I will use the compu-tor... TO BUST" had me stifling laughter at my desk at work

  • @jameseyman9078
    @jameseyman9078 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Would love to see something like a 2002 zr2 sonoma. It has the 4.3 and a 3.83 locking rear end. It will roast the tires but if rear axle suddenly locks, it will shoot you into a ditch. The 4.3 turned into a fantastic engine over the years.

  • @mikeomgwtf
    @mikeomgwtf ปีที่แล้ว

    I think about busting during every Mr. R video, the commentary was just a bonus

  • @FunkAndFluff
    @FunkAndFluff ปีที่แล้ว

    The last 2 minutes of this video are some of your finest work to date, Doug.

  • @gregkocher5352
    @gregkocher5352 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Hilarious! I had a 1994 AWD. Ugly silver. Thank god it wouldn't die. Bought it with 117k miles and sold it at 318k miles. Never once was it good looking. Never again will I buy a silver anything. But it went everywhere. Creeks, hills dirt roads, blizzard covered interstates. Pulled trailers like a mule. Not trouble free but always repairable.

  • @harveytheattorney
    @harveytheattorney 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I teared up and laughed hard watching this. My dad (now deceased) had an Astro van growing up, and everything you said about believing in the process of adulthood just hit so close to home for me.

  • @Vonwafenburg
    @Vonwafenburg ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My parents bought some crazy one off kinda thing astro in 92. Had a raised roof with a rear ladder as if anyone could be acrobatic enough to mount the top without sliding off. Rear captain chairs and a third row bench, with the TV mounted in the top center garage door cubby facing the rear captains. All my best road trip memories were in that van so thank you RCR for the trip.
    The digital fuel display was nostalgia incarnate

    • @kvltizt
      @kvltizt ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ours was similar. The back hatch was a set of double doors and a ladder up one side to a luggage rack on top. Good van!

  • @astor2791
    @astor2791 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Burned into my memories I can still hear the "k-KLUNK" sound of all the driveline slop on a used Astro van banging around when shifted into reverse.

  • @Llggd
    @Llggd ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I grew up in a 1994 Astro van and a 99. They were comfortable vans. The first one was loaded and had too many miles on it before the rear went and the second one got wrecked. So much nostalgia was remembered in both playing SEGA Game Gear with my brother while making a trip 300 miles weekly to my grandparents house.

  • @stephen3164
    @stephen3164 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I like these minivans bc they were exactly as labeled: a mini van. A boxy, rwd, short nose, van - but smaller than the full sized ones.
    The Chrysler minivan was a fwd car stretched in every direction to make it the size of a small van.
    The conversion Astro van makes for a perfect platform to make a 90’s Boogie Van!

    • @jamesprice2163
      @jamesprice2163 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That's actually why I want a astro van is to make a full on 70s shagging wagon mixed with a 70s street freak muscle van but I'd want the ultra rare one with a stick

  • @Stjaernljus
    @Stjaernljus ปีที่แล้ว +2

    the non-US astro vans had reverse lights in the bumper instead.

    • @Astrotravelin905
      @Astrotravelin905 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m working on it! Will be adding the reverse light in the bumper

  • @TheBurningDonut
    @TheBurningDonut ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love Astros I've owned two of 'em!
    The second one I owned had over 300,000 miles on it!
    It was a mystery to science how it was still running!

  • @heavychevytruck
    @heavychevytruck ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Ever seen crash test videos for these vans? They tend to “arch” upward upon impact over 30 mph.

  • @LouisSubearth
    @LouisSubearth ปีที่แล้ว +1

    2023 is the year RCR makes the Avenger review look tame in comparison.

  • @jordansmith4040
    @jordansmith4040 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My father had two of these. I could never understand how gutless the engine was for having such a large displacement.

  • @rathalomaniac6212
    @rathalomaniac6212 ปีที่แล้ว

    That opening bit was one of the funniest things you've ever written. Bravo, Mr. Regular. Bravo.

  • @enescustovic1883
    @enescustovic1883 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    you have no idea how much i want to own one of these but at a good price. They're so sexy, I remember when I was 10 years old in 1999 I thought they looked so good and there were so many of them on the roads.

  • @mathewbeni2419
    @mathewbeni2419 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We finally got Bobby Bustamonte!!!! I heard him and Roman make it up in a livestream like 3 months ago 😂 let's go!!!

  • @liquidflorian
    @liquidflorian ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Their are pretty easy and cheap lift kits and 4x4 conversions for these too, so you can jack it in the wilderness too!

