Here’s something you definitely don’t see every day: a Ford Windstar in seemingly near-mint condition. In general, minivans lead hard lives and are very rarely kept in anything resembling preserved condition. This seems to apply doubly for domestic minivans which enter into a resale value free fall after the first owner has traded it in, and even more so if it’s not one of the higher-zoot luxury trim models. This 2001 Ford Windstar SEL listed here on craigslist is a high-spec example and loaded with creature comforts, along with having been very carefully driven. It’s offered for $4,650 in Cape Coral, FL.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find. The Windstar was the replacement for the unusual Aerostar, which is only unusual because it seemed to be the last name a vehicle could serve as a plumber’s work wagon during the week and a family hauler on the weekends. Models like the Windstar, the Mercury Villager, and the Chrysler Town and Country were all transformative in that they made owning a high-end minivan relatively stylish. Sure, it wasn’t like riding to school in a Mercedes 300E station wagon, but it did go to show you could own a minivan and enjoy trick features like fold-down TVs and rear seat audio controls – two features your average 12-year old would totally dig.
When the Windstar was first introduced, it did so with a bit of a stumble by neglecting to add a second sliding door, a feature that was quickly becoming an expectation on minivans after being popularized by the Dodge Caravan. The second generation model like this one ensured passengers could enter on both sides, despite at one time there being a priority on letting passengers exit only on the curb side as a thoughtful safety measure. Convenience clearly won this battle, with Ford offering the sliding doors on either side of the van. This 2001 model represents a major shift in Ford’s styling at the time, as it pivoted to the “New Edge” design language. The Windstar also rode on a dedicated chassis architecture, utilizing the Ford V platform. As you can see in photos, the interior of this Windstar is in excellent condition.
Mileage is low at 82,000, which explains why the seating surfaces and switchgear like these rear seat controls remain in excellent condition. The Windstar is powered by the Essex-series 3.8L V6, and was the only engine choice offered. In 2000, this rear seat entertainment console was introduced as standard equipment on the Limited trim and optional elsewhere in the lineup; it got you a flip-down LCD screen and the aforementioned back seat media controls. In general, this is an overlooked player in the domestic minivan marketplace, and very rarely seen in respectable condition like this one. Buy it and save about $75,000 off the cost of a comparable modern-day SUV.
Let’s see, Mercedes, Jag, Ferrari,,,FORD WINDSTAR????( sound of screeching tires) After the old man could no longer buy his land yachts, he switched to Ford vans. He had a couple Aerostars, that one I got from him for my family, great vans, wifey couldn’t kill it. Then he went with a Windstar, it, I’m sorry to say, was a miserable replacement for the Aerostar. Never cared for the 3.8 motor, the FWD ( that I doubt the old man even knew about) made for poor handling. Crummy controls that broke, after the 2nd transmission, he got rid of it, and got, on my advice, a Chrysler T&C van, with much better results. Some may have had better results, but I recommend this van to nobody.
Very true. I have a 94 Aerostar I use regularly for 15 years now. It cuts down the miles on my 99 Escalade and 86 VW convertible. I have an Antique tag on all of them now. I do all my own work and it’s in very good condition. Even both A/Cs work as does the factory cassette end EQ. It has the digital dash, all functioning.
I do wish they had kept the shifter on the floor like my older ones had.
….”Let’s see, Mercedes, Jag, Ferrari,,,FORD WINDSTAR????( sound of screeching tires)”…
Howard…. You totally cracked me up with that. We had a young family during this time period and had friends with young families as well, a couple of them had Windstars. Unfortunately, they didnt get glowing reviews, and I remember some of the fancy fearures not holding up too well. I was told that you either had to remove the engine, or at least unbolt all the motor mounts to be able to replace the water pump which was not a cheap or easy fix. But maybe someone on here knows of a short cut. To add to Howards comments on the Aerostar, They were RWD and at least to me, built more like a truck, and I mean this in a good way, anyone we knew that had one, they held up reliably for years.
But still, I’m impressed with the condition of this one, it doesn’t give me the feeling it was a family vehicle, maybe retirees had it for traveling, which, traveling in a minivan is a pretty comfortable thing to do for a long distance journey.
In our raising-the-kids era, we had four minivans, including a Windstar. It did its job fine, no particular issues. Even though it was a 1995, their first year of production.
