Anyone own a Ford Windstar?

[wdwgal]

I am thinking of getting a minvan (something I thought I would NEVER consider). I currently own a 2001 Honda CRV, but with two children plus occasional tag-a-long frinds I think a minivan might be for me. I would love to have a Honda Odyssey but don't think I can afford one. I found a 2001 Ford Windstar for $6450. I don't know the mileage because I went to the car lot after hours. I am hoping for a even trade of sorts.

Any thoughts?

TIA

wgwgal

 

[kctwinmommy]

We've had 2 and my parents still have theirs from 1995 (or 96). We traded in my DH's Isuzu Rodeo for a 1998 Windstar. And then after we had our twins, my pick up truck wasn't going to cut it!! So we went looking and found one for right around $5-6,000. It was also a 1998 one, but a little nicer shape. So I got that one and my DH kept the other one. I had it until it got T-boned this summer and totaled the car. But I really liked it! Never had any unusual problems with it. And like I said, my parents still have theirs, and it's at least 12 years old!

 

[Tensixmom]

I have a 99 ford windstar and bought it used from the dealer. I love it, but it hasn't been without problems. In the last few years I have started to have problems with the vacuum system in the engine, it had a leak and then something else was wrong, etc, all fixable problems. The door sensors (the ones that sense when the doors are closed) I have had constant problems with, it doesn't detect the passenger door as being closed and leaves the interior light on til the vehicle reaches 10 mph. Recently it seems to not be much of a problem, but I have never had this fixed. The slider (I only have 1) is starting to be hard to close, unknown what that problem is. Also, i have well over 100,000 miles on the van.

Now with that all said, again I do love the windstar, and it has been very reliable so far. I also have 4 boys and they have been very rough on it and I am surprised at how well it has held up so far. I have had it a little over 7 years now and even with all the problems I would still buy a ford minivan again.

I hope it works out for you

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We are on our third Windstar. The first two we traded because we upgraded and wanted newer with better features - leather seats, VHS player, etc. We now have a 2003 with over 80,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. No problems.. just regular maintenance. Well, Ok, there was that one $6000 deer strike! We love the flexibility it offers. We were only going to get a few thousand if we traded it, so we decided to keep it.

The only thing I really wish it had was the fold and go seating. That would be SSOOOOO much more convenient!

 

[bookworm]

I own a 2001 Windstar, although I hate to say it (something always goes wrong when you do.) So far I haven't had any problems with it. We've had it for almost 5 years and it has 116,000 miles on it. So far I've only replaced tires and battery. We drove it 4000 miles this summer on a Yellowstone/Western trip and it did great. (Although my SIL new Chrysler had to have it's transmission replaced when we got back) With 2 kids it almost seems like we live in it sometimes. I've been really pleased with the Windstar.

 

[mrsboz]

I have a 98 Windstar. I have to say that we haven't really had any problems with it until . . . the head gasket went. I am holding my breathe everyday for it to last. It still runs nice. One thing that I really hate though, is the door. It only has one door, that I can live with, but I find it soooooo dangerous. I really want the automatic door with the sensors. I heard about a boy not far from where I lived that got killed on this exact type of door. One day two years ago when I was babysitting my nieces I thought that she was going to kill my son. She slammed the door as hard as she possibly could. Thank God my son was used to her not listening and didn't get in the way of the door. I must have said to her three or four times not to close the door. It is just scary. I am hoping to be able to afford the Odyssey. It just depends on how long my car lasts. I have been saving every nickel and dime. The other thing is that it seems like they really haven't changed at all. I looked at them last summer and they seem the same when it seems like all of these other companies have the storage when the seats go under and the sensors and electronic doors. It seems like they haven't done any upgrading. Check on the head gasket for your year car. I guess this is a common problem with these cars that I was unaware of.

 

[ceecee]

NO NO NO....Found on Road Dead, Fix or Repair Daily. Check out the websites the Windstars are notrious for big repair bills. I bought mine new in 1999 and have put 7000.00 into it in the last 3 years. It has 91,000 miles on it.

 

[autumnbaby9]

I don't own one but my parents own a 2002. It seems to spend alot of time in the shop for little things (sensor malfunction, broken vent, etc). My parents bought the extended warranty and are very glad they did, otherwise they would be out close to $10000 in minor problems over the last 5 years.

It is not a vehicle I would ever buy and they never want to buy another one.

 

[TnTWalter]

I really like it. I have 115K miles on it and plan to keep it for another 2-4 years. Runs well.