  • @peterrose1695
    @peterrose1695 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I spent all 4 years of highschool wasting away in marching band, first trumpet Ill have you know. And man you are bringing up some accurately close memories......

  • @GP1138
    @GP1138 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Hahaha, good to meet you man, big fan of the channel! Yeah, savage my vehicle man, I love it, I want you to lay into it. How you gonna do it?"
    *watches review*
    "... oh"

  • @coreygolpheneee
    @coreygolpheneee ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "This bass drum carrier is pushing on my dick base." Holy shit sometimes RCR can just create this fever dream imagery of my high school years

  • @rjkStudios
    @rjkStudios ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love the look of those 80's - early 90's digital dashes so much. 😎👍There is a fantastic "vibrant" quality and bit of glow to them that you just don't get in the modern digital displays that cars are now getting. When the modern digital ones aren't exceptionally well designed, it just leaves me wanting analogue gauges.

  • @kevinfox500
    @kevinfox500 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Okay. Now you need to try.the 4.3 backes by a manual, on the C model truck. Short bed, regular cab.
    Actually makes it fun to drive.

  • @YurtFerguson
    @YurtFerguson ปีที่แล้ว

    Mr regulars just really good at pulling out old nostalgic feelings that you can't really remember. Talking about riding in the back of a car content in knowing the person who's driving knows everything. Only to once you're to the age the person who was driving is you realize that you just put on the air of knowing everything and adulthood begins and ends with the facade of knowing what's happening at all times

  • @bobhill3941
    @bobhill3941 ปีที่แล้ว

    I loved this video particularly your philosophical analysis. This brings back so many memories for me. My parents had Safaris all through my childhood in the 90's and into the early 00's. I remember dad changing the front rotors on our AWD and they were different, he also said they were built on 3/4 ton truck chassis. They pulled his 18' Tracker fishing boat with ease up to our trailer and got my sister and her friends through the worst Canadian winters to go skiing. Reliable workhorses. With the rear seats out it easily swallowed the Adirondack chair I built in shop class.

  • @georgegeorge7855
    @georgegeorge7855 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Yesss my dad has an Astro van and I can smell the Budweiser

  • @beetlejuice4693
    @beetlejuice4693 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I had a ASTRO van cargo with 4 on the floor it was awesome I bought it from a local hardware store it was a delivery van had like 40k on it got it for 650$ and less than 10 yr old too I basically stole it lol only problem was driving around nyc in a cargo van right after 9/11 I got stopped every block

  • @kaiserschnitzel89
    @kaiserschnitzel89 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    God damn your Marching Band experience is EXACTLY like mine. Bass drums & constant horniness.

  • @film-john
    @film-john ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I loved my 4300 in my 01 ZR2 S10. It was mated to a 5 speed. Got good-ish mileage for what it was at the time and was fun to drive. Keep bustin.

  • @candeo3687
    @candeo3687 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    the car fits a vibe but the digital dash is what really got me going
    i fucking love oldschoool digital dashboards mmmmmm

  • @deltacharlieecho4732
    @deltacharlieecho4732 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’ve always loved Astro Vans. Someday I’d like to get one, strip it entirely, swap in an LS, and turn it into a slide out food truck.

  • @fadedjate7230
    @fadedjate7230 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My parents had a brown version of the one in the video. They said it was one of the best vehicles they ever owned. They also had a Dodge Caravan high top conversion van. It was dark blue it looked like the dark green one from one of the previous videos. Had the TV and the VHS player. Great memories...

    • @zlinedavid
      @zlinedavid ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Must have been the BROWN.

  • @ToastyBroski
    @ToastyBroski ปีที่แล้ว +1

    RCR summoning his inner Tommy Fenstimacher for this one.

  • @drewdederer8965
    @drewdederer8965 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    There was a notable (if not all that sizable) customizing crowd for this in Japan. It was simple enough to DIY, small enough that it still fit on Japanese Roads. Quite a few of these ended their days blinged to the nines overseas.
    The other big user, contractors. A LOT of these ended up as work trucks, apparently most of the issues were cosmetic, the powertrain would last a LONG time (it wouldn't be GOOD, but it would last). I think of this as the ancestor of Ford's little work van.

    • @OllamhDrab
      @OllamhDrab ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah, they can actually make tons of sense for handypersons and lower-rent plumbers, electricians, and whatnot, especially with one of the more-useful rear door options, ...it helps they aren't 'minivans' so much as 'Smaller regular vans' in layout and construction and maintenance. Anyway, I guess they got cool with the hip hop set again more recently so I guess that's where a lot of the survivors went. Stylingwise, actually I think they're pretty suited to a bit of accessorizing, cause they kept it simple and I guess weren't trying too hard to look either suburbanite or too sci-fi.