When these show up in the local salvage yard, the Mustang 3.8 wrenches come out of the woodwork to grab the intake manifold for the additional bolt-on 10+HP. That is if it’s still good, as it’s made of a polymer plastic..
Kinda funny to see more HP from the same motor in a practical minivan as compared to a racy looking “sports car”.
We’re on our 4th Chrysler company van since 1991 with our 2021 Pacifica 3.5 six with a 9 speed transmission that really hauls. We haul people, trailers with cars on them, big bags of whatever comes in big bags, and anything that will fit inside of it. Hauled our Mini Cooper S 300 miles round trip to have engine checked and got caught running 80 mph on the interstate just to match all the rest of the fast runners. Only problem we’ve had was at 2,000 miles with the battery dying. The rat that got ground up in the AC is another story…..
Great find!! Love the RCA jacks on center console, I’ll bring my VCR on the trip! I once had a mini-van, Mazda, most versatile vehicle ever.
We had a fully loaded 97 Windstar that served as very well and was a terrific highway cruiser. I still see a few rusty Windstars on the road where I live.
I leased the same van except blue and silver/grey interior.
When I picked it up there was condensation in each headlight, the headliner was unglued and hanging down in the front and the wheel wasn’t on center.
When I was just about to turn it in, it started leaking oil.
It had all the bells and whistle, wasn’t horrible to drive and was about as “cool” as a mini van got back then.
I had a 2000 Windstar SE for a company car. Put over 140,000 miles on it in 4 years. No issues with it, did the required maintenance per the owners manual. Removed the 3rd row seating put some rubber mats down and hauled tooling in it. It could handle up to1,200 pounds without any problems placed throughout the back of the van when needed. Was very comfortable and I was quite sad that Ford quick making them when we replaced it.
This is an interesting pick. We had a 4wd Aerostar, it was terrific. We hauled kids,dogs and pop up campers. Even hauled my 64 Catalina convertible bringing it home 3 hours away. The best was when I pulled a pickup with plow, out of my neighbor’s ditch, one very snowy night, giving me bragging rights at the coffee pot at work the next morning
Dad had a 2001. Bought off a garage in town when the church group that owned it broke down and couldn’t afford to fix the transmission. Paid $2500 for it, including the new transmission, and drove it til he passed. I gave it to my aunt with 160,00 miles on it. She finally killed it with a little over 200,000 miles on it. The body was still decent, as was the interior. The 3.8 gave up the ghost due to her never changing the oil. It was a great van for what it was designed for. People moving in relative comfort.
My father bought a new Windstar LX in 2000, drove it off the lot and about 100 miles down the road the transmission went, it was immediately replaced under warranty. He then bought a new 2002 Windstar SE because the first one wasn’t luxurious enough. The dealer preemptively replaced the transmission at 1600 miles, it was a great vehicle until it was traded it in for an Expedition that everyone hated.
Nobody has mentioned that the generation before these have a longer driver door to allow ladies to place their purse behind their driver’s seat.
There was a reason they called these Death Stars…an awful bulbous replacement to the Aerostar. We had a few of these in my govt service and just a globule feeling inside and out.
Seriously, a soccer mom vehicle on barn finds. Must be a awful slow car day
Had a couple of Windstars in addition to the Freestar to follow. Good solid vans with the caveat that you are careful to change the transmission fluid regularly. The 3.8 has a well-deserved reputation for blowing head gaskets and you have to drop the whole subframe to take it and the trans out through the bottom. From the pictures it looks like this one was taken care of and should last a loooong time. Good price for what it is.
Drove one once. Nuff said ‘bout that.
I had 5 Windstars (84-91)- as in passing wind, as my siblings called mine. All my siblings eventually atleast one. A cynical brother passed his down to his daughter when starting a family. My son drove our “Manny Van” for over 120k.. He drove it back and forth from Wash. state to Chicago, and Ct. I’m certain many times, he checked out the top speed of the Mnny Van through the flats of the mid-west. He did blow the tranny, after he admitted wailing on it through college through the brutal hills of Portland Ore. Snow tires never got us stuck in many a snow storm. They served a great function, far more drivable, comfortable and economical than an SUV. It was a very good and completely dependable car. Yea, a mini-van lol
Owned two windstar sel models. Drove them several times cross country and back. Very comfortable, low to mid twenties gas mileage with a huge gas tank giving up to 500 miles range! Never any major problems. I’m on my fourth Chrysler Pacifica and it’s an even better vehicle. Greg from Delaware