Test Drive GMC Savana 2003 - 2007 Minivan
Rock & Roll
Given the geographical and economic features of Russia, the love of our citizens is quite clear to the practical European, Korean and Japanese cars, and is incomprehensible to the big American. In addition, huge monsters with multiliery motors are most often used only for moving through city traffic jams. However, we have people who spend so much time in the car that they already need comfort on wheels, comparable to home and work, and relax. And there is no better option here than American full-size (as they are called there) Wenny, for example GMC Savana. True, in the standard factory execution, this is just an ordinary eight-month bus. Something more serious from it is done in Starcraft Corporation.
It is curious that both GMC and Starcraft began approximately at one time. The first comes from Max Grabovski in 1902 Rapid Motor Vehicle Co., which built trucks; In 1908, under the name Grabowsky Motor Co. (Probably, hence and GMC) it became part of General Motors Corporation.
The second grew from Star Tank, founded in 1903 and produced the feeders and drinkers for farms. After some time, Starcraft was engaged in the production of boats and pleasure boats and soon became the leader in this area. Then the company achieved major success in the release of trailers and campers. In 1980, Starcraft took over the alteration of standard vans from a large triple into exclusive machines with the highest level of comfort ...
It is such a car that was to take me to the GMC Savana Starcraft Conversion Van test. The weather on that day was out of hand, bad frost, wind, snow, but the car looked so solid and convincing that the disgusting meteo conditions did not cause concerns.
Black, tightly toned glass, low wide bumper, classic two-story optics (like on a suburban), a high roof that has a high roof ... "What, and the Americans know how to work for the public. By the way, the useful thing the neighbors in the flow treat you extremely taking into account, and even if you make an inaccurate maneuver, no one hysterically sign.
For access to the salon, there are bivalve swap doors on the right side open the entrance to the world of the skin and natural wood. On the floor, a bright carpet, so unwittingly want to remove shoes. The high ceiling allows you to walk through the cabin freely, almost without bending. The passenger compartment is separated from the driver's partition with lowered tinted glass. In principle, it can accommodate five: two captain's chairs that can rotate around their axis, plus a triple sofa called Rock & Roll. The sofa is equipped with an electric drive and unfolded into a double bed (very convenient in the far greed and not only).
Next to each chair there is a cupboard, as well as access to headphones to listen to music without interfering with others. Under the ceiling there are neat boxes as it were for different little things, meanwhile, a VCR was found in one of them, and in another vacuum cleaner (!). Next to the VCR, but in plain form, there is a TV with a 14-inch screen (real with a kinescope). To the left near the partition separating the driver, the magnetol is embedded, due to this location, it is not very convenient (TV with a remote control, and the radio without). Acoustics in audio and video systems are autonomous, so in principle you can simultaneously watch the movie and listen to music (however, it is not clear who needs it). A huge luminaire mirror is mounted in the ceiling, creating a starry sky effect and an additional space over the gum. Huge windows are equipped with curtains. If they are omitted, in the cabin it becomes homely cozy.
Doors that open access to the luggage compartment are also swinging. The volume of it, given the size of the car, is small although, of course, you can fold the rear sofa. However, it seems that the cargo compartment is invited to use as a wardrobe there there is a special wooden rod, to which you can hang hangers with clothing. About whom did not think at all, reworking this car, so it's about the driver. Behind the wheel is very closely due to the partition from behind, despite the fact that I am 175 cm of growth. The steering wheel is located in a passenger vertical and very close to the knees, and no adjustments cannot correct the situation. But the devices are visible fine.
Instructions, by the way, interesting: In addition to the standard, there is an arrow voltmeter and an oil pressure sensor with markings in Pascal (!).
In the finish of Torpedo, unlike the passenger compartment, it was not a tree, but plastic, imitating it (saving money to spend expensive material on the driver, he is not the main one here). And between the driver and front passenger seats, they simply put a hefty refrigerator and even did not attach ... The weather, as mentioned, did not contribute to the holding of a full-fledged test drive, but it was possible to evaluate something. The engine has a huge reserve in power and moment, which allows heavy car to leave the traffic lights first. A little spoiled the picture only an automatic box with her eternal delay. The steering wheel is characteristic of the majority of American machines with emptiness, but the brakes provided with the brakes showed themselves on winter roads only from the best side.
In fact, it is not entirely correct to evaluate this car from the driver's point of view. In order to thoroughly feel all its advantages, at least the minimum passenger composition and a fair amount of time are needed. However, taking into account the seen, it can be assumed that the GMC Savana Starcraft Conversion VAN long-range house features perfectly. In addition, Americans in such a housing are known.
Alexander Nidenz
A source: Motor magazine [March 2002]
