2001 Ford Windstar

I love the very smooth ride of this van. It's been modified by VMI, a mobility manufacturer of handicap accessable vans. This one has an in-floor sliding ramp and also an 11" lowered floor with a kneeling system to lower the angle for my wifes power wheelchair to enter and exit the van.
I dislike the cheap fiberglass lower panels that are easy to crack and hard to repair.
We bought it to replace a 1996 Chrysler van and becasue of the low mileage of 35,500.
We paid $12,500 for it and they go for $18K+ from vendors.
This was a local seller that lived 20 min. from our home here in So. Cal.

Nice van.Very comfortable and roomy. Stable and smooth on the road.The SEL model is the best value in a used van it has every option and is very affordable.

This review is not about the Ford Windstar that was sold by Ford but about the Ford Windstar that was misrepresented by the seller. As a result I entitled the article "Buyer Beware"!
The Ford Windstar is a wonderful vehicle but the description of the seller and the defective vehicle I received is my issue.
I won't go on and disparage anyone in this short statement. I can just say make sure and check the vehicle before paying for it. Don't do like I did and took it for granted that the seller is Honest Abe. Carfax is just a guide don't rely on it as your absolute tool when purchasing your car. Do your homework and you won't end us with major repair bills before you can say that your vehicle is mechanically sound for driving. I paid for the vehicle to be inspected.... well they charged me for the inspectionn and there is not way the sticker on my car is legitimate (I mean it is real but it was fraudulantly acquired. I say this because the catylitic converter is bad, the EGR valve needs to be replaced, the front shocks/struts, stabilizer bar control link and strut mount had to be replaced. The inner tie rods have to be replaced - how could have this vehicle passed inspection?
Buyer Beware because there is no protection from Ebay for these circumstances that are considered to be normal wear and tear. I am upset because the following is the description of the vehicle for sale on Ebay:
"Here is your chance to purchase a Low Mileage Ford Windstar LX! This vehicle has Dual Sliders and Rear A/C! The only minor imperfections we could find to mention was just a minor scratch on the front bumper and an expected ding or two on the side of the vehicle. We took alot of photos to show as much detail as possible. Please see photos but most of these items are so minor you probably cannot even see them in the photos."

Buyer Beware!

Ananda Ramkissoon

I have spent $5000 on a 4000 VAN! Every time I think everything is ok, clunk. It has more problems than the $100 junkers I've had! If I didn't owe more on it than it was worth, I'd trade it in for a real vehicle. This is my first and only Ford I will ever own.

This mini van is pretty good if you NEED a vehicle. But in general its poorly designed and seemed to have large mecanical problems about once a year. It handles EXTREMILY well but in general its not a nice ride. The windows are ALWAYS frosty in the winter. The heat does not circulate well and its difficult to get into the back seet because of the space and shoulder strap from the middle row of seats. Not many features. Its nice for the driver and passenger in the front but thats IT.

I love the little extra's this van had.It has turn signals in the mirrors,auto sliding doors and many more extras.I'm having some problems with the antenna and their is some type of vacuum leak in the emissions. Overall it's a great van.

Here we have the pinto of the family van set (minus the exploding gas tank.. I hope!). I exchanged an 02 Chrysler T&C for this van, out of circumstance not choice (my T&C got totaled by a cel-phoner, and I just took the best value her insurance company check would get me on e-bay). The T&C had leather, mucho power, loads of little cabinets (like that great over-head sunglass holder compartment that you never appreciate until you don't have one- like I don't with the ford..) nice alloy wheels, power side doors, the whole gambit. I guess that is why I got almost $9k for a six year old car w/ 130k miles on it! The ford is sparse by comparison, cloth seats, not as peppy, little to no storage, seats are hard to remove and HEAVY (use van for catering), a bit noisier, etc. HOWEVER: I got a very nice deal and took a van w/ 85K miles and a busted headlight ($99 to replace) for $2995 on ebay. The Van runs GREAT- VERY ROAD RESPONSIVE, the seat is a bit high, but road vision is great. It also gets SURPRISING mileage: I am defiantly pushing 25 mpg with this strong running, if unexceptional v-6. Suspension is really very very good, handles bumps very well, but does not dampen to the point of "boating" where you have no road feel at all. The overdrive is a bit funky on state roads in the low 50mph range (up, down, up, down) but outside of this small quirk, the van is geared wonderfully, shifting is almost indistinguishable. So: Long story not quite as long... This Van is a great VALUE, if a bit BASIC. Mine is the LX model, I do not know if they had a more lux trim pack available, but I will say the van is SOLID, RELIABLE and LOW COST , with 85,000 miles, this one rides like a new car, no kidding. In the end, I traded away some luxury and perks for a more economical van, with 45,000 less miles, and I got almost 6 thousand dollars to boot! I really like this van.

I have had my windstar for 6 six years and have had it in the shop one time for a radiator hose leak. The vehicle has 186,000 miles on it and is still in top mechanical condition. It has been used to haul everything from landscape materials to lawn mowers, to family on cross country vacations. it has never broken down and is an extremely solid and well built vehicle. I would buy another one in a heart beat if I wasn't upgrading to a truck. I have used this van to haul landscaping materials in for the past 4 years and has been an extremely reliable and strong vehicle.

THe vheicle is not as described at all. But, I guess that is why the guy that sold it cancel is EBay account. CAUSE HE SUCKS AND IS A LIAR!