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Tonight, my wife & I bought a brand new 2009 Montana Ext van. Base 1SB package with a few other included options. re: Upgraded quad seats, rear AC/Heat system, side air bags, food management trays and remote starter. Even got the van in the color we wanted. Tonight (after our final test drive), this van had 74 kms on its meter. Not even close to 50 miles. Being pre-bundled and sitting on their lot, we got a really good price. Due to "too much" other appointments this week, we're unable to pick up our new '09 Montana EXT van until next week. That's ok with us. Some things in life are worth waiting for....

During the next 2 months, I'll be adding:
- Class III hitch - for my utility trailers and canoe trailer towing needs.
- Trailer wiring "T" connector - instead of splicing into factory wiring.
- Electric Brake controller - for my lager size trailer (that has its own electric brakes).
- 7 pin connector - for connection with electric brake trailers.
- Timbrens SES units in rear - instead of using factory "load leveling / air based" system.

For the winter, I'll be adding different steel rims (replacement rims) with snow tires. Only on the front drive wheels. The rear wheels can remain factory all season. From now until this fall, we might add an optional front plastic bug guard / wind deflector as well. We'll see....

We're going to miss our current 2001 Safari AWD van. Especially during my winter months. But like my many other previous vehicles, each eventually got replaced. Replaced with something that's better on gas, easier to fit between the skinnier parking lines and "funner" to drive. To me, the Montana van is definately funner to drive. Especially with its peppy 3.9L engine and FWD design - whicle seems to pull itself around the sharp corners.

Wish us positive luck with our future van.... (many thanks).

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Congratulations! I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your new van. I would 'seriously reconsider the thought of only using 2 snow tires in the winter. I used to think like you do that you only need 2 snow tires to get around even with FWD, after mainly owning RWD vehicles. But technology has really changed over the years and with the addition of ABS and stability control, and traction control, this necessitates the need for 4 snow tires to ensure proper stopping and control of the van while driving in Winter conditions. I am planning on purchasing 4 snow tires during this year, before next winter from Tire Rack for @ $80 ea. The brand is Winterforce, and I have had excellent results with these on my other vans. It has gotten to the point not only in my area, but in other areas of the country that some garages/tire shops will refuse to only put 2 snow tires on customer's vehicles' you must use 4. Here is a link to a story one of our local tv stations did about the 2 versus 4 snow tire debate: http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/your_stories/story/Four-snow-tires-or-nothing-Your-Stories-Q-A/0wyiKvDZK0-kISvfUJuNBQ.cspx.

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Thanks for the critical info on new technology ESC (Electronic Stability Control) on the Montana/Uplander vehicle, and its mandatory need for "all 4 snow tires" (to ensure each wheel sensor is also synchronized - sort of speaking). If wondering, I just seen another ABS, TSC and ESC explanation video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3m24bjkfg0

WOW. Times sure have changed since the older technology days. A few vehicles ago, I had a 2000 Sunfire car. With all season tires, that thing was useless on winter roads. I put "deep knob" winter tires on its front (since it was a FWD vehicle as well) and it was like comparing night and day. Yes. That's how much snow tires improved its traction and stopping grip. With only ABS and TC, I didn't have to worry about snow tires on ALL 4 wheels. Its rear wheels were simple idler wheels. With ESC (Electronic Stability Control) on the Montana/Uplander vehicles, it definately sounds like all 4 tires need to be the same matching RIM and Rubber size - to keep its computer sensors accurate. Very different then my previous 2000 Sunfire vehicle. In simple terms, ESC sounds sounds like it needs all 4 "same size" RIMS & Rubber the same - just like AWD vehicles must have matching Rim & Rubber as well - for its AWD Electronic Engagement system.

Thanks for sharing ESC technology improvement with me.... Didn't realize that ESC needed "matching" tires on all 4 wheels as well... Great knowledge to know (and understand).

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Yeah, it's hard having/holding onto "old school " ideas in this era of modern technology and what it brings in the areas of improvements and changes. i resisted the notion about the need for 4 snow tires for the longest time, thinking it was a ploy by the tire manufacturers and sellers to add to their profits. But after talking to other techs and research, I changed my views on the matter. I used to only own RWD vehicles that had the image of being notoriously bad in the snow. By simply adding a pair of snow tires to the rear wheels, the vehicles I used them on were greatly improved in winter driving,even handling better than their FWD and some 4x4 counterparts. When I got a FWD van, it took one winter to realize they weren't any better than the RWD I had owned. The next winter I added a pair of snows to the front and realized better handling/driveability.( That was when the vans only had ABS/TCS.) Now having driven my Uplander through 2 winter seasons I know I definitely want to get snows before the start of the next season. I had a few instances this past winter where my DIC notified me that the stability control feature was in use. We get quite a bit of snow in our area during winter thanks to Lake Ontario. We can get upwards of 1 to 2 feet at a time and not having snow tires on these vans really show how well they don't do driving through the stuff .
One of the garages I worked at about 15 years ago had a tire shop in the back. I asked one of the tire guys for a recommendation. He said he used Hercules Polar Trax as they handled quite well for their inexpensive price. I used that brand exclusively on my vehicles for the next 10 years or so until I found them harder to locate in my area. After much research, I decided to try Winterforce brand tires I saw on TireRack. These tires had good reviews, especially by customers that lived in the snowbelt in my state. I was pleased with their performance, and especially their price to make them my new snow tire to use and recommend to others. Having 17" tires on the Uplander means the tires will cost a bit more and the difference in price from my 15" Venture rims to my 17" Uplander rims was about $22 per tire.

So what was the damage ($)? Sounds like a good selection. Everything you need without paying for the extras that are grossly overpriced.

So what was the damage ($)? Sounds like a good selection. Everything you need without paying for the extras that are grossly overpriced.

My "drive off the lot" purchase price is actually less then buying a simular `used` 2007 Montana EWB (1SB + options) van with 50,000 kms in my area. And, this cost comparison includes mandatory 13% tax (for my specfic region). "Cost Savings" is the main reason my wife & I bought "brand new" - compared to our usual "buy 3 year old used" vehicle replacements. We know our kids will destroy our new van's interior with a few months, we know our new van will get many "dings" along its side (like our Safari van) and we know our new van will get a few scratches at our camp site as well. But when all is said and done, the "purchase price" of a 2009 being less then 2 a year old "used" van made us buy new. Only a fool would buy the older, higher miles and "high price" van. Or, put the other way around, one would be a fool to "walk away" from the `brand new` 2009 van (if compared to a 2007 same model vehicle). -giant smile-

Now... I have to start saving dollars for additional add-ons for needed Towing upgrades (like Class III hitch, T-Wiring, 7-Pin plug, Brake Controller, mud flaps on all 4 tires, Timbrens in rear) and possible front wind deflector / bug guard. And, 4 x snow tires (on its own rims) for this winter as well... Even if we bought a used 2007 Montana, we'd probably have to install these add-ons afterwards as well....

Would also like to install extra reverse lights on the rear of our new van as well. Simply install 2 x low profile fogs lights (facing backwards under the rear bumper), install a relay and tap into factory "R" wire. For my dark camp site and dark country roads, extra rear lighting (when in "R" gear) is a great upgrade as well. For a picture of extra reverse lights on my 2001 AWD Safari van, surf: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Safari%20Van/Rear-Lights-3.jpg

Upgrade ideas you may want to install on your future van as well...

(giant smile).

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I just bought my brand new Uplander 2009 LS model + cruise for $16,400 CDN. It was Window Stickered at $26240. That is local special price right now.

I just bought my brand new Uplander 2009 LS model + cruise for $16,400 CDN. It was Window Stickered at $26240. That is local special price right now.

I agree. There's some great deals that can be obtained these days. Especially if one is buying an existing "off the lot" vehicle. For special order "combo" vehicles, their selling cost goes vertical upwards. If Extended, selling price goes up. If 1SB package (which is better then basic), their price goes up. If 1SC Package (which is better then 1SB), their price goes up even more. And if special combo package (re: mixture of 1SB + 1SC package), their selling price goes up as well. But if buying "as is" off the lot with Short Wheel base and basic factory inclusions, one can get some really great deals. Especially if also applying saved up GM Visa points as well.

Congrats on your new van. Way to go!!!!

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Just bought a Montana Ext 1SA with Cruise and a couple other extras for 21350 CND instead of 30350... a good deal I think. :)

Gerald