Trish

Oops...It's a 2000 not 2001. Also we liked that it was #3 crash test rated [after Honda and Toyota].....DH is also very handy and has been able to do some repairs that would have cost about $1K for a ton less.

 

[plummer925]

I have the Freestar, which came out in 2004 (it replaced the Windstar). I think that is a LOT of money for that particular van.

My 2004 Freestar with 80,000 miles would only get about $6500 and it's in GREAT shape.

My minister has a 2003 Windstar and loves it.

I do like my Freestar - I've had no issues with it. I am, however, switching back to an SUV when I eventually get a different veihicle.

 

[flowerpower]

My husband had a Ford Windstar he used for work for three years and he loved it. When it was time to consider another car for ourselves, we bought a used 2001 (in 2004) and it has been good so far. We bought with 32,000 miles and it currently has 103,000. This car has been basically routine maintenance, though pay attention to the maintenance lights when they come on. I ignored one for several months because the car was operating fine, until I finally had it investigated (which cost me about $1,600). Lesson learned. I use my van like a pick up-for everything. I plan on driving it into the ground. Only wish, like previous posters that it had foldaway seats-though seats can be cumbersome to take in and out.

 

[Goofy22]

We are on our third Windstar. The first two we traded because we upgraded and wanted newer with better features - leather seats, VHS player, etc. We now have a 2003 with over 80,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. No problems.. just regular maintenance. Well, Ok, there was that one $6000 deer strike! We love the flexibility it offers. We were only going to get a few thousand if we traded it, so we decided to keep it.

The only thing I really wish it had was the fold and go seating. That would be SSOOOOO much more convenient!

I think 2003 was the last year for the Windstar because in December of 2004 I purchased a Ford Freestar which took the place of the Ford Windstar! I love it no problems! And I have the fold away seats they are great! I have I believe 65,000 miles on my freestar.

 

[Goofy22]

NO NO NO....Found on Road Dead, Fix or Repair Daily. Check out the websites the Windstars are notrious for big repair bills. I bought mine new in 1999 and have put 7000.00 into it in the last 3 years. It has 91,000 miles on it.

Sounds Like 1999 was a bad year for this particular vehicle! My husband is a mechanic and there are certain cars that certain years they are made they have problems that supercede the vehicle but other years of the exact vehicle have minimal or No Problems!

 

[carissanboys]

Sounds Like 1999 was a bad year for this particular vehicle! My husband is a mechanic and there are certain cars that certain years they are made they have problems that supercede the vehicle but other years of the exact vehicle have minimal or No Problems!

Yes it was! We purchased a used 99 Windstar a few years back and it was fine until the problems started. I started to do research on line and found that the 99's had lots of problems. Stay away from a 99 Windstar and you should be allright

 

[Cindy B]

Run far far far away from a Windstar of any kind.

I had a 1995 Windstar-- and lets see-- we had to get a transmission rebuild, seven engine sensors replaced, head gasket replaced and a other "small" items.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Bought my Windstar used from the dealer. It now has almost 100,000 miles and still going strong!!

 

[Densgirl]

I love my Windstar. It's got almost 200,000 miles on it. It's a 98 and I've done all the scheduled maintenence on it. We've seemed to have brake pad issues most of all if I could pinpoint anything but otherwise I have loved it.

Edited to add: It got us to WDW three times! LOL

 

[micmacmissy]

Please go to consumer reports and research what they have to say about the Ford Windstar.

It gets TERRIBLE ratings for reliability. My sister and friend both had them and had nothing but problems--radiator, transmission, engine leaks, etc.

If you do the research, you will find that Toyota and Honda make the highest rated minivans. Look for a used Odyssey or Sienna instead. You may pay a little more upfront, but you will save in repairs!

Another option is the Mazda MPV minivan (they weren't made after 2004, but they are very reliable and less expensive than Toyota or Honda!)

Do the research and you'll see this for yourself.

 

[Snowysmom]

We have a 96 windstar. Unfortunately, it has had alot of problems. The head gasket went at 80,000 miles. That was an expensive fix. It has had brake problems including the anti lock brakes. It has had alot of other problems that we had to fix. For a while, it seemed to spend more time in the shop than at home. We still have it because we did put alot in to fix the head gasket. At this point, it is cheaper than a car payment and it is worth more to us because of that. It does have 110,000 miles on it but it feels like a van with 110,000 miles on it. I wouldn't recommend one to be honest.

 

[DawnM]

We had one. It was the worst car purchase I have ever made. Something was always wrong with it. Finally, the engine died. It would have cost $4,000 to fix it and with all the issues we had already had with it, we just donated it.

I would never buy another.

Dawn