The 1990s Pontiac Trans Sport was the General Motors’ division’s first minivan, using a front-wheel-drive platform shared with the Chevrolet Lumina APV and the Oldsmobile Silhouette. They all had the physical profile of a “Dustbuster” mini-vacuum. This survivor from 1996 is in excellent condition, has lots of new parts, and an odometer reading of less than 21,000 miles. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this tribute to Black & Decker’s success story of the 1980s is available here on craigslist for $10,000. An interesting tip brought our way by “normadesmond”.
Trans Sport production crossed two generations between 1990 and 1999. Its front-end styling was unorthodox to say the least. I rented one of these things back in the day and from the driver’s seat, it looked as though the windshield was a mile away (cleaning the inside portion must have taken quite the contortionist). A few years later, the second generation took on more traditional styling. Mechanically, these vehicles borrowed from Pontiac’s Grand Prix.
The seller’s van is one of more than 21,000 copies produced in 1996. It has only had two owners, the first of whom only used it sparingly on the weekends. The body, paint, and interior have all survived nicely, looking almost as though they have emerged from a time capsule. The van’s low mileage is said to be documented, though we don’t know how. It has seating for seven passengers, providing plenty of room for the whole brood.
Under the hood resides a 3.4-liter V6 along with an automatic transmission. The vehicle has recently been detailed and updates have been made. That includes some brake work, the air conditioner, shock absorbers, and front struts. A new battery and tires were also thrown in, making for a turn-key mode of transportation. Except for the headliner which the buyer will need to replace (the current one has a case of the droops). If you’re in need of a van to haul around the kids, how about this nice 1990s Dustbuster?
Frankly, I always thought the design of these to be terribly impractical (cleaning the inside of that windshield would require a contortionist). But this is in miraculous shape.
When I drive down to Rocky Mount,VA.,
I always see a Red one of these that’s been parked
(along with a lot of other vehicles) at a repair shop
for a long time.
I’ve been tempted to stop and look at it,but I have
no need for a vehicle like that.
$10k is steep for this considering newer vans have sliding doors on both sides but it is in nice shape for its age
I had a 1996 Chevy Lumina APV and it was one of the most versatile and fun vehicles I’ve owned. Sadly Midwest rust got the best of it and when the trans went out it was done.
I had a 1990 Lumina really enjoyed it. No problems. Traded it for 1998 Venture
Owning this might be fun. Certainly would attract a lot of attention since these are all but gone from the roads.
I leased the same model back in 1996. Probably one of the best vehicles I’ve owned. Drove the family to Florida in comfort. Never had a problem.