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Comments
Well in a pinch with only $6300 from the insurance, try to find a reliable vehicle on a lot for that price.. We try to dive them for 10 years and then buy new.. Yes I have a 99 Sable that has two more years left on the loan.. The Sable has been reliable so far.. but it's still under warranty.. We found a clean 96 Windstar with 47,000 mile for $7,200.. The ride is much nicer than the 94 T-sport and everything seems to be working on it... I did need something with at least a 3.5-3.8L engine to pull out 1200lbs pop-up trailer.. I figured we went up 2 model years and dropped 21K in miles, and all I need it to do is last the next two years till the Sable is paid off..
After reading the nightmares here with head gaskets, and trannies I cannot believe the quality of the Windstar can be this bad.. It sounds like Ford couldn't care less.. I really do love the ride of the Ford over the Transport... My last Ford was an 86 T-bird that we loved but with two little kids it was time for a van... My wife loved the idea of the power sliding door.. GM came out with them in 94... GM could of used my wife, our 3 year old and baby for the commercial.. Arms loaded and the pod in hand trying to open the door.. BTW The Transport Plastic body still looked great.. No Rust... Just don't look under the van..
Well anyways I'll keep you posted on the Windstar... I'm hoping that (unfortunately) this may only represent .01% of the bad Windstar out there and this group is extremely vocal..
Man I hope that’s soooooooo .
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
If so, could you please comment....
Any info would help
generally speaking manufacturers extended warranties are less hassle in terms of getting approvals and also knowing the company is still around when you need it, a big problem with many after market ones in previous years- they are out of business when you need them. you are however stuck going to a dealer with a manufacturers warranty though. most dealers nowadays have their service computer systems set up so that if you have an extended warranty and work covered is necessary, it automatically tells the service manager its covered, gets approval electronically from the manufacturer etc etc expediting things quite a bit. also, at least with the subarus (the windstar and venture are still new enough- 2000 models - not to have had to invoke the extended one yet) I have had the dealers cover non covered items as good will gestures. have had one experience with non manufacturer warranty before - for an audi, big hassle getting approvals always necessitating another trip back to get the work done (and if you think a windstar is trouble - I had a 95 too - ok I'm a slow learner!, audis in the 80s were garage queens!).
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The Low Tire pressure warning light stays on constantly. I keep the tires set at 32 to 35 lbs and reset the light and within an hour it comes back on. Dealer has never been able to fix.
We have a gasket leak around the drivers side sliding door that has never been fixed.
We have had many (4 ?) recalls.
It is now leaking oil like a sieve. They replaced the oil pan gasket but it has started leaking again.
I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy.
Monty
Monty
The Park to Drive transmission clunk has "always" been with us. A new battery (preventative), radiator flush and fill and the usual oil changes about every 5000 miles has been the only maintenance - except for the "reprogramming" TSB for the stalling problem.
But after perusing this board, I'm keeping it in my prayers!
I test drove a KIA Sedona, it looked nice and was relatively inexpensive. The test drive was horrible, first it had to be jumped started, there was a horrible popping sound when the brake was pressed, the steering wheel shook ( quite obvious even at low speed) and the back seat was broken, it would not lock in properly. It is the first model year out for KIA. Ford was offering the huge $3,000 rebate and I qualified for the costumer loyalty program ($1,500 off) and after they discounted for the lack of entertainment system how could I say no? I bought my van the same day I drove the KIA.
The batteries sold by Costco are 1/2 the price of Sears' Diehard. What replacement batteries would you recommend?
Thanks,
Fred
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
a/cp as most of the other parts, major failures
after all these years still caused by a redesign
of compressor head, shaft seal which leaks both
fluid(gas) and system oil, as trade member
I have replaced as many 4 pumps under warranty
before taking heat from vehicle maker, brand was
not relevant,
I can get as high as 24mpg on highway only.
I don't think I ever had a fill-up that gave me <15 mpg.
Could just be the driving conditions.
Ex. 2002 SE w/ Family Sec pkg
edmunds & kbb show 27401
forddirect shows 27653
a diff of 252
The TMV on edmunds shows 27473
The MSRP's however match.
If I go in and offer TMV, will they try to say it's less than invoice?
Thanks,
Peeter
I don't think minivans are moving off the lots like gangbusters these days, so you should be in a pretty strong bargaining position for something close to that TMV price (or even better!).
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Also, there's an article on the 2004 Ford Windstar at: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=13329
Thanks
I think we'll get an '04 discussion going in Future Vehicles to go with the Monterey one already started there (link)
Steve, Host