    • @captainmappy3959
      @captainmappy3959 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My dad drove Chevy Astros for a good while when he worked for ADT in the 90s and 2000s. The back smelled like a Circuit City.

    • @2stroke438
      @2stroke438 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm a carpenter and I pack all of my tools in a 91 awd astro. I love that I can take all the tools out and go anywhere I need to, like camping or a range day.

  • @teddieteddie7535
    @teddieteddie7535 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I kind of remember the first generation of these vans while growing up, but it's the second generation that I really remember. It's beenearly eighteen years since these vans went out of production and they are becoming increasingly rare in Oregon.

  • @adamthompson4072
    @adamthompson4072 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I remember some guy around me had one and I thought it was the coolest thing. Mostly because it had an incredibly 90s paint job with yellow as the base color. It was lowered, tubbed, and had 454 swap. The idea of a drag raced minivan was the coolest thing to me in the 90s

  • @saturniansun8110
    @saturniansun8110 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I bought three of these and used them as work vans. Pretty convient as they were the only vans that had truck frames, meaning they would carry more weight than other mini vans that all sat on car frames. Found that the "load" had to be centered though, in the van, still better than the ford or dodge versions as far as weight bearing was concerned, and both others were front wheel drive. Had transmission problems in all three of the Chevy minivans, and eventually had to use a full size quarter ton van for work. Great engine, though, had two Chevy trucks with same engine, and was Very dependable, without the transmission problems. Neighbor has a long bed Chevy with this engine, over 30 yrs old and runs dependably.

  • @paulgoeller8264
    @paulgoeller8264 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is one of my favorite channels and I never post but I just roared when he said pencil pusher that got passed over for the 5th time this year. Buying a mug. God bless you!

  • @stevensinger5885
    @stevensinger5885 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My whole family grew up in Astro vans. We had so many over the years that we divide our childhood into "The Red Van Years," "The Green Van Years," and "The Blue Van Years." Sadly Mom and Dad got a Trailblazer and a divorce, in that order, right when I got my permit. That red van was an '88 or '89 with a 5 speed stick; it was regarded as so rare the dealer we traded it to thought my dad swapped it in.

  • @aidanpysher2764
    @aidanpysher2764 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    @12:00 I am literally in class and studying for Cyberspace Operations when this came up. I'm trying to hide that I'm in tears right now.

  • @shloomyshloms
    @shloomyshloms ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I regularly did it in the principals office bathroom (I knew the secretary) she went to my church. It was the only bathroom in the school with doors.

  • @paulmccoy2908
    @paulmccoy2908 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I remember when Mr. Regular used to talk about the cars. Now it’s just repressed sexuality and euphemistic stereotyping.

  • @alexissacks883
    @alexissacks883 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have a recurring nightmare that I send one of these reviews to a co-worker because I remember how amusing I found it, but forget how much Mr regular talks about “busting”, “hot piss”, or any number of reasons for me to have my Personal affects mailed to me because I’m no longer allowed in the office

  • @osakanone
    @osakanone ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Felt you slip off into Dr Weird toward the end, as every ex-VCL user who says compuTOR should!

  • @aniassantiago6445
    @aniassantiago6445 ปีที่แล้ว

    My parents had one of these when I was in high-school. I learned to drive in that Astro

  • @lawrencefine5020
    @lawrencefine5020 ปีที่แล้ว

    I drove an Astro Mini Van in the early 90's for my business in Conshohocken Pa. It was a workhorse for a good 5 or 6 years until it one day decided to die in my driveway.
    I thought I loved that van, but I really didn't care that much about it.
    It was a box with wheels, nothing special.
    But I do regret not "busting" in it while it was in my possession.
    I owed that van so much.

  • @claytonalexander4467
    @claytonalexander4467 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had one as an 18 year old hippie in 2017-18. Summer spent near a lake, sleeping in the conversion van. Smoking weed in the van, doing lsd and opening the side doors. Good memories. Led me to buying one last year as a project
    Terrible vehicles. I love them.

  • @philt4018
    @philt4018 ปีที่แล้ว

    This brings back memories. My high school had one of these in their fleet. In the mid 2000s. I remember riding in it with my brother and the band director to district band.

  • @NoodlesExtraMSG
    @NoodlesExtraMSG ปีที่แล้ว

    The Heartbeat of America, is today Mr. Roman's sticky Chevrolet.