Are Aerostar Vans reliable?

Question

I found one that has 228 800 KM (not miles). Real cheap and he says it's reliable. Lots of rust. I want reliable and room to pack stuff.... How are Aerostars?

Answer 1

Well, my 1989 Ford Aerostar, extended cargo version, is still rolling at 201K miles, and I just put a set of 50K-mile tires on it. (That's optimism, huh?) It handles long commutes in the Dallas area with no problem. It'll tow a car or trailer with no problems. I've surprised some 4WDers by showing up on top of a rocky hill in the middle of nowhere to ask for directions. (I think it kinda hurt their feelings that an Aerostar could follow them.)

I've towed broken Chevys, Hondas, and Mitsubishis with it. (Note: if you tow a broken Chevy with your Aerostar, your Aerostar will be insufferably smug for about a week.)

It's broken down on me only twice. Once in the driveway, once two blocks away from my house. It's never left me stranded in a bad spot.

It gets about 20 mpg in the city and as much as 25 mpg on the highway, if you keep the windows rolled up.

The engine (3.0L) still fires up first time, every time.

Bottom line: in a long history of driving junk cars, I've never had a car this reliable. The biggest problem with Aerostars is the transmission. If you need a rebuild, it can run from $1500 to $2000. Maybe more these days.

For the one you're looking at, I'd give it a good test drive. Make sure it starts easily, make sure there's no weird noises, and make sure the transmission doesn't seem flaky. If it feels good, give it a shot, but don't spend more than about $1000 on it. There are lots of Aerostars for sale with lower miles and less rust in the $1K to $2K price range.

Correction: I missed that you were talking about kilometers instead of miles, even though you were *very* clear about it. So my price estimates are way off.

JMB

Answer 2

Oh no, please resist the urge to buy that! These cars tend to have dashboard fires, and are generally not a good thing to own. If it were my money, I'd go for a Toyota Previa instead.

There is a merciless used car guide by Phil Edmonston, called the Lemon Aid Used Car Guide - check what it says in there, if it's anything like what my book says, that car will not make you happy.

Here's what the book says:

"The Aerostar has a reliability record only the Marquis de Sade could truly appreciate. Owners report problems with body hardware, front brake durability, suspension and the heating/ defrosting system. The electronic engine controls are prone to erratic operation and are difficult to repair. There have been a few automatic transmission breakdowns. The 3L powerplant has provided mediocre reliability. The Center for Auto Safety, Washington, DC, has opened an investigation of 1986-1988 Ford Aerostars for safety-related defects, including rear-brake lock-up, side doors that fall off, electrical seat fires and fuel filler neck leaks."

The author recommends buying a Mercury Villager or Quest instead. I know from experience in Britain and New Zealand that Previas are also very good.

Answer 3

Aerostars are one of the most reliable products to roll off the ford lines in the last 20 years. The only exception is the 4.0 engine... it's not up to par with the rest of the car.... make sure you get the 3.0 (a touch underpowered for that big of a car, but very reliable).

Just make sure that at 288k miles you're not paying very much. :) That's a lot of miles, even for a reliable car.

Answer 4

Yes they are reliable, but the rust is a concern and the mileage is still high. You're the same one that I just answered on your last question. There are better ones out there. Save your money. Every seller says that a car is reliable. A used car is one that the seller wants to get rid of. No offense either.

Answer 5

I have had 2 of them & I loved them both! They were great! My first van my husband was driving one day, going about 45mph on a curve, the lane was really skinny & the front tire went off the pavement, there was a 3 inch drop, when he tried to get back on the pavement, it made him lose control & he rolled it three times & landed on the other side of the road in someones front yard. It totaled the van, two tires came off, it smashed the windows all in, but the roof didn't crush in, the seat held that my husband was sitting in, the seatbelt held, (thank god he was wearing it!) He was able to walk away from it with only bruses from where the seatbelt held him in as it rolled. His hat was found where the van first rolled at on the other side of the road about 200 feet away from the van. I believe that van saved my husbands life! We went out & bought another van just like it & I drove that one for years. It finally gave out last year, we now have a honda crv. I still miss my Aerostar van!They have loads of room inside for hauling stuff & they drive so smooth on the roads. I would buy that van if I was you, you wont regret it! Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

Ford has misplaced their acceptance on high quality and reliability. i comprehend of a chum who owned a Ford Windstar and had to take it to a save 15 cases (He offered it off a broker style new. 2001). Has greater electric powered and engine problems. Why not try a Toyota Sienna CE, LE, or XLE? Or Chrysler city & usa? yet, try force for yourselves and spot if the Ford Windstar is a sturdy van or those I listed above.

Answer 7

Horrible contraptions. How Ford inflicted this vehicle on the buying public for so long is a total mystery. Run, don't walk away from this one.

Answer 8

they are known for having transmission problems - find something else this was one of Ford's worst efforts - never heard the word reliable used to describe one