The beauty of shopping for used vehicles is that you arguably have a wealth of options that the current class of cars can never quite meet. A used inventory will naturally be more diverse, thanks to the availability of multiple model years, body styles, brands, and more.
And while most used car shoppers tend to favor pre-owned purchases from the most recent model years in an effort to make their used car as like new as possible, some smart shoppers err on the side of ad-VENTURE in the hopes of striking a more unforgettable statement. In some cases, used car shoppers are actually auto collectors in disguise, in search of that rare gem that will wow their friends and fellow drivers on the road.
So, in the spirit of adventure, let’s take a short jaunt down memory lane and explore an available used Chevy. You guessed it, the Chevy Venture. This passenger van was first released on the American automotive scene in 1997. Able to accommodate up to seven passengers from its standard seating arrangement, the Venture could also be configured to make room for eight occupants. After all, what fun is a mini-van road trip without all your best buds?
Whether seven or eight, these passengers could access their own seats in the Venture through one of either three or four doors; however, the three-door body style was ultimately discontinued in 2000. Equipped with a 3.4-liter V6 engine, the Chevy Venture produced 185 horsepower, with fuel efficiency rated at 19 city and 26 highway miles per gallon. Available in three trims, the entry-level Plus, the mid-range LS, and top-tier LT, the Chevy Venture is worth revisiting as it was an Edmunds top pick for the minivan class for several years following its introduction in 1997.
Notable fun fact about the Chevy Venture: this minivan was the very first to include front side airbags – standard, along with antilock brakes, and available all-wheel-drive. If you do find yourself intrigued by the bargain to be had from this bowtie, you might want to narrow your search to the 2000-2003 model years, which featured a Warner Brothers special edition badging, including VHS (hello, throwback!) entertainment. For those of you with a cache of broken down cardboard boxes, filled with old video tapes, and mismatched, crumpled sleeves, a Chevy Venture, circa 2000-2003 is clearly the used Chevy for you.
Unfortunately, as the segment shifted and evolved, other class competitors, especially those imports from abroad, overtook the Venture, which was finally phased out of production in 2005. In other words, this minivan has major appeal with respect to being on the rarer side of the used car finds.
Why not use some modern cyber-technology and see if you can track down one of the vintage-esque Chevy Ventures? Redefine the Americana road trip by opting for the eight passenger seating configuration, grabbing your bevy of besties and taking off in search of uncharted frontiers, rife with new ad-Ventures?
Uncovering the hidden gems on your local lot puts the fun and excitement back in used car shopping